NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 3/26/96 -- Standard&Poor's today has assigned its double-`B'-minus rating to Banco de Galicia y Buenos Aires S.A.'s US$200 million negotiable obligations. These obligations are part of a US$400 million Euromedium-term note program. Banco de Galicia's leadership in the Argentine retail banking market, acceptable although declining profitability, adequate capital, and demonstrated liquidity during times of financial stress, place ratings of Galicia's senior foreign currency and subordinated foreign currency debt at the sovereign ceiling of double-`B'-minus. The ratings also reflect the high systemic risk of the Argentine banking sector. Asset quality continued to show deterioration at Dec. 31, 1995. Nonperforming loans (NPLs) as a percentage of total loans stood at 6.5% from 6.0% at
