Eika Boligkreditt AS

Similar documents
Sparebanken More. Exhibit 1 Key Financial indicators. Capital: Tangible Common Equity/Risk-Weighted Assets. Source: Moody's Banking Financial Metrics

Sparebanken Sogn og Fjordane

OBOS-banken AS. Semiannual update. CREDIT OPINION 20 October Update

Nurol Investment Bank (BCA: b3)

Sparebanken Oest. Credit Opinion: Semi Annual Update. CREDIT OPINION 14 June Update

Credit Opinion: Sparebanken Hedmark

Sparebanken Oest. Update to credit analysis. CREDIT OPINION 10 October Update

Siauliu Bankas, AB. Siauliu Bankas capital metrics will strengthen with EBRD s debt-to-equity conversion. ISSUER COMMENT 13 August 2018

Credit Opinion: Banca Sella Holding

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Volvofinans Bank's A3 rating; stable outlook 26 Feb 2019

Credit Opinion: EBS Ltd

ABN AMRO Bank N.V. Q1 2018: Higher impairment offset revenue growth. ISSUER COMMENT 16 May Summary opinion

Hatton National Bank Ltd.

Rating Action: Moody's Changes Sparebanken Vest's Rating Outlook to Stable From Negative

Mongolian Banking System

KommuneKredit. Update to credit analysis. Credit strengths. » Excellent asset quality

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Counterparty Risk Ratings to three Sri Lankan banks 18 Jun 2018

blend Funding plc Update to credit analysis Credit strengths » Liquidity reserve as structural enhancement Credit challenges

OECD Workshop on Data Collection

KLP Banken A/S. Semiannual Update. CREDIT OPINION 20 February New Issue

Credit Trends: Kenyan Banks

Eximbank of Russia. Semiannual update. CREDIT OPINION 27 October Update. Summary Rating Rationale

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Counterparty Risk Rating to FCA Bank

Rating Action: Moody's changes rating outlook for Black Sea Trade and Development Bank to stable from negative Global Credit Research - 30 Sep 2016

Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings in the European Union

Policy for Designating and Assigning Unsolicited Credit Ratings

Banca Sella Holding. Update Following Rating Action. Rating Scorecard - Key Financial Ratios. Source: Moody's Financial Metrics.

Credit Opinion: Sparebanken Hedmark

Rating Action: Moody's changes outlook of Central Bank of India and Indian Overseas Bank to positive from stable

Ringkjobing Landbobank A/S

State Outlook: Debt Affordability. NCSL Conference Gail Sussman, Managing Director

Sparbanken Syd. Update to credit analysis. CREDIT OPINION 8 June Update

Rating Action: Moody's assigns (P)A1 senior unsecured rating to SpareBank 1 Ostlandet's jointly-owned EMTN program

Swedish Export Credit Corporation

Standalone BCA upgraded to b1 from b3 for Ulster Bank Limited and to b2 from b3 for Ulster Bank Ireland Limited

SkandiaBanken AB. Semiannual Update. Summary Rating Rationale. Exhibit 1 Rating Scorecard- Key Financial Ratios (end-2016)

SkandiaBanken AB. Semiannual Update. CREDIT OPINION 21 December Update

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Berner Kantonalbank's Aa1 deposit and A1 senior unsecured debt ratings

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades the ratings of Philippine National Bank and Rizal Commercial Bank Global Credit Research - 23 Nov 2017

Credit Opinion: SkandiaBanken AB

Rating Action: Moody's changes outlook on Bank Zachodni WBK S.A.'s ratings to positive Global Credit Research - 29 Jan 2018

OP Corporate Bank plc

Credit Opinion: CorpBanca

Barcelona, City of. Annual update. Barcelona's good operating performance. B= Budget. PC: Pre-closing. Source: Issuer. Moody's Investors Service.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston

Sparebanken Sor. Update to Credit Analysis. Exhibit 1 Rating Scorecard- Key Financial Ratios. Asset Risk: Problem Loans/ Gross Loans

Findlay City School District, OH

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades BAWAG's ratings to A2; outlook positive

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades Lowe's unsecured ratings to Baa1; P-2 commercial paper rating affirmed 12 Dec 2018

Policy on the "SEC Rule 17g-7 of Representation and Warranties" (R&Ws)

CPPIB Capital Inc. Semiannual Update. Credit Strengths. Credit Challenges. Rating Outlook The rating outlook is stable.

