The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA) has maintained the long-term and short-term entity ratings of First Women Bank Limited at “AA” (Double A) and “A1+” (A One Plus), respectively. These ratings, which factors in explicit GoP support, denote a very low expectation of credit risk emanating from a very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments and are applicable to the senior unsecured creditors (depositors) of the bank. At the same time, the standalone ratings of “BBB+/A2” are also maintained.

The standalone ratings reflect by and large maintained risk profile with continuing low deployment of resources into advances. Despite a notable increase, the relatively modest size of the equity base would continue to limit the bank's risk absorption capacity. However, in a peer setting and given the increasingly competitive environment, the bank's operations continue to face inherent constraints. The bank's growth and emergence as a meaningful participant in the banking sector is dependent on the injection of fresh equity, upgradation of information technology infrastructure, strengthening of risk management systems and human resource development.

About the bank: First Women Bank Ltd. (FWBL) was established in 1989 with a vision to be the leading bank for women, catering to the special economic needs of women both in urban & rural areas of Pakistan and enabling them to participate more actively in the economic process. The Board of Directors comprises seven members including the presidents of all the big five banks.