JCR reconfirms AAA credit rating for BKT

TIRANA, April 18 – JCR Eurasia Rating, an affiliate of Japan Credit Rating Agency, has affirmed a credit rating of ‘AAA (Alb)’ along with a ‘stable’ outlook to Banka Kombetare Tregtare Sh.A. (BKT) on the Long Term National scale, which denotes the highest investment grade. For the Long Term International Foreign Currency category, the Bank has been assessed at ‘BB+’ rating, while the Long Term International Local Currency credit rating has been assessed at ‘BB’.
BKT, the second largest bank operating in Albania owned by Turkey’s Calik Group, has recently achieved growth beyond that of the sector in terms of performance indicators regarding volume and profitability such as assets, credit, deposits and equity. During the year 2010, both BKT in particular and the Albanian Banking sector as a whole experienced a substantial increase in non-performing loans. However, as BKT’s total non-performing loans to total loans ratio has remained considerably below the sector rate, the Bank’s asset quality is shown to be protected. The Bank’s long-term and broad based deposit structure facilitates the management of liquidity.
The Bank, which is increasing its efficiency in the area through its branches in Kosovo alongside its activities in Albania, obtains growth opportunities in the retail banking sector thanks to the Bank’s sole shareholder, ȡlık Group’s fields of activity in strategic sectors all over Albania and neighboring countries.
The opinion has been reached that the shareholders have the capability in parallel with their financial efficiency to assure long-term liquidity and equity as well as to provide operational support when necessary to Banka Kombetare Tregtare Sh.A.