Eastern Bank Stands Out Amid Banking Sector Pressures—B2 Reaffirmed

Moody’s Investors Service, now rebranded as Moody’s Ratings, has reaffirmed Eastern Bank PLC (EBL) with a B2 credit rating, which remains capped by Bangladesh’s sovereign rating.

According to a Moody’s press release, this reaffirmation reflects EBL’s strong capital base, consistent profitability, high asset quality, and sufficient liquidity, highlighting the bank’s resilience in a challenging operating environment.

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 negative outlook reflects broader macroeconomic pressures rather than any institution-specific weakness. EBL’s fundamentals remain robust, supported by strong capital buffers, steady earnings, and prudent credit risk management.

These strengths further enhance 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, stated, “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.