Following a review of The Bank of East Asia Limited and The Bank of East Asia (China) Limited under Standard&Poor's revised bank criteria (published on Nov. 9, 2011), we have raised our ratings on the banks to 'A/A-1' from 'A-/A-2'. The outlook is stable. Our ratings on BEA reflect its 'bbb+' anchor and our view of the bank's "adequate" business position, "adequate" capital and earnings, "adequate" risk position, "average" funding, and "adequate" liquidity. The stable outlook reflects our view that BEA will maintain adequate capitalization, supported by improving but still pressured earnings. As previously announced, on Dec. 1, 2011, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services raised its long-term issuer credit rating on The Bank of East Asia Limited (BEA)
