Paris -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 4/22/98 -- Standard&Poor's today affirmed its single-'A'-plus long-term and 'A-1' short-term counterparty ratings on Credito Italiano SpA and Rolo Banca 1473 SpA. The outlook remains stable. At the same time, the single-'A' long-term counterparty ratings of Banca CRT SpA (CRT) and Cassa di Risparmio di Verona Vicenza Belluno e Ancona SpA (Cariverona) were placed on CreditWatch with positive implications. These banks' short-term counterparty ratings of 'A-1' were also affirmed. These rating actions follow the approval given by the board of directors of the parties concerned for a plan to merge Credito Italiano and Unicredito (holding company for CRT, Cariverona, and unrated Cassamarca). The linkup will create one of the largest banking groups
