Laserfiche WebLink
STANDARD <br />&POOR'S <br />Standard 8 Poor's Ratings Services <br />Terms and Conditions <br />Applicable To <br />U.S. Public Finance Ratings <br />Request for a rating. Standard & Poor's issues public finance ratings for a fee upon request from an issuer, or from an <br />underwriter, financial advisor, investor, insurance company, or other entity, provided that the obligor and issuer (if <br />different from the obligor) each has knowledge of the request. The term "issuer/obligor" in these Terms and <br />Conditions means the issuer and the obligor if the obligor is different from the issuer. <br />Agreement to Accept Temvs and Conditions. Standard & Poor's assigns Public Finance ratings subject to the terms <br />and conditions stated herein and in the rating letter. The issuer/obligor's use of a Standard & Poor's public fmance <br />rating constitutes agreement to comply in all respects with the terms and conditions contained herein and in the rating <br />letter and acknowledges the issuer/obligor's understanding of the scope and limitations of the Standard & Poor's rating <br />as stated herein and in the rating letter. <br />Fees and expenses. In consideration of our analytic review and issuance of the rating, the issuer/obligor agrees to pay <br />Standard & Poor's a rating fee. Payment of the fee is not conditioned on Standard & Poor's issuance of any particular <br />rating. In most cases an annual surveillance fee will be charged for so long as we maintain the rating. The <br />issuer/obligor will reimburse Standard & Poor's for reasonable navel and legal expenses if such expenses are not <br />included in the fee. Should the rating not be issued, the issuer/obligor agrees to compensate Standard & Poor's based on <br />the time, effort, and charges incurred through the date upon which it is determined that the rating will not be issued. <br />Sc~e of Rating. The issuer/obligor understands and agrees that (i) an issuer rating reflects Standard & Poor's current <br />opinion of the issuer/obligor's overall fmancial capacity to pay its fmancial obligations as they come due, (ii) an issue <br />rating reflects Standard & Poor's current opinion of the likelihood that the issuer/obligor will make payments of principal <br />and interest on a timely basis in accordance with the temts of the obligation, (iii) a rating is an opinion and is not a <br />verifiable statement of fact, (iv) ratings are based on information supplied to Standard & Poor's by the issuer/obligor or <br />by its agents and upon other information obtained by Standard & Poor's from other sources it considers reliable, (v) <br />Standard & Poor's does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and a rating does not represent an audit by <br />Standard & Poor's, (vi) Standard & Poor's relies on the issuer/obligor, its accountants, counsel, and other experts for the <br />accuracy and completeness of the information submitted in connection with the rating and surveillance process, (vii) <br />Standard & Poor's undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information, (viii) Standard & <br />Poor's does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information relied on in connection <br />with a rating or the results obtained from the use of such information, (ix) Standard & Poor's may raise, lower, suspend, <br />place on CreditWatch, or withdraw a rating at any time, in Standard & Poor's sole discretion, and (x) a rating is not a <br />"market" rating nor a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell any fmancial obligation. <br />Publication. Standard & Poor's reserves the right to publish, disseminate, or license others to publish or disseminate the <br />rating and the rationale for the rating unless the issuer/obligor specifically requests that the rating be assigned and <br />maintained on a co~dential basis. If a confidential rating subsequently becomes public through disclosure by the <br />issuer/obligor or a third party other than Standard & Poor's, Standard & Poor's reserves the right to publish it. <br />Standard & Poor's may publish explanations of Standard & Poor's ratings criteria from time to time and nothing in this <br />Agreement shall be construed as limiting Standard & Poor's ability to modify or refine Standard & Poor's criteria a[ any <br />time as Standard & Poor's deems appropriate. <br />Information to be Provided by the Issuer/obligor. The issuer/obligor shall meet with Standard Rc Poor's for an analytic <br />review at any reasonable time Standard & Poor's requests. The issuer/obligor also agrees to provide Standard & <br />Poor's promptly with all information relevant to the rating and surveillance of the rating including information on <br />material changes to information previously supplied to Standard & Poor's. The rating may be affected by Standard & <br />Poor's opinion of the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and reliability of information received from the <br />issuer/obligor or its agents. Standard & Poor's undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of <br />~- <br />