Rating Outlook
Broadly Stable: Asia-Pacific (APAC) banks‟ ratings have generally stable outlooks, reflecting
Fitch Ratings‟ view of their ability at their existing rating levels to weather the weaker global
economy, or the ability and willingness of the respective sovereigns to provide support. Key
elements to this rating outlook include the ability to absorb higher credit losses as economic
activity slows, as well as the strength of funding structures.
Economic Headwinds: Against the backdrop of the global environment, Fitch expects that
slower APAC GDP growth will help in most cases to contain inflation and the risk of an asset
bubble. More accommodative policy actions are expected to support economic activity – which
the agency expects to remain reasonably healthy by global standards.
China/Europe Downside Risks: Fitch remains cautious on Chinese banks. Funding and
liquidity pressures are growing, as banks balance rising forbearance/asset-quality burdens with
pressure to lend in support of economic growth. This is adding downward pressure on Viability
Ratings (VRs) within China, and could also have an impact on the VRs of banks based in
regional centres where exposure to China has grown – such as Hong Kong and Singapore.
Downside risk is also heightened by potential economic contagion from Europe and/or
structural economic deterioration in China.