List of Credit Rating Agencies: Navigating Your Options

Credit rating agencies play a crucial role in the financial world, offering evaluations of the creditworthiness of various entities. Understanding these agencies can help you make informed decisions, especially when assessing your triple credit report.

Major Credit Rating Agencies

Globally, there are three main credit rating agencies that dominate the market.

  • Moody's Investors Service: Known for its comprehensive analysis and rating methodologies.
  • Standard & Poor's (S&P) Global Ratings: Offers a wide range of services beyond credit ratings, including research and risk evaluation.
  • Fitch Ratings: Provides ratings for both corporate and governmental entities worldwide.

Other Notable Agencies

Beyond the big three, several other agencies provide valuable insights.

Domestic Agencies

In various countries, local agencies offer specialized knowledge.

  1. DBRS: A Canadian agency that also operates in Europe and the U.S.
  2. Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. (JCR): Focuses primarily on the Japanese market.
  3. Credit Analysis & Research Ltd. (CARE): Provides services in India and other regions.

Industry-Specific Agencies

Some agencies specialize in particular sectors or types of financial products.

  • A.M. Best: Specializes in the insurance sector, offering ratings that reflect the financial strength and creditworthiness of insurers.
  • Morningstar Credit Ratings: Focuses on structured finance and corporate credit ratings.

Choosing the Right Agency

When evaluating your 3 credit scores only, it's crucial to understand which agency's evaluation you are viewing. Different agencies might have varying methodologies and criteria.

FAQs

What is the role of credit rating agencies?

Credit rating agencies assess the financial stability and creditworthiness of companies, governments, and financial instruments. They provide ratings that help investors make informed decisions.

Why are there only a few major credit rating agencies?

The dominance of a few agencies is due to their long-standing history, global reach, and established trust among investors. They have developed extensive methodologies and resources over time.

How do credit ratings affect borrowing costs?

Higher credit ratings typically result in lower borrowing costs because they indicate a lower risk to lenders. Conversely, lower ratings can lead to higher interest rates.

https://www.esma.europa.eu/credit-rating-agencies/cra-authorisation
ICAP CRIF RATINGS SINGLE MEMBER S.A. (previously ICAP CRIF S.A.) ... Moody's France S.A.S. ... Moody's Italia S.r.l. ...

https://cbonds.com/glossary/rating-agencies-list/
Rating Agencies List ; CRA ANTARES - Credit Rating Agency of Bangladesh Ltd (CRAB) - Credit Rating Information and Services Ltd (CRISL) ; https://antaresrating.com/ ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Credit_rating_agencies
D - Dagong Europe Credit Rating - Dagong Global Credit Rating - Demotech - Duff & Phelps - Dun & Bradstreet - Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp ...



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