The Independence of Credit Rating Agencies : How Business Models and Regulators Interact [PDF]

The Independence of Credit Rating Agencies

How Business Models and Regulators Interact

English | 2013 | ISBN: 0124045693 | ISBN-13: 9780124045699 | 200 pages | PDF | 2,6 MB


The Independence of Credit Rating Agencies focuses on the institutional and regulatory dynamics of these agencies, asking whether their business models give them enough independence to make viable judgments without risking their own profitability.

Few have closely examined the analytical methods of credit rating agencies, even though their decisions can move markets, open or close the doors to capital, and bring down governments. The 2008 financial crisis highlighted their importance and their shortcomings, especially when they misjudged the structured financial products that precipitated the collapse of Bear Stearns and other companies.

This book examines the roles played by rating agencies during the financial crisis, illuminating the differences between U.S. and European rating markets, and also considers subjects such as the history of rating agencies and the roles played by smaller agencies to present a well-rounded portrait.

• Reports on one of the key causes of the 2008 financial crisis: agencies that failed to understand how to analyze financial products
• Describes inherent business model and pricing conflicts that compromise the independence of credit rating agencies
• Reveals how rating agencies large and small, regulatory bodies, and vested interests interact in setting fees and policies

Review :

"This book provides a detail exposition of credit rating agency industry with a global emphasis. The coverage of non-US credit agencies and their respective markets is excellent." --Kam C. Chan, Western Kentucky University

"Mattarocci's interesting monograph provides new insights into the workings of the ratings industry by exploring the agencies' business models, organisational structures and, most importantly, their independence." --Sandra Einig, Oxford Brookes University

"Rating agencies play an important role in modern finance. Mattarocci is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of the business model of rating agencies. This knowledge is crucial in understanding the recent financial crisis as well as the current regulatory regime." --Peter Posch, University of Ulm

From the Back Cover :

Few have closely examined the analytical methods of credit rating agencies, even though their decisions can move markets, open or close the doors to capital, and bring down governments. The 2008 financial crisis highlighted their importance and their shortcomings, especially when they misjudged the structured financial products that precipitated the collapse of Bear Stearns and other companies. This book focuses on the institutional and regulatory dynamics of these agencies, asking whether their business models give them enough independence to make viable judgments without risking their own profitability. A chapter on the roles played by rating agencies during the financial crisis illuminates the differences between US and European rating markets, and the author considers other subjects, such as the history of rating agencies and the roles played by smaller agencies, to present a comprehensive portrait.