______________________________________________________________________________

Annual Report on Nationally Recognized 

Statistical Rating Organizations

______________________________________________________________________________

As Required by Section 6

of the Credit Rating Agency Reform Act of 2006

This is a report of the Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Commission has expressed no view regarding the analysis, findings, or conclusions 

contained herein.

__________________________________

January 2020
 

i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 1

II. STATUS OF REGISTRANTS AND APPLICANTS ........................................... 2

III. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO NRSROs .............................................................. 4

A. Activities........................................................................................................... 4

B. Commission Orders and Releases and Staff Publications ................................ 6

IV. COMPETITION ...................................................................................................... 8

A. Select NRSRO Statistics................................................................................... 8

1. NRSRO Credit Ratings Outstanding ....................................................... 8

2. NRSRO Analytical Staffing Levels....................................................... 14

3. NRSRO Revenue ................................................................................... 15

B. Recent Developments in the State of Competition Among NRSROs............ 17

1. Market Share Observations in the Asset-Backed Securities Rating 

Category................................................................................................. 17

(a) CMBS ............................................................................................18

(b) ABS/MBS/CLO.............................................................................21

2. Other Asset-Backed Securities Market Share Observations.................. 22

C. Barriers to Entry.............................................................................................. 24

V. TRANSPARENCY ................................................................................................ 26

VI. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST .............................................................................. 28

VII. CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................... 29
 

ii

TABLE OF CHARTS

Chart 1: Number of Outstanding Credit Ratings as of December 31, 2018 by Rating 

Category.........................................................................................................................................10

Chart 2: Percentage by Rating Category of Each NRSRO’s Outstanding Credit Ratings 

of the Total Outstanding Credit Ratings of all NRSROs, as of December 31, 2018.....................11

Chart 3: Breakdown of Ratings Reported Outstanding on December 31, 2018...........................12

Chart 4: Breakdown of Non-Government Securities Ratings Reported Outstanding on 

December 31, 2018 ........................................................................................................................13

Chart 5: NRSRO Credit Analysts and Credit Analyst Supervisors..............................................14

Chart 6: NRSRO Revenue Information: Fiscal Year Percentage of Total Reported 

NRSRO Revenue ...........................................................................................................................15

Chart 7: Rating Agency Market Share for Total Non-Agency U.S. CMBS Issued in 

2017, 2018, and First Half of 2019................................................................................................19

Chart 8: Rating Agency Market Share for U.S. Conduit CMBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and 

First Half of 2019...........................................................................................................................19

Chart 9: Rating Agency Market Share for U.S. Single Borrower CMBS Issued in 2017, 

2018, and First Half of 2019..........................................................................................................19

Chart 10: Rating Agency Market Share for Agency CMBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and 

First Half of 2019...........................................................................................................................20

Chart 11: Rating Agency Market Shares for U.S. ABS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First 

Half of 2019 ...................................................................................................................................21

Chart 12: Rating Agency Market Shares for U.S. MBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First 

Half of 2019 ...................................................................................................................................21

Chart 13: Rating Agency Market Shares for U.S. CLO Issued in First Half of 2017, 

2018, and First Half of 2019..........................................................................................................22
 

1

ANNUAL REPORT ON NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED

STATISTICAL RATING ORGANIZATIONS

As Required by Section 6 of the Credit Rating Agency

Reform Act of 2006

I. INTRODUCTION

The staff (the “Staff”) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the 

“Commission” or “SEC”) is providing this report (“Report”) regarding nationally recognized 

statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) pursuant to Section 6 of the Credit Rating Agency 

Reform Act of 2006 (“Rating Agency Act”).1

 This Report reflects solely the Staff’s views. 

Section 6 of the Rating Agency Act requires the Commission to submit an annual report 

(“Annual Report”) to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the U.S. Senate 

and the Committee on Financial Services of the U.S. House of Representatives (“Congressional 

Committees”) that, with respect to the year to which the Annual Report relates:

 identifies applicants for registration as NRSROs under Section 15E of the Securities 

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”);2

 specifies the number of, and actions taken on, such applications; and

 specifies the views of the Commission on the state of competition, transparency, and 

conflicts of interest among NRSROs.

This Report generally focuses on the period from June 26, 2018 to June 25, 2019 (the 

“Report Period”). In addition to addressing the items specified in Section 6 of the Rating 

Agency Act, this Report provides an overview of certain Commission and Staff activities relating 

to NRSROs. 

Information regarding the topics covered in this Report with respect to prior periods can 

be found on the Office of Credit Ratings (“OCR” or the “Office”) page of the Commission’s 

website.3

 1 Pub. L. No. 109-291, 120 Stat. 1327 (Sept. 29, 2006). The Rating Agency Act, among other things, added 

Section 15E to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to establish self-executing requirements on NRSROs

and provide the Commission with the authority to implement a registration and oversight program for 

NRSROs. In June 2007, the Commission approved rules implementing such a program. See Oversight of 

Credit Rating Agencies Registered as Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, Release No. 

34-55857, 72 FR 33564 (Jun. 18, 2007), available at https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2007/34-55857.pdf.

2 Unless otherwise noted, all references to specific statutory sections and rules in this Report are to sections 

in the Exchange Act and related rules.

3 Prior Annual Reports can be found under “Annual Reports to Congress” in the “Reports and Studies” 

section of the OCR webpage, available at https://www.sec.gov/ocr. 
 

2

II. STATUS OF REGISTRANTS AND APPLICANTS

Section 3(a)(62) defines a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as a 

credit rating agency that is registered under Section 15E and issues credit ratings certified by 

qualified institutional buyers, in accordance with Section 15E(a)(1)(B)(ix), with respect to: 

(i) financial institutions, brokers, or dealers; 

(ii) insurance companies; 

(iii) corporate issuers; 

(iv) issuers of asset-backed securities (as that term is defined in 17 CFR 229.1101(c)); 

(v) issuers of government securities, municipal securities, or securities issued by a 

foreign government; or 

(vi) a combination of one or more categories of obligors described in any of clauses 

(i) through (v) above.

As of the date of this Report, there are nine credit rating agencies registered as NRSROs.4 

The NRSROs, categories of credit ratings described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section

3(a)(62)(A) in which they are registered, and locations of their principal offices, as of the date of 

this Report, are listed below:5

NRSRO Categories of Credit Ratings Principal Office

A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. 

(“A.M. Best”) (ii), (iii), and (iv) U.S.

DBRS, Inc. 

(“DBRS”) (i) through (v) U.S.

Egan-Jones Ratings Company 

(“EJR”) (i) through (iii) U.S.

Fitch Ratings, Inc. 

(“Fitch”) (i) through (v) U.S.

HR Ratings de México, S.A. de C.V.

(“HR Ratings”) (i), (iii), and (v) Mexico

Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.

(“JCR”) (i), (ii), (iii), and (v) Japan

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Inc.

(“KBRA”) (i) through (v) U.S.

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

(“Moody’s”) (i) through (v) U.S.

S&P Global Ratings

(“S&P”) (i) through (v) U.S.

During the Report Period, Morningstar Credit Ratings, LLC (“Morningstar”) was also 

registered as an NRSRO in the categories of credit ratings described in clauses (i), (iii), and (iv) 

of Section 3(a)(62)(A). On July 2, 2019, Morningstar, Inc., the parent of Morningstar, 

completed an acquisition of DBRS. On November 15, 2019, Morningstar furnished a notice of 

 4 Section 15E(a) sets out registration procedures for a credit rating agency to voluntarily apply to be 

registered with the Commission as an NRSRO.

5 See the current Form NRSRO on each NRSRO’s website for any updates to this information.
 

3

withdrawal from registration to the Commission (which became effective on December 30, 

2019), and DBRS filed an update to Form NRSRO to add Morningstar as a credit rating affiliate. 

Given that Morningstar and DBRS operated separately during the Report Period and that 

Morningstar was separately registered as an NRSRO until December 30, 2019, this Report 

includes information reported by and about Morningstar and DBRS, individually.

For purposes of this Report only, we refer to Fitch, Moody’s, and S&P as larger NRSROs 

and the other NRSROs (A.M. Best, DBRS, EJR, HR Ratings, JCR, KBRA, and Morningstar) as 

smaller NRSROs.

Applications for initial registration and for registration by current NRSROs in additional 

rating categories are filed on Form NRSRO (“Form NRSRO”).6

 In addition, Section 15E(b) 

requires NRSROs to promptly amend Form NRSRO if any information or document provided 

therein becomes materially inaccurate. This section also requires NRSROs to annually amend 

Form NRSRO to update ratings count and performance information, certify the continuing 

accuracy of the information and documents provided therein, and list any material change thereto 

during the previous calendar year. OCR Staff review such amendments to Forms NRSRO in 

light of the requirements of Section 15E(b), Rule 17g-1, and the instructions to Form NRSRO.

No complete applications for initial registration as an NRSRO or for registration by 

current NRSROs in additional rating categories were received during the Report Period.

As discussed in the December 2018 Annual Report, the Commission issued orders in 

connection with an application filed by EJR, on April 10, 2018, to re-register in the asset-backed 

securities and government securities credit ratings classes.7

 Specifically, on July 9, 2018, the 

Commission issued an order instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 15E(a)(2)(A)(ii) to 

determine whether EJR’s application should be granted or denied.8 On November 2, 2018, the 

 6 See Section 15E(a) and Rule 17g-1. Rule 17g-1 requires an applicant/NRSRO to use Form NRSRO for the 

following, as applicable:

 an initial application to be registered as an NRSRO; 

 an application to register for an additional class of credit ratings; 

 an application supplement; 

 an update of registration pursuant to Section 15E(b)(1); 

 an annual certification pursuant to Section 15E(b)(2); and 

 a withdrawal of registration pursuant to Section 15E(e).

See also Form NRSRO, available at https://www.sec.gov/about/forms/formnrsro.pdf. 

7 EJR had previously been registered in such ratings classes. See Order Granting Registration of Egan-Jones 

Rating Company to Add Two Additional Classes of Credit Ratings, Release No. 34-59056 (Dec. 4, 2008), 

available at https://www.sec.gov/rules/other/2008/34-59056.pdf. On January 22, 2013, EJR and its founder 

Sean Egan consented to a Commission order under which, among other things, EJR agreed to be barred 

from rating asset-backed and government securities issuers as an NRSRO, with the right to re-apply for 

registration in these classes after 18 months from the date of the order. See In the Matter of Egan-Jones 

Ratings Company and Sean Egan, Release No. 34-68703 (Jan. 22, 2013), available at 

https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2013/34-68703.pdf.

8 See Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to Section 15E(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Securities 

Exchange Act of 1934 and Notice of Hearing, Release No. 34-83610 (July 9, 2018), available at 

https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2018/34-83610.pdf. 
 

4

Commission issued an order dismissing the proceedings in response to EJR’s motion to dismiss 

the proceedings following EJR’s voluntary withdrawal of its application.9

III. ACTIVITIES RELATING TO NRSROs 

A. Activities

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”)10

mandated the creation of OCR. OCR is responsible for the oversight of credit rating agencies 

registered with the Commission as NRSROs. OCR’s Staff includes professionals with expertise 

in a variety of areas that relate to its regulatory mission, such as corporate, municipal, and 

structured debt finance.11

OCR’s responsibilities – as mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act – include, among other 

things, conducting an examination of each NRSRO at least annually in eight specified review 

areas.

12 Information regarding the examinations is included in OCR’s annual examination 

reports.13

OCR also monitors trends and developments affecting the credit rating industry. For 

example, OCR Staff may meet with NRSROs to discuss rating and industry developments and 

with the boards of directors of NRSROs to discuss, among other things, compliance and 

oversight matters. OCR Staff also may meet with a variety of other market participants, 

including investors, issuers, regulators, and industry organizations, to discuss matters relevant to 

the credit rating industry.

During the Report Period, OCR Staff continued to participate in meetings that involved 

rating agency regulators globally, including those of the supervisory colleges that were formed 

for the largest internationally-active credit rating agencies. The supervisory colleges were 

formed to enhance communication among credit rating agency regulators globally with respect to 

examinations of the relevant credit rating agencies.14 During the Report Period, each college 

held an in-person meeting and conducted quarterly calls. OCR Staff also conducted additional 

discussions with international regulators, as appropriate.

 9 See Order Dismissing Proceedings, Release No. 34-84530 (Nov. 2, 2018), available at 

https://www.sec.gov/litigation/opinions/2018/34-84530.pdf. 

10 See Pub. L. No. 111-203, 124 Stat. 1376 (2010).

11 See Section 15E(p)(2) for a description of OCR staffing requirements.

12 See Section 15E(p)(3) for a description of the scope of the required examinations.

13 The examination reports can be found under “Summary Examination Reports” in the “Reports and Studies” 

section of the OCR webpage, available at https://www.sec.gov/ocr.

14 See Supervisory Colleges for Credit Rating Agencies, Final Report (July 2013), available at 

https://www.iosco.org/library/pubdocs/pdf/IOSCOPD416.pdf. The SEC serves as chair of the colleges for 

S&P and Moody’s, and OCR Staff represents the SEC in this regard. The European Securities and Markets 

Authority serves as chair of the college for Fitch.
 

5

During the Report Period, the Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee 

(“FIMSAC”)

15 established a Credit Ratings Subcommittee to consider the role of credit ratings 

issued by NRSROs in the corporate bond and municipal securities markets.16 At the FIMSAC 

meeting on July 29, 2019, the FIMSAC considered issues relating to NRSRO competition and 

NRSRO compensation models.17 At the FIMSAC meeting on November 4, 2019, the FIMSAC 

again considered the issue of NRSRO compensation models.18

In addition, the SEC’s Investor Advisory Committee (“IAC”)19 met on July 25, 2019 to 

discuss the SEC’s approach to regulation in areas with limited competition, including the credit 

rating agency industry.20 The IAC met on September 19, 2019 to discuss increased leverage and 

related SEC regulatory implications, including the role of NRSROs in the leveraged loan and 

CLO markets.21 At the IAC meeting on November 7, 2019,22 Chairman Jay Clayton suggested 

future topics of focus for the committee, including questions related to credit rating agencies.23

 15 In November 2017, the Commission formed the FIMSAC to provide the Commission with diverse 

perspectives on the structure and operations of the U.S. fixed income markets, as well as advice and 

recommendations on matters related to fixed income market structure. The FIMSAC’s current charter is 

available at: https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/fixed-income-advisory-committee/fimsac-charter-nov-2019.pdf.

16 Topics that may be considered by the Credit Ratings Subcommittee include, but are not limited to, (1) the 

use of credit ratings by various market participants and the implications of ratings changes for these market 

participants, (2) the costs and benefits of the current model for credit rating issuance, (3) the U.S. 

regulatory regime for credit rating agencies registered as NRSROs, and (4) issuances of unsolicited credit 

ratings and the publication of commentaries. See https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/fixed-income-advisorycommittee/fixed-income-market-structure-advisory-committee-subcommittees.htm.

17 See webcast of Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee Meeting, SEC (July 29, 2019), available at

https://www.sec.gov/video/webcast-archive-player.shtml?document_id=fimsac072919.

18 See webcast of Fixed Income Market Structure Advisory Committee Meeting, SEC (Nov. 4, 2019), 

available at https://www.sec.gov/video/webcast-archive-player.shtml?document_id=fimsac110419.

19 Section 911 of the Dodd-Frank Act established the Investor Advisory Committee to advise the Commission 

on regulatory priorities, the regulation of securities products, trading strategies, fee structures, the 

effectiveness of disclosure, and on initiatives to protect investor interests and to promote investor 

confidence and the integrity of the securities marketplace. The Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the Committee 

to submit findings and recommendations for review and consideration by the Commission. See

https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/investor-advisory-committee.shtml.

20 See webcast of Investor Advisory Committee Meeting, SEC (July 25, 2019), available at 

https://www.sec.gov/video/webcast-archive-player.shtml?document_id=iac072519.

21 See webcast of Investor Advisory Committee Meeting, SEC (Sept. 19, 2019), available at 

https://www.sec.gov/video/webcast-archive-player.shtml?document_id=iac091919.

22 See webcast of Investor Advisory Committee Meeting, SEC (Nov. 7, 2019) available at 

https://www.sec.gov/video/webcast-archive-player.shtml?document_id=iac110719.

23 See Chairman Jay Clayton, Remarks to the SEC Investor Advisory Committee (Nov. 7, 2019), available at 

https://www.sec.gov/news/public-statement/clayton-remarks-investor-advisory-committee-110719 (noting 

interest in issues such as reliance by retail investors on credit rating agencies, whether credit rating agencies 

are appropriately disclosing, monitoring and managing their conflicts, whether investors are harmed by 

compensation models of credit rating agencies, and whether there are alternative payment models that 

would better align the interests of rating agencies with those of investors).
 

6

B. Commission Orders and Releases and Staff Publications

The Commission and the Staff, as applicable, issued the following orders, releases, and 

publications relating to NRSROs or credit ratings in general from the start of the Report Period 

to December 31, 2019:

 Amendments to Rules for Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, 

Release No. 34-86590 (Aug. 7, 2019), 84 FR 40247 (Aug. 14, 2019).

24 The Commission 

adopted an amendment to Rule 17g-5(a)(3) that provides for an exemption from the rule

with respect to credit ratings for certain structured finance products where the issuer is a 

non-U.S. person and the NRSRO has a reasonable basis to conclude that the structured 

finance product will be offered and sold exclusively outside the United States. In the 

adopting release, the Commission directed the Staff to further evaluate the effectiveness 

of Rule 17g-5(a)(3) with respect to ratings of structured finance products that are not 

eligible for relief under the exemption. The Commission also adopted conforming 

amendments to similar exemptions in Rule 17g-7(a) and Rule 15Ga-2.

 2018 Summary Report of Commission Staff’s Examinations of Each Nationally 

Recognized Statistical Rating Organization, dated December 2018, as required under 

Section 15E(p)(3)(C).25 The report summarizes essential findings of the examinations 

conducted by Staff under Section 15E(p)(3)(C), generally focusing on the period from 

January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017.

 Annual Report on Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, dated 

December 2018, as required by Section 6 of the Rating Agency Act.26 The Annual 

Report addresses the matters described in the first paragraph under Section I. of this 

Report, generally covering the period from June 26, 2017 to June 25, 2018. 

 Order Dismissing Proceedings, Release No. 34-84530 (Nov. 2, 2018).27 The 

Commission issued an order dismissing the proceedings to determine whether EJR’s 

application for registration in the asset-backed securities and government securities credit 

ratings classes should be granted or denied. The Commission issued the order in 

response to EJR’s motion to dismiss the proceedings following EJR’s voluntary 

withdrawal of its application. 

 24 Available at https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2019/34-86590.pdf. 

25 Available at https://www.sec.gov/files/nrsro-summary-report-2018_0.pdf. 

26 Available at https://www.sec.gov/files/2018-annual-report-on-nrsros.pdf. 

27 Available at https://www.sec.gov/litigation/opinions/2018/34-84530.pdf.
 

7

 Proposed Amendments to Rules for Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating 

Organizations, Release No. 34-84289 (Sept. 26, 2018), 83 FR 50297 (Oct. 5, 2018).

28 

The Commission proposed an amendment to Rule 17g-5(a)(3) that would provide for an 

exemption from the rule with respect to credit ratings for certain structured finance 

products where the issuer is a non-U.S. person and the NRSRO has a reasonable basis to 

conclude that the structured finance product will be offered and sold exclusively outside 

the United States. The Commission also proposed conforming amendments to similar 

exemptions in Rule 17g-7(a) and Rule 15Ga-2.

