Fitch rates People’s Leasing’s senior debt AA (lka)(EXP)

Fitch Ratings has assigned People's Leasing & Finance PLC's (PLC, AA(lka)/Stable) proposed senior debenture issue of up to LKR8bn an expected National LongTerm Rating of 'AA(lka)(EXP)'. The debentures, which will have tenors of three, four and five years and carry fixed coupons, will be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. PLC expects to use the proceeds for working capital purposes and to reduce maturity mismatches. The final rating is subject to the receipt of final documentation conforming to information already received. KEY RATING DRIVERS The proposed debenture is rated in line with PLC's National LongTerm Rating of 'AA(lka)', as the issue is expected to rank equally with claims of the company's other senior unsecured creditors. PLC's Issuer Default Rating and National LongTerm Rating reflect Fitch's view that PLC's parent, the stateowned and systemically important People's Bank (Sri Lanka) (AA+(lka)/Stable) would provide extraordinary support to PLC, if required. People's Bank's propensity to support PLC stems from its 75%shareholding in PLC, common brand and PLC's position as the bank's "strategic subsidiary". PLC accounted for 29.6% of People's Bank's consolidated posttax profits and 9.9% of total assets at end March 2016. PLC has 110 window offices within People's Bank branches in addition to its own branches. The parent's ability to provide support to PLC is, however, limited, as reflected in Sri Lanka's rating of B+. The National LongTerm Rating of People's Bank reflects Fitch's expectation of extraordinary support from the sovereign. RATING SENSITIVITIES The ratings on the proposed debentures will move in tandem with PLC's National LongTerm Rating. A full list of PLC's ratings follows: LongTerm ForeignCurrency IDR at 'B'; Outlook Negative LongTerm LocalCurrency IDR at 'B'; Outlook Negative National LongTerm Rating at 'AA(lka)'; Outlook Stable National LongTerm Rating for senior unsecured debt at 'AA(lka)' Proposed senior debentures assigned at 'AA(lka)(EXP)'