TEXT-Malaysia's RAM currently assessing Maybank ratings

(The following statement was released by the rating agency)

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 - RAM Ratings is currently assessing Malayan Banking Berhad's (Maybank or the Bank) (MBBM.KL) AAA/P1 financial institution ratings and also the ratings of the Bank's debt facilities as part of our ongoing monitoring.

Maybank's recently announced financial results for FYE 30 June 2009 had been significantly affected by impairment charges related to its overseas acquisitions in 2008; the bulk of this stemmed from its Indonesian unit.

RAM Ratings will discuss the direction of Maybank's regional and domestic strategies with the Bank's management, along with the integration of its foreign ventures and the performance of its domestic lending operations. We will publish our findings as soon as the review is completed.