Credit Opinion: Banca Sella Holding - Gruppo Banca Sella

Credit Opinion: Banca Sella Holding
Global Credit Research - 15 May 2012
Biella, Italy
Ratings
Category Moody's Rating
Outlook Negative
Bank Deposits Baa3/P-3
Bank Financial Strength D+
Baseline Credit Assessment (ba1)
Adjusted Baseline Credit Assessment (ba1)
Senior Unsecured -Dom Curr Baa3
Subordinate -Dom Curr Ba2
Tier III MTN -Dom Curr (P)Ba2
Contacts
Analyst Phone
Carlo Gori/Milan 39.02.9148.1100
Christina Sterr/Milan
Johannes Wassenberg/London 44.20.7772.5454
Key Indicators
Banca Sella Holding (Consolidated Financials)[1]
[2]12-11 [2]12-10 [2]12-09 [2]12-08 [3]12-07 Avg.
Total Assets (EUR million) 12,946.9 13,165.7 13,424.1 13,596.2 12,497.8 [4]0.9
Total Assets (USD million) 16,806.9 17,662.4 19,260.1 18,899.4 18,272.4 [4]-2.1
Tangible Common Equity (EUR million) 508.6 485.7 446.3 415.8 412.2 [4]5.4
Tangible Common Equity (USD million) 660.3 651.6 640.3 578.0 602.7 [4]2.3
Net Interest Margin (%) 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.6 2.6 [5]2.5
PPI / Avg RWA (%) 2.2 1.9 1.8 1.6 3.8 [6]1.9
Net Income / Avg RWA (%) 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 2.0 [6]0.2
(Market Funds - Liquid Assets) / Total Assets (%) 7.5 2.8 -1.9 -5.3 -2.7 [5]0.1
Core Deposits / Average Gross Loans (%) 83.7 86.4 93.4 108.0 102.2 [5]94.7
Tier 1 Ratio (%) 7.5 7.2 6.8 6.8 7.3 [6]7.1
Tangible Common Equity / RWA (%) 6.1 5.8 5.3 5.2 5.8 [6]5.6
Cost / Income Ratio (%) 68.6 72.1 74.1 77.6 68.6 [5]72.2
Problem Loans / Gross Loans (%) 7.8 6.7 6.8 5.3 4.7 [5]6.3
Problem Loans / (Equity + Loan Loss Reserves) (%)
Source: Moody's
71.2 62.8 62.7 52.8 43.1 [5]58.5
[1] All ratios are adjusted using Moody's standard adjustments [2] Basel II; IFRS [3] Basel I; IFRS [4] Compound
Annual Growth Rate based on IFRS reporting periods [5] IFRS reporting periods have been used for average
calculation [6] Basel II & IFRS reporting periods have been used for average calculation
Opinion

RECENT CREDIT DEVELOPMENTS
On 14 May 2012 Banca Sella's (Sella) standalone bank financial strength rating (BFSR) were downgraded to D+
(mapping to a standalone credit assessment of ba1) from C-/baa2 and the bank's long- and short-term deposit
ratings to Baa3/Prime-3 from Baa1/Prime-2. The outlook is negative.
The standalone BFSR's downgrade captures Sella's weak internal capital generation, low capital and modest asset
quality, together exposing Sella's vulnerability under our stress scenario.
However, we note the bank's above-average retail funding and revenue diversification. Sella's funding profile shows
lower-than peers reliance on wholesale market funds (the adjusted liquidity ratio stands at negative 1.1%), with a
low reliance on foreign investors. Due to restricted market access, Sella's reliance on ECB funding has however
increased whereas our liquidity-gap analysis over a 12 month horizon suggests a lower than peers dependence on
ECB funding. Profitability, although modest, has deteriorated less than Italian peers.
In combination, these factors have largely contributed to the downgrade of Sella's standalone BFSR.
Sella's long term global local currency (GLC) deposit rating is Baa3, based on our expectation of a moderate
probability of systemic support.
