U S West to Buy Corporate Credit...

U S West to Buy Corporate Credit Firm: U S West Inc. has agreed to buy Financial Security Assurance Inc. for $345 million, the regional Bell phone company said. The deal, which is subject to approval by state insurance departments and shareholders, expands the Colorado communications company’s involvement in the corporate credit market. Financial Security, based in New York, guarantees and rates corporate debt and securities backed by mortgages, auto loans and other loans.