Credit Rating

UNIT 12 CREDIT RATING

Objectives
After reading this unit, you will be able to :
l understand the meaning, scope, benefits and limitations of credit rating;
l explain the credit rating process;
l get an idea about the regulations of credit rating agencies and their business in
India; and
l know about the profile of credit rating agencies in India and their rating symbols.

Structure
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Concept of Credit Rating
12.3 Benefits of Credit Rating
12.4 Limitations of Credit Rating
12.5 Rating Process
12.6 Regulations of Credit Rating Agencies in India
12.7 Restriction of Rating of Securities
12.8 Profile of Credit Rating Agencies in India
12.9 Recent Developments
12.10 Summary
12.11 Self Assessment Questions
12.12 Further Readings

12.1 INTRODUCTION
Companies, financial institutions, public sector enterprises, local bodies and others
raise funds from the domestic as well as international money or capital market by
issuing debt instruments which are rated by the rating agencies. Investors also like to
make their investment decisions based on credit rating of instruments.
Credit rating plays a significant role in all credit as well as investment decisions.
Credit signifies status of ability to pay or reputation about solvency and capacity to
pay. Rating is nothing but estimated worth or value in terms of symbolic grade given
to a person’s or organisation’s ability to pay back the loans raised, with the help of
financial position of the individual or organisation. By combining credit and rating,
these two words, one can find out the meaning of credit rating, which is concerned
with an act of assigning symbolic grade or values by estimating financial position and
thus disclosing solvency which indicates ability or capacity of the issuer about the
repayment of loans raised.

12.2 CONCEPT OF CREDIT RATING

Credit rating may be defined as an expression, through use of symbols, of opinion
about the quality of credit of the issuer of debt securities with reference to a
particular instrument. As per the SEBI regulations, credit rating is nothing but an 51

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Fee Based Services opinion regarding securities expressed in the form of standard symbol or in any other
standardised form assigned by a credit rating agency. The symbol given by rating
agency for credit rating indicates a credit character of that particular security and
thus it only facilitates to take a view on credit risk pertaining to that security.
However, it does not directly recommend whether to purchase, sale or hold that
security. Thus, rating is a measure of credit risk only and hence it does not
communicate anything about the degree of market risk.
Credit rating is considered predominantly in respect of debt instruments only. In
addition to this, lenders like banks and non-banking finance companies use internally
developed credit rating score models in assessing credit worthiness of their borrowers
or depend on even rating agencies to get rating for the same. The companies which
issue debt instruments cannot on their own rate instruments.

12.3 BENEFITS OF CREDIT RATING

The rating of debt instruments offer benefits to the interested parties such as
investors, issuers and intermediary agencies like brokers etc. These benefits are
described below :

Benefits to Investors
i) Safeguards against Bankruptcy: Credit rating of an instrument given by the
credit rating agency gives an idea to the investors about the degree of financial
strength of the issuer company which enables him to decide about investment.
Highly rated instrument of a company gives an assurance to the investors of
safety of their investment and the interest (or return) on their investments with
least risk of bankruptcy.
ii) Recognition of Risk: Credit rating provides investors with rating symbols which
carry information in easily recognisable manner for the benefit of investors to
perceive risk involved in investment. It becomes easier for the investors by
looking at the symbol to understand the worth of the issuer company because
the instrument is rated by scientifically and professionally analysing the financial
position of the company. In view of this, there is no need for the investors to
incur cost for collecting credit information and to carry out analysis. The
investors without any knowledge of financial analysis can easily use rating
symbols for investment decisions.
iii) Credibility of Issuer: Rating symbol assigned to a debt instrument gives an
idea about the credibility of the issuer company. The rating agency is quite
independent of the issuer company and has no business connections or
otherwise any relationship with it or its Board of Directors, etc. Due to absence
of business links between the rating agency and the issuer company the
confidence of investors is enhanced in such rating symbol.
iv) Rating Facilitates Quick Investment Decisions: Investor can take quick
decisions about the investment to be made in various instruments with the help
of credit rating assigned to various instruments. In view of this, there is no
need for investors to undertake fundamental analysis of a company based on
financial strength of the company, quality of management, as well as other
parameters.
v) No Need to Depend on Investment Advisors or Professionals: For making
investment decisions, investors with no knowledge of investment may have to
seek advice of financial intermediaries such as, the stock brokers, the
portfolio managers, or financial consultants while investing funds in debt
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 instruments. However, investors need not depend upon the advice of Credit Rating
these financial intermediaries as the rating symbol assigned to a particular
instrument suggests the credit worthiness of the instrument and indicates
the degree of risk involved in it. Thus, investors can make direct
investment decisions.
vi) Choice of Investment: Several alternative credit rated instruments are available
at a particular point of time for deploying investible funds. The investors can
make choice of various instruments depending upon their own risk profile and
diversification plan.
vii) Benefits of Rating Surveillance: Investors get the benefit of credit rating
agency’s on-going surveillance of the rated instruments of different companies.
The Credit Rating Agency downgrades the rating of any instrument if
subsequently the company’s financial performance is not so good or financial
position has suffered because of happening of internal or external events which
necessitates consequent dissemination of information on its position to the
investors.
To sum up, credit rating of debt instruments helps the investors in managing credit risk
in investment decisions.

