structured finance instruments

European Commission Report on Credit Rating Agencies Regulation

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On October 19, 2016, the European Commission published a report (COM(2016) 664 final) responding to reporting obligations set out in Regulation 1060/2009 (CRA Regulation).

The report:

  • Analyzes references to external credit ratings in EU legislation and in private contracts among parties in financial markets.
  • Assesses potential alternatives to external credit ratings that are currently used by market participants in the EU. The Commission is of the view that there are currently no feasible alternatives that could entirely replace external credit ratings.
  • Evaluates the impact of the CRA Regulation on governance and internal procedures of CRAs, in particular the prevention of conflict of interests and the use of alternative remuneration models.
  • Analyzes the provisions relating to structured finance instruments (SFIs) and their potential extension to other asset classes. The Commission does not think it is appropriate to extend CRA Regulation provisions to other financial products.
  • Assesses the impact and effectiveness of the CRA Regulation’s measures concerning competition in the credit rating industry. Given some provisions are still in the process of implementation, the Commission will continue monitoring the development of the market before considering the adoption of further measures. More generally, the Commission will seek to avoid and further reduce regulatory barriers to market entry.
  • Considers the feasibility of establishing a European CRA for the assessment of sovereign debt and a European credit rating foundation for all other credit ratings. The Commission considers there to be no need at present for a European CRA specialized in sovereign debt or for other credit ratings.

Rating Agency Developments

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On March 30, 2016, Moody’s published its rating methodology for assessing green bonds. Report.

On March 30, 2016, DBRS published its methodology for rating Canadian structured finance instruments. Report.

On March 30, 2016, DBRS updated and is requesting comment on its methodology for analyzing the credit risk of European RMBS. Report.

On March 30, 2016, DBRS published and is requesting comment on its methodology for analyzing Spanish mortgages. Report.

On March 29, 2016, DBRS published and is requesting comment on its methodology for conducting surveillance on U.S. ABS. Report.

On March 29, 2016, DBRS published and is requesting comment on its operational risk assessment methodology for U.S. ABS servicers. Report.

On March 29, 2016, DBRS published and is requesting comment on its operational risk assessment methodology for U.S. ABS originators. Report.

On March 29, 2016, DBRS published and is requesting comment on its methodology for rating pooled aircraft lease securitizations. Report.

On March 24, 2016, DBRS published its rating methodology for supranational institutions, or multilateral financial institutions (MFIs). Report.

On March 24, 2016, Fitch updated its rating criteria for U.S. auto lease ABS. Press Release.

On March 24, 2016, S&P published its methodology and assumptions for U.S. tobacco settlement securitizations. Report.