OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has upgraded the long-term rating to 'AA' from 'AA-' and affirmed the short-term rating at 'F1+' assigned to The Industrial Development Authority of St. Joseph, Missouri, variable rate demand health facilities revenue bonds (Heartland Regional Medical Center), series 2009A. The Rating Outlook is Stable for the long-term rating. The rating action is in connection with the substitution of the irrevocable direct-pay letter of credit (LOC) previously provided by Bank of Montreal ('AA-/F1+'/Outlook Stable) with a substitute LOC issued by U.S. Bank National Association ('AA/F1+'/Outlook Stable) and the mandatory tender of the bonds.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The long-term 'AA' rating is based on the higher of the underlying long-term rating assigned to the bonds by Fitch (currently rated 'A+'), and the long-term rating assigned by Fitch to U.S. Bank National Association ('AA/F1+'), the bank providing the irrevocable direct-pay LOC securing the bonds, which has an initial stated expiration date of Nov. 18, 2019, unless extended or earlier terminated, during the daily and weekly interest rate modes only. The short-term 'F1+' rating will be based solely on the LOC. For information about the underlying credit rating see press release dated Aug. 25, 2014, available at www.fitchratings.com'.

Pursuant to the substitute LOC, the bank is obligated to make regularly scheduled payments of principal of and interest on the bonds in addition to payments due upon maturity, acceleration and redemption, as well as purchase price for tendered bonds. Additionally, the bond obligor is in the flow of funds to make timely payments of principal and interest due upon maturity, acceleration and redemption.

The U.S. Bank National Association substitute LOC provides full and sufficient coverage of principal plus an amount equal to 50 days of interest at a maximum rate of 12% based on a year of 365 days and purchase price for tendered bonds, while in the daily and weekly rate modes. The Remarketing Agent for the bonds is U.S. Bank National Association.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

The long-term rating is tied to the Fitch long-term rating assigned to the bonds and the long-term rating that Fitch maintains on the substitute bank providing the LOC. Changes to one or both of these ratings may affect the long-term rating assigned to the bonds.

The short-term rating is exclusively tied to the short-term rating that Fitch maintains on the bank providing the substitute LOC and will reflect all changes to that rating.