Fitch Ratings on Dec. 15 affirmed the long- and short-term national ratings of Banco General (Costa Rica) SA at AAA(cri) and F1+(cri), respectively.

The outlook is stable.

The ratings are based on the potential support the bank would receive from its Panama-based parent Banco General SA. The unit accounted for less than 4% of the parent's total asset as of September, making support more viable, Fitch said.

Fitch believes the bank is highly important to its parent, based on its continuous support of funding facilities, previous capital injections and a subordinated debt contract it acquired from its unit.