FT: Brussels to unveil curbs on rating agencies

14 November 2011

The reform package marks the most aggressive attempt yet by Brussels to bridle an unpopular industry that some European leaders have blamed for aggravating the sovereign debt crisis with erratic and “subjective” rating decisions.

Michel Barnier, the commissioner responsible for the proposal, is mounting a last-ditch attempt to increase the clout of regulators so that they can suspend any sovereign rating within the EU – a broad scope that applies to countries such as France and Italy in prescribed circumstances. But Mr Barnier faced a backlash from at least five other European Union commissioners on Monday – including representatives from the UK and Sweden – who are concerned that such restrictions could backfire and damage fundamental rights.

Some officials familiar with the negotiations expect a compromise to emerge where ESMA, the European regulator of credit rating agencies, would only be able to ban ratings if countries were still negotiating bail-out programmes. Even this more tightly-prescribed power is vehemently opposed by rating agencies and many big investors, who argue the measure will distort market behaviour and accelerate a sell-off in a country’s debt.

Other observers argue suspending ratings would be impractical, as the EU would find it difficult to stop US-based analysts offering their opinion on sovereign ratings, which are often a key component of corporate ratings.

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