Fitch Rates Huntington National Bank's Subordinated Notes 'A-'

Fitch assigns an 'A-' rating to Huntington National Bank's recently announced subordinated debt issuance. The Rating Outlook is Stable.

Huntington National Bank, the principle banking subsidiary of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, will be issuing $250 million in subordinated notes. The proceeds of the debt issuance will be used for general corporate purposes. The notes have a 10-year term and a 5.5% coupon.

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What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.