LONDON -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 12/3/97 -- Standard&Poor's today has affirmed its double-'A'-minus/'A-1+' ratings of Commerzbank and related entities (see list below). The outlook for the long-term ratings were changed to 'stable' from 'negative'. The outlook change reflects Commerzbank's successes in improving its asset quality, loan loss coverage, capitalization and core profitability over recent years. With total consolidated assets of DM 513.3 billion (US294.5 billion at DM 1.75 to US1) as of September 30, 1997, Commerzbank ranks among the four largest private banking groups in Germany. Commerzbank's asset quality has improved over recent years, and benefits from the relatively low-risk lending of its mortgage subsidiaries, accounting for about 30% of total loans. As the quality of its
