The Individual rating is affirmed at 'C/D'.
This action follows the announcement that Banco Comercial Portugues ("BCP", 'A+') and Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen ("Erste", 'A') were selected for the final round of bidding for a majority stake in BCR.
Fitch recognised that BCR would be an attractive strategic acquisition for both BCP and Erste.
Any potential impact on the ratings of either BCP or Erste will be reviewed once the successful bidder is known and full details are available.
"Both BCP and Erste are highly rated banks and the potential support from either of them for BCR is likely to have a positive effect on BCR's ratings," said Tim Beck of Fitch's Financial Institutions Group.
"Given Romania's large population and low banking penetration, BCR's privatisation has attracted interest from a number of Western banks looking to invest into Romania." added Mr. Beck.
"The market has attractive growth prospects, and BCR, with its large franchise, is well placed to benefit from this."
The Romanian state currently owns 36.88% of BCR.
IFC and EBRD each owns 12.5% plus one share.
The Romanian state has the option of redeeming the shares owned by IFC and EBRD in order to obtain a majority stake that can be sold to a strategic investor.
It seems likely that this full 61.9% stake will be sold to BCP or Erste.
The remaining shares are owned by employees of BCR (8%) and five private Romanian investment companies (30.12%).
BCR is the largest bank in Romania and accounts for approximately 26% of the banking system's assets.
