2009-11-19 15:05:05 -
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Citigroup Inc.'s (Citi) Individual Rating to 'D/E' from 'E' and placed this rating on Rating Watch Positive. Fitch has also revised the Rating Watch on Citi's 'B' trust preferred rating to Positive from Negative. A full list of ratings follows this release.
In addition, Fitch has affirmed the following ratings.
--Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'A+';
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+';
--Support rating at '1';
--Support rating floor at 'A+'.
The affirmation of Citi's ratings reflect Citi's continued systemic importance and the high level of capital and funding support from the U.S. government. The U.S. government's ownership interest in Citi stood at 34% following the completion of Citi's exchange offer which converted the bulk of preferred
and a portion of trust preferred securities to common equity. This exchange boosted tangible common equity (TCE) by approximately $60 billion.
The upgrade of Citi's Individual rating recognizes improvements in Citi's capital, liquidity and funding structure combined with meaningful reductions in troubled capital market exposures and non-core businesses.
Following the completion of Citi's exchange offer, its TCE and Tier I common equity ratios now appear relatively strong. That said, these ratios must continue to be viewed in the context of Citi's comparatively higher asset quality problems and weaker operating earnings.
Non-core assets have declined by approximately $100 billion since the beginning of 2009 with broad-based declines in various loan and securities categories. The recently completed sale of Nikko Cordial along with continued progress working down other portfolio categories will result in a further reduction in fourth quarter 2009. However, non-core assets remained substantial at over $600 billion (approximately one-third of Citi's balance sheet). Consequently, fully winding down non-core assets likely will be a multi-year task.
The Positive Rating Watch on the Individual rating incorporates the improvements in capital as well as the possibility of stabilizing loan portfolio quality and overall financial performance. There are early signs credit losses may be leveling off although much depends on the future direction of U.S. housing and unemployment as well as a continued turnaround in delinquency trends in key international markets. Notably, Citi is expected to benefit from its limited commercial real estate (CRE) loan exposure compared with U.S. peer banks. In Fitch's rating criteria, a bank's standalone financial strength is reflected in Fitch's Individual rating and the prospect of external support is reflected in Fitch's support ratings.
For the trust preferred rating, the Positive Rating Watch reflects a much improved capital composition following the exchange plan. TCE has become the dominant portion of the capital structure at approximately 70% of total capital compared with approximately 30% before the exchange plan. Going forward, aggregate coupon costs on preferred instruments will decline by approximately $1 billion per quarter. The Positive Rating Watch on trust preferred instruments also acknowledges stronger holding company liquidity and the potential for stabilizing financial performance.
A positive resolution of the Rating Watch would hinge on the following major factors including: continued stabilization of core operating results and asset quality, further progress in reducing non-core assets, and maintenance of a solid capital position. Fitch will assess the prospective stability of Citi's liquidity and funding profile as Citi ends the use of government funding support, including guaranteed debt issues under the FDIC's TLGP program and unlimited coverage of demand deposits through the FDIC's TAG program. Further, Fitch would factor in any capital impact on possible repayment of TARP capital.
The following Ratings have been upgraded and placed on Rating Watch Positive.
Citigroup Inc.
--Individual to 'D/E' from 'E'.
Citibank, N.A.
--Individual to 'D/E' from 'E'.
Citibank (South Dakota), N.A.
--Individual to 'D/E' from 'E'.
Citibank Banamex USA
--Individual to 'D/E' from 'E'.
The following Ratings have been affirmed with a Stable Outlook.
Citigroup Inc.
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Senior unsecured at 'A+'
--Subordinated at 'A'
--Preferred at 'C'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Support at '1'
--Support Floor at 'A+'
--Long-term FDIC guaranteed debt at 'AAA'
--Short-term FDIC guaranteed debt at 'F1+'
Citigroup Funding Inc.
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Senior unsecured at 'A+'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Short-term debt 'F1+'
--Long-term FDIC guaranteed debt at 'AAA'
--Short-term FDIC guaranteed debt at 'F1+'
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Senior unsecured at 'A+'
--Subordinated 'A'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Short-term debt at 'F1+'
Citibank, N.A.
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Long term deposits at 'AA-'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Short-term deposits at 'F1+'
--Support at '1'
--Support Floor at 'A+'
--Long-term FDIC guaranteed debt at 'AAA'
--Short-term FDIC guaranteed debt at 'F1+'
Citibank International PLC
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Support at '1'
Citibank (South Dakota), N.A.
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Long-term deposits at 'AA-'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Short-term deposits at 'F1+'
--Support at '1'
--Support floor at 'A+'
Citibank Banamex USA
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Subordinated at 'A'
--Long-term deposits at 'AA-'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Short-term deposits at 'F1+'
--Support at '1'
--Support Floor at 'A+'
CitiFinancial Europe plc
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Senior unsecured at 'A+'
--Senior shelf at 'A+'
--Subordinated at 'A'
Citigroup Derivatives Services LLC.
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Short-term IDR 'F1+'
--Support at '1'
Citibank Canada
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Long-term deposits at 'A+'
Citibank Japan Ltd.
--Long-term IDR at 'A+'
--Short-term IDR at 'F1+'
--Support at '1'
Commercial Credit Company
--Senior unsecured at 'A+'
Associates Corporation of North America
--Senior unsecured at 'A+'
--Subordinated at 'A'
Egg Banking plc
--Senior unsecured at 'A+'
--Subordinated 'A'
The following Ratings have been removed from Rating Watch Negative and placed on Rating Watch Positive.
Citigroup Capital III, VII, VIII, IX, X, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXIX, XXX, XXXI, and XXXII
--Trust Preferred 'B'.
Adam Capital Trust III, Adam Statutory Trust III-V
--Trust Preferred 'B'.
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Fitch Ratings, New YorkJoseph S. Scott, +1-212-908-0624Christopher
D. Wolfe, +1-212-908-0771Media RelationsBrian Bertsch,
+1-212-908-0549
brian.bertsch@fitchratings.com : mailto:brian.bertsch@fitchratings.com
