S&P to Rate Deals With Cleveland Loans

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has decided to rate structured finance transactions that include Cleveland loans governed by the city's anti-predatory-lending ordinance.The rating agency said it will not apply any special criteria to the loans, because the law does not impose liability on purchasers or assignees of predatory loans. Penalties are imposed only on lenders who violate the ordinance provisions, all of which relate to the making of the loan. The penalties are either criminal in nature or prohibit doing business with the city of Cleveland. S&P can be found online at http://www.standardandpoors.com.