Fitch Affirms U.S. Central's Rating

Fitch Ratings said last week it affirmed the long-term issuer default rating and short-term issuer default rating for U.S. Central FCU at AAA and F1+, respectively, a week after U.S. Central reported strong retained earnings growth for 2005. Fitch said U.S. Central's rating "reflects its solid credit fundamentals, particularly the low risk and liquid nature of its balance sheet...U.S. Central's role within the domestic payments system due to its importance in the credit union industry is a key rating factor,"