In the context of Scope Ratings’ strategy of focussing on the needs of institutional investors, Scope will offer its unsolicited bank and covered bond credit ratings on a subscription basis only via its credit intelligence platform.

Aggregate amount of Tier 2 securities rated is equivalent to nearly EUR 40bn; all rated securities were issued publicly in 2015-2016 by banks already rated by Scope and qualify as Tier 2 capital under CRD IV-CRR.

First-time ratings reflect DNB’s strong franchise as the leading financial services provider in a relatively concentrated and economically robust market.

Ratings reflect strong prudential and credit metrics and stable funding, but also growing challenges in the Nordic region, such as overheating housing prices in Sweden and Norway, which could affect the large banks’ asset-quality metrics.