...Sound Credit Strength: The Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) and National Ratings of Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (BBL) are based on its standalone credit strengths ¡ a strong capital base, sound liquidity, and well-established franchise. The Stable Outlook reflects Fitch Ratings' expectation that its risk buffers will help to withstand rising pressures on earnings and asset-quality deterioration from continued weakness in the Thai economy. Strong Franchise: BBL has consistently been one of Thailand's largest commercial banks, with a well-known franchise and an entrenched client base. In particular, the bank is a market leader in corporate lending, with the largest international network of any Thai bank. Furthermore, BBL's strong retail deposit base has enabled the bank to maintain a less volatile funding profile than sector averages, and healthy liquidity. Asset-Quality Pressures: BBL's NPL ratio had increased to 4% by end-March 2017 (from 2.5% at end-December 2013), due to protracted...
