Then he asked the four members of Rodman's investment policy committee to meet to discuss his rating change.

Analysts and Citicorp officials say the rating changes will have little effect on the company.

The rating changes are not expected to be a significant blow to the company.

A Macy spokesman said the company had no comment on the rating change.

The rating changes increase the likelihood that city leaders will be forced to ask the Federal Government for help.

Following the announcement of the rating change, Bethesda issued their own press release.

Standard & Poor's said the rating change affected about $4 billion in debt.

About $1.8 billion of debt is affected by the rating change.

Nor did the rating changes appear elsewhere in the report, where such moves are highlighted.

This rating changes as and when new information is available about the obligor's financial health.