MADRID (Standard&Poor's) March 29, 2011--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the Hellenic Republic (Greece) today to 'BB-' from 'BB+' and maintained the rating on CreditWatch with negative implications. At the same time, Standard&Poor's placed its 'B' short-term sovereign credit rating on Greece on CreditWatch with negative implications. (See "Greece Downgraded To 'BB-' On Confirmed ESM Borrowing Terms; Still On Watch Neg; Teleconference Today At 4:30PM BST" for more information on our sovereign action). We believe that this downgrade could have a negative impact on the creditworthiness of the four Greek banks and one related international subsidiary that we rate, namely: National Bank of Greece S.A. (BB+/Watch Neg/B) and its strategically