Limassol, November 15, 2012 -- Moody's Investors Service has today affirmed the Ba2/Not Prime deposit ratings of Investcorp Bank B.S.C., and affirmed its standalone D bank financial strength rating. Moody's also affirmed the Ba2 ratings of the backed senior unsecured debt of Investcorp Bank's wholly owned subsidiaries, Investcorp Capital Limited and Investcorp S.A., and the (P)Ba2 rating of Investcorp Capital Limited's backed senior unsecured MTN, all of which are guaranteed by Investcorp Bank B.S.C. As part of the same rating action, Moody's has withdrawn Investcorp S.A.'s Ba2/Not Prime deposit ratings and standalone D bank financial strength rating, as there are no deposits outstanding and Investcorp S.A. does not have a license to take deposits. The outlook on all ratings remains negative.

RATINGS RATIONALE

Investcorp Bank B.S.C.'s long-term deposit rating of Ba2 is constrained by (1) its moderate, albeit improving, capitalisation levels (with the illiquid risk assets-to-adjusted tangible common equity ratio at 2.8x as at end-June 2012); (2) relatively high, albeit declining, concentrations to private equity investments (with the top five investments estimated at around 0.8x adjusted tangible common equity as at June 2012); and (3) the inherent volatility in the company's earnings profile.

Investcorp Bank B.S.C.'s long-term deposit rating is supported by the company's (1) solid position as a provider of international alternative investments in the Gulf Cooperation Council; and (2) good liquidity and improved funding profile.

The negative outlook assigned to Investcorp Bank B.S.C.'s ratings is based on the challenging operating environment for alternative asset management institutions, which weighs on the company's earnings generation capacity, and poses risks to its investment portfolio. A successful execution of the company's plan to further strengthen its capitalisation ratio and reduce its illiquid risk assets (by reducing its hedge fund holdings, disposing private equity businesses and reducing the level of investments in future acquisitions) may counterbalance the current operating environment risks. In the meantime, however, current operating conditions pose risks to the successful execution of the company's strategy and, in particular, its ability to dispose of its private equity businesses.

Investcorp's Ba2 long-term deposit rating reflects the company's intrinsic financial strength and does not incorporate any ratings uplift based on external support.

Moody's has withdrawn Investcorp S.A.'s Ba2/Not Prime deposit ratings and standalone D bank financial strength rating, as there are no deposits outstanding. Investcorp S.A. does not have a banking license and is registered as an exempted company in the Cayman Islands.

WHAT COULD CHANGE THE RATING UP/DOWN

As indicated by the negative outlook, Moody's does not expect any upward rating pressure over the near term. A successful execution of the company's plan to further strengthen its capitalisation ratio and reduce its balance sheet co-investment portfolio may lead to a stable outlook on the company's ratings.

Negative rating pressure may result from a failure by Investcorp Bank B.S.C. to further reduce its investment concentrations, improve its capitalisation metrics or grow its assets under management. In addition, negative rating pressure may result from a weaker financial position driven by (1) continued weakness in private equity origination and placement activities that would further constrain the company's profitability; and/or (2) further material investment losses that would lead to an erosion in the company's capital position.

PRINCIPAL METHODOLOGIES

Moody's has used "Moody's Global Rating Methodology for Asset Management Firms", dated October 2007, as the principal methodology for rating Investcorp and its subsidiaries. Moody's makes certain adjustments to the Asset Management methodology to better capture the illiquid risk assets held on its balance sheet (please see Moody's credit opinion on the company for further discussion of specific adjustments). Moody's also used "Moody's Consolidated Global Bank Rating Methodology", dated June 2012.

Please see the Credit Policy page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.

Investcorp Bank B.S.C. is a shareholding company incorporated in Bahrain and licensed as a wholesale bank by the Central Bank of Bahrain. Investcorp S.A. is registered as an exempted company in the Cayman Islands. Investcorp Capital Limited, based in the Cayman Islands, was specifically set up to issue debt for Investcorp Bank B.S.C. Investcorp Bank B.S.C. reported total consolidated assets of USD2.7 billion as of 30 June 2012 under audited IFRS.

REGULATORY DISCLOSURES

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