Ratings Shopping Never Died in CMBS Market Now Facing Crisis
- Kroll fine fuels concern that much-maligned practice continues
- CMBS already under pressure amid shutdowns, retail woes
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It was considered one of the root causes of the global financial crisis, and regulators have spent over a decade trying to stamp the practice out. Yet Kroll Bond Rating Agency Inc.’s $2 million fine this week shows how in the securitized-debt market, the battle against ratings shopping was never truly won.
Kroll settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over its failure to adhere to credit-rating standards for commercial-mortgage bonds and collateralized loan obligations, just months after rival Morningstar Credit Ratings LLC was hit with an even larger penalty by the regulator.