MELBOURNE (Standard&Poor's) Sept. 19, 2008—Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said that it had affirmed its credit ratings on Australia's four major banks and their subsidiaries (see list below) and St.George Bank Ltd., following a review of the banks' ability to withstand stresses stemming from recent events in the U.S. and global financial markets. The outlooks on the four major banks and the CreditWatch with positive implications on the rating on St.George Bank remain unchanged. St.George Bank is in the midst of being acquired by Westpac Banking Corp. Ratings Affirmed Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. AA/Stable/A-1+ Commonwealth Bank of Australia AA/Stable/A-1+ National Australia Bank Ltd. AA/Negative/A-1+ Westpac Banking Corp. AA/Stable/A-1+ St.George Bank Ltd. A+/Watch Pos/A-1 These