Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

30-March-2012 18:24 IST

Rating Agencies

Presently, six credit rating agencies (CRAs) are registered with SEBI, namely:

1. CRISIL Limited

2. Fitch Ratings India Private Ltd.

3. ICRA Limited

4. Credit Analysis & Research Ltd. (CARE)

5. Brickwork Ratings India Pvt. Ltd.

6. SME Rating Agency of India Ltd. (SMERA)

SEBI (Credit Rating Agencies) Regulations, 1999 have prescribed a comprehensive Code of Conduct to be followed by all SEBI registered CRAs which, inter alia, states that a CRA shall at all times exercise due diligence, ensure proper care and exercise independent professional judgment in order to achieve and maintain objectivity and independence in the rating process.

SEBI has mandated a half yearly internal audit for credit rating agencies which covers all aspects of CRA operations and procedures, including investor grievance redressal mechanism and compliance with the provisions of the securities laws. The Board of Directors of CRAs is required to consider the report and take appropriate measures to rectify the deficiencies and the CRAs send the Action Taken Report to SEBI.

SEBI has prescribed various transparency and disclosure requirements for CRAs. These provide the various disclosures like rating procedure, default studies, income from rating services and non-rating services, measures to deal with conflict of interest, obligations in respect of rating of structured products, unsolicited credit ratings, etc. SEBI has also standardized rating symbols and definitions to be followed uniformly by the CRAs.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

SS/Hb

Credit rating regulation mandates due diligence, transparency and periodic audits to ensure objectivity and manage conflicts of interest. SEBI requires CRAs to follow a comprehensive Code of Conduct mandating due diligence, independent professional judgment and objectivity; standardises rating symbols and definitions; prescribes disclosure requirements for rating procedures, default studies, income sources, conflict of interest measures, structured products and unsolicited ratings; and mandates half yearly internal audits with board consideration and Action Taken Reports to SEBI addressing investor grievance redressal and compliance.