"Institutional Investor" Releases 2009 Country Credit Ratings

U.S. Creditworthiness Hits Record Low Among 177 Countries Surveyed


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - March 11, 2009) - The U.S. sees its creditworthiness drop by 5.0 points, to 88.0, on a scale of zero to 100, as revealed in the semiannual "Institutional Investor" 2009 March Country Credit Ratings survey. U.S. now ranks number 15 among the 177 countries in the survey, one place behind Belgium.

Creditworthiness has declined around much of the world, too, as the U.S. subprime crisis has morphed into a global recession. Survey respondents mark down nearly every industrialized country in North America, Western Europe and Asia. Even most emerging-markets economies, which many had thought immune to U.S. woes only a year ago, suffer significant declines.

To see the global credit rankings of all 177 countries surveyed in the 2009 March Country Credit Ratings, visit www.iimagazine.com.

The Country Credit Ratings developed by "Institutional Investor" are based on information provided by senior economists and sovereign-risk analysts at leading global banks and money management and securities firms. The respondents have graded each country on a scale of zero to 100, with 100 representing the least likelihood of default.

For more information, please contact Michele Bickford at mbickford@iiresearchgroup.com or 212-224 3360.

About Institutional Investor

Now entering its fifth decade, "Institutional Investor" has consistently distinguished itself among the world's foremost financial publications with ground-breaking journalism and incisive writing that provides "must read" intelligence for a global audience. Three editions of the magazine are published: Americas, International and Asia. In addition, throughout the year "Institutional Investor" offers a host of proprietary research and rankings that serve as respected industry benchmarks, informing and influencing its carefully targeted circulation base throughout the year. For more information visit www.iimagazine.com.

Contact Information: For more information, please contact: Michele Bickford mbickford@iiresearchgroup.com 212-224 3360