We expect that earnings pressures from credit and market risk and reduced commission income will likely persist. We are now factoring one-notch of support into the long-term counterparty credit rating on Germany-based DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale, reflecting our views of ownership support and, if required, the availability of extraordinary government support. We have lowered by one notch our assessment of DekaBank's stand-alone credit profile to reflect ongoing earnings pressure from credit and market risk. We are affirming our 'A/A-1' ratings on DekaBank. The stable outlook reflects DekaBank's reasonable cushions against stressed markets as well as our expectation that support would be forthcoming if needed. On Sept. 14, 2009, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'A' long-term and 'A-1' short-term counterparty