SUMMARY RATING RATIONALE
Sella's D+ standalone bank financial strength rating (BFSR), mapped to a standalone credit assessment of ba1,
reflects the bank's modest profitability, asset quality, capital and the impact of restricted and costly access to market
funding, mitigated by above average retail funding and revenue diversification.
Sella's long term global local currency (GLC) deposit rating is Baa3, based on our expectation of a moderate
probability of systemic support.
Rating Drivers
- Low capital adequacy relative to the deteriorating asset quality
- Modest efficiency and profitability
- Restricted and costly access to market funding, mitigated by retail funding above the Italian average
- Corporate governance constrained by the family ownership
- Above average revenue diversification
Rating Outlook
The outlook is negative reflecting the challenging operating environment and uncertainty regarding future market
access.
What Could Change the Rating - Up
Although we do not see any upside pressure on the rating, we would consider an upgrade following a substantial
improvement in financial profile with (i) core Tier 1 above 8%; (ii) cost-to-income ratio below 65%; and (iii) problem
loans below 5% of loans, on a sustainable basis.
What Could Change the Rating - Down
Negative pressure on the rating would develop if Sella's financial condition failed to improve, including (i) core Tier 1
below 8%; or (ii) problem loans above the Italian loan average or (iii) continued restricted market access.
Recent Results
In 2011 the bank reported net income of EUR 16 million. Tier 1 was 7.5%.
DETAILED RATING CONSIDERATIONS

Pressure on profitability
Sella's consolidated revenue composition remains high quality. In line with the bank's strategy of reinforcing its
presence in the asset management and payment systems businesses, Sella has a relatively high percentage of
more stable non-interest income (51% of operating revenues), largely from asset management and payment
systems, which appear sustainable.
Pre-provision income and net income were modest relative to average risk-weighted assets in 2011 (2.2% and 0.2%
annualised respectively). This was largely attributable to the bank's weak efficiency and high loan loss provisions of
127bp. To address Sella's weak efficiency, management has been restructuring over the past few years reducing the
number of its subsidiaries, merging and liquidating subsidiaries and by differing the subdivision of activities among
its subsidiaries. Some activities have been outsourced to India and Romania in order to improve the weak efficiency
metrics and reduce administrative costs.
We recognise that progress has been made, although, we believe that Sella's medium size implies limited economies
of scale. In our opinion, one of the bank's greatest challenges will be to balance its requirement for continuous
investments (in growth, controls, compliance and IT) with the need to improve its cost structure. In 2011 the cost-toincome
ratio was a high 69%, given the need to continue to invest and lower revenues.
Asset-side vulnerability
We view Sella's capital level as low in view of the high level of problem loans. Because of its ownership structure,
Sella does not benefit from the potentially wider access to listed companies' capital. Growth is generally limited to
internal capital generation - which is also low - although supported by consistently prudent dividend payouts at 10%
(zero this year).
The Tier 1 ratio stood at 7.5% in 2011, which is sufficient to withstand expected losses, although not in our stressed
scenario. In this respect, we understand that management is targeting significantly higher levels over the medium
term, mainly through non-core asset disposals. Capital is a key driver for the bank's rating.
Despite significant lending growth in the past, consolidated lending still represented a relatively low 70% of total
assets in 2011, which is in line with the bank's strategy to focus on non-asset intensive businesses such as asset
management. However gross problem loans, represented a high 7.8% of loans and 71% of equity and loan loss
reserves in 2011. Gross problem loans include non-performing loans (sofferenze), watchlist (incagli), including only
an estimate of those 90+ days overdue, restructured (ristrutturati) and past due loans (scaduti). There is modest and
reducing concentration of non-performing loans to the local textile industry, which has been experiencing difficulties
for some time. Strengthening risk management practices did not prevent an increase of problem loans in 2011.
