Fitch Ratings, the third-biggest of the major credit rating agencies, today warned it may downgrade Ireland, Italy, and four other euro zone countries in the absence of a "comprehensive solution" to the region's debt crisis.

The ratings agency placed the ratings of Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Italy, Ireland and Cyprus in credit watch negative, which means a downgrade is possible within three months.

Earlier the agency downgraded Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and five other large banks based in Europe and the United States, citing "increased challenges" in the financial markets.

Fitch cut long-term ratings on Barclays Plc and Credit Suisse AG by two notches to 'A' from 'AA-'.

The agency cut by one notch its long-term ratings on Bank of America Corp, BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank AG and Goldman Sachs Group.

The financial market challenges the banks face "result from both economic developments as well as a myriad of regulatory changes," Fitch said in an announcement issued shortly after regular market hours in New York.

In a separate announcement about the downgrade of Citigroup, Fitch cited "policy momentum" against using taxpayer money to support banks during a crisis.

Fitch's actions follow downgrades by Standard & Poor's of several major banks at the end of last month. S&P's moves came as part of an overhaul of its ratings methods to incorporate lessons learned in the financial crisis. Moody's also issued downgrades recently.

Jerry Dubrowski, a spokesman for Bank of America, which has had ratings cut by all three agencies, said in an email, "This decision is driven more by concerns about the global economy than the specific credit quality of Bank of America. We continue to maintain strong liquidity levels and to build capital."

Fitch also affirmed its long-term 'A' ratings on JPMorgan Chase & Co, Morgan Stanley and UBS, as well as its 'A+' rating on Société Génerale.

Reuters