We had previously placed the 'BB' long-term rating on Santander Asset Management on CreditWatch with negative implications on April 27, 2015, following the announcement of its merger with Pioneer Investments. We are maintaining the rating on CreditWatch pending final terms of the transaction. We intend to resolve the CreditWatch placement by October 2015. On Aug. 4, 2015, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services maintained its 'BB' long-term counterparty credit rating on Jersey-based Santander Asset Management Investment Holdings Ltd. (SAM) on CreditWatch with negative implications. The 'BB' issue ratings on the company's senior secured debt also remain on CreditWatch negative. At the same time, we affirmed the 'B' short-term counterparty credit rating on SAM. The ratings on SAM remain on CreditWatch pending