71.   The credit agency announced Wednesday it had lowered its ratings on the long-term debt of three Thai commercial banks.

72.   The IMF, the credit agencies, the investment firms all thought Asian firms were stable and profitable.

73.   The moves are the latest in a series of credit reviews and downgrades of top Japanese companies by the two New York-based credit agencies.

74.   The lack of a credible independent country-wide credit agency also forces financial institutions to play it safe by demanding third party personal guarantees.

75.   The move is the latest in a series of downgrades of top Japanese companies by the New York-based credit agency.

76.   The moves are the latest in a series of credit reviews and downgrades of top Japanese companies by the New York-based credit agencies.

77.   To further facilitate trade with the Philippines, Pinxten said the Belgian public export credit insurance agency decided to adopt a more flexible country insurance policy.

78.   Two major U.S. credit agencies on Wednesday downgraded the ratings of Japanese brokerage giant Nomura Securities Co., citing a deteriorating profit growth outlook and exposure to potential losses.

79.   Yaohan Japan Corp., a medium-sized regional supermarket chain operator, filed for court protection from its creditor Thursday, a credit research agency said.

80.   Government officials were disappointed by the decision after recently criticising ratings decisions by major credit agencies as unreliable.