Paris, March 13th 2013 - Moody's Investors Service has today changed the outlook to negative from stable on the long-term ratings of ABN AMRO Bank N.V., NIBC Bank N.V. and Rabobank Nederland N.V., prompted by the change in outlook to negative on these banks' bank financial strength ratings 

(BFSRs). Accordingly, the rating outlooks for guaranteed subsidiaries or special issuing entities of these banks and their rated debt were changed to negative from stable. The negative outlook on ING Bank N.V.'s BFSR and long-term ratings was maintained.

The negative outlook on the banks' BFSRs is driven by Moody's view that the operating environment in the Netherlands is becoming more challenging than previously anticipated. This implies greater downside risk in asset quality in areas where the banks have large concentrations, beyond the impact that normal cyclical changes would be expected to have.

Concurrently, Moody's has affirmed the BFSRs, the long-term and short-term senior debt and deposit ratings, the dated subordinated and hybrid instrument ratings for ABN AMRO, ING Bank, NIBC Bank and Rabobank. Moody's affirmation of the banks' ratings reflects the rating agency's view that the pressures on the banks' standalone credit strength are not sufficient to warrant a change in their ratings.

Please click this link  for the List of Affected Credit Ratings. This list is an integral part of this Press Release and identifies each affected issuer.

For a detailed consideration of the rationale, please refer to Moody's Credit Focus report, "ABN AMRO Bank, NIBC Bank, Rabobank Nederland, ING Bank: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions" published on 13 March 2013.

Re-disseminated by The Asian Banker