We expect the Swiss Canton of Solothurn to deliver a very strong performance in 2010, outperforming its budget as it did in 2009. We are raising our long-term rating to 'AA+' and removing it from CreditWatch, where it was previously placed with positive implications. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that the canton will continue to maintain a sound budgetary performance over the next few years. On Dec. 1, 2010, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services raised its long-term issuer credit rating on the Canton of Solothurn to 'AA+' from 'AA'. At the same time, we removed the rating from CreditWatch, where it was placed with positive implications on Sept. 20, 2010, following the introduction of a new rating methodology for
