Brussels, 17/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - The credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's said on Monday 16 January that the European Investment Bank (EIB) is keeping its triple-A rating, but it has put the bank on negative surveillance. In a press release, S&P says that it might lower the EIB's credit rating in 2012 or 2013 if there is an increase in the danger of the loans made by the EIB not being repaid. S&P's comments arise from the downgrading on Friday of nine eurozone countries' debts, including France and Austria, which have both lost their coveted AAA rating, which means, S&P explains, that the capital guaranteed by European AAA countries now stands at €96 billion, compared with €137bn before. In a press release issued on Tuesday 17 January, the EIB comments on S&P's decision as recognising the historically high performing and top quality EIB loan portfolio. (OL/transl.fl)