Kroll Bond Rating Agency Releases Research Report on Risk Reduction for Zions Bancorporation

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (“KBRA”) releases research report on risk reduction for Zions Bancorporation (NASDAQ: “ZION” or the “Company”). After the Federal Reserve announced in March of this year that ZION would not have sufficient capital to meet the minimum capital adequacy requirements under the severely adverse economic scenario in the Dodd-Frank Act Stress Test (“DFAST”), the Company has made a concerted effort to improve its risk profile and capital base. The most recent financial results of ZION indicate that this effort is starting to produce positive results in terms of higher capital levels and reduced leverage.

In response to the March DFAST results, ZION issued a statement citing the Federal Reserve’s higher loss rates assumed for commercial real estate (“CRE”), greater risk-weighted assets, and lower pre-tax, pre-provision net revenue in comparison to the projections under the Bank’s own stress assumptions. ZION also noted that its original submission to the Fed transpired prior to the sale of certain CDOs in January and February of 2014, which resulted in a considerable reduction in risk on the Company’s balance sheet. ZION resubmitted its 2014 Capital Plan in April, which was accepted by the Federal Reserve in July of 2014. The resubmitted plan included the continued payment of preferred and common dividends at the current rates as well as a proposed common equity issuance to occur in the third quarter.

To view the full report, please visit www.kbra.com.

About Kroll Bond Rating Agency

KBRA is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). In addition, KBRA is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP).