On February 11, S&P published its methodology and assumptions for rating U.S. CDOs collateralized by commercial real estate (CRE) loans.  S&P Release.

On February 8, Moody’s released its approach to rating U.S. ABS backed by insurance premium finance receivables.  Moody’s Methodology. 

On February 9, S&P refined its assumptions for assessing the equity content of bank and insurance hybrid capital instruments that have a materially restricted ability to stop paying coupons.  S&P Release. 

On February 11, Moody’s reported that it would rate a contingent capital security that may convert into common equity only if it can reasonably assess when the security’s conversion would likely occur.  Moody’s Release.

On February 9, S&P adapted its assumptions for assessing bank hybrid capital instruments to take into account the December 2009 Basel Committee proposals on hybrid capital.  S&P Release. 

On February 10, S&P refined its methodology for analyzing the impact of “look-back” periods (sometimes called dividend pusher clauses) on hybrid capital instruments.  S&P Release. 

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