Fitch Rating Lanka re-affirms Bank of Ceylon AA+; outlook stable

Fitch’s periodic review re-affirmed the Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) National long-Term Rating as AA+ (lka) Outlook Stable in January 2017 and the International Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) as B+ Outlook Negative. The Bank has been obtaining ratings from Fitch Rating Lanka Ltd since 2000 and has been gradually improving since it obtained its National Long-Term Rating as AA+ (lka). Fitch also considered the country’s operation environment as a key rating driver for the banking sector when considering IDR, where it is unlikely that such would be assigned above the sovereign rating. The IDRs and the National Long-Term Ratings of the Bank reflect the sovereign support and Fitch further states that it expects support for BOC to stem from its high systematic importance, quasi-sovereign status, role as key lenders to the Government and full state ownership. Understanding its duty as the Banker’s to the Nation with a steadfast track record of over 77 year in the Sri Lankan banking industry, BOC is the highest profit earning single business entity in the country which has immensely contributed to the economic development of the country. As banking giant, BOC has spread its operation to every single sector, individuals from all walks of life or any business from the smallest to the largest assisting them to obtain sustainable growth together with the Bank. BOC has sharpened its operational efficiency and versatility through many well-strategized goals earned three “Trillion” targets as over Assets, Deposits and Advances becoming the only Sri Lankan bank to ever surpass such milestones. The Bank earned global recognition as one of the top 1000 banks in the world, (Country rank No.1) as listed by “The Banker Magazine” (UK) respectively in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Bank claimed its award as the only Sri Lankan brand recognized as one of Asia’s Best Brands in 2013 by the Chief Marketing Officer’s Council (CMO Council) based in Mumbai, India. Brand Finance Lanka has ranked BOC as the country’s No. 1 brand for the last eight consecutive years and valued BOC Brand at Rs.41.5 Billion in 2016. ICRA (lk) awarded AAA rating which is the highest credit quality rating issued by ICRA Lanka. BOC won the merit award for Annual Report 2015 under State Owned Enterprises category at the Excellence in Integrated Reporting Awards – 2016 conducted by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka. “Asia’s Best Employer Brand” awards organized by Employer Brand Institute endorsed the BOC as one of those classed as a “Best Employer Brand” for the year 2016. (Media Release)