On Dec. 19, 2008, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term counterparty credit rating on Barclays Bank PLC (Barclays) to 'AA-' from 'AA' and the long-term counterparty credit ratings on other core related entities. At the same time, Standard&Poor's removed its 'AA' long-term counterparty credit ratings on Barclays Bank PLC and the long-term counterparty credit ratings on other core related entities from CreditWatch with negative implications, where they had been placed on Sept. 17, 2008. Furthermore, the 'A-1+' short-term counterparty credit ratings on Barclays Bank PLC and other core related entities were affirmed. Additionally, Standard&Poor's lowered its long- and short-term counterparty credit ratings on Barclays PLC to 'A+/A-1' from 'AA-/A-1+'. Furthermore, the 'AA-/A-1+' long- and