Fitch Ratings on Dec. 20 upgraded to A+ from A the long-term issuer default ratings of three of Barclays PLC's operating units — Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Bank UK PLC and Barclays Bank Ireland PLC — with all long-term ratings carrying stable outlooks.

Fitch also upgraded the three banks' derivative counterparty ratings to A+(dcr) from A(dcr) and affirmed their short-term issuer default ratings at F1. Barclays Bank's and Barclays Bank UK's long-term senior unsecured debt ratings were upgraded to A+ from A, while their F1 short-term senior unsecured debt ratings were affirmed.

All three lenders' long-term issuer default and derivative counterparty ratings were removed from Rating Watch Positive, as were Barclays Bank's and Barclays Bank UK's long-term senior unsecured debt ratings.

The rating agency noted that the upgrades follow the increase of subordinated debt buffers at the operating companies.