 Orders Instituting Cease-and Desist Proceedings. On August 28, 2018, the Commission 

issued the following orders pertaining to proceedings regarding certain rating practices at 

Moody’s:

o Order Instituting Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Section 21C of the 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings, and Imposing a Cease-andDesist Order, Release No. 34-83965 (Aug. 28, 2018).29 The Commission 

instituted settled administrative proceedings against Moody’s concerning its 

internal control structure with regard to the use of certain models in its 

methodology for rating residential mortgage-backed securities.

o Order Instituting Cease-and-Desist Proceedings Pursuant to Section 21C of the 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Making Findings, and Imposing Remedial 

Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist Order, Release No. 34-83966 (Aug. 28, 

2018).30 The Commission instituted settled administrative proceedings against 

Moody’s concerning its policies and procedures designed to define and 

consistently apply credit rating symbols.

 Order Granting Temporary Conditional Exemption for Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd. 

from Certain Requirements of Section 15E(t) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 

Release No. 34-83884 (Aug. 17, 2018).31 The Commission granted JCR a temporary, 

conditional exemption from certain corporate governance requirements under Section 

15E(t). The exemption expires on August 20, 2021 and thereafter renews until August 

20, 2023, unless the Commission determines otherwise.

 Final Rule: Disclosure Update and Simplification, Release Nos. 33-10532, 34-83875, 

and IC-33203 (Aug. 17, 2018), 83 FR 50148 (Oct. 4, 2018).

32 The Commission adopted

amendments, effective November 5, 2018, to certain disclosure requirements that have 

become redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated, or superseded, in light of other 

Commission disclosure requirements, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 

(“U.S. GAAP”), or changes in the information environment. The amendments include a 

 28 Available at https://www.sec.gov/rules/proposed/2018/34-84289.pdf. 

29 Available at https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2018/34-83965.pdf. 

30 Available at https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2018/34-83966.pdf. 

31 Available at https://www.sec.gov/rules/exorders/2018/34-83884.pdf. 

32 Available at https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2018/33-10532.pdf. 
 

8

change to Rule 17g-3 to conform the financial statement reporting requirements 

applicable to NRSROs to U.S. GAAP.

 Order Instituting Administrative Proceedings Pursuant to Section 15E(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Notice of Hearing, Release No. 34-83610 (July 9, 

2018).33 The Commission issued an order instituting proceedings pursuant to Section 

15E(a)(2)(A)(ii) to determine whether EJR’s application for registration in the assetbacked securities and government securities credit ratings classes should be granted or 

denied.

IV. COMPETITION

A. Select NRSRO Statistics 

Sections 1. through 3. below summarize and discuss certain information reported by 

NRSROs on Form NRSRO or pursuant to Rule 17g-3 that provides insight into the state of 

competition among NRSROs. While this information indicates that Moody’s, S&P, and Fitch 

continue to account for the highest percentages of outstanding ratings, other information suggests 

that smaller NRSROs have gained market share in certain asset classes.34

1. NRSRO Credit Ratings Outstanding

Each NRSRO annually reports the number of credit ratings outstanding, as of the end of 

the preceding calendar year, in each rating category for which it is registered.35 This 

information, for the calendar year ending December 31, 2018, is summarized in Charts 1 through 

4 below and can be useful in determining the breadth of an NRSRO’s coverage with respect to 

issuers, obligors, and securities or money market instruments within a particular rating category.

Chart 1 depicts the number of credit ratings each NRSRO had outstanding in each rating 

category for which it was registered as of December 31, 2018. Chart 2 shows the percentage of 

credit ratings each NRSRO had outstanding across all rating categories and also breaks out the 

percentages for each NRSRO in each of the rating categories. Chart 3 illustrates the relative size 

of each rating category based on the aggregate number of ratings reported outstanding by all 

NRSROs. Chart 4 depicts the percentage of ratings each NRSRO had outstanding across all 

rating categories other than the government securities category.

 33 Available at https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2018/34-83610.pdf.

34 As discussed in Section IV.B.1. of this Report, information available on the websites of Commercial 

Mortgage Alert (https://www.cmalert.com/) and Asset-Backed Alert (https://www.abalert.com/) regarding 

NRSRO market shares in the asset-backed securities category indicates that some of the smaller NRSROs 

have developed significant market shares in such category over the past few years. In addition, Section 

IV.B.2. of this Report provides examples of certain asset classes in which it has been reported that smaller 

NRSROs have gained market share. 

35 Annual certifications on Form NRSRO must be filed with the Commission on EDGAR pursuant to Rule 

17g-1(f) and made publicly and freely available on each NRSRO’s website pursuant to Rule 17g-1(i). The 

number of outstanding credit ratings for each rating category for which an NRSRO is registered is reported 

on Item 7A of Form NRSRO. 
 

9

Comparing the number of ratings outstanding for established NRSROs and newer 

NRSROs may not provide as comprehensive a picture of the state of competition as comparing 

the number of ratings issued by such NRSROs in a given period. Certain NRSROs (particularly 

the larger NRSROs) have a longer history of issuing ratings and their ratings include those for 

debt obligations and obligors that were rated well before the establishment of the newer 

entrants.36 Consequently, the information described in Section IV.B. of this Report (relating to 

recent market share developments in the asset-backed securities rating category) may provide 

additional insight regarding how newer entrants are competing with more established rating 

agencies, specifically in the asset-backed securities rating category. 

There are additional limitations to assessing the state of competition in each rating 

category and in the aggregate based on the number of outstanding ratings. For instance, some 

NRSROs have pursued business strategies to specialize in particular rating categories or subcategories37 and may not desire to issue ratings in certain of the other NRSRO rating categories. 

Also, the reported information does not reflect any credit ratings being issued by NRSROs in 

rating categories in which they are not registered with the Commission, nor does it reflect ratings 

issued by an affiliate of an NRSRO unless the affiliate is identified as a credit rating affiliate on 

Item 3 of Form NRSRO.

Further, the outstanding ratings reported by the NRSROs are based on their own 

determinations of the applicable categories and number of ratings, which are not necessarily 

consistent among NRSROs. In addition, to the extent NRSROs have adjusted their ratings count 

disclosures in accordance with the amended instructions to Form NRSRO, it may be more 

difficult to draw comparisons to ratings counts disclosed in prior years.38

 36 The ratings counts disclosed on Item 7A of Form NRSRO include outstanding credit ratings, regardless of 

when they were issued. As a result, the ratings counts of the more established NRSROs may include credit 

ratings that were issued before the newer entrants began issuing credit ratings. These earlier ratings will 

continue to be included in the disclosed ratings counts until the rated securities are repaid or the credit 

ratings are otherwise withdrawn. Because outstanding ratings are included in the ratings counts, historical 

results factor significantly into the disclosed number of ratings, making it more difficult to discern currentyear trends and identify gains achieved by the newer entrants. 

37 For example, A.M. Best has traditionally focused on credit ratings with respect to insurance companies and 

their affiliates.

38 Effective January 1, 2015, Item 7A of Form NRSRO and the corresponding instructions were amended to 

clarify the manner in which the number of outstanding credit ratings should be calculated and presented. 

The clarifying amendments are designed to ensure that disclosures on Item 7A of Form NRSRO are 

consistent across NRSROs. The change in instructions may have caused some NRSROs to modify the way 

they count ratings for purposes of Item 7A of Form NRSRO, which may affect comparisons to disclosures 

made in prior years. See Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, Release No. 34-72936 

(Aug. 27, 2014), 79 FR 55077 (Sept. 15, 2014) at 55220-22 (discussing the clarifying amendments to Item 

7A of Form NRSRO) .
 

10

Chart 1 provides the number of outstanding credit ratings reported by each NRSRO in its 

annual certification for the calendar year ending December 31, 2018, in each of the five 

categories identified in Section 3(a)(62) for which the NRSRO is registered, as applicable.

Chart 1: Number of Outstanding Credit Ratings as of December 31, 2018 by Rating Category*

NRSRO Financial

Institutions

Insurance 

Companies

Corporate 

Issuers

Asset-Backed 

Securities

Government 

Securities

Total 

Ratings 

A.M. Best N/R 7,196 1,052 5 N/R 8,253

DBRS 12,384 160 2,869 16,132 19,586 51,131

EJR 10,469 910 7,715 N/R N/R 19,094

Fitch 36,862 3,260 19,560 32,902 195,667 288,251

HR Ratings 604 N/R 278 N/R 361 1,243

JCR 887 70 2,619 N/R 306 3,882

KBRA 932 70 0 11,226 88 12,316

Moody's 37,315 2,462 29,783 50,055 571,308 690,923

Morningstar 18 N/R 175 3,120 N/R 3,313

S&P 58,989 6,562 54,510 36,838 901,312 1,058,211

Total 158,460 20,690 118,561 150,278 1,688,628 2,136,617

* N/R indicates that the NRSRO was not registered in the applicable rating category as of the reporting date.

Source: NRSRO annual certifications for the 2018 calendar year, Item 7A on Form NRSRO
 

11

Chart 2 displays the percentage of each NRSRO’s outstanding credit ratings of the total 

outstanding credit ratings of all NRSROs, for each rating category in which the NRSRO was 

registered, as reported by each NRSRO in its annual certification for the calendar year ending 

December 31, 2018.

39

Chart 2: Percentage by Rating Category of Each NRSRO’s Outstanding Credit Ratings of the Total 

Outstanding Credit Ratings of all NRSROs, as of December 31, 2018*

NRSRO Financial 

Institutions

Insurance 

Companies

Corporate 

Issuers

Asset-Backed 

Securities

Government 

Securities

Total 

Ratings 

A.M. Best N/R 34.8% 0.9% 0.0% N/R 0.4%

DBRS 7.8% 0.8% 2.4% 10.7% 1.2% 2.4%

EJR 6.6% 4.4% 6.5% N/R N/R 0.9%

Fitch 23.3% 15.8% 16.5% 21.9% 11.6% 13.5%

HR Ratings 0.4% N/R 0.2% N/R 0.0% 0.1%

JCR 0.6% 0.3% 2.2% N/R 0.0% 0.2%

KBRA 0.6% 0.3% 0.0% 7.5% 0.0% 0.6%

Moody's 23.5% 11.9% 25.1% 33.3% 33.8% 32.3%

Morningstar 0.0% N/R 0.1% 2.1% N/R 0.2%

S&P 37.2% 31.7% 46.0% 24.5% 53.4% 49.5%

* N/R indicates that the NRSRO was not registered in the applicable rating category as of the reporting date.

