MARINE MIDLAND <MM> DEBT AFFIRMED BY MOODY'S
Moody's Investors Service Inc said it
affirmed the ratings on 1.4 billion dlrs of debt of Marine
Midland Banks Inc and unit, Marine Midland Bank NA.
    Affirmed were the parent's A-2 senior debt and preferred
stock and A-3 subordinated debt, and the unit's Prime-1
commercial paper, A-1 long-term deposits, A-2 subordinated debt
and Prime-1 short-term deposits.
    Moody's cited a 400 mln dlr addition to the firm's loan
loss reserves as a reflection of exposure to economically
troubled borrowers. Moody's said the addition merely more
accurately reflects economic reality.
 Reuter
