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In July 2008, the SEC concluded that the CRAs failed to manage

conflicts of interest between MBS and CDO issuers and the CRAs.

CRAs were supposed to serve investors, but conflicts of interest led

some CRAs to cater to MBS and CDO issuers by inflating ratings.

Conflicts of interest were caused by:

1. Relationship conflicts: CRAs have had a close, ongoing working

relationship with the largest MBS and CDO issuers;

2. Issuer-paid ratings: 98% of the ratings produced by the CRAs have

been paid for by issuers, not investors. The pay incentive led some

CRAs to try to inflate ratings of paying issuers in hopes of gaining

repeat business from those issuers; and

3. Advising-rating combination: CRAs advised issuers on how to

structure MBSs and CDOs to get high ratings. Then CRAs

“confirmed” that advice by issuing the “promised” ratings.

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In July 2008, the SEC concluded that the CRAs failed to manage

conflicts of interest between MBS and CDO issuers and the CRAs.

CRAs were supposed to serve investors, but conflicts of interest led

some CRAs to cater to MBS and CDO issuers by inflating ratings.

Conflicts of interest were caused by:

1. Relationship conflicts: CRAs have had a close, ongoing working

relationship with the largest MBS and CDO issuers;

2. Issuer-paid ratings: 98% of the ratings produced by the CRAs have

been paid for by issuers, not investors. The pay incentive led some

CRAs to try to inflate ratings of paying issuers in hopes of gaining

repeat business from those issuers; and

3. Advising-rating combination: CRAs advised issuers on how to

structure MBSs and CDOs to get high ratings. Then CRAs

“confirmed” that advice by issuing the “promised” ratings.

 

So in effect, a bunch of Harvard & Wharton MBAs got hoodwinked for a decade by a bunch of Pace & Fordham, MBAs?

 

Is that your story?

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