Benefits of Credit Rating to Issuer Company

A company which has obtained credit rating from rating agency for its issue of debt
security enjoys various advantages. Few of these advantages are given below :
i) Lower Cost of Borrowing: A company, whose debt instrument or public
deposits programme, is highly rated, will be in a position to reduce the cost of
borrowing by quoting lesser interest rate on fixed deposits or debentures or
bonds as the investors will prefer low rate of interest because of lower credit
risk.
ii) Wider Audience for Borrowing: A company having very good rating for its
debt instrument can approach various categories of investors for resource
mobilisation using the press media. Investors in different strata of the society
could be attracted by higher rated instruments as the investors understand the
degree of certainty about timely payment of interest and principal on a debt
instrument with better rating.
iii) Rating as Marketing Tool: Companies with rated instruments improve their
own image and can use credit rating as a marketing tool to create better image
in dealing with its customers, lenders and other creditors. Even consumers feel
confident in using products manufactured by the companies carrying higher
rating for their credit instruments.
iv) Self Discipline by Companies: Rating encourages the companies to come out
with more disclosures about their accounting system, financial reporting and
management pattern, etc. The company gets opportunity and motivation to
improve upon its existing practices to match to the competitive standard and
maintain the standard of rating attained by it or make improvement upon the
rating.
v) Reduction of Cost in Public Issues: A company with higher rated instrument is
able to attract the investors and raise the funds with least efforts. Thus, the
company whose debt instrument is highly rated can minimise cost of public
issues by controlling expenses on media coverage, conferences and other
marketing expenditures.

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Fee Based Services vi) Motivation for Growth: Rating provides motivation to the company for growth
as the promoters of the company feel confident in their own efforts and are
encouraged to undertake expansion of their existing operations or new projects.
With better image created through higher credit rating the company can mobilise
funds from the public and institutional lenders like banks and financial
institutions.

Benefits to Financial Intermediaries

Highly credit rated instruments put the brokers at an advantage to make less efforts
in studying the company’s credit position to convince their clients to select a particular
investment proposal. Rated instruments speak themselves about the financial
soundness of the company and the strength of the instrument rated by the credit
rating agency. This enables brokers and other financial intermediaries to save their
time, cost, energy and manpower in convincing their clients about investments in any
particular instruments. They utilise their resources in expanding their clientele and
intensifying their business activities.

Other Benefits
The other benefits of credit rating in general are given below :
i) Identification of Strength and Weakness of the Issuer Company: A
company having obtained the rating for its security understands its own strength
and weakness in all spheres of corporate environment and can take corrective
steps to improve upon its position and also remain guided by the surveillance
efforts of the Credit Rating Agency. Particularly, companies with low credit
rating make efforts to improve upon their performance. Thus, credit rating
creates a tendency amongst rated corporate units to remain healthy and maintain
higher standard for corporate governance which will help them to improve their
standing both in domestic as well as in international market.
ii) Liquidity and Marketability of Debt Securities: Rated debt securities become
easily marketable and thus attain the status of more liquid instruments. Credit
rating symbols or grades set the market price range for the rated securities. The
virtues of easy marketability and more liquidity of the instrument make it popular
with the investors and the issuer company can ably sell the rated security with
least cost.
iii) Positive Impact on Capital Market: Rated securities bring improvement in
capital market and reflect upon its efficient functioning. Trading of rated
securities in the secondary market becomes smooth and easy as it provides
liquidity for such securities. This indirectly improves the primary market for
such debt instruments having higher credit rating.

1.4 LIMITATIONS OF CREDIT RATING

While recognising the benefits of credit rating, it is necessary to keep in mind certain
limitations of the credit rating. Few of these are explained below :

1) Biased Rating and Misrepresentations

In the absence of quality rating based on objectivity analysis credit rating is a curse
for the capital market. To avoid biased rating or subjectivity in the credit rating
process, executives working with Credit Rating Agency, who are involved in the
process of credit rating, should have no links with the company or the persons

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interested in the issuer company so that they can make their report impartial and Credit Rating
judicious recommendations for rating committee. Again, rating committee members
should also be impartial and judicious in their decision making.
The companies having lower grade rating do not advertise or use the rating while
raising funds from the public. In such cases, the Credit Rating Agencies should
themselves in the public interest, advertise the rating symbols assigned to such
companies for public information and make the public aware of the poor financial
position of such companies.

