Moody’s reaffirms Eastern Bank’s credit strength with B2 rating

Moody's Investors Service, recently rebranded as Moody's Ratings, has reaffirmed Eastern Bank PLC's (EBL) B2 rating, which remains capped by Bangladesh's sovereign rating.

The reaffirmation reflects EBL's solid capital base, consistent profitability, strong asset quality, and adequate liquidity, underscoring the bank's resilience in a challenging operating environment, according to a press release.

Despite Moody's maintaining a negative outlook on long-term deposit and issuer ratings across Bangladesh's banking sector, EBL continues to stand out as one of the strongest performers in the industry.

The sector-wide outlook reflects broader macroeconomic pressures and does not signal any institution-specific weaknesses for the bank.

EBL's fundamentals remain robust, supported by strong capital buffers, steady earnings, and prudent credit risk management.

These strengths further reinforce the bank's reputation for sound financial stewardship, operational discipline, and long-term stability.

Commenting on the reaffirmation, Ali Reza Iftekhar, managing director of Eastern Bank PLC, said, "This reaffirmation by Moody's is a testament to EBL's unwavering commitment to prudent risk management, operational excellence, and financial discipline."

EBL was the first Bangladeshi bank to undergo an international credit rating by Moody's in March 2016, marking a significant milestone in the local banking industry's pursuit of global transparency and benchmarking.

Complementing Moody's reaffirmation, local credit rating agency CRAB has awarded EBL its highest AAA rating for the third consecutive year in 2025, further validating the bank's strong financial health, high governance standards, and disciplined risk culture.