Fitch Affirms Union Bank of India, PNB Rating at BBB- with Stable Outlook

Fitch Ratings has affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of Union Bank of India and Punjab National Bank (PNB) at ‘BBB-‘ with a stable outlook. The rating reflects strong government support, a favorable operating environment, and improved risk profiles. Additionally, the banks’ viability ratings (VR) have been upgraded from ‘b+’ to ‘bb-‘, highlighting their enhanced financial performance and asset quality.

Key Highlights

Affirmed Ratings

• Union Bank of India & PNB: IDR at ‘BBB-‘ (Stable Outlook).
• Viability Rating (VR) upgraded to ‘bb-‘ from ‘b+’.
• Government Support Rating (GSR) at ‘BBB-‘.

Government Support & Systemic Importance

• Union Bank of India: 75% government ownership.
• Punjab National Bank: 70% government ownership.
• High probability of government support due to systemic importance.

Improved Financial & Risk Profile

• Growth in India’s economy supports business profitability.

Union Bank of India

• Asset-quality score outlook revised to Positive from Stable.
• Risk profile score upgraded to ‘b+’ from ‘b’.
• Better loan diversification and reduced corporate loan risk.

PNB

• Risk profile score upgraded to ‘b+’ from ‘b’.
• Limited unsecured retail loan exposure.
• Impaired-loan ratio fell to 4.1% (9MFY25) from 5.7% (FY24).
• Earnings & profitability score revised to ‘bb-‘ from ‘b+’ due to improved performance.