On Aug. 5, 2009, we lowered the long-term sovereign rating on Jamaica to 'CCC+' from 'B-'. We are lowering our long-term ratings on NCB, including the counterparty credit rating, to 'CCC+' from 'B-'. We are also lowering our survivability assessment on NCB to 'B+' from 'BB+'. The outlook on NCB remains negative, mirroring that on Jamaica, as a result of the bank's concentration in government debt securities and loans to public entities in the country. On Aug. 6, 2009, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term ratings on National Commercial Bank Jamaica Ltd. (NCB), including the counterparty credit rating, to 'CCC+' from 'B-'. At the same time, we lowered our survivability assessment on NCB to 'B+' from 'BB+'. The
