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.

This rating action concludes the review initiated a month ago. It reflects Handelsbanken’s ability to weather weakness in Sweden’s housing market, prudent growth strategy, and reassuring financial metrics.

Scope’s review will cover Handelsbanken’s ability to weather weakness in Sweden’s housing market and the effects of the Swedish regulator’s related macro-prudential measures, as well as expected changes to capital requirements for Swedish mortgages.

Scope Ratings has updated it rating report on Svenska Handelsbanken's AT1 securities.

The new rating is for the 5.25% USD 1.2bn Additional Tier 1 notes issued in February 2015; the rating has a Stable Outlook in line with Handelsbanken’s long-term rating outlook.