Percentages have been rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent.

Source: NRSRO annual certifications for the 2018 calendar year, Item 7A on Form NRSRO

The larger NRSROs account for 95.4% of all the ratings outstanding as of December 31, 

2018—slightly lower than their 95.8% share as of December 31, 2017.

40 The share of 

outstanding credit ratings that were issued by the larger NRSROs decreased in each category, 

most significantly in the asset-backed securities category, which decreased by 4.1%.

Notably, Chart 2 also shows that A.M. Best, one of the smaller NRSROs, had the most 

credit ratings outstanding in the insurance category. In each of the past five years, A.M. Best 

reported that it had the most credit ratings outstanding in the insurance category.

41

 39 For example, according to Chart 1, A.M. Best reported that it had 7,196 insurance company credit ratings, 

and the total of the credit ratings in that category reported by all NRSROs was 20,690. Dividing 7,196 by

20,690 equals (approximately) 0.3478 or 34.8% (which is the percentage of NRSRO insurance company 

ratings attributable to A.M. Best, as shown on Chart 2).

40 In 2007, the year when NRSROs began reporting outstanding ratings on Form NRSRO, these three 

NRSROs accounted for 98.8% of all outstanding ratings.

41 See Annual Reports for prior years, which can be found under “Annual Reports to Congress” in the 

“Reports and Studies” section of the OCR webpage, available at https://www.sec.gov/ocr.
 

12

Chart 3 depicts the percentages of outstanding credit ratings attributable to each rating 

category, as reported by each NRSRO in its annual certification for the calendar year ending 

December 31, 2018.

Chart 3: Breakdown of Ratings Reported Outstanding on December 31, 2018*

* Percentages have been rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent.

Source: NRSRO annual certifications for the 2018 calendar year, Item 7A on Form NRSRO

As illustrated by Chart 3, as of December 31, 2018, a large proportion of the aggregate 

credit ratings reported to be outstanding were in the government securities category, which may 

be attributable to the large number of government bond issuers and their multiple debt offerings. 

The government securities category accounted for 79.0% of the total number of credit ratings 

reported across all categories and, as shown on Chart 2, is also the most concentrated rating 

category, with Moody’s and S&P accounting for 87.2% of all outstanding government ratings. 

Financial 

Institutions

7.4%

Insurance 

Companies

1.0%

Corporate 

Issuers

5.5%

Asset-Backed 

Securities

7.0%

Govt, Muni & 

Sovereign

79.0%
 

13

Chart 4 depicts the percentages of the credit ratings outstanding that are attributable to 

each NRSRO over all the rating categories other than the government securities category, as 

reported by each NRSRO in its annual certification for the calendar year ending December 31, 

2018.

Chart 4: Breakdown of Non-Government Securities Ratings Reported Outstanding on December 31, 2018*

* Percentages have been rounded to the nearest one-tenth of one percent.

Source: NRSRO annual certifications for the 2018 calendar year, Item 7A on Form NRSRO

A comparison of Chart 4 to Chart 2 (which shows each NRSRO’s share of outstanding 

ratings over all the rating categories, including government securities) illustrates that there is less 

concentration in the non-government securities rating categories. S&P’s and Moody’s 

percentage share of all outstanding ratings declines by 14.5 and 5.6 percentage points, 

respectively, when government securities are excluded. Fitch’s percentage share of outstanding 

ratings, on the other hand, increases by 7.2 percentage points when government securities are 

excluded. The percentage share for all the remaining NRSROs also increases when government 

securities are excluded.

Further, when government securities are included in the total calculation, each of the 

smaller NRSROs except for one (i.e., DBRS) has less than 1.0% of all outstanding ratings, 

making it difficult to assess their relative market shares. When government securities are 

excluded, a clearer picture of the relative percentage shares of the smaller NRSROs in the 

categories in which they are active can be observed, as illustrated in Chart 4. The percentage 

share of each smaller NRSRO for all rating categories other than government securities as of 

A.M. Best 

1.8%

DBRS

7.0%

EJR 

4.3%

Fitch

20.7%

HR Ratings

0.2%

JCR

0.8%

KBRA

2.7%

Moody's 

26.7%

Morningstar

0.7%

S&P

35.0%
 

14

December 31, 2018 did not change significantly compared to their percentage share as of 

December 31, 2017.

42

As discussed above, Charts 1 through 4 reflect the number of credit ratings outstanding as 

of December 31, 2018, which may include credit ratings that were issued years ago. As a result, 

the measure may not be indicative of the current market position of each NRSRO with respect to 

newly issued credit ratings. For a discussion of recent market share developments in the assetbacked securities rating category and other developments that could impact NRSRO market 

share, see Section IV.B. of this Report.

2. NRSRO Analytical Staffing Levels

Chart 5 reports the number of credit analysts (including credit analyst supervisors) and 

the number of credit analyst supervisors employed by each of the NRSROs, as reported on 

Exhibit 8 of Form NRSRO.43

Chart 5: NRSRO Credit Analysts and Credit Analyst Supervisors

NRSRO

Credit Analysts 

(Including Credit 

Analyst Supervisors)

Credit Analyst 

Supervisors

A.M. Best 147 52

DBRS 314 66

EJR 17 9

Fitch 1,269 302

HR Ratings 45 7

JCR 64 34

KBRA 156 33

Moody's 1,714 242

Morningstar 82 12

S&P 1,557 128

Total 5,365 885

Source: Exhibit 8 on Form NRSRO, as in effect as of each NRSRO’s annual 

certification for the 2018 calendar year filed on or before March 31, 2019.

 42 A comparison of Chart 4 in this Report with Chart 4 in Section IV.A.1.(a) of the December 2018 Annual 

Report (available at https://www.sec.gov/files/2018-annual-report-on-nrsros.pdf) shows that each smaller 

NRSRO’s total market share (excluding government securities) as of December 31, 2018 remained 

constant or increased modestly (the largest increase was 0.7% by KBRA) compared to the market shares as 

of December 31, 2017.

43 Effective January 1, 2015, the instructions for Exhibit 8 of Form NRSRO were amended to clarify that 

NRSROs must include credit analyst supervisors in the total number of credit analysts disclosed on Exhibit 

8. This amendment was designed to enhance consistency of the disclosures on Exhibit 8 of Form NRSRO.
 

15

The larger NRSROs report employing 4,540 credit analysts (including supervisors), 

which is approximately 84.6% of the total number employed by all of the NRSROs. Although 

the smaller NRSROs in the aggregate employ only approximately 15.4% of all credit analysts 

employed by NRSROs, this percentage has increased steadily in recent years.44 During this 

time, some of the smaller NRSROs have reported significant increases in their analytical staff. 

The trend in the number of rating analysts employed by an NRSRO can indicate, among other 

things, the state of the NRSRO’s business or its business outlook—i.e., NRSROs that are 

increasing their staff may be experiencing or anticipating an increase in ratings volumes or 

planning to enter new markets.45

3. NRSRO Revenue

The total revenue reported to the Commission46 by all of the NRSROs for their 2018

fiscal year was approximately $7.0 billion, which is comparable to the approximately $7.1 billion 

reported in the 2017 fiscal year. Chart 6 shows the percentage of total NRSRO revenues since 

2015 that were accounted for by the larger NRSROs in the aggregate and by the smaller NRSROs 

in the aggregate.

Chart 6: NRSRO Revenue Information: Fiscal Year Percentage of Total Reported NRSRO Revenue

2015 2016 2017 2018

S&P, Moody’s, 

and Fitch 93.7% 94.4% 94.1% 93.5%

All Other 

NRSROs 6.3% 5.6% 5.9% 6.5%

Total 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Source: Financial reports provided to the Commission under Rule 17g-3(a)(3) for the fiscal years ended 2015-2018. For 

the preparation of this Report, if an NRSRO reported revenue in a foreign currency, the revenue was converted to 

U.S. dollars using the average exchange rate over all U.S. banking days in the fiscal year of such NRSRO.

 44 Based on reports by the NRSROs on their annual certifications for the applicable calendar year, the smaller 

NRSROs employed approximately 11.4% of all NRSRO analysts in 2014, 12.8% of all NRSRO analysts in 

2015, 14.6% of all NRSRO analysts in 2016, and 15.2% of all NRSRO analysts in 2017. 

45 Changes in the number of analysts employed could also indicate, for example, a change in the complexity 

of rating engagements or evolving business models.

46 Under Rule 17g-3(a)(3), each NRSRO is required to file annually with the Commission an unaudited report

providing revenue information, including revenue from determining and maintaining credit ratings, revenue 

from subscribers, revenue from granting licenses or rights to publish credit ratings, and revenue from other 

services and products. These reports are not required to be made publicly available.
 

16

Further revenue information is available for NRSROs that are owned, in whole or in part, 

by public companies. The following information is from the 2018 annual reports of public 

companies with an ownership interest in an NRSRO:

• Moody’s Corporation, the owner of Moody’s, reported a 2% decline in external revenue at 

Moody’s compared to 2017 results. The decline, according to the report, reflects lower 

non-financial corporate and infrastructure rated issuance volumes reflecting the 

confluence of unfavorable market factors and a decline in U.S. public finance issuance 

resulting from certain provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted into U.S. law on 

December 22, 2017. The report notes that the decline in revenue at Moody’s was partially 

offset by benefits from a favorable product mix and pricing increases, an increase in new 

ratings mandates, and demand for floating rate instruments (most notably in the first half 

of 2018) which resulted in strong collateralized loan obligation formation. The structured 

finance and financial institution groups of Moody’s had an increase in revenue compared 

to 2017 results.47

• S&P Global Inc. (“S&P Global”), which is S&P’s parent company, indicated that revenue 

at S&P decreased by 4% compared to its 2017 results, due to a decline in transaction 

revenue. S&P Global attributed the decreased revenue to lower corporate bond issuance 

in the U.S. and Europe, but noted an increase in structured finance revenue (driven by 

increased U.S. collateralized loan obligation issuance in the first half of 2018) and bank 

loan revenue. Non-transaction revenue at S&P also increased due to an increase in 

surveillance fees, higher entity credit rating revenue, and increase in royalty revenue, and 

an increase in Ratings Evaluation Service activity.

48

• Morningstar, Inc. indicated that revenue at Morningstar increased compared to 2017 

results, noting that Morningstar completed 138 new-issue ratings, primarily of structured 

finance securities, representing a 49.2% increase in the asset value of the issues rated

during 2018 compared to 2017.

49

Recent regulatory filings also show declines in revenue at Moody’s and S&P in the first 

half of 2019. Moody’s Corporation reported a 4% decrease in external revenue at Moody’s in the 

first half of 2019, as compared to the first half of 2018, due to lower refinancing activity in the 

bank loan sector and the collateralized loan obligation assets class primarily resulting from higher 

borrowing costs. The decline in revenue at Moody’s was partially offset by higher revenue from 

rating both investment grade and high-yield corporate debt.50 S&P Global reported a 2% decline 

 47 See Moody’s Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, available 

at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1059556/000119312519048576/d679514d10k.htm#toc679514_26. 

48 See S&P Global Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, available at

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/64040/000006404019000059/spgi20181231x10k.htm#sF7DABB9B419F5005829C23896EFBA35A. S&P describes its Rating Evaluation 

Service as an assessment of the potential credit impact of strategic or financial initiatives under 

consideration by an entity. See S&P Global Ratings: Ratings Evaluation Service (RES), available at 

https://www.spratings.com/en_US/products/-/product-detail/rating-evaluation-service-res-. 

49 See Morningstar, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1289419/000128941919000035/morn_10kx12312018.htm#s0D8

303B472BA5093B033CC33FE508D3F.

50 See Moody’s Corporation Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2019, available at

https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1059556/000105955619000004/mco-20190630.htm.
 

17

in revenue at S&P in the first half of 2019, as compared to the first half of 2018, noting that 

transaction revenue decreased due to lower bank loan ratings revenue, which was partially offset 

by higher corporate bond ratings revenue. As reported by S&P Global, transaction revenue was 

also unfavorably impacted by a decrease in structured finance revenue driven by decreased 

collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities issuance.51

Recent regulatory filings have also shown revenue growth at two smaller NRSROs. 

Morningstar, Inc. indicated that transaction-based revenue at Morningstar increased in the first 

half of 2019, compared to the first half of 2018, primarily due to growth in the asset-value of newissue ratings in structured finance securities.

52 Further, following completion of its acquisition of 

DBRS, Morningstar, Inc. disclosed certain financial information of DBRS. This information 

shows that revenue at DBRS for the annual period ended November 30, 2018 increased by 4.9%, 

compared to the annual period ended November 30, 2017, and that revenue for the three month 

period ended February 28, 2019 increased by 5.3%, compared to the three month period ended 

February 28, 2018.53

B. Recent Developments in the State of Competition Among NRSROs

1. Market Share Observations in the Asset-Backed Securities Rating 

Category

As noted in Section IV.A.1. of this Report, the number of ratings recently issued by 

NRSROs may give a clearer picture of competition than the number of ratings each NRSRO 

currently has outstanding. For example, Chart 2 indicates that, as of December 31, 2018, the 

smaller NRSROs collectively have 20.3% of the ratings outstanding in the asset-backed 

securities rating category. However, the market share data discussed in this Section IV.B. show 

that higher market share percentages have been obtained by smaller NRSROs in ratings issuance 

with respect to certain types of asset-backed securities. This market share data continues the 

growth trend the Staff has observed since the 2012 Annual Report for some smaller NRSROs in 

the asset-backed securities rating category.

Sections (a) and (b) below discuss NRSRO market share information with respect to 

certain asset-backed securities, as reported on the Commercial Mortgage Alert and Asset-Backed 

Alert websites.54 Commercial Mortgage Alert shares information on one category of asset-

 51 See S&P Global Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for the period ended June 30, 2019, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/64040/000006404019000162/spgi-2019630x10q.htm. 

52 See Morningstar, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2019, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1289419/000128941919000162/morn10q06302019.htm.

53 See Morningstar, Inc. Amendment No. 1 to Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated July 2, 2019, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1289419/000141057819001286/tv529468_8k.htm.

54 See Commercial Mortgage Alert website, available at https://www.cmalert.com/ and Asset-Backed Alert

website, available at https://www.abalert.com/. The information in Charts 7 through 13 is based on these 

websites as of November 5, 2019. Although the information available on these websites may provide 

insight into recent developments regarding the state of competition among NRSROs in the asset-backed 

securities rating category, it has certain limitations. For instance, the information is presented using the 

number of transactions with respect to which an NRSRO has reported issuing a credit rating and the 

aggregate dollar amount thereof, rather than indicating where an NRSRO may have rated fewer than all 

tranches of a particular transaction.
 

18

backed securities: CMBS.

55 Asset-Backed Alert reports NRSRO market share information on 

three categories of asset-backed securities: (i) ABS;56 (ii) MBS;57 and (iii) CLOs.58

(a) CMBS

Charts 7 through 10 provide information concerning U.S.59 CMBS ratings by NRSROs, 

as reported in Commercial Mortgage Alert. NRSRO market share varies between the conduit

CMBS and single borrower CMBS segments,60 the two segments that account for most of the 

non-agency61 U.S. CMBS transactions rated by NRSROs. The charts include reported market 

share information for total non-agency U.S. CMBS transactions,62 U.S. conduit CMBS 

transactions, U.S. single borrower CMBS transactions, and agency CMBS transactions63 for 

calendar year 2017, calendar year 2018, and the first half of calendar year 2019.

 55 The “CMBS” category is comprised of transactions collateralized by mortgages or leases on commercial or 

multi-family income-producing properties (excluding commercial real estate collateralized debt 

obligations). See Commercial Mortgage Alert website, available at https://www.cmalert.com/.

56 The “ABS” category is comprised of securities that are collateralized by assets of some kind (excluding the 

following: CMBS; MBS; Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issues (other than risk transfer transactions); 

issuances by municipalities; tax exempt issues; issues that are fully retained by an affiliate of the deal 

sponsor; commercial paper and other continuously offered securities such as medium-term notes; CLOs 

and other collateralized debt obligations; and refinancings of previously offered securities). See AssetBacked Alert website, available at https://www.abalert.com/.

57 The “MBS” category is comprised of securities secured by U.S. first-lien mortgages on residential 

properties (excluding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac issues, securities secured by non-performing or reperforming mortgages, subprime mortgages, or mortgages financing single-family rental businesses, and 

refinancings of previously offered securities). See id.

58 The “CLO” category is comprised of arbitrage collateralized loan obligations secured by broadly 

syndicated corporate loans and middle market collateralized loan obligations secured by loans to small to 

medium sized enterprises. See id. 

59 References to “U.S.” CMBS, MBS, ABS, and CLO issuance and market shares in this Section IV.B.1. and 

Section IV.B.2. reflect securities issued for sale primarily in the U.S., which include securities issued 

publicly and those issued under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities 

Act”). See Asset-Backed Alert website, available at https://www.abalert.com/; Commercial Mortgage 

Alert website, available at https://www.cmalert.com/.

60 The term “conduit” refers to a financial intermediary that functions as a link, or conduit, between the 

lender(s) originating loans and the ultimate investor(s). The conduit makes loans or purchases loans from 

third party correspondents under standardized underwriting parameters and once sufficient volume has 

accumulated, pools the loans for sale to investors in the CMBS market. See

https://www.crefc.org/uploadedFiles/Site_Framework/Industry_Resources/Glossary%20Revised%202014

%20-Update.pdf. In contrast, a single borrower transaction includes commercial mortgage loans made to a 

single borrower. 

61 “Non-agency” CMBS refers to CMBS that are not issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or 

Ginnie Mae. “Agency” CMBS generally refers to CMBS that are issued or guaranteed by such entities. 

62 Total U.S. CMBS transactions include conduit CMBS, single-borrower CMBS, and other types of CMBS, 

such as distressed/non-performing CMBS transactions and re-securitizations of CMBS transactions.

63 Only agency CMBS transactions with a rating from one or more NRSROs are included for determining 

NRSRO market share in the agency CMBS category. See Commercial Mortgage Alert website, available 

at https://www.cmalert.com/.
 

19

Chart 7: Rating Agency Market Share for Total Non-Agency U.S. CMBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First Half of 

2019*

1H 

2019

Rank NRSRO

1H-2019

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2018

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2017

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

1 Fitch 22,336.8 29 57.2 50,465.4 63 65.6 57,482.6 65 65.5

2 Moody’s 19,104.2 28 48.9 32,894.5 44 42.7 54,655.4 61 62.2

3 S&P 16,183.4 27 41.4 34,764.4 58 45.2 38,294.1 59 43.6

4 KBRA 16,116.9 22 41.3 30,302.0 38 39.4 45,747.2 52 52.1

5 Morningstar 11,812.1 20 30.2 12,300.8 21 16.0 11,246.2 21 12.8

6 DBRS 9,113.3 15 23.3 27,259.2 38 35.4 26,361.7 35 30.0

Total Rated 

Market 39,067.6 66 76,978.8 122 87,812.4 121

Source: https://www.cmalert.com/rankings.pl?Q=78

Chart 8: Rating Agency Market Share for U.S. Conduit CMBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First Half of 2019*

1H 

2019

Rank NRSRO

1H-2019

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2018

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2017

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

1 Fitch 18,207.8 21 100.0 40,292.1 44 100.0 48,522.9 52 100.0

2 KBRA 12,808.0 15 70.3 22,609.6 26 56.1 30,425.7 33 62.7

3 S&P 9,878.4 11 54.3 19,358.5 19 48.0 9,411.2 10 19.4

4 Moody’s 8,329.4 10 45.7 20,933.7 25 52.0 45,617.1 49 94.0

5 DBRS 4,249.3 5 23.3 17,682.5 18 43.9 17,918.3 19 36.9

6 Morningstar 3,069.4 3 16.9 0.0 0 0.0 2,175.6 2 4.5

Total Rated 

Market 18,207.8 21 40,292.1 44 48,522.9 52

Source: https://www.cmalert.com/rankings.pl?Q=78

Chart 9: Rating Agency Market Share for U.S. Single Borrower CMBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First Half of 

2019*

1H 

2019

Rank NRSRO

1H-2019

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2018

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2017

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

1 Moody’s 10,375.6 17 51.5 11,795.9 18 33.7 9,038.3 12 24.8

2 Morningstar 8,742.8 17 43.4 11,585.2 20 33.1 8,668.4 18 23.7

3 S&P 6,305.0 16 31.3 14,409.7 37 41.2 26,301.6 45 72.1

4 DBRS 4,555.0 8 22.6 9,279.4 18 26.5 7,924.3 15 21.7

5 Fitch 4,129.0 8 20.5 9,783.2 18 27.9 8,959.7 13 24.5

6 KBRA 2,909.6 6 14.4 7,692.4 12 22.0 14,864.9 17 40.7

Total Rated 

Market 20,151.6 42 35,003.2 73 36,499.6 64

Source: https://www.cmalert.com/rankings.pl?Q=78

* Charts 7 through 9 reflect market share percentages based on dollar amounts of issuance. The sum of the market share 

percentages exceeds 100% since more than one NRSRO may rate a particular transaction.
 

