OVERVIEW The downgrades follow deteriorating performance metrics and our assessment of the characteristics of the residual mortgage loan portfolio. We have lowered our ratings on the class C1 and C2 notes series 3 and the class B, C1, and C2 series 4. We also affirmed all the series 2 notes. Sestante's series 2, 3, and 4 are segregated transactions backed by pools of residential mortgage loans originated in Italy by Meliorbanca. MILAN (Standard&Poor's) Aug. 26, 2009--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today lowered and removed from CreditWatch negative its credit ratings on the class C1 and C2 notes series 3 and class B, C1, and C2 series 4 issued by Sestante Finance S.r.l. following further collateral performance deterioration. At