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Permanent tsb's deposit and senior unsecured ratings; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 08 May 2015

Volvofinans Bank AB. Update following rating action. Exhibit 1 Rating Scorecard - Key Financial Ratio. Asset Risk: Problem Loans/ Gross Loans

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

Federal Home Loan Banks

PSP Capital Inc. Update to credit analysis. CREDIT OPINION 27 August Update

Rating Action: Moody's concludes review on SC Citadele Banka and Siauliu Bankas

Snohomish County Public Utility District 1

Credit Suisse International

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Kommunalkredit Austria AG's public-sector covered bonds Global Credit Research - 25 Jul 2017

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Land and Agricultural Development Bank's Baa3 rating; changes outlook to negative from stable

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Baa3 senior unsecured debt ratings of ICICI Bank's Bahrain branch Global Credit Research - 17 Aug 2017

Rating Action: Moody's affirms 22 German banks' senior unsecured debt ratings; changes 16 outlooks to negative

Rating Action: Moody's assigns definitive ratings to Lloyds' non-ring-fenced banks LBCM and LBIL

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Aa1 issuer and bond ratings of the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) with a stable outlook

NatWest Markets Plc. Semi-annual update CREDIT OPINION 22 January Update

Rating Action: Moody's reviews NORD/LB Luxembourg S.A. - Public-Sector Covered Bonds, direction uncertain 19 Dec 2018

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Aaa IFS rating of New York Life; stable outlook Global Credit Research - 27 Jul 2017

Rating Action: Moody's downgrades the ratings of The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and upgrades the ratings of National Westminster Bank Plc.

Credit Opinion: Credit Suisse International

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Yanlord to Ba2; outlook stable Global Credit Research - 25 Apr 2017

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines

NatWest Markets Plc. Update following ratings' affirmation, outlook changed to. Positive. CREDIT OPINION 23 July Update

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, IL

Credit Opinion: Ringkjobing Landbobank A/S

Rating Action: Moody's assigns Counterparty Risk Ratings to 14 Austrian banks

Credit Suisse International

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades Bank of Ireland and changes Bank of Ireland UK's outlook to positive

Volusia County School District (FL)

Sanger (City of) TX. Credit Strengths. Trend of growing reserve levels. Continued tax base growth. Favorable location 40 miles north of Dallas

Rating Action: Moody's affirms HSH Nordbank's Baa3/Prime-3 debt and deposit ratings

Underwriting standards for credit cards and auto loans tighten modestly, a positive

Sparebanken Hedmark. CREDIT OPINION 14 October Update. Summary Rating Rationale

Rating Action: Moody's affirms Banco Sabadell's ratings, outlook changed to stable from positive 19 Sep 2018

Rating Action: Moody's affirms BIL's A2 senior unsecured rating and changes outlook to stable 07 May 2018

Banco Regional S.A.E.C.A.

Agenda. New Mexico School District Bond Ratings 9/8/17

Rating Action: Moody's takes rating actions on Irish mortgage covered bonds Global Credit Research - 26 Sep 2016

Santander Consumer Bank AS

Rating Action: Moody's affirms AIIB's Aaa rating; outlook stable 28 Mar 2019

Export Development Canada

Rating Action: Moody's reviews Depfa ACS Bank's public sector covered bonds for downgrade Global Credit Research - 14 Sep 2016

Rating Action: Moody's Upgrades the City of Sacramento, CA's Lease Revenue Bonds to A1; Confirms Ser and Ser. 1993A at A2; outlook is stable

Rating Action: Moody's changes outlook to positive on all ratings of Allied Irish Banks and assigns (P) Ba2 rating to holding company senior programme

Credit Suisse Group AG

Banco Cooperativo Espanol, S.A.

