(Editor's note: This article was originally published on July 17, 1998 and now is being republished for RatingsDirect.) PARIS -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 7/17/98 -- Standard&Poor's today affirmed its triple-'A' long-term and 'A-1'-plus short-term counterparty ratings on Rabobank Nederland (Rabobank) and its related entities (see list below). The outlook on the bank's long-term rating is stable. The decision to affirm the ratings follows the signature of a joint venture agreement between Rabobank and the Dutch cooperative insurance group, Achmea. The joint venture, to which the two parties will make equal contributions, is due to start officially on Jan. 1st, 1999. Achmea will contribute all its activities to the new venture and Rabobank its insurance (Interpolis), asset management
