Without the AAA ratings, demand for these securities would have been considerably less.

They can abandon the idea that the bailout funds need a AAA rating.

Germany kept its AAA rating, and with a stable outlook.

- France clung onto its AAA rating for another day.

The high "AAA" rating remains, but is at risk of being revised.

Pay the credit agencies to give your bank an AAA rating.

Last night the agency cut the bailout fund's AAA rating.

The rating agency took no action on $100 million more in bonds with AAA ratings, however, because they are insured.

And it held the AAA rating from the 1950's through the early 1980's.

Groves promised not to use the AAA rating unless it was necessary.