Kommuninvest i Sverige Aktiebolag

Rating Action: Moody's changes the outlook on FCA Bank's senior debt rating to positive from stable

Rating Action: Moody's upgrades several Irish mortgage covered bond ratings; actions conclude review

Bothell (City of) WA

Transcription:

CREDIT OPINION Eika Boligkreditt AS Update following ratings affirmation Update Summary Eika Boligkreditt's long-term Baa1 issuer rating, a Counterparty Risk Assessment (CRA) of A3(cr)/Prime-2(cr) and a Counterparty Risk Rating (CRR) of A3/P-2 reflect our view of the credit risk profiles of the 68 individual local banks forming the Eika alliance, as well as our assessment of the likelihood that these banks will support Eika Boligkreditt in case of need. Contacts Effie Tsotsani +44.20.7772.1712 AVP-Analyst effie.tsotsani@moodys.com Malika Takhtayeva +44.20.7772.8662 Associate Analyst malika.takhtayeva@moodys.com Jean-Francois +44.20.7772.5653 Tremblay Associate Managing Director jean-francois.tremblay@moodys.com The key drivers of Eika Boligkreditt s Baa1 issuer rating are: 1) the predominantly investment grade credit profiles of the banks that form the Eika alliance which is also reflected in the high quality assets the banks transfer to Eika Boligkreditt; and 2) Moody s assessment of the likelihood that member banks would provide support to Eika Boligkreditt in case of need, taking into account the balance of their formal obligations and other incentives to do so under the Eika structure. Exhibit 1 Rating Scorecard - Key Financial Ratios Eika Banks (Weighted Average) YE2017 Norwegian Rated Banks 25% 45% 40% CLIENT SERVICES 35% 30% 15% 25% 20% 10% 15% 10% 5% Americas 1-212-553-1653 Asia Pacific 852-3551-3077 Japan 81-3-5408-4100 EMEA 44-20-7772-5454 Liquidity Factors Sean Marion +44.20.7772.1056 MD-Financial Institutions sean.marion@moodys.com Solvency Factors 20% 1.0% 19.3% 0% Asset Risk: Problem Loans/ Gross Loans Capital: Tier 1 Ratio Solvency Factors (LHS) 0.84% Profitability: Net Income/ Total Assets 25.6% 13.5% Funding Structure: Market Funds/ Tangible Assets Liquid Resources: Liquid Assets/Tangible Assets 5% 0% Liquidity Factors (RHS) Source: Eika Boligkreditt, Moody's Financial Metrics

Credit strengths» The strong, predominantly investment grade credit profiles, of the banks that own Eika Boligkreditt which form the starting point for Eika's ratings» The strong operating environment in Norway where Eika and the alliance banks operate» The member banks' commitment to safeguard Eika Boligkreditt's access to sufficient liquidity and capital Credit challenges» High concentration of the individual banks and Eika Boligkreditt in the Norwegian real estate market» Lack of an explicit guarantee by the owner banks of Eika Boligkreditt's obligations Rating outlook The stable outlook assigned to Eika Boligkreditt s issuer rating reflects our expectation that the banks financial profiles and their capacity and willingness to support Eika Boligkreditt will remain broadly in line with their current standing over the next 12 to 18 months. Factors that could lead to an upgrade» Positive pressure would develop on the ratings following improvements in the risk profile of a significant proportion of the owner banks, as evidenced by improving asset quality metrics and reduced concentration to CRE. A full guarantee of Eika Boligkredit s obligations by the owner banks would also result in an upgrade. Factors that could lead to a downgrade» The ratings would be downgraded if the credit profile of a significant portion of the banks weakens significantly, as evidenced by worsening financial fundamental including profitability, asset quality and capital, or a reduced likelihood of the banks supporting Eika Boligkredit, as indicated by a loosening in the support agreements between Eika Boligkreditt and the banks that are currently in place. Key indicators Exhibit 2 Eika Boligkreditt AS (Consolidated Financials) [1] Total Assets (NOK billion) Total Assets (EUR million) Total Assets (USD million) Tangible Common Equity (NOK billion) Tangible Common Equity (EUR million) Tangible Common Equity (USD million) Tangible Common Equity / Risk Weighted Assets (%) Net Interest Margin (%) PPI / Average RWA (%) Net Income / Tangible Assets (%) Cost / Income Ratio (%) Market Funds / Tangible Banking Assets (%) 3-182 12-172 12-162 12-152 12-142 CAGR/Avg.3 99 10,233 12,585 4.4 457 562 13.8 0.8 0.8 0.2 21.0 49.8 100 10,141 12,177 4.2 428 513 13.3 0.7 0.2 0.0 55.4 50.5 96 10,576 11,155 3.9 433 456 13.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 67.3 50.6 90 9,353 10,160 3.7 385 418 13.5 0.7 1.2 0.3 15.2 51.6 81 8,961 10,843 3.0 333 403 12.0 1.0 0.5 0.1 32.1 52.0 6.24 4.24 4.74 12.44 10.24 10.84 13.25 0.76 0.65 0.16 38.26 50.96 This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history. 2

Liquid Banking Assets / Tangible Banking Assets (%) 13.2 14.5 16.6 16.6 14.3 15.16 [1] All figures and ratios are adjusted using Moody's standard adjustments [2] Basel II; IFRS [3] May include rounding differences due to scale of reported amounts [4] Compound Annual Growth Rate (%) based on time period presented for the latest accounting regime [5] Simple average of Basel II periods presented [6] Simple average of periods presented for the latest accounting regime. Source: Moody's Financial Metrics Detailed credit consideration Eika Boligkreditt s primary business purpose is to provide access to the international debt markets to its 67 owner Norwegian savings banks. The Eika alliance, with its 68 members, is the third largest banking group in Norway with 10.4% combined market share of retail lending and 7.7% of total banking system assets (including assets transferred to Eika Boligkreditt). Although individual members operate independently from each other, we note that the Eika alliance provides various benefits such as a shared information technology infrastructure, marketing and credit risk monitoring, which act as incentives for member banks to remain members of the Eika alliance and support Eika Boligkreditt. The predominantly investment grade credit profiles of the banks that own Eika Boligkreditt form the starting point for the company's ratings The credit profiles of the banks that collectively form the alliance and own Eika Boligkreditt s are underpinned by three key components: 1) the individual member banks standalone credit profiles, as established by their respective business models, geographic areas of operations, financial characteristics and any relevant qualitative factors; 2) their capacity and willingness to help each other in case of failure of one or more members; and 3) the application of Moody's Loss Given Failure analysis of the individual members liability structures in order to assess the extent to which junior debt classes could cushion the impact of any regulatory bail in of the banks creditors. 1. The alliance banks' strong standalone credit risk profiles To establish a view on the credit risk profile of the alliance banks we conducted a credit analysis of the member banks. The majority of the alliance banks maintain relatively strong financial fundamentals, with limited variations in overall credit quality amongst individual members. Asset quality tends to be better than for domestic peers, as reflected in the weighted average ratio of non-performing loans (NPLs include 90 days past due loans plus impaired loans) to gross loans of 1.0% as of December 2017, compared to 1.4% for rated Norwegian banks. The member banks' strong asset performance reflects their retail banking focus with retail loans, mainly in the form of mortgages, making up on average 75.3% of the banks' total loan book as of December 2017 (81.3% if we include the loans transferred to Eika Boligkreditt). We expect this sector to remain resilient in the next 12-18 months because despite the long-term risks from an increasing level of household indebtedness, we expect Norway s households to continue to service their debts as interest rates remain low and unemployment benefits remain generous. The main source of asset risk is structural, in that the banks concentration to the broad housing and commercial real estate sector making up on average 10.7% of the banks' total loans. However, the member banks have no exposure to the vulnerable shipping and oil sectors and large exposures to single borrowers are generally not a concern. Capital levels for the Eika alliance banks are robust and on average higher compared to their rated Norwegian peers. The weighted average Tier 1 ratio of the Eika alliance banks stood at 19.3% as of December 2017 (including interim profit) versus 18% as of December 2017 for Norwegian rated banks. Eika banks generally use the more conservative so-called standard approach to risk weight assets and therefore increase in mortgage risk-weights will not impact their capital levels. The majority of the member banks rely on earnings retention to improve their buffers and finance growth. More than half of the banks have issued equity certificates, however, only 14 of them are listed on Oslo Stock Exchange and Merkur Market. Profitability of the Eika alliance banks is stronger than their domestic peers, as reflected in the weighted average net profit to total assets ratio of 0.84% as of December 2017, as opposed to 0.84% for rated Norwegian banks. We expect the profitability of the alliance banks' and the banking system to remain robust in the next 12 months supported by strong volume growth. Furthermore the member banks benefit from significant operational efficiencies when they join the Eika alliance, such as common IT systems and platforms that the Eika Group develops as well as risk policies and procedures which the banks customize according to their risk preference. Nevertheless, the smaller banks have an inflexible cost base which we see as a potential threat to their profitability. 3