20

Chart 10: Rating Agency Market Share for Agency CMBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First Half of 2019*

1H 

2019

Rank NRSRO

1H-2019

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2018

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2017

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

1 DBRS 5,740.6 4 49.9 6,118.9 5 25.0 2,811.1 2 12.3

2 S&P 5,677.1 4 49.3 2,649.6 2 10.8 6,758.3 5 29.5

3 Morningstar 3,089.1 2 26.8 5,514.0 4 22.6 5,559.4 4 24.2

4 Moody’s 2,932.9 2 25.5 9,011.3 7 36.9 5,484.5 5 23.9

5 Fitch 2,902.8 2 25.2 14,256.1 11 58.3 11,890.7 10 51.9

6 KBRA 2,683.1 2 23.3 11,343.0 9 46.4 13,359.0 10 58.3

Total Rated 

Market 11,512.8 8 24,446.4 19 22,931.5 18

Source: https://www.cmalert.com/rankings.pl?Q=78

* Chart 10 reflect market share percentages based on dollar amounts of issuance. The sum of the market share percentages 

exceeds 100% since more than one NRSRO may rate a particular transaction.

As illustrated in Charts 7 through 9 above, the larger NRSROs generally obtained the 

highest market shares in rating non-agency U.S. CMBS transactions, but smaller NRSROs have 

achieved significant market shares as well. In the first half of 2019, each NRSRO active in 

rating U.S. CMBS had market shares greater than 23%. As discussed below, KBRA has 

continued to obtain high market share in the U.S. conduit CMBS segment and Morningstar has 

continued to expand its market share in the U.S. single borrower CMBS segment.

KBRA had the second highest market share in the U.S. conduit CMBS segment in both 

2018 and the first half of 2019. In each of 2017, 2018, and the first half of 2019, KBRA has 

rated more than half of these transactions. Also of note in this segment, S&P has continued to 

gain market share after having been subject to a one-year timeout from marketing or rating new 

issue U.S. conduit CMBS transaction in accordance with a settlement, dated January 21, 2015, 

between S&P and the Commission regarding charges relating to S&P’s ratings on certain conduit 

transactions.64 S&P had the third-highest market share in this segment during the first half of 

2019, rating more than half of the transactions over that period.

The relative size (proportionate to total U.S. CMBS issuance) of the U.S. single borrower 

segment has increased significantly in recent years and in the first half of 2019 accounted for 

more than half of all non-agency U.S. CMBS transactions. Morningstar has gained market share 

in this segment, achieving the second highest market share in the first half of 2019.

Chart 10 shows a relatively competitive landscape between the larger and smaller 

NRSROs with respect to credit ratings of agency CMBS transactions. In the first half of 2019, 

DBRS and S&P obtained the two highest market shares in this segment, each rating just under 

half of the transactions issued.

 64 See In the Matter of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, Release Nos. 33-9705 and 34-74104 (Jan. 21, 

2015), available at https://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/2015/33-9705.pdf.
 

21

(b) ABS/MBS/CLO

Charts 11 through 13 provide information concerning U.S. ABS, U.S. MBS, and U.S. 

CLO ratings by NRSROs, as reported in Asset-Backed Alert. The charts include reported market 

share information for these transactions for calendar years 2017 and 2018 and the first half of 

calendar year 2019.

Chart 11: Rating Agency Market Shares for U.S. ABS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First Half of 2019*

1H 

2019

Rank NRSRO

1H-2019

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. 

of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2018

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2017

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. 

of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

1 S&P 96,135.9 150 56.2 184,537.0 296 57.8 160,648.6 242 57.0

2 Fitch 80,856.5 97 47.3 154,877.9 205 48.5 154,302.3 207 54.7

3 Moody’s 75,809.0 105 44.3 153,641.5 215 48.2 139,030.5 192 49.3

4 DBRS 43,118.6 66 25.2 70,430.8 130 22.1 67,840.5 133 24.1

5 KBRA 29,175.8 77 17.1 55,990.1 147 17.5 48,783.3 124 17.3

6 Morningstar 15,083.0 35 8.8 25,506.3 53 8.0 14,879.0 33 5.3

Total Rated 

Market 170,943.7 276 319,051.9 555 281,880.8 472

Source: https://www.abalert.com/rankings.pl?Q=102

Chart 12: Rating Agency Market Shares for U.S. MBS Issued in 2017, 2018, and First Half of 2019*

1H 

2019

Rank NRSRO

1H-2019

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. 

of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2018

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2017

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. 

of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

1 Moody’s 7,406.5 18 68.8 17,245.2 36 67.3 14,305.9 27 74.9

2 KBRA 4,622.9 12 42.9 11,757.3 27 45.9 6,967.5 15 36.5

3 DBRS 4,386.0 10 40.7 13,137.5 27 51.3 9,878.9 15 51.7

4 Fitch 2,961.4 10 27.5 10,610.4 28 41.4 7,155.7 15 37.5

5 S&P 2,324.7 5 21.6 5,302.4 8 20.7 3,114.5 4 16.3

6 Morningstar 284.1 1 2.6 2,229.3 2 8.7 0.0 0 0.0

Total Rated 

Market 10,771.4 31 25,617.1 60 19,099.0 39

Source: https://www.abalert.com/rankings.pl?Q=102

* Charts 11 and 12 reflect market share percentages based on dollar amounts of issuance. The sum of the market share

percentages exceeds 100% since more than one NRSRO may rate a particular transaction.
 

22

Chart 13: Rating Agency Market Shares for U.S. CLO Issued in First Half of 2017, 2018, and First Half of 

2019*

1H 

2018

Rank NRSRO

1H-2019

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. 

of

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2018

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

2017

Issuance 

($Mil.)

No. 

of 

deals

Market

Share 

(%)

1 Moody’s 45,718.5 96 68.7 89,008.4 171 66.8 104,818.6 186 88.3

2 Fitch 43,927.4 88 66.0 99,947.4 183 75.0 78,518.5 139 66.2

3 S&P 34,336.3 68 51.6 64,030.1 117 48.0 50,092.9 91 42.2

4 Morningstar 2,518.0 5 3.8 10,077.8 18 7.6 9,301.3 13 7.8

5 KBRA 2,498.6 5 3.8 0.0 0 0 0.0 0 0

6 DBRS 0.0 0 0 1,784.7 4 1.3 1,040.0 3 0.9

Total Rated 

Market 66,541.6 137 133,308.6 251 118,674.8 214

Source: https://www.abalert.com/rankings.pl?Q=102

* Chart 13 reflects market share percentages based on dollar amounts of issuance. The sum of the market share

percentages exceeds 100% since more than one NRSRO may rate a particular transaction.

Chart 11 shows that smaller NRSROs, in particular DBRS and KBRA, have built 

significant market share rating U.S. ABS.65 DBRS has consistently attained a market share of 

over 20% in each of 2017, 2018, and the first half of 2019, and KBRA has maintained a market 

share of approximately 17% during the same time period.

Chart 12 shows that ratings by KBRA and DBRS continue to represent a large portion of 

the U.S. MBS market obtaining the second and third highest market shares in both 2018 and the 

first half of 2019. 

Chart 13 shows that the larger NRSROs have the highest market shares in the U.S. CLO 

segment. However, Morningstar attained some market share in the U.S. CLO segment, and 

KBRA began rating such transactions in the first half of 2019.

2. Other Asset-Backed Securities Market Share Observations66

As illustrated above, some of the smaller NRSROs have gained market share in the assetbacked securities rating category. In particular, these NRSROs have gained market share rating 

asset-backed securities backed by discrete asset types, in particular newer or esoteric asset types.

For instance, smaller NRSROs are significant raters of securities backed by unsecured 

consumer loans, including consumer loans originated through marketplace lending platforms. 

 65 See Section IV.B.2. of this Report for a discussion of specific asset classes where the smaller NRSROs 

have reported success in gaining market share. 

66 Unless noted otherwise, all market share percentages in this Section IV.B.2. are based on dollar amounts of 

issuance. The information in this Section IV.B.2. from the Asset-Backed Alert database was obtained from 

the database on November 5, 2019. 
 

