Moody’s Investors Service on Friday cut France’s three largest banks by one notch, citing a “very high” probability that the French government would intervene with support should conditions worsen.
Société Générale, BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole all saw their ratings cut by a notch, and Moody’s added that all three could face additional losses on the Greek and Italian bonds among their holdings should the debt crisis worsen. According to a New York Times report, the news came just a day after the European Banking Authority (EBA) said the banks had passed their stress tests.
Moody’s took a far gloomier view of the debt crisis, repeating its warning that Greece and other euro zone countries could end up defaulting and departing the common currency if leaders fail to find a workable solution.