STOCKHOLM (Standard&Poor's) Feb. 26, 2014--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said that its ratings and outlook on Norway-based Eksportfinans ASA are unaffected by today's announcement by Eksportfinans that it shortly expects a Tokyo court to issue a ruling in a suit brought against it by two distressed-debt funds. We understand that the suit, which alleges that Eksportfinans breached certain covenants contained in its "Samurai" loan program, commenced in 2012 by the claimant funds. The funds are claiming that Eksportfinans triggered an "event of default" clause (cessation of business) and therefore, are demanding a repayment of the principal of part of their holdings. Eksportfinans said that it expects the Tokyo District Court to rule on March 28. We understand that
