For the second time in four months US analysts Standard and Poor’s has reduced the Dominican Republic’s risk rating, this time from B+ to B-, amidst growing fears that the country is likely to default on its loan repayments. Following the collapse of Baninter earlier this year, S&P reduced the rating from B++ to B+ in June. S&P analyst Richard Francis said, “The government is facing repayments of almost US$1 billion for 2004, a sum three times greater than the US$315 million in liquid assets available to them in September 2003.” The report points out that the International Monetary Fund agreement could be the key to preventing a crisis in the coming year, and that any success in this regard could improve the rating.