2) Static study
Rating is done on the basis of present and past data of the company and this is only a
static study. Disclosure about the company’s health through credit rating is one time
exercise and any thing can happen after assignment of rating symbols to the
company. Dependence for future results on the rating, therefore defeats the very
purpose of risk indicativeness of rating. Subsequent to the allotment of credit rating
many changes may take place in economic environment, political situation,
government policy framework, etc. which may directly affect the working of a
company. With such changes, the purpose for which credit rating was done gets
defeated.

3) Concealment of material information

The company which has approached for credit rating may not provide all material
information to the credit rating agency. In such cases, credit rating given by the
credit rating agency may not reflect true picture of credit risk.

4) Rating is no guarantee for soundness of the company

Credit rating is done for a particular instrument to assess the credit risk. And
therefore it cannot be construed as a rating for the quality of management of the
company or its sound financial position.

5) Down grade
Once a company has been rated and if it is not able to maintain its satisfactory
financial performance, credit rating agency would review the grade and down grade
the rating resulting into impairing the image of the company.
Most of the limitations mentioned above can be overcome by taking precautions at
every stage of credit rating process.

12.5 RATING PROCESS

The Rating process starts with a rating request from the issuer company followed by
the signing of the rating agreement with the credit rating company which employs a
multi-layered decision making process while giving a credit rating symbol. Credit
rating agency sends its team of analysts to the issuer company who interacts with the
company’s management.

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Fee Based Services A detailed flow chart of CRISIL’s rating process is as under*

Borrower / Issuer CRISIL

^ ^

Request for a Rating Assigns analytical team, conducts

basic research
^ ^
Document Preparation Collection of Information
^ ^

Plant visit followed by Management Meetings

^
Rating committee assigns rating

^
Appeal
^ ^

Communication of rating to issuer

^
Acceptance of Rating
^
Dissemination of rating / publication
^
Surveillance & Annual Review

* Taken from criteria published by CRISIL Ltd., Volume 1, September 2003

Meeting with Management Team

Rating agency’s team will have an open dialogue with the management of issuer
company. Only through this process interest of investors can be best served. The
topics discussed during the meeting with management team are wide-ranging and
include the issuer’s competitive position, business strategies, short term and long term
financial policies, current and past financial performance and future business outlook.
Along with these parameters, equal importance need to be placed on the issuer’s
business risk profile.

Rating Committee and Assignment of the Rating

The reports prepared by a team of analysts is then submitted to a Rating Committee.
The committee approach for assigning rating symbol ensures the rating’s objectivity
as the decision results from the collective analysis of a group comprising of highly
experienced professionals. Based on the knowledge and expertise of the members of
the rating committee, credit rating is decided and assigned accordingly. The rating is
a composite assessment of all these factors with the key issues getting greater
attention from the Rating Committee.

Confidentiality
A substantial portion of the information set forth in various documents of the issuer
company is highly sensitive and is provided to the credit rating agency only for the
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purpose of arriving at the ratings. The analysts and rating committee are required to Credit Rating
maintain such information in strict confidence and not to use the same for any other
purpose.

Advice to Issuer
When the rating committee has arrived at the rating decision, it is first communicated
to the issuer and subsequently, the rationale for the rating is forwarded. In the event
that the issuer disagrees with the rating it has the opportunity to appeal against the
decision. Issuers appealing against a rating decision should provide new or additional
information, which is material to the appeal and specifically addresses the concerns
expressed in the rating rationale. The client of the credit rating agency has a right to
reject the credit rating and the whole exercise is kept confidential.

Publication
Once a final rating is assigned and the issuer company has accepted the same, it is
disseminated to the local and international news media. In addition, rating agency
publishes credit rating as well as analysis thereof in their reports.

Information to SEBI
A credit rating agency has to inform SEBI about new rating instruments or symbols
introduced by it.

Surveillance and Annual Review

After a credit rating has been assigned, credit rating agency has to monitor the
issuer’s on-going performance and the economic environment in which it operates.
Surveillance enables analysts to stay abreast of current developments, identify
potential problem areas of issuer company and be apprised of any changes in the
issuer’s business plan and operations. The credit analyst maintains periodic
contact with the issuer company and ensures that financial and other information is
regularly shared with a credit rating agency. It is normal practice to put all credit
ratings under continuous surveillance even if there is no obvious reason to change
the rating.
In some instances, a credit rating may be placed on “Rating Watch”. A rating watch
is nothing but analysing emerging situation, which is having material impact both
positive and negative on the performance of issuer company. Following a full review,
the credit rating may either be reaffirmed or changed. Instances where an entity’s
rating may be placed on rating watch include the announcement of a merger or
acquisition or the occurrence of an event that could result in a substantial change in
the issuing entity’s risk profile.

