BANK of East Asia's image was boosted when Moody's Investor Service gave it a rating equivalent to Hong Kong's sovereign ceiling.
In its first international ratings, it received A3 for its long-term deposits, Prime-2 on its short-term deposits and a C grade for its inherent financial strength.
The US-based rating agency said the ratings reflected the bank's profitability and capitalisation.
The 'C' score on its financial strength was the same as that of four other Hong Kong banks last week - Dao Heng Bank, Shanghai Commercial Bank, Wing Lung Bank and Wing Hang Bank.
Earlier the year, Hong Kong Bank and Hang Seng Bank were assigned B grade ratings.
Moody's said: '[BEA's] asset quality is sound and improving, mainly due to recovery of overseas property related assets.' Financial strength measures the intrinsic soundness of a bank, ranging from A, which represents exceptional financial strength, to E - very weak financial strength requiring periodic outside support or suggesting an eventual need for outside assistance.