Moody's Investors Service put the bank on credit watch last week for a possible downgrading.

Moody's Investors Service said the combined bank would be more efficient and have greater pricing power.

Moody's Investors Service has lowered its outlook on the the company to negative from stable.

Along with providing an investor service, the firms clearly hope to see new business by attracting holders of bearer bonds.

The founders agreed to change the company's name to Multex.com, but insisted on keeping the institutional investor service, which accounted for two-thirds of revenue.

Moody's Investors Service rates the senior debt at Baa-3 and has not put it under review.

Moody's Investors Service is expected to rate the notes Aaa.

Moody's Investors Service raised the state's bond rating outlook to stable from negative.

The downgrading followed a similar move by Moody's Investors Service.

On average, rents are 45.4 percent of what they were at their peak in 2000, according to Moody's Investors Service.