Fitch Ratings has affirmed its ratings for the Toronto-Dominion Bank, and upgraded the ratings of Commerce Bancorp, Inc., following the news that TD has completed the acquisition of Commerce.

While the acquisition reduces TD’s consolidated capital ratios, TD’s capital position will remain comfortable, the rating agency said. TD’s Tier I ratio will continue to be well above the regulatory minimum and will still compare favorably to the ratios of many international peers, it said.

“The [Commerce] acquisition brings TD an attractive retail franchise and greatly expands TD’s footprint in the United States. Together with TD Banknorth, the acquisition of [Commerce] propels TD’s U.S. deposit franchise into the top dozen, with strong market share throughout most of its footprint in New England and the Mid-Atlantic,” Fitch noted. It added that the U.S. banking franchise will be rebranded TD Commerce Bank, and TD expects to merge its U.S. bank entities into one banking charter within the next few months.

Fitch’s ratings of TD reflect its strong Canadian retail franchise, growing presence in the United States, solid financials and strong risk management practices, the firm explained. The stable outlook reflects an expectation for favourable financial results, but does recognize the potential effects of a more difficult operating environment, it said.

Also, asset quality issues could tick up from a low base, it said, but they are expected to remain well contained. TD has largely avoided problematic exposures to topical areas including Canadian ABCP, CDOs, SIVs, U.S. subprime mortgages, and leveraged loans, it said.

The outlook also includes the expectation that capital ratios, although still comfortable, will gradually increase in the periods following the acquisition.