The alliance banks also maintain stable liquidity buffers and their reliance on potentially volatile wholesale funding is lower than peers. The alliance banks weighted average market funds ratio was 19% of total assets (25.6% when we include covered bonds issued through Eika Boligkredit), below the 41.1% market funds to tangible banking assets of Norwegian rated banks. 2. Our assessment of the banks' credit strength does not incorporate any mutual support uplift among member banks Although there are strong incentives for the banks to support each other in case of stress and there exist past examples of such mutual assistance, our assessment of the banks credit profiles does not result in any rating uplifts for the purpose of establishing the collective strength of the banks behind the Eika alliance. We note that the banks do not have a legally binding commitment to support each other in case of need. Further, there is limited benefit that can be incorporated in the banks ratings given the small variations in credit quality among banks. Instead, the banks are more likely to allocate their resources in support of Eika Boligkreditt itself, which is captured in the CRA of A3(cr) and CRR of A3. 3. The application of Moody's LGF analysis lifts the banks' credit profiles In line with our methodology our assessment of the member banks credit risk profile incorporates an analysis of individual banks liability waterfalls in line with Moody's Loss Given Failure analysis. As part of this analysis and given the banks small size and more retail and SME focus, we assume that 10% of the banks deposit base is made of so-called junior deposits (i.e., more loss absorbing) rather than the standard assumption of 26%. The results of the LGF analysis varies, ranging from one to two negative notch(es) at their respective issuer rating levels, depending on the liability structure of individual banks. We note that the banks credit profiles do not benefit from a rating uplift due to government support, reflecting our assumption of a low likelihood of support from the government in case of need. Our expectation of a low likelihood of government support is driven by the banks small individual national market shares. The strong operating environment where Eika and the owner banks operate Norwegian banks benefit from operating in an affluent and developed country with very high economic, institutional and government financial strength, as well as low susceptibility to event risk. Although at a somewhat slower rate, the country's well diversified economy is growing, demonstrating resilience to the ongoing weakness in the oil sector. The main risks to the banking system stem from the high level of household indebtedness, elevated real estate prices and domestic banks' extensive use of market funding. However, these risks are largely offset by the strength of households' ability to service debt, banks' sizeable capital buffers and the relatively small size of the banking system compared with GDP. The Macro Profile assigned to Norway is Very Strong-. Though there isn't a guarantee of Eika Boligkreditt's obligations by the owner banks, there are agreements to safequard Eika Boligkreditt's access to sufficient capital and liquidity The Baa1 issuer rating assigned to Eika Boligkredit and its A3(cr) CR Assessment, and A3 Counterparty Risk Rating (CRR) incorporate our view of the likelihood that the owner banks will support Eika Boligkreditt. While there is no explicit commitment from the banks to directly support Eika s obligations vis-à-vis its bondholders, we note that legal and publicly-available agreements currently in place between the banks and Eika Boligkreditt safeguard Eika Boligkreditt s own access to adequate liquidity and capital. Moreover, in case one or more of Eika s owners are not able to provide their share of capital or liquidity, the remaining banks may be required by Eika Boligkredit to increase their contribution up to a maximum of twice their initial allocation. Additionally, our view also reflects other factors that contribute in its assessment such as the absence of any provision to avoid payment under the agreement, Eika Boligkreditt s strategic fit and strong operational integration with the alliance banks, as well as the reputational and operational risks associated to the sharing of a common brand and a common technology platform. Eika Boligkreditt's A3 CRRs are distinct from ratings assigned from issuer ratings because they reflect that, in a resolution, CRR liabilities might benefit from preferential treatment compared with senior unsecured debt. Examples of CRR liabilities include the uncollateralised portion of payables arising from derivatives transactions and the uncollateralised portion of liabilities under sale and repurchase agreements. 4

Eika Boligkreditt's A3(cr) CR Assessment is an important input in the rating process of the covered bond instruments as our rating methodology for covered bonds relies on an Anchor Rating, which is based on the Specialised Covered Bond Issuer's CR Assessment. Source of facts and figures cited in this report Unless otherwise noted, data to system ratios refer to weighted average of Norwegian rated banks. The data presented in Exhibit 1 refer to the weighted average ratios for Eika Alliance banks. Exhibit 2 presents the data of Eika Boligkreditt. The numbers discussed in the text mainly relate to the alliance banks. Ratings Exhibit 3 Category EIKA BOLIGKREDITT AS Outlook Counterparty Risk Rating Counterparty Risk Assessment Issuer Rating -Dom Curr Moody's Rating Stable A3/P-2 A3(cr)/P-2(cr) Baa1 Source: Moody's Investors Service 5

2018 Moody s Corporation, Moody s Investors Service, Inc., Moody s Analytics, Inc. and/or their licensors and affiliates (collectively, MOODY S ). All rights reserved. CREDIT RATINGS ISSUED BY, INC. AND ITS RATINGS AFFILIATES ( MIS ) ARE MOODY S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES, AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS MAY INCLUDE MOODY S CURRENT OPINIONS OF THE RELATIVE FUTURE CREDIT RISK OF ENTITIES, CREDIT COMMITMENTS, OR DEBT OR DEBT-LIKE SECURITIES. MOODY S DEFINES CREDIT RISK AS THE RISK THAT AN ENTITY MAY NOT MEET ITS CONTRACTUAL, FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AS THEY COME DUE AND ANY ESTIMATED FINANCIAL LOSS IN THE EVENT OF DEFAULT. CREDIT RATINGS DO NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER RISK, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: LIQUIDITY RISK, MARKET VALUE RISK, OR PRICE VOLATILITY. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S OPINIONS INCLUDED IN MOODY S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT STATEMENTS OF CURRENT OR HISTORICAL FACT. MOODY S PUBLICATIONS MAY ALSO INCLUDE QUANTITATIVE MODEL-BASED ESTIMATES OF CREDIT RISK AND RELATED OPINIONS OR COMMENTARY PUBLISHED BY MOODY S ANALYTICS, INC. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE INVESTMENT OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, AND CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT AND DO NOT PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURCHASE, SELL, OR HOLD PARTICULAR SECURITIES. NEITHER CREDIT RATINGS NOR MOODY S PUBLICATIONS COMMENT ON THE SUITABILITY OF AN INVESTMENT FOR ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. MOODY S ISSUES ITS CREDIT RATINGS AND PUBLISHES MOODY S PUBLICATIONS WITH THE EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EACH INVESTOR WILL, WITH DUE CARE, MAKE ITS OWN STUDY AND EVALUATION OF EACH SECURITY THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR PURCHASE, HOLDING, OR SALE. MOODY S CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY RETAIL INVESTORS AND IT WOULD BE RECKLESS AND INAPPROPRIATE FOR RETAIL INVESTORS TO USE MOODY S CREDIT RATINGS OR MOODY S PUBLICATIONS WHEN MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. IF IN DOUBT YOU SHOULD CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISER. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS PROTECTED BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, COPYRIGHT LAW, AND NONE OF SUCH INFORMATION MAY BE COPIED OR OTHERWISE REPRODUCED, REPACKAGED, FURTHER TRANSMITTED, TRANSFERRED, DISSEMINATED, REDISTRIBUTED OR RESOLD, OR STORED FOR SUBSEQUENT USE FOR ANY SUCH PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY FORM OR MANNER OR BY ANY MEANS WHATSOEVER, BY ANY PERSON WITHOUT MOODY S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT. CREDIT RATINGS AND MOODY S PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY ANY PERSON AS A BENCHMARK AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED FOR REGULATORY PURPOSES AND MUST NOT BE USED IN ANY WAY THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM BEING CONSIDERED A BENCHMARK. All information contained herein is obtained by MOODY S from sources believed by it to be accurate and reliable. Because of the possibility of human or mechanical error as well as other factors, however, all information contained herein is provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. MOODY'S adopts all necessary measures so that the information it uses in assigning a credit rating is of sufficient quality and from sources MOODY'S considers to be reliable including, when appropriate, independent third-party sources. However, MOODY S is not an auditor and cannot in every instance independently verify or validate information received in the rating process or in preparing the Moody s publications. To the extent permitted by law, MOODY S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability to any person or entity for any indirect, special, consequential, or incidental losses or damages whatsoever arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information, even if MOODY S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers is advised