Small Business Resources, Business Advice and Forms from AllBusiness.com

Fitch Dominicana First to Receive Govt Regulatory Approval.

Business Editors

NEW YORK, CARACAS & SANTO DOMINGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 17, 2003

Fitch Ratings announces the regulatory approval from Superintendencia de Valores de la Republica Dominicana to Fitch Dominicana to act as a rating agency in the Dominican Republic.

> Fitch Dominicana is an established branch of Fitch Venezuela, Sociedad Calificadora de Riesgo, S.A., a company owned by Fitch Ratings. With this approval Fitch Dominicana becomes the first rating agency approved in this country.

Fitch Dominicana will be uniquely positioned to provide quality information on Dominican credits to national investor community. Fitch Dominicana will benefit from the expertise of Fitch Venezuela in emerging markets on Corporates, Bank and Insurance ratings and also from the extensive worldwide resources of Fitch Ratings.

In addition, make sure to read these articles: