TOKYO (Standard&Poor's) March 19, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today placed its long-term counterparty ratings on Japan's three major bank holding companies and their operating entities, and five independent banks on CreditWatch with positive implications. The short-term counterparty ratings on Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc., Daiwa Securities SMBC Co. Ltd., Chuo Mitsui Trust&Banking Co. Ltd., and Japan Trustee Services Bank Ltd. were also placed on CreditWatch with positive implications. At the same time, the ratings on debt issued by the major banks were also placed on CreditWatch with positive implications. The 'BBB-' rating on Resona Bank's (A-/Stable/A-2) preferred securities, issued by Resona Preferred Global Securities (Cayman) Ltd., was placed on CreditWatch with positive implications. (See list