Activity 1
State whether the following statements are true or false:
a) Credit rating activity is considered as fee-based financial service True/False
b) Reserve Bank of India is a regulator for credit rating agencies True/False
as well as rating business.
c) Credit rating agencies must rate only debt instruments. True/False
d) Once debt instrument is rated, it cannot be downgraded. True/False

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Fee Based Services
12.6 REGULATION OF CREDIT RATING AGENCIES
IN INDIA
The credit rating agencies are regulated by SEBI. The relevant regulations of SEBI
can be examined under the following heads :
1) Registration of Credit Rating Agencies
2) Promoter of Credit Rating Agency and Eligibility Criteria
1) Registration of Credit Rating Agencies
It is mandatory for credit rating agencies to have registration with SEBI and to obtain
certificate of registration form SEBI. The certificate of registration shall be issued by
SEBI subject to following conditions.
a) Credit rating agency would comply with the provisions of the SEBI Act,
regulations and guidelines of SEBI, and instructions issued by SEBI from time to
time on credit rating.
b) Where any information or particulars furnished to SEBI by a credit rating
agency is found to be false or misleading or any particular material has
undergone change subsequent to its furnishing at the time of application, it would
immediately inform SEBI in writing.
The certificate of registration is valid for three years after which the same will have
to be renewed by SEBI.
2) Promoter of Credit Rating Agency and Eligibility Criteria

Promoter of a Credit Rating Agency

A credit rating agency can be promoted by any of the following organisation or
combination thereof.
a) Public financial institution as defined in section 4-A of the Companies Act of
1956,
b) Scheduled bank,
c) Foreign bank operating in India with the RBI approval,
d) Foreign credit rating agency having at least five years experience in rating
securities, and
e) Any company incorporated under the Companies Act or body corporate having
continuous minimum networth of Rs. 100 crore as per its audited annual
accounts for the previous five years prior to filing of the application with SEBI
for registration.

Eligibility Criteria
The credit rating agency
l is set up and registered as a company.
l has mentioned in its memorandum of Association credit rating activity as one of
its main objects.
l has a minimum networth of Rs. 5 crore.
l is promoted by those who have professional competence, sound financial
position, and who have acquired reputation of fairness and integrity in business
transaction to the satisfaction of SEBI.
l has adequate staff having professional competence and experience to the
satisfaction of SEBI.
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 Credit Rating
12.7 RESTRICTION OF RATING OF SECURITIES
Securities issued by a promoter or promoters of a credit rating agency :
A credit rating agency is prohibited from rating securities issued by its promoter(s)
who hold not less than 10 per cent of its shares. If the promoter of a credit rating
agency is a lending institution its chairman or director/s or employees cannot hold a
similar position in the credit rating agency or its rating committee.

Securities Issued by Certain Entities

The securities of an entity cannot be rated by a credit rating agency if it is
(a) borrower of its promoter or (b) a subsidiary of its promoter or (c) an associate
(a person holding at least 10 per cent of the share capital) of its promoter when there
are common chairman/directors or employees to credit rating agency and these
entities as well as on the rating committee of rating agency.

12.8 PROFILE OF CREDIT RATING AGENCIES IN

INDIA
At present in India there are four credit rating agencies which rate debt instruments
as well as corporates.
1) Credit Rating Information Services of India (CRISIL Ltd.). This is the first
rating agency in India. It was set-up in 1987 jointly by the erstwhile ICICI Ltd.
and UTI. Other shareholders include: Asian Development Bank (ADB), LIC,
State Bank of India, and HDFC, etc. The CRISIL Ltd. is the world’s fourth
largest rating agency. The activities of CRISIL Ltd. are as under :
l To provide credit rating service in respect of
– Ratings of corporate debt issuances
– Ratings of banks, non-banking finance companies
– Ratings of borrowing programmes of governments and government
bodies
– Ratings of structured finance instruments
– Ratings of micro-finance institutions
l To provide analytical tools for management of risk such as market risk,
credit and operational risk and valuation services
l To undertake research on economy, industry and company performance
and publish such reports
l To provide corporate as well as market advisory services to corporate and
non-corporate clients.
The CRISIL Ltd. has rated over 4700 debt instruments issued by 2200 companies.
2) Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Ltd. (ICRA Ltd.)
This company was promoted by the IFCI Ltd. to meet the requirements of the
companies based in the north India. Along with IFCI, State Bank of India, Unit
Trust of India, PNB and LIC were other promoters of the company. The
objective of the ICRA Ltd. are as follows :
l To rate rupee denominated debt instruments issued inter alia, by
manufacturing companies, commercial banks, non-banking finance
companies, financial institutions, public sector undertakings and local
bodies, etc.
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Fee Based Services l To take-up assignments for credit assessment of companies/undertakings
intending to use the same for obtaining specific line of assistance from
commercial banks, financial institutions, non-bank financial services
companies.
l It provides services of general assessment. At the request of banks or
any other potential users, it prepares, as per their requirements, general
assessment reports. It does not assign any specific symbols in respect of
such general assessments. It provides a report on various aspects of the
functioning of companies such as operations, quality of management etc.
l To undertake research based study reports to address the unique needs
and requirements of an individual client. The assignments include (1) due
diligence studies, (2) equity assessment/valuation, (3) industry analysis, and
(4) market study etc.
l To offer advisory services to banks, finance companies, manufacturing
companies, government, regulatory authorities and local bodies in the
following areas:
a) strategic consulting
b) risk management
c) inputs for policy formulation

