Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) has assigned a senior unsecured debt rating of BBB, subordinated debt rating of BBB-, and short-term debt rating of K3 to New York, New York based Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (“the Company”). KBRA has also assigned deposit and senior unsecured debt ratings of BBB+, a subordinated debt rating of BBB, and short-term debt and deposit ratings of K2 to the lead subsidiary, Metropolitan Commercial Bank. The outlook on all long-term ratings is stable.

The ratings are supported by Metropolitan Commercial Bank’s solid capital position, superior asset quality metrics and abundant reserves, and the management team’s extensive experience. The ratings are constrained by the Company’s relatively high double leverage ratio, higher than average loan-to-deposit ratio, relatively low earnings metrics, dependence on spread-derived revenue streams, and comparatively high non-owner occupied commercial real estate concentration. KBRA’s ratings also include the expectation of improvement in profitability going forward, and could come under pressure if stronger metrics are not achieved.

The ratings are based on KBRA’s Global Bank and Bank Holding Company Rating Methodology published on February 19, 2016.

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About Kroll Bond Rating Agency

KBRA is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). In addition, KBRA is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP).