Macquarie notes Moody’s ratings of Macquarie Bank and other entities

Macquarie Group Limited (ASX:MQG; ADR:MQBKY) today noted that Moody’s Investor Service (Moody’s) had revised the credit ratings for Macquarie Bank Limited (MBL) and other Macquarie entities which have been under review since 4 November 2011. Moody's stated that the ratings actions "come as part of a global sector review of banks and securities firms with capital market operations."

Following the Moody’s ratings review today, the ratings of Macquarie entities are:

• Macquarie Bank Limited: A2 long term (from A1) / P-1 short term (affirmed)
• Macquarie Group Limited: A3 long term (from A2) / P-2 short term (from P-1)

The Outlook for both the long term and short term rating for Macquarie Bank Limited and Macquarie Group Limited is Stable.

Macquarie noted comments made by Moody's that “Macquarie has very low exposure to euro-area risks. It had very low exposure to stressed asset classes during the financial crisis in 2008/09. Additionally, its earnings are more stable since proprietary trading is not a core activity. Macquarie's liquidity and capital metrics are also at the upper end of its peer group.”

Moody’s further noted that “Macquarie has also been quick to seize opportunities afforded by the crisis, and increased investment in businesses, such as funds management, that have the potential to generate smoother revenue streams.”

Macquarie's Chief Financial Officer, Patrick Upfold, said: “Moody’s A2 rating of Macquarie Bank Limited is in line with the ‘A’ rating assigned by Fitch Ratings earlier this week and Standard & Poor’s longstanding ‘A’ rating. MBL is the entity that funds the vast majority of the Group’s activities.

“Following the conclusion of these extensive industry reviews by the three major credit ratings agencies, Macquarie Bank Limited’s strong capital, funding and liquidity positions, together with its risk management track record, has been recognised by it being rated ‘A’across the board.”

The three major credit rating agencies’ ratings of Macquarie entities are as follows: