NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Dec. 30, 2008--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today lowered its long-term ratings on 16 LaSalle Bank N.A. Midwest LOC-supported bond issues and removed them from CreditWatch with negative implications (see list). The rating actions follow our Dec. 19, 2008, rating actions on several large complex banks (see "Twelve Major U.S. And European Financial Institutions Have Ratings Lowered, Outlooks Revised" on RatingsDirect at www.ratingsdirect.com). The ratings on the affected issues are based on the credit and liquidity support provided by LaSalle Bank N.A. Midwest in the form of LOCs (letters of credit), which provide for the full and timely payment of interest and principal according to the transactions' terms. RATINGS LOWERED AND REMOVED FROM CREDITWATCH Transaction
