India

PACRA has upgraded the long-term rating of Bank AL Habib Limited to “AA+”. It also maintained the short-term rating at “A1+”. Meanwhile, the ratings of the unsecured, subordinated TFC issues have also been upgraded to “AA”. These ratings denote very low expectation of credit risk emanating from a very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency or PACRA ratings reflect the bank’s exceptional asset quality and robust financial profile, an outcome of management’s prudent risk management policies and low risk appetite. The management’s proactive stance towards strengthening its systems and controls and initiatives in product innovation, technology upgradation and outreach expansion have assisted growth prospects, while improving the bank’s relative positioning among peers. Meanwhile, the bank continues to sustain a strong foothold in its core area of focus – trade finance to commercial segment – despite intensifying competition.  

Allied Bank launched three renovated branches in Karachi - Finance & Trade Center branch, Khayaban-e-Ittehad branch and Merewether Tower branch.

Analysts see more bond release from Indian banks investors are becoming more comfortable with Indian paper.

The bank’s profit short of $83.3mln as provisions for bad loans surged and staff costs climbed.

The lender is choosing among three banks after it had bought one Indonesian bank in 2006.

Yes Bank was assigned a bank financial strength rating of D+ as well as a Baa3 long-term and Prime-3 short-term global local-currency deposit ratings and Ba1 long-term and Not Prime short-term foreign-currency deposit ratings, which are constrained by the corresponding sovereign ceiling.

Investors bid for 20 times the bonds offered in the sale as SBI earlier targeted $112.22mln.

I-Express opens access through network of over 2,500 branches and 5,600 ATMs, and 55,000 Visa-enabled ATMs.

SBI joins forces with Western Union to open service in its 12,000 branches across India.

15 year upper Tier II can be sold 9% and 10-year lower Tier II 8.75%.

Government enforces measures on improving nation’s infrastructure after ranking 89th in Global Competitiveness Index.

$1.41mln average business brought by each employee below industry average despite above average salary expenses.

ICICI susidiary targets growth capital investments in the sub-Rs 1 crore category in mid-market companies, it added.

Lender in no hurry for follow-on public offering despite clearance for FPO would not expire.

Lender also looking to offer basket of global investment products to customers across Southeast Asia.

Echoes RBI's comment that PSBs might lose talent to private sector lenders behind  poor compensation packages.