OREANDA-NEWS. August 16, 2010. Moody's Investors Service has changed the outlook on SB Sberbank's Ba2 local and foreign currency deposit ratings to stable from negative. The bank's E+ bank financial strength rating (BFSR) remains unchanged with a stable outlook, reported the press-centre of KASE.

The change of the outlook on the bank's deposit ratings reflects the stabilization of the bank's credit profile as evidenced by (i) the bank's strengthening franchise with increasing market share in lending and deposit taking, (ii) the relatively low level of problem loans that may peak in H2 2010, and (iii) strong liquidity with liquid assets accounting for over 40% of the bank's total assets at end-May 2010. The change of outlook also takes account the change of outlook to stable from negative for the D+ BFSR of its parent, Russia's Sberbank, on 21st July, 2010.

Moody's added that the bank's improving earnings along with lower loan loss charges in the near term should ensure it is able to increase its loan book, while maintaining sufficient capital to provide a cushion to absorb the potential risks from this.

According to Moody's, SB Sberbank's E+ BFSR, which translates into a Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) of B2, is underpinned by the bank's strong liquidity, adequate capitalisation and acceptable asset quality. The BFSR is constrained primarily by the bank's still modest, but increasing, market share and significant borrower concentration relative to its gross loans.

The bank's Ba2 deposit ratings are based on its B2 BCA and Moody's assessment of a high probability of support from Russia's Sberbank (rated A3/D+ mapping to a BCA of Ba1), which fully controls the bank. Consequently, the bank's deposit ratings receive a three-notch uplift from the B2 BCA.

Moody's notes that in the medium-term, SB Sberbank's deposit ratings may be upgraded if the bank continues to strengthen its franchise while significantly reducing borrower concentration and maintaining adequate financial fundamentals, including capital adequacy.

Conversely, the bank's ratings can come under negative pressure in case of a material increase in its balance sheet concentrations or substantial asset quality deterioration.

Moody's previous rating action on SB Sberbank was implemented on 24 February 2009 when the bank's local and foreign currency deposit ratings of Ba2 were confirmed with a negative outlook.

The principal methodologies used in rating SB Sberbank were "Bank Financial Strength Ratings: Global Methodology", published in February 2007, and "Incorporation of Joint-Default Analysis into Moody's Bank Ratings: A Refined Methodology", which was published in March 2007 and can be found at www.moodys.com in the Rating Methodologies sub-directory under the Research & Ratings tab. Other methodologies and factors that may have been considered in the process of rating this issuer can also be found in the Rating Methodologies sub-directory on Moody's website.

Headquartered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, SB Sberbank reported total assets and net income of USD1.48 billion and USD14.5 million at year-end 2009, according to the bank's IFRS financial statements.