The county's bonds were rated one step above junk bond status.

Its bonds were rated triple A, and it was known for the most conservative accounting.

Though a quarter million in cash had been saved, bonds rated at an equal value were actually gone.

That accounted for 6.5 percent of all corporate bonds rated by Moody's.

The insured bonds are rated triple A by both rating services.

Similarly rated bonds these days pay double that yield premium.

The bonds that provided some protection of principal were rated as safer investment grade.

The bonds had been rated Baa-1 since March 1984.

The company also has an unparalleled ability to get "low-cost capital" since its bonds are rated just below Treasury issues.

Its bonds are rated just above junk and some entities have borrowed just to keep going.