DBRS Releases Updated Global Methodology for Rating Banks & Banking Organisations; No Rating Changes

DBRS today published an updated version of the Global Methodology for Rating Banks and Banking Organisations that is effective as of today. The changes are largely for clarification and to update the language to reflect the evolving regulatory environment. There are no material changes from the last published version in terms of the core approach used by DBRS to assess banks. Accordingly, this update has not resulted in any rating changes or other rating actions. Given the limited changes, this update was not published with a request for comment.

Notwithstanding today’s release, DBRS continues to monitor the effectiveness of this methodology and other banking related criteria in light of the ongoing evolution that is affecting banks in areas such as regulatory changes (enacted and proposed) and in some regions, the reality of economic stress and sovereign challenges. DBRS will continue to strive to add additional clarity and implement new considerations in its methodology updates as appropriate on a timely basis.

DBRS criteria and methodologies are publicly available on its website at: http://www.dbrs.com/about/methodologies

DBRS's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available at www.dbrs.com.

For further information, please contact:

Roger Lister
Managing Director, Chief Credit Officer
Financial Institutions and Sovereign Group
+1 212 806 3231
rlister@dbrs.com

Alan G. Reid
Group Managing Director
Financial Institutions and Sovereign Group
+1 212 806 3232
areid@dbrs.com