LONDON, May 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
- Close Brothers Limited upgraded 3 notches to Aa3 (from A3),
with stable outlook
- Close Brothers Group plc upgraded 1 notch to A3 (from Baa1),
with stable outlook
Close Brothers is pleased to confirm that Moody's Investors
Service ("Moody's") has today upgraded the long-term deposit rating
of Close Brothers Limited (CBL), its banking subsidiary, to Aa3
from A3 and its short-term deposit rating to Prime-1 from Prime-2.
As a result, CBL is now one of the highest rated banks in the
UK. Moody's has also upgraded the long-term issuer and senior
unsecured rating for Close Brothers Group plc (CBG) to A3 from
Baa1. CBG's Prime-2 short-term issuer rating was unaffected
by this rating action.
The outlook is stable on all long-term ratings for CBL and
CBG.
The rating upgrade reflects the bank's improved asset quality
profile as well as the implementation of Moody's new bank rating
methodology. In particular, Moody's noted four key
strengths:
- A further increase in Close Brothers' already strong
profitability levels, underpinned by high-margin and mostly secured
lending;
- Close Brothers' strong funding structure underpinned by a
'borrow long / lend short' strategy;
- Its good track record of performance stability over various
economic cycles; and
- The strong capital position compared to rated peers which,
coupled with the relatively short duration of its loan portfolio,
makes the business resilient to stress.
These rating actions represent a further validation of our
proven business model and prudent approach to funding and capital
management, which has enabled us to trade consistently and provide
funding to SMEs at all stages in the economic cycle.
About Close Brothers
Close Brothers is a leading merchant banking group, providing
lending, deposit taking, wealth management services, and securities
trading. The group employs 2,800 people, principally in the UK.
We are listed on the London Stock Exchange and are a member
of the FTSE 250.
Close Brothers' Banking division provides lending to small
businesses and individuals, with an emphasis on specialist finance,
and also offers deposit taking services to UK businesses and
individuals.
