SEC Issues Staff Summary Report of Examinations of Rating Agencies (Says Rating Agencies Got Better; Must Get Better Still)

The SEC issued its second annual staff report on the findings of examinations of credit rating agencies registered with the SEC as Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations ("NRSROs"). The staff determined that, with one exception, all NRSROs appropriately addressed the staff's recommendations in the first annual report in 2011.

The 2012 report discusses the staff's findings and recommendations in eight areas, including whether the NRSRO conducts business in accordance with its policies, procedures, and methodologies, how it manages conflicts of interest, and whether it maintains effective internal controls. In conclusion, the report says: "The Staff had many findings and observations and made corresponding recommendations to each NRSRO for improvements."

View report in full here (links externally to SEC website).See also: Press Release.