Fitch affirms three Malaysian banks

Fitch Ratings said it affirmed the long-term issuer default ratings of three Malaysian banks, including Malayan Banking Bhd., Hong Leong Bank Bhd. and Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Bhd. (Mexim) at A-.

The outlook is stable.

The agency said the ratings of Maybank and Hong Leong Bank are driven by the strength of their standalone financial profiles as indicated by their viability ratings of a-.

Maybank's ratings derive from its dominant local franchise, which anchors its stable funding and liquidity profile and steady performance through economic cycles, Fitch said.

Hong Leong Bank’s ratings are underpinned by its conservative risk appetite and sound capital, funding and liquidity positions, the agency said.

Fitch said that Mexim’s ratings are equalized with that of the sovereign (A-/stable), reflecting an expectation that the likelihood of state support for the bank is extremely high, if required.

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