In Brief: BankWatch Upgrades Hibernia, Banking Unit

Thomson BankWatch raised its ratings on the short-term debt of Hibernia Corp. and its bank subsidiary to TBW-1 from TBW-2.

The upgrading reflected the bank's solid profitability, healthy asset quality, and sustained levels of reserves and capital, the agency said.

Thomson, an affiliate of American Banker, attributed the robust earnings growth in 1995 to solid increases in net interest and noninterest income, a low tax rate, the lack of a loan-loss provision, and a significant decline in operating expenses

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER