The public information ('pi') rating on ABSA Bank Ltd. is based on the bank's strong position in the South African market, and its satisfactory levels of profitability and liquidity. Capitalization and asset quality have come under increasing pressure, but remain adequate. Although the South African banking sector is well developed and benefits from good regulatory and legal frameworks, it continues to be constrained by economic and social challenges. With an approximate 21% market share in domestic assets according to DI 900, ABSA is one of the largest of the four banking groups dominating the South African banking sector. In the mortgage segment, ABSA's market share boasts a dominant 32%. The acquisition of the specialist micro-lender Unifer exposed ABSA to the
