E*TRADE's Ratings Upgraded By Moody's

E*TRADE Financial ETFC and E*TRADE Bank's ratings have been upgraded by Moody's Investors Service, the rating arm of Moody's Corporation, concluding the review for upgrade, initiated in January 2018. However, the rating firm's outlook for the bank has been affirmed at "stable".

The investment bank's senior unsecured rating has been upgraded to Baa2. E*TRADE Bank's long-term ratings has been upgraded to A2 and short-term deposit rating upped to Prime-1.

Rationale Behind Upgrade

Per Moody's, E*TRADE is well poised to benefit from the increasing interest-rate environment and client brokerage assets. Also, the company's effort to expand its balance sheet is encouraging. Further, E*TRADE's strong credit position displays its hold on strategies for overall growth. Additionally, the bank has maintained a solid positive operating leverage dealing with increasing client base, per Moody's.

Moody's is of the opinion that E*TRADE's effort toward conservative use of leverage in acquisitions and shareholder-distribution policies is a key positive. In addition, it expects E*TRADE to maintain this approach while undertaking inorganic growth strategies in the future.

Conclusion

It is anticipated that E*TRADE will adopt a credit-centric approach to diversify its cash generating capabilities through new and profitable revenue streams in the near term, as such effort is likely to win another rating upgrade from Moody's.

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