in advance of the possibility of such losses or damages, including but not limited to: (a) any loss of present or prospective profits or (b) any loss or damage arising where the relevant financial instrument is not the subject of a particular credit rating assigned by MOODY S. To the extent permitted by law, MOODY S and its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors and suppliers disclaim liability for any direct or compensatory losses or damages caused to any person or entity, including but not limited to by any negligence (but excluding fraud, willful misconduct or any other type of liability that, for the avoidance of doubt, by law cannot be excluded) on the part of, or any contingency within or beyond the control of, MOODY S or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, licensors or suppliers, arising from or in connection with the information contained herein or the use of or inability to use any such information. NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH RATING OR OTHER OPINION OR INFORMATION IS GIVEN OR MADE BY MOODY S IN ANY FORM OR MANNER WHATSOEVER. Moody s Investors Service, Inc., a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody s Corporation ( MCO ), hereby discloses that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by Moody s Investors Service, Inc. have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to Moody s Investors Service, Inc. for appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from $1,500 to approximately $2,500,000. MCO and MIS also maintain policies and procedures to address the independence of MIS s ratings and rating processes. Information regarding certain affiliations that may exist between directors of MCO and rated entities, and between entities who hold ratings from MIS and have also publicly reported to the SEC an ownership interest in MCO of more than 5%, is posted annually at www.moodys.com under the heading Investor Relations Corporate Governance Director and Shareholder Affiliation Policy. Additional terms for Australia only: Any publication into Australia of this document is pursuant to the Australian Financial Services License of MOODY S affiliate, Moody s Investors Service Pty Limited ABN 61 003 399 657AFSL 336969 and/or Moody s Analytics Australia Pty Ltd ABN 94 105 136 972 AFSL 383569 (as applicable). This document is intended to be provided only to wholesale clients within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. By continuing to access this document from within Australia, you represent to MOODY S that you are, or are accessing the document as a representative of, a wholesale client and that neither you nor the entity you represent will directly or indirectly disseminate this document or its contents to retail clients within the meaning of section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. MOODY S credit rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a debt obligation of the issuer, not on the equity securities of the issuer or any form of security that is available to retail investors. It would be reckless and inappropriate for retail investors to use MOODY S credit ratings or publications when making an investment decision. If in doubt you should contact your financial or other professional adviser. Additional terms for Japan only: Moody's Japan K.K. ( MJKK ) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of Moody's Group Japan G.K., which is wholly-owned by Moody s Overseas Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCO. Moody s SF Japan K.K. ( MSFJ ) is a wholly-owned credit rating agency subsidiary of MJKK. MSFJ is not a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization ( NRSRO ). Therefore, credit ratings assigned by MSFJ are Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings. Non-NRSRO Credit Ratings are assigned by an entity that is not a NRSRO and, consequently, the rated obligation will not qualify for certain types of treatment under U.S. laws. MJKK and MSFJ are credit rating agencies registered with the Japan Financial Services Agency and their registration numbers are FSA Commissioner (Ratings) No. 2 and 3 respectively. MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) hereby disclose that most issuers of debt securities (including corporate and municipal bonds, debentures, notes and commercial paper) and preferred stock rated by MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) have, prior to assignment of any rating, agreed to pay to MJKK or MSFJ (as applicable) for appraisal and rating services rendered by it fees ranging from JPY200,000 to approximately JPY350,000,000. MJKK and MSFJ also maintain policies and procedures to address Japanese regulatory requirements. REPORT NUMBER 6 1137474

Analyst Contacts Effie Tsotsani AVP-Analyst effie.tsotsani@moodys.com 7 CLIENT SERVICES +44.20.7772.1712 Jean-Francois Tremblay +44.20.7772.5653 Associate Managing Director jean-francois.tremblay@moodys.com Americas 1-212-553-1653 Asia Pacific 852-3551-3077 Japan 81-3-5408-4100 EMEA 44-20-7772-5454