OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has rated GS Finance Corp's (GSFC) senior unsecured medium-term notes program series E 'A'. The senior medium-term note program is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS, rated 'A/F1'/Outlook Stable by Fitch).

KEY RATING DRIVERS
GSFC is a wholly owned subsidiary of GS, whose senior unsecured medium-term notes benefit from a full an unconditional guarantee from GS. Therefore, the senior unsecured medium-term notes rating of GSFC's medium-term note program is equalized with GS' senior unsecured rating. GSFC's senior unsecured medium-term note rating is based solely upon the guarantee of GS.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
GSFC's senior unsecured medium-term notes rating is sensitive to any rating action, positive or negative, taken against GS. Given GS' fully and unconditional guarantee, any change in its ratings will likely impact the rating of this issue.

Fitch assigns the following rating:

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.:
--GS Finance Corp Senior Unsecured Medium-Term Note Program, Series E 'A'