Challenges caused by more expensive funding access
Sella enjoys a large and above average retail deposit base, with deposits constituting approximately three quarters
of the funding base. The average liquidity ratio in 2011 remained one of the best in Italy, highlighting liquid assets
structurally above wholesale funds. An internal policy caps the consolidated loan-to-deposit ratio. Unlike other
banks, new branches do not normally develop loans before deposits. We consider ample access to retail funding as
a key competitive advantage under the current difficult market conditions. Nevertheless, there is a risk that restricted
and costly market access will continue for an extended period. As a result, uncertainty regarding when the bank will
again be able to fund itself regularly -- and on an economic basis -- is a key credit risk and an important rating driver.
Corporate governance constrains the bank's risk positioning
The full ownership by the family, which designates all board members, constrains corporate governance and,
potentially, risk management independence and controls compared to a listed bank. This, in turn, constrains the
bank's overall risk positioning, although to improve corporate governance, several measures aimed at
counterbalancing the Sella family have been implemented. While we do not have current concerns, potentially a
weaker corporate governance structure in a challenging operating environment can lead to heightened risks, as
evidenced by recent extraordinary administrations by the regulator. This could give rise to greater transition risk for
the ratings.
Diversified franchise
Sella has market shares of approximately 5.3% and 3.6% for deposits and loans respectively in the Piedmont region

as of December 2011. Sella is a commercial bank operating with households and SMEs and specialises in business
areas with high expected growth rates and relatively high returns, such as payment systems (where it enjoyed a
market share of 7.2% on the transactions with credit cards on POS installed by the bank (acquiring) and of 2.2% on
transactions related to credit cards issued by the bank (issuing)), private banking and its Internet banking operation,
which ranks among the leaders in Italy.
The bank is wholly owned by the Sella family, which designates all board members. To improve corporate
governance, several measures aimed at counterbalancing the Sella family have been implemented. Management's
current strategy involves prudent organic growth to absorb increasing compliance costs.
Challenging operating environment
The operating environment in Italy has become increasingly difficult for banks in recent months. This includes (i) the
effects of the country re-entering recession following the severe recession in 2009; (ii) the expected impact of the
government's austerity measures (taken to protect its own balance sheet); and (iii) the restricted and costly marketfunding
access.
Global Local Currency Deposit Rating (Joint Default Analysis)
We assign Baa3 deposit and debt ratings to Sella. The ratings incorporate Sella's standalone credit assessment of
ba1 and a moderate probability of systemic support, resulting in one-notch uplift of the deposit rating from the
standalone credit assessment.
Bank Financial Strength Rating
Bank Financial Strength Ratings
Moody's Bank Financial Strength Ratings (BFSRs) represent Moody's opinion of a bank's intrinsic safety and
soundness and, as such, exclude certain external credit risks and credit support elements that are addressed by
Moody's Bank Deposit Ratings. Bank Financial Strength Ratings do not take into account the probability that the
bank will receive such external support, nor do they address risks arising from sovereign actions that may interfere
with a bank's ability to honor its domestic or foreign currency obligations. Factors considered in the assignment of
Bank Financial Strength Ratings include bank-specific elements such as financial fundamentals, franchise value,
and business and asset diversification. Although Bank Financial Strength Ratings exclude the external factors
specified above, they do take into account other risk factors in the bank's operating environment, including the
strength and prospective performance of the economy, as well as the structure and relative fragility of the financial
system, and the quality of banking regulation and supervision.
Global Local Currency Deposit Rating
A deposit rating, as an opinion of relative credit risk, incorporates the Bank Financial Strength Rating as well as
Moody's opinion of any external support. Specifically, Moody's Bank Deposit Ratings are opinions of a bank's ability
to repay punctually its deposit obligations. As such, Moody's Bank Deposit Ratings are intended to incorporate those
aspects of credit risk relevant to the prospective payment performance of rated banks with respect to deposit
obligations, and includes: intrinsic financial strength, sovereign transfer risk (in the case of foreign currency deposit
ratings), and both implicit and explicit external support elements. Moody's Bank Deposit Ratings do not take into
account the benefit of deposit insurance schemes which make payments to depositors, but they do recognize the
potential support from schemes that may provide assistance to banks directly.
