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Investing.com -- Fitch Ratings has upgraded Taichung Commercial Bank’s (TCB) Long-Term Issuer Default Rating to ’BBB’ from ’BBB-’ with a Stable outlook.
The rating agency also upgraded TCB’s Viability Rating to ’bbb’ from ’bbb-’ and its National Long-Term Rating to ’A+(twn)’ from ’A(twn)’ on Friday. The Short-Term IDR was affirmed at ’F3’, the National Short-Term Rating at ’F1(twn)’, and the Government Support Rating at ’b+’.
The upgrade reflects improvements in TCB’s company profile, supported by an expanding domestic franchise and more diverse business model. The bank’s asset quality has also improved, backed by consistent risk control and focus on secured lending.
Fitch noted that TCB’s operating environment score shows resilience against U.S. tariff pressures, citing Taiwan’s leading position in semiconductor and AI-related products sectors.
The bank’s business profile score was revised to ’bbb’ from ’bbb-’ due to its improved franchise and diversifying business mix. Between 2020 and 2024, TCB’s operating income growth exceeded the average for similarly sized private banks.
TCB’s risk profile score remains at ’bbb-’ with a stable outlook, reflecting stable single-borrower concentration below sector average and modest market-risk exposure. Secured lending comprised 81% of total loans at the end of 2024, with a loan-to-value ratio around 60%.
The asset quality score was upgraded to ’bbb’ from ’bbb-’, supported by steady improvement in key metrics. Fitch expects the impaired loans ratio to rise modestly in 2025-2026 from 1% at end-2024.
TCB’s operating profit to risk-weighted assets ratio rose to 1.4% in 2024, up from 0.9%-1.1% in 2019-2022. Fitch expects TCB to maintain its common equity Tier 1 ratio above 11% in 2025-2026, supported by steady recurring earnings and low cash dividend payout ratios.
The bank’s funding and liquidity score of ’bbb’ reflects its small deposit franchise. TCB aims to maintain a stable loan/deposit ratio of around 75%.
Fitch indicated limited upside potential following this upgrade unless TCB demonstrates further franchise expansion or business diversification without compromising its risk profile.
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