CARE Ltd.
Credit Analysis and Research (CARE) Ltd. is a credit rating and information services
company. This company was promoted by the Industrial Development Bank of India
(IDBI) jointly with investment institutions, banks and finance companies. It
commenced its credit rating operations in October 1993. The functions of CARE
Ltd. are as under :
l to undertake credit rating of all types of debt instruments, both short term and
long term.
l to make available information on any company, industry or sector required by a
business enterprise.
l to undertake equity research study of listed or to be listed companies on the
major stock exchanges.
Duff and Phelps Credit Rating (India) Private (DCR) Ltd.
This credit rating company was set-up in 1996. It was promoted by JM Financial and
Alliance Group jointly with international rating agency Duff and Phelps. The
activities of the company are as under :
l to undertake credit rating of debt instruments including rating of commercial
papers.
l to evaluate company performance and give rating to them.
l to provide country rating.

12.9 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Equity Grading
The credit rating agencies in the developed countries like United States of America,
United Kingdom and Japan rate not only the debt instruments but also the equity
instruments. The share capital, which is raised through equity shares forms major
60 portion of capital structure of corporates in the developed countries. Nowdays in
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developing countries like India corporates also approach capital market to raise Credit Rating
capital by way of issuing equity shares. The credit rating agencies in India are yet to
develop rating mechanism for equity security. They have to initiate this process
shortly.

Rating of Structured Obligations

The term structured obligation includes a variety of debt instruments, wherein re-
payment of principal and interest is supported by cash flows from some financial
assets and or the credit enhancement from a third party. The process of converting
financial assets into tradeable securities is referred to as securitisation. The
securitisation transaction involves the sale of receivable by the originator to a Special
Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which is typically floated as a trust. It issues marketable
securities, referred to as Pass Through Certificates (PTCs) to investors, the proceeds
of which are paid as consideration to the originator. The credit ratings play a very
important role in the flotation of structured debt instruments. Such instruments are
rated on the basis of credit risk, structural risk and legal risk.

Utility Ratings
As an aftermath of the economic reforms, public utilities in India are approaching the
capital market to finance their projects. The rating methodology for public utilities are
regulated by the Central and State Governments. A number of power projects, State
Electricity Boards and Telecom enterprises have got rated under this system.
An overview of the rating methodology concerning utility rating point out that it
covers in its ambit assessment of project concept and configuration, sponsor’s
credentials, project risks financial risks, regulatory and policy environment, market
analysis and operational performance.

Sovereign Ratings and Municipal Bonds

Credit rating has transcended from rating business enterprises to sovereign ratings
issued by the international credit rating agencies which provide signals about the
creditworthiness of the borrowing countries to their international creditors. The
sovereign ratings are not an evaluation of the creditworthiness of the foreign
governments. They provide long term assessment of the capability of such borrowers
with regard to access to adequate foreign currencies to meet the total foreign loan
incurred both by the Government as well as business enterprises to such countries.
Initially, very much an American affair, the rating of municipal bonds has helped
municipalities to take recourse to raise funds in the open market. In India, the
municipalities of Vijayawada and Ahmedabad have raised funds through the credit
rated bonds. The municipalities require huge funds for infrastructure development.
In view of this, the municipal administration in India would have to depend more and
more on non-traditional sources of finance.

Credit Rating of Non-Banking Finance Companies

The Reserve Bank of India in its recent measure of tightening its control over NBFCs
have made it mandatory on them to get their debt instruments including fixed deposit
schemes rated from credit rating agencies. The rating methodology for the NBFCs
includes an assessment of their operating, financial and management risks.