According to Moody's joint default analysis (JDA) methodology, the global local currency deposit rating of a bank is
determined by the incorporation of external elements of support into the bank's Baseline Credit Assessment. In
calculating the GLC rating for a bank, the JDA methodology also factors in the rating of the support provider, in the
form of the local currency deposit ceiling for a country, Moody's assessment of the probability of systemic support for
the bank in case a stress situation occurs and the degree of dependence between the issuer rating and the LCDC.
Foreign Currency Deposit Rating
Moody's ratings on foreign currency bank obligations derive from the bank's local currency rating for the same class
of obligation. The implementation of JDA for banks can lead to a high local currency ratings for certain banks, which
could also produce high foreign currency ratings. Nevertheless, it should be reminded that foreign currency deposit
ratings are in all cases constrained by the country ceiling for foreign currency bank deposits. This may result in the

assignment of a different, and typically lower, rating for the foreign currency deposits relative to the bank's rating for
local currency obligations.
Foreign Currency Debt Rating
Foreign currency debt ratings are derived from the bank's local currency debt rating. In a similar way to foreign
currency deposit ratings, foreign currency debt obligations may also be constrained by the country ceiling for foreign
currency bonds and notes, however, in some cases the ratings on foreign currency debt obligations may be allowed
to pierce the foreign currency ceiling. A particular mix of rating factors are taken into consideration in order to assess
whether a foreign currency bond rating pierces the country ceiling. They include the issuer's global local currency
rating, the foreign currency government bond rating, the country ceiling for bonds and the debt's eligibility to pierce
that ceiling.
About Moody's Bank Financial Strength Scorecard
Moody's bank financial strength model (see scorecard below) is a strategic input in the assessment of the financial
strength of a bank, used as a key tool by Moody's analysts to ensure consistency of approach across banks and
regions. The model output and the individual scores are discussed in rating committees and may be adjusted up or
down to reflect conditions specific to each rated entity.
Rating Factors
Banca Sella Holding
Rating Factors [1] A B C D E Total Score Trend
Qualitative Factors (50%) D+
Factor: Franchise Value D Neutral
Market Share and Sustainability x
Geographical Diversification x
Earnings Stability x
Earnings Diversification [2]
Factor: Risk Positioning D Neutral
Corporate Governance [2] -- -- -- -- --
- Ownership and Organizational Complexity -- -- -- -- --
- Key Man Risk -- -- -- -- --
- Insider and Related-Party Risks -- -- -- -- --
Controls and Risk Management x
- Risk Management x
- Controls x
Financial Reporting Transparency x
- Global Comparability x
- Frequency and Timeliness x
- Quality of Financial Information x
Credit Risk Concentration -- -- -- -- --
- Borrower Concentration -- -- -- -- --
- Industry Concentration -- -- -- -- --
Liquidity Management x
Market Risk Appetite x
Factor: Operating Environment D Neutral
Economic Stability x
Integrity and Corruption x
Legal System x
Financial Factors (50%) D
Factor: Profitability D Neutral

PPI / Average RWA - Basel II 1.99%
Net Income / Average RWA - Basel II 0.26%
Factor: Liquidity C Neutral
(Mkt funds-Liquid Assets) / Total Assets 2.80%
Liquidity Management x
Factor: Capital Adequacy C Neutral
Tier 1 Ratio - Basel II 7.19%
Tangible Common Equity / RWA - Basel II 5.73%
Factor: Efficiency D Neutral
Cost / Income Ratio 71.57%
Factor: Asset Quality E+ Neutral
Problem Loans / Gross Loans 7.11%
Problem Loans / (Equity + LLR) 65.56%
Lowest Combined Score (15%) E+
Economic Insolvency Override Neutral
Aggregate Score D
Assigned BFSR D+
[1] - Where dashes are shown for a particular factor (or sub-factor), the score is based on non public information [2] -
A blank score under Earnings diversification or Corporate Governance indicates the risk is neutral
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