NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) March 20, 2003--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that certain of Goodyear Tire&Rubber Co.'s (BB-/Negative/-) senior unsecured debt remain on CreditWatch with negative implications, where they were placed March 7, 2003. The CreditWatch reflects a likely significant increase in the proportion of secured debt in the company's balance sheet once current bank financing negotiations are completed. Goodyear is expected to close on its secured bank facilities in late March or early April 2003 and today Standard&Poor's released ratings on the proposed secured bank facilities (see release dated March 20). The new, secured facilities would effectively rank senior to the unsecured notes. The unsecured notes would likely be lowered to one