12.10 SUMMARY
Credit rating is a technique of rating the borrower’s expected capability and worth or
reputation of solvency and ability and inclination of pay back the principal duty and
interest when the obligation falls due. Credit rating is only a risk evaluation of a credit 61

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Fee Based Services assignment and presently the debt instruments rated include debentures, fixed
deposits and commercial papers. It is highly useful to investors, issuers, intermediaries
and regulators. A number of factors contribute to the success of credit rating. The
most dominating factor is the reputation and analytical credibility of the credit rating
agency. Credit rating is an interactive process which involves a number of steps on
the basis of assessment on which rating is assigned. Such rating, which is expressed
in symbols, is subject to an upward or downward change. The recent developments
in credit rating have brought in its fold the rating of equity, structured obligations,
utilities, sovereign and municipalities. In India, credit rating business is regulated by
SEBI. Four credit rated agencies recognised by SEBI have been operating in India.

12.11 SELF ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

1) What do you mean by Credit Rating ?
2) Explain the benefits of Credit Rating.
3) Are there any limitations of credit rating ? If yes, explain various limitations.
4) Explain the process of credit rating.
5) How the credit rating agencies are being regulated in India ?
6) a) Who can form a credit rating agency ?
b) What are the eligibility criteria for setting up of a credit rating agency ?
7) Are there any restrictions on rating of securities ? If yes, explain the same.
8) Write short notes on :
1) Activities of CRISIL Ltd.
2) Registration of Credit Rating Agency
3) Rating symbols for short term debt instruments

12.12 FURTHER READINGS

J.C. Varma, Credit Rating, Bharat Publishing House, New Delhi (latest edition).
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Credit Rating, New Delhi, 1997.
Rating Criteria : Rating Methodology and Benchmarks, CRISIL Publication,
Volume 1, September 2003.
Monthly Journal on Credit Quality : Rating Scan, Published by CRISIL Ltd.,
November 2004.
Prasanna Chandra, Financial Management, Tata McGraw Hill, New Delhi
(latest edition).
Kalpan, R. and Urwitz, G. 1979, “Structural Methods of Bond Ratings : A
Methodological Enquiry”, Journal of Business 52 (No. 2), 231-61

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 Annexure Credit Rating

Rating Symbols
Rating symbols are used in terms of alphabets. For preference shares the letters ‘pf’
are prefixed to the debenture rating symbols and ‘f’ prefixed for fixed deposits while
‘P’ (prime) is prefixed to short-term instruments.

CRISIL Debenture Rating Symbols

a) High Investment Grades

AAA (triple A) Highest Safety – on timely payment of interest
and principal.
AA (double A) High Safety – regarding timely payment of
interest and principal. This symbol shows minor
variation from triple A.
b) Investment Grades
A Adequate safety – regarding timely payment of
interest and principal subject to adverse impact
arising out of changed circumstances.
BBB (triple B) Moderate safety – regarding timely payment of
interest and principal subject to variations caused
by changing circumstances weakening the
capacity.
c) Speculative Grades
BB (double B) Inadequate safety – regarding payment of
interest and principal due to the comparative
uncertainties faced by the issuer.
B High risk – susceptible to default in payment of
principal and interest due to adverse business or
economic conditions affecting the issuer.
C Substantial risk – Due to the presence of factors
which make the issue vulnerable to default if
unfavourable circumstances develop.
D Default – default likely in payment of interest and
maturity amount. Such debentures are extremely
speculative and returns from them can be
realised only on reorganisation or liquidation.
CRISIL has decided to include a new rating category called “not meaningful” (NM)
for companies which have been referred to the Bureau for Industrial and Financial
Reconstruction (BIFR).
Note :CRISIL may apply + (plus) or – (minus) signs for rating from AA to D to
reflect comparative standing on a better or worse scale within the category.

CRISIL Fixed Deposit Rating Symbols

FAAA (F triple A) Highest safety – indicates the degree of safety
regarding timely payment of interest and principal
is very strong.

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Fee Based Services FAA ( F double A) High safety – indicates the degree of safety
regarding timely payment of interest and principal
is strong.
FA Adequate safety – indicates the degree of safety
regarding timely payment of interest and principal
is satisfactory. Changes in circumstances can
affect such issues more than those in the higher
rated categories.
FB Inadequate safety – indicates inadequate safety
of timely payment of interest and principal. Such
issues are less susceptible to default than fixed
deposits rating below this category, but the
uncertainties that the issuer faces could lead to
inadequate capacity to make timely interest and
principal payments.
FC High risk – indicates the degree of safety
regarding timely payment of interest and principal
is doubtful. Such issues have factors at present
that make them vulnerable to default; adverse
business or economic conditions would lead to
lack of ability or willingness to pay interest or
principal.
FD Default – indicates the issuer is either in default
or is expected to be in default upon maturity.
Note : CRISIL may apply + (plus) or – (minus) signs for rating from FAA to FC to
indicate the relative position within the rating category of the company raising
fixed deposits.

