Fitch Ratings says it has assigned a long-term rating of BBB+ and a short-term rating of F2 to Heritage Bank. The rating means Heritage now has four credit ratings; three from the main international agencies and one from Australia Ratings. Fitch said the rating reflected "Heritage's conservative risk appetite, excellent asset quality, stable earnings profile and sound liquidity position. These factors offset the bank's limited franchise, reliance on wholesale funding and modest but improving capital base." The Reserve Bank of Australia says it is seeking submissions by 13 July on proposed changes to the access regime that governs the ATM system. Changes are needed to cater to the planned price fixing - at a price of zero - for the use of ATMs in remote communities. The Australian today reports comments by the chairman of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, John Laker, that Australian banks remain "in good shape" despite growing concerns over the global economy. Speaking at a Senate estimates hearing in Canberra, Laker said: "The banks have been relatively successful in issuing longer term unsecured offshore funding in recent months and most have completed their planned funding program for the period ahead."