Author: Zeph Nhleko

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has received a long-term foreign-currency issuer rating upgrade from Moody’s to Ba2 from Ba3. The Bank’s standalone assessment has also been upgraded to ba3 from b1, and the long-term national scale issuer rating to Aa2.za from Aa3.za. The upgrade reflects the DBSA’s improved funding and liquidity profile, sustainably strong capital buffers, and the ability to maintain low levels of non-performing loans of around 3.8% of gross loans despite high asset risks and a fragile operating environment. The Bank’s confirmed stable outlook acknowledges the strong capital buffers that cushion assets from risks and pressures of…