CRISIL’S Rating for Short Term Instruments

P-1 This rating indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment on the instrument is
very strong.
P-2 This rating indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment on the instrument is
strong.
P-3 This rating indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment on the instrument is
adequate, however, the instrument is more
vulnerable to the adverse effects changing
circumstances than an instrument rated in the
two higher categories.
P-4 This rating indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment on the instrument is
minimal and it is likely to be adversely affected
by short-term adversity or less favourable
conditions.
P-5 This rating indicates that the instrument is
expected to be in default on maturity or is in
default.
Note : CRISIL may apply + (plus) sign for rating from P-1 to P-3 to reflect a
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CRISIL’S Rating Symbols for Structured Obligations (SO) Credit Rating

Structured obligations ratings are based on the same scale (AAA to D) as CRISIL
rating for long term instruments. However, reflecting the distinction of structured
obligations from a debt instrument, structured obligations rating symbols are defined
differently.

1) High Investment Grades

AAA (SO) (Triple A) – Highest Safety – This rating indicates highest degree of
certainty regarding timely payment of financial obligations on the instruments. Any
adverse changes in circumstances are most likely to affect the payments on the
instruments.
AA (SO) (Double A) – High safety – This rating indicates highest degree of
certainty regarding timely payment of financial obligations on the instrument.

2) Investment Grades
A (SO) – Adequate Safety – This rating indicates adequate degree of certainty
regarding timely payment of financial obligations on the instrument. Changes in
circumstances can adversely affect such instruments more than those in the higher
rated categories.
BBB (SO) (Triple B) – Moderate Safety – This rating indicates moderate degree of
certainty regarding timely payment of financial obligations on the instrument.
However, changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to
meet financial obligations than for instruments in higher rated categories.

3) Speculative Grades
BB (SO) (Double B) – Inadequate Safety – This rating indicates inadequate degree
of certainty regarding timely payment of financial obligations on the instrument. Such
instruments are less susceptible to default than instruments rated below this category.
B (SO) – High Risk – This rating indicates high risk and greater susceptiability to
default. Any adverse business or economic conditions would lead to lack of
capability of willingness to meet financial obligations on time.
C (SO) – Substantial Risk – This rating indicates that the degree of certainty
regarding timely payment of financial obligations in doubtful unless circumstances are
favourable.
D (SO) – Default – This rating indicates that the obligor is in default or expected to
be in default.
Note : CRISIL may apply + (plus) sign for rating from AA to C to reflect a
comparatively higher standing within the category.

Rating Symbols of ICRA (Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency

of India Ltd.)

a) Long term including debentures, bonds and preference shares

LAAA Highest Safety – indicates fundamentally strong
position. Risk factors are negligible. There may
be circumstances adversely affecting the degree
of safety but such circumstances, as may be
visualised, are not likely to affect the timely
payment of principal and interest as per terms.
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Fee Based Services LAA High Safety – Risk factors are modest and may
vary slightly. The protective factors are strong
and the prospect of timely payment of principal
and interest as per terms under adverse
circumstances, as may be visualised, differs from
‘LAA’ only marginally.
LA Adequate Safety – Risk factors are more
variable and greater in periods of economic
stress. The protective factors are average and
any adverse change in circumstances, as may be
visualised, may alter the fundamental as per
terms.
LBBB Moderate Safety – Considerable variable in risk
factors. The protective factors are below
average. Adverse changes in business/economic
circumstances are likely to affect the timely
payment of principal and interest as per terms.
LBB Inadequate Safety – The timely payment of
interest and principal are more likely to be
affected by present or prospective changes in
business/economic circumstances. The
protective factors fluctuate in case of changes in
economy/business conditions.
LB Risk Prone – Risk factors indicate that
obligations may not be met when due. The
protective factors are narrow. Adverse changes
in business/economic conditions could result in
liability/unwillingness to service debts on time as
per terms.
LC Substantial Risk – There are inherent elements of
risk and timely servicing of debts/obligations
could be possible only in case of continued
existence of favourable circumstances.
LD Default – Extremely speculative. Either already
in default in payment of interest and/or principal
as per terms or expected to default. Recovery is
likely only in liquidation or re-organisation.

b) Medium-term including fixed deposits

MAAA High Safety – The prospect of timely servicing of
the interest and principal as per terms is the best.
MAA High Safety – The prospect of timely servicing of
the interest and principal as per terms is high.
MA Adequate Safety – the prospect of timely
servicing of the interest and principal is adequate.
However debt servicing may be affected by
adverse changes in the business/economic
conditions.
MB Inadequate Safety – The timely payment of
interest and principal are more likely to be
66 affected by future uncertainties.
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MC Risk Prone – Susceptibility to default high. Credit Rating
Adverse changes in business/economic
conditions could result in inability/unwillingness to
service debts on time as per terms.
MD Default – Either already in default or expected to
default or expected to default.

