FRANKFURT (Standard&Poor's) March 31, 2009--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it had lowered its long-term counterparty credit ratings on Hungary-based OTP Bank Rt. (OTP) and OTP Mortgage Bank to 'BB+' from 'BBB' and its short-term counterparty credit ratings to 'B' from 'A-3'. The outlook on both banks is negative. The rating action follows the lowering of the sovereign credit ratings on the Republic of Hungary to BBB-/Negative/A-3 from BBB/Negative/A-3. (See " Republic of Hungary Long-Term Ratings Cut To 'BBB-' On Deteriorating Economy; Outlook Negative", published on RatingDirect on March 30, 2008. It takes into account our concerns about the likelihood of severe repercussions on OTP's financial profile in 2009 and 2010 as a result of accelerating