23

KBRA and DBRS had the two highest market shares in this category during the Report Period, 

rating 71.9% and 45.2%, respectively, of the transactions priced during such period.67

Another example of market share gains achieved by smaller NRSROs in discrete asset 

classes is KBRA’s rating of securitizations backed by aircraft-lease receivables. KBRA rated 

each of the fifteen aircraft-lease receivables transactions (with an aggregate principal amount of 

$7.3 billion) that priced during the Report Period.68 KBRA has rated each aircraft-lease 

receivables transaction (forty-two in total) issued from December 2015 through the end of the 

Report Period.69

KBRA was also active rating whole-business securitizations during the Report Period, 

rating 33.3% of such transactions.70 KBRA’s market share in the whole-business category was 

even greater when measured by the number of transactions rather than dollar amounts of 

issuance; KBRA rated six of the eleven transactions issued during the Report Period.71

Smaller NRSROs have also been able to gain market share in rating more traditional 

types of asset-backed securities. DBRS has gained the largest market share among the smaller 

NRSROs with respect to the more traditional types of asset-backed securities (aside from the 

MBS and CMBS categories). For example, DBRS rated 50.5% of the transactions backed by 

student loans that priced during the Report Period.72 DBRS also rated a sizable minority of one

of the larger asset-backed securities asset classes—i.e., credit card transactions.73 DBRS rated 

28.6% of the credit card asset-backed securities priced during the Report Period.74

DBRS has also been able to gain market share in auto-related asset-backed securities. 

During the Report Period, DBRS rated 56.3% of the auto-fleet lease transactions, 26.0% of the 

subprime auto loan transactions, 14.8% of the auto lease transactions, and 6.7% of the prime auto

loan transactions that priced during the Report Period.75 KBRA has also established a market 

share presence in some of these auto-related asset-backed security categories, rating 8.7% of the 

 67 See Asset-Backed Alert database. The Asset-Backed Alert database indicates that 44 unsecured consumer 

loan transactions totaling $15.6 billion priced during the Report Period.

68 See id. 

69 See id.

70 See id. The Asset-Backed Alert database indicates that 11 whole-business securitization transactions 

totaling $8.9 billion priced during the Report Period. Morningstar also rated a whole-business 

securitization transaction representing 3.8% of the transactions during the Report Period. See id.

71 See id. 

72 See id. The Asset-Backed Alert database indicates that 35 student loan transactions totaling $20.7 billion 

priced during the Report Period.

73 The Asset-Backed Alert database lists 55 credit card transactions totaling $34.3 billion that priced during 

the Report Period.

74 See Asset-Backed Alert database.

75 See id. For the Report Period, the Asset-Backed Alert database lists 18 auto-fleet lease transactions 

totaling $11.5 billion, 60 subprime auto loan transactions totaling $33.4 billion, 40 auto lease transactions 

totaling $28.1 billion, and 92 prime auto loan transactions totaling $79.8 billion.
 

24

auto-fleet lease transactions and 30.3% of the subprime auto loan transactions during the Report 

Period.76

Smaller NRSROs have also achieved notable market share in certain types of residential 

mortgage-backed securities not included in Chart 12. DBRS rated all of the securities backed by 

non-performing or re-performing mortgages that priced in the Report Period.

77 Additionally, 

each of Morningstar, DBRS, and KBRA were active rating securities backed by subprime 

mortgages and risk transfer securities during the Report Period. For securities backed by 

subprime mortgages, Morningstar rated 50.1%, DBRS rated 27.0%, and KBRA rated 19.8% of 

such transactions.78 For risk transfer securities, Morningstar rated 42.5%, DBRS rated 36.6%, 

and KBRA rated 13.3% of such transactions.79

C. Barriers to Entry

Despite the notable progress made by smaller NRSROs in gaining market share in some 

types of asset-backed securities over the past few years (see Section IV.B. of this Report), 

barriers to entry continue to exist in the credit ratings industry, presenting competitive challenges 

for the smaller NRSROs.80

One such potential barrier referred to by certain smaller NRSROs is the minimum ratings 

requirements that specify use of the ratings of particular rating agencies in the investment 

management contracts of some institutional fund managers and the investment guidelines of 

some fixed income mutual fund managers, pension plan sponsors, and endowment fund 

managers.81 The effect of these requirements can be to increase the demand and liquidity for 

securities bearing the ratings of specified rating agencies.82 Historically, many of these 

guidelines refer to the ratings from the larger NRSROs by name (i.e., S&P, Moody’s, and Fitch). 

 76 See id.

77 See id. The Asset-Backed Alert database indicates that 25 non-performing or re-performing mortgage 

backed securities transactions totaling $19.6 billion priced during the Report Period. Morningstar was also 

active in this asset class, rating 8.2% of such transactions. See id.

78 See id. The Asset-Backed Alert database indicates that 39 subprime mortgage backed securities 

transactions totaling $14.6 billion priced during the Report Period.

79 See id. The Asset-Backed Alert database indicates that 34 risk transfer transactions totaling $28.6 billion 

priced during the Report Period.

80 See Shankar Ramakrishnan and Philip Scipio, Big three in credit ratings still dominate business, May 4, 

2016, available at https://www.reuters.com/article/uscorpbonds-ratings-idUSL2N17U1L4.

81 See letter from KBRA to the Commission, dated August 19, 2014, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/comments/s7-18-11/s71811-88.pdf. This barrier to entry was also mentioned during 

the SEC’s Credit Ratings Roundtable held on May 14, 2013. At the roundtable, a representative of 

Morningstar mentioned that, according to a study conducted by Morningstar, approximately 42% of openend fixed income funds with investment guidelines that reference ratings specifically refer to S&P, 

Moody’s, or a “major NRSRO.” See Credit Rating Roundtable, May 14, 2013, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/spotlight/credit-ratings-roundtable.shtml.

82 The effect of including particular NRSROs in investment guidelines was highlighted in an article 

concerning a loan securitization. In the article, an issuer referred to the fact that many institutional buyers 

are limited to purchasing securities rated by one of the larger NRSROs, and that a larger NRSRO’s rating 

expanded the number of entities which could purchase the rated securities. See Tracy Alloway, Peer-toPeer Lender Wins Landmark Rating, Fin. Times, July 10, 2014 at Companies and Markets, p. 18.
 

25

Despite reports in recent years that investors are increasingly changing their guidelines to allow 

for investments in securities rated by a wider group of NRSROs,83 investment guidelines 

continue to be identified as a factor impacting the selection of NRSROs to rate certain 

transactions.84

A related barrier to entry is the inclusion requirements of some fixed income indices. To 

be included in certain of these indices, securities must be rated by specific NRSROs. Certain 

investment companies try to closely track the performance of the indices by purchasing the 

securities included in them, and can thus increase the demand for securities bearing the ratings of 

specific NRSROs. For instance, Fitch announced that its ratings had been added to the J.P. 

Morgan High-Yield Bond Indices, noting that investors rely on such indices to determine which 

bonds suit their level of credit risk.85

Market participants and academics have identified various other barriers to entry in the 

credit rating industry, including economic and regulatory barriers.86 Among the regulatory 

barriers to entry for NRSROs are the costs associated with complying with the statutory 

provisions implemented by the Rating Agency Act and the Dodd-Frank Act and the related rules 

adopted by the Commission, including the rules and rule amendments that the Commission 

adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act (the “NRSRO Amendments”).87 Commenters on the 

proposed NRSRO Amendments expressed concerns that certain of the requirements would be 

burdensome for smaller NRSROs to implement and could raise barriers to entry for credit rating 

agencies that seek to register as NRSROs.88 In connection with the NRSRO Amendments, the 

Commission acknowledged that, despite efforts to limit the impact on small entities, the DoddFrank Act contained requirements, including those implemented by the NRSRO Amendments, 

which impose costs on NRSROs and may consequently create barriers to entry and have negative 

impacts on competition.89 As discussed in more detail in a prior Annual Report, the NRSRO 

Amendments as adopted by the Commission include various changes intended to address 

concerns regarding barriers to entry, including standards allowing NRSROs to tailor particular 

requirements to their business models, size, and rating methodologies.90

 83 See, e.g., Big Investors Accept More Rating Agencies, Asset-Backed Alert, May 19, 2017.

84 See Fitch Leads Rankings: S&P Gains on Moody’s, Commercial Mortgage Alert, July 20, 2018.

85 See Fitch Ratings Joins J.P. Morgan High Yield Bond Indices, Fitch Ratings, June 28, 2017.

86 See, e.g., Section IV.C. of the March 2012 Annual Report, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/divisions/marketreg/ratingagency/nrsroannrep0312.pdf.

87 See Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, Release No. 34-72936 (Aug. 27, 2014), 79 FR 55077 

(Sept. 15, 2014) (“Adopting Release”), available at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2014-09-

15/pdf/2014-20890.pdf.

88 See Adopting Release, 79 FR at 55090, 55154, 55161, and 55254-55. See also comment letters received 

with respect to the NRSRO Amendments as proposed, available at https://www.sec.gov/comments/s7-18-

11/s71811.shtml.

89 See Adopting Release, 79 FR at 55254.

90 See Section IV.C. of the December 2015 Annual Report, available at 

https://www.sec.gov/ocr/reportspubs/annual-reports/2015-annual-report-on-nrsros.pdf.
 

26

V. TRANSPARENCY 

Congress described the Rating Agency Act as an Act to improve ratings quality for the 

protection of investors and in the public interest “by fostering accountability, transparency, and 

competition in the credit rating agency industry.”91 Section 932 of the Dodd-Frank Act is 

entitled “Enhanced regulation, accountability, and transparency of NRSROs.” Both Acts contain 

various provisions designed to increase the transparency—through clear disclosure open to 

public scrutiny—of, among other things, NRSROs’ credit rating procedures and methodologies, 

business practices, and credit ratings performance. Under Exchange Act rules, NRSROs are 

required to disclose:

 standardized performance statistics;92

 consolidated information about credit rating histories;93

 information about material changes and significant errors in the procedures and 

methodologies used to determine credit ratings;94

 information about specific rating actions;95 and 

 clear definitions of each symbol, number, or score in the rating scale used by the 

NRSRO.96

NRSROs must also disclose certain information in connection with each rating action.97 

Such information includes, among other things, the version of the procedure or methodology 

used to determine the credit rating, a description of the types of data that were relied upon for 

purposes of determining the credit rating, an assessment of the quality of information available 

and considered in determining the credit rating, and information on the sensitivity of the credit 

ratings to assumptions made by the NRSRO.98

In addition to or in connection with required disclosures, NRSROs often issue press 

releases and reports at the time of a rating action to describe the rationale behind such rating 

action, and make versions of the methodologies for determining credit ratings available on their 

websites.99 The availability of underlying methodologies, together with a report discussing the 

analysis supporting the rating action, provides additional transparency into the credit rating 

process.

