SEC Sends Wells Notice to S&P Concerning MBS Ratings

On July 23, S&P’s parent company, McGraw Hill Financial Inc., disclosed that it received a Wells notice indicating that the SEC’s enforcement staff had made a preliminary determination to recommend that the SEC institute an enforcement action against S&P alleging violation of federal securities laws with respect to S&P’s ratings of six commercial MBS transactions in 2011 and public disclosures made by S&P regarding those ratings thereafter.  S&P will have the opportunity to respond to provide its perspective and to address the issues raised by the enforcement staff before any enforcement proceeding is initiated.  Press Release.