Transparency may also be increased to the extent NRSROs publish commentaries or 

research. Annual Reports since 2013 have described commentaries issued by NRSROs to 

 91 See the preamble to the Rating Agency Act. 

92 See Instructions for Exhibit 1 to Form NRSRO. 

93 See Exchange Act Rule 17g-7(b). 

94 See Exchange Act Rule 17g-8(a)(4). 

95 See Exchange Act Rule 17g-7(a). 

96 See Exchange Act Rule 17g-8(b)(2).

97 See Exchange Act Rule 17g-7(a). 

98 See Exchange Act Rule 17g-7(a)(1)(ii). 

99 The reports accompanying a rating action are frequently available on a paid subscription basis, although 

some NRSROs provide access to such reports for free.
 

27

highlight differences in credit views that they may have with other NRSROs. The Annual 

Reports have mentioned that the commentaries can serve to enhance investors’ understanding of 

the differences in ratings approaches used by NRSROs.

This Report Period saw an expansion of the range of NRSROs issuing commentaries, 

topics covered by the commentaries, and responses to the commentaries by the relevant 

NRSROs. For example, in the early part of the Report Period, Fitch issued a press release noting 

that it had increased unsolicited commentaries in recent months and signaled the possibility of its 

publishing more unsolicited commentaries.

100 This development, and the directness of some of 

the commentaries, may also indicate a state of increased competition among NRSROs—

appearing to reflect an interest in demonstrating analytical skills and differentiating themselves 

from other NRSROs. For example, Fitch released a report in May 2019 critiquing ratings on

recent U.S. marketplace lending asset-backed securities.

101 In May 2019, KBRA released a

report explaining that improvements in marketplace loan securitization platforms have resulted 

in more predictable credit performance across the industry and upward rating migration for 

marketplace lending securitizations.

102

Fitch also commented during the Report Period on residential mortgage-backed securities

ratings issued by certain NRSROs that are higher than other agencies’ ratings for a given credit 

enhancement level.103 In response, one of the NRSROs questioned Fitch’s assumptions and 

emphasized the importance of transparency in its ratings.

104 Fitch also commented on AAA 

ratings that two NRSROs assigned to a collateralized loan obligations with a large concentration 

in particular industries.

105

Another type of commentary issued during the Report Period described perceived

constraints within ratings of other NRSROs. For example, KBRA issued commentaries relating

to ceilings imposed by other NRSROs on certain municipal finance ratings, noting that the use of 

rating ceilings in municipal finance needlessly limits the rating for many credits,

106 and on rating 

downgrades by other NRSROs for certain banks operating in Puerto Rico, that in KBRA’s view 

overestimated the likelihood of default.107

 100 See More Unsolicited SF Comments Are Likely due to Late-Cycle Behaviour, Fitch Ratings, Oct. 15, 2018. 

101 See Declining Credit Enhancement in US MPL ABS is Unwarranted, Fitch Ratings, May 13, 2019 (stating 

that, while asset quality remained relatively steady, credit enhancement levels of certain of these assetbacked securities meaningfully declined since 2017).

102 See Evolution of the Consumer Loan Marketplace Lending Sector, Kroll Bond Rating Agency, May 24, 

2019.

103 See Ratings ‘Split’ Emerging in New U.S. RMBS, Fitch Ratings, Aug. 15, 2018.

104 See Alexander Saeedy, Fitch sounds off on methodology, ratings shopping in RMBS, globalcapital.com, 

Aug. 15, 2018 (Issue 1568), available at https://www.globalcapital.com/article/b19jgp3tyw38pf/fitchsounds-off-on-methodology-ratings-shopping-in-rmbs.

105 See CLO Concentration a Potential Risk, Fitch Ratings, Sept. 10, 2018.

106 See KBRA Releases Comment – Municipal Default History: Rating Ceilings Do Not Hold Up, Kroll Bond 

Rating Agency, July 25, 2019.

107 See KBRA Releases Report – Puerto Rico’s Independent Banks: An Underappreciated Evolution, Kroll 

Bond Rating Agency, June 19, 2019.
 

28

In addition to responding to commentaries by a larger NRSRO, smaller NRSROs issued 

their own commentaries regarding the ratings of other NRSROs. For example, KBRA 

commented on the subordination levels DBRS applied in certain commercial real estate 

collateralized loan obligation ratings.108

Also, in a monthly commercial mortgage-backed securities trend watch released in March 

2019, KBRA questioned the subordination levels of a conduit commercial mortgage-backed 

security rating.

109 Morningstar responded that the commercial mortgages backing the deal in 

question were stronger than average and several of them had top ratings.

110

VI. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

NRSROs operate under one or more business models, each having potential conflicts of 

interest. Most of the NRSROs primarily operate under the “issuer-pay” model, which is subject 

to a potential conflict in that the credit rating agency may be influenced to determine more 

favorable (i.e., higher) ratings than warranted to retain the obligors or issuers as clients. Certain 

NRSROs may also operate under the “subscriber-pay” model, which means that investors pay a 

subscription fee to access the NRSRO’s ratings. This model is also subject to potential conflicts 

of interests. For example, an NRSRO may be aware that an influential subscriber holds a 

securities position (long or short) that could be advantaged if a credit rating upgrade or 

downgrade causes the market value of the security to increase or decrease or that a subscriber 

invests in newly issued bonds and would obtain higher yields if the bonds were to have lower 

ratings.

Section 15E and the related Commission rules address conflicts of interest.111 For 

example, Rule 17g-5 identifies certain conflicts of interest that are prohibited under all 

circumstances112 and other conflicts of interest that are prohibited unless an NRSRO has publicly 

disclosed the existence of the conflict and has implemented policies and procedures reasonably 

designed to address and manage such conflict.113

Among the conflicts of interest identified in Rule 17g-5 are conflicts involving individual 

credit analysts or other employees of the NRSRO. For example, an NRSRO is prohibited from 

issuing or maintaining a credit rating for a person where an employee of the NRSRO that 

participated in determining, or is responsible for approving, the credit rating directly owns 

securities or is an officer or director of the person that would be subject to the credit rating.114

 108 See DBRS Adjusts CLO Methodology, Gains Share, Commercial Mortgage Alert, June 28, 2019.

109 See KBRA Releases Monthly CMBS Trend Watch, Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Mar. 7, 2019.

110 See Alan Tempkin, Bond Rating Triggers a Rare Rebuke as Kroll Scolds Morningstar, bloomberg.com, 

Mar. 11, 2019, available at https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-11/bond-gradersmackdown-kroll-questions-a-morningstar-cmbs-rating.

111 See, e.g., Section 15E(h) and Rule 17g-5. 

112 See Rule 17g-5(c).

113 See Rule 17g-5(a)(1)-(2); Rule 17g-5(b); and Form NRSRO, Exhibits 6-7. In addition, Section 

15E(t)(3)(B) requires an NRSRO’s board of directors to oversee the establishment, maintenance, and 

enforcement of policies and procedures to address, manage, and disclose any conflicts of interest.

114 See Rule 17g-5(c)(2) and Rule 17g-5(c)(4).
 

29

Rule 17g-5(c)(8) is another example of a prohibited conflict of interest involving persons 

within an NRSRO. Under the Rule, an NRSRO is prohibited from issuing or maintaining a 

credit rating where a person within the NRSRO who participates in determining or monitoring 

the rating, or developing or approving procedures or methodologies used for determining the 

rating, also (a) participates in sales or marketing activities of the NRSRO or its affiliate or (b) is 

influenced by sales or marketing considerations.115

Other statutory provisions and Commission rules address potential conflicts of interest 

that may arise when a credit analyst seeks employment outside the NRSRO. Section 15E 

requires each NRSRO to have policies and procedures in place to provide for an internal “lookback” review process in order to determine whether any conflict of interest of a former employee 

influenced a credit rating in certain instances.116 Rule 17g-8(c) requires an NRSRO’s policies 

and procedures to address instances in which a “look-back” review determined that a conflict of 

interest influenced a credit rating. Such policies and procedures are required to be reasonably 

designed to ensure that the NRSRO will promptly determine whether a credit rating must be 

revised and promptly publish a revised credit rating or an affirmation of the credit rating, along 

with certain disclosures about the existence of the conflict.117

One of the conflict of interest rules concerns the issuer-pay conflict of interest relating to 

structured finance products. The Commission adopted Rule 17g-5(a)(3) in 2009 to address this 

conflict of interest. Since the June 2, 2010 compliance date of Rule 17g-5(a)(3), an exemption 

has been in effect with regard to structured finance products issued by non-U.S. issuers in 

transactions outside the United States. As described in the first bullet point under Section III.B. 

above, the Commission codified the exemption in August 2019. In the adopting release, the 

Commission directed the Staff to further evaluate the effectiveness of Rule 17g-5(a)(3) with 

respect to ratings of structured finance products that are not eligible for relief under the adopted 

exemption.118

The annual examinations conducted by Staff in accordance with Section 15E(p) are 

required to include, among other things, a review of the management of conflicts of interest by

the NRSROs.

119 Information regarding the examinations, including any essential findings with 

respect to the required review areas, is included in OCR’s annual examination reports.120

VII. CONCLUSION

The Staff will continue to conduct its oversight function with respect to NRSROs, 

including the performance of Staff examinations, and engage in other activities in furtherance of 

OCR’s regulatory mission, as described in this Report. 

 115 See Rule 17g-5(c)(8).

116 See Section 15E(h)(4)(A).

117 See Rule 17g-8(c). 

118 See Amendments to Rules for Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, Release No. 34-

86590 (Aug. 7, 2019), 84 FR 40247 (Aug. 14, 2019) at 40250. 

119 See Section 15E(p)(3)(B)(ii).

120 The examination reports can be found under “Summary Examination Reports” in the “Reports and Studies” 

section of the OCR webpage, available at https://www.sec.gov/ocr.