(c) Short-term debt including commercial paper

A-1 Highest Safety – The prospect of timely payment
of debt/obligation is the best.
A-2 High Safety – The relative safety is marginally
lower than in ‘A-1’ rating.
A-3 Adequate Safety – The prospect of timely
payment of interest and instalment is adequate,
but any adverse change in business/economic
conditions may affect the fundamental strength.
A-4 Risk prone – The degree of safety is low. Likely
to default in case of adverse changes in business/
economic conditions.
A-5 Default – Either already in default or expected to
default.
Note : The suffix of + (plus) sign or – (minus) may be used with the rating symbol to
indicate the comparative position within the group covered by the symbol.

CREDIT ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH LTD’S (CARE) SYMBOLS FOR

CREDIT RATING
Long-term and Medium-term Instruments
CARE AAA Instruments carrying this rating are considered to
CARE AAA(FD)/ be of the best quality, carrying negligible
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS investment risk. Debt service payments are
protected by stable cash flows, with good margin.
While the underlying assumptions may change,
such changes as can be visualised are most
unlikely to impair the strong position of such
instruments.
CARE AAA Instruments carrying this rating are judged to be
CARE AAA(FD)/ of high quality by all standards. They are also
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS classified as high investment grade. They are
rated lower than CARE AAA securities because
of somewhat lower margins of protection.
Changes in assumptions may have a greater
impact or the long-term risks may be somewhat
larger. Overall, the difference with CARE AAA
rated securities is marginal.
CARE A Instruments carrying this rating are considered
CARE A(FD)/ upper medium grade instruments and have many
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS favourable investment attributes. Safety for
principal and interest are considered adequate.
Assumptions that do not materialise may have a
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Fee Based Services CARE BBB Such instruments are considered to be of
CARE BBB(FD)/ investment grade. They indicate sufficient safety
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS for payment of interest and principal, at the time
of rating. However, adverse changes in
assumptions are more likely to weaken the debt
servicing capability compared to the higher rated
instruments.
CARE BB Such instruments are considered to be
CARE BB (FD)/ speculative within adequate protection for
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS interest and principal payments.
CARE B Instruments with such rating are generally
CARE B (FD)/ classified susceptible to default. While interest
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS and principal payment are being met, adverse
changes in business conditions are likely to lead
to default.
CARE C Such instruments carry high investment risk with
CARE C(FD)/ likelihood of default in the payment of interest
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS and principal.
CARE D Such instruments are of the lowest category.
CARE D (FD)/ They are either in default or are likely to be in
(CD)/(SO)/CCPS default soon.

Short-term Instruments
PR 1 Instruments would have superior capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. Issuers of such instruments will normally be
characterised by leading market positions in established industries, high
rates of return on funds employed, etc.
PR2 Instruments would have strong capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. Issues would have most of the characteristics as
for those with PR1.
PR3 Instruments have an adequate capacity for repayment of short-term
promissory obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market
composition may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and
profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection.
PR4 Instruments have minimal degree of safety regarding timely payment of
short-term promissory obligations and the safety is likely to be adversely
affected by short-term adversity of less favourable conditions.
PR5 The instrument is in default or is likely to be in default on maturity.

Credit Analysis Rating

CARE 1 Excellent debt management capacity. Such companies will normally
be characterised leaders in the respective industries.
CARE 2 Very good debt management capability. Such companies would
normally be regarded as close to those rated CARE 1 but with a lower
capability to withstand changes in assumptions.
CARE 3 Good capability for debt management. Such companies are
considered medium grade; assumptions that do not materialise may
impair debt management capability in future.
CARE 4 Barely satisfactory capability for debt management. The capacity to
meet obligations is likely to be adversely affected by short-term
adversity or less favourable conditions.
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CARE 5 Poor capability for debt management. Such companies are in default Credit Rating
or are likely to default in meeting their debt management.
As instrument characteristics or debt management capability could
cover a wide range of possible attributes whereas rating is expressed
only in limited number of symbols, CARE assigns ‘+’ or signs to be
shown after the assigned rating (wherever necessary) to indicate the

Long-Term Loans
CARE AAA (L) Loans carrying this rating are considered to be of the best
quality, carrying negligible investment risk. Debt service
payments are protected by stable cash flows with good margin.
While the underlying assumptions may change, such changes as
can be visualised are most unlikely to impair the strong position
of such loans.
CARE AAA (L) Loans carrying this rating are judged to be of high quality by all
standards. They are also classified as high investment grade.
They are rated lower than CARE AAA loans because of
somewhat lower margins of protection. Changes in
assumptions may have a greater impact or the long-term risks
may be somewhat larger. Overall, the difference with CARE
AAA rated loans is marginal.
CARE A (L) Loans with this rating are considered upper medium grade and
have many favourable investment attributes. Safety for
principal and interest are considered adequate. Assumptions
that do not materialise may have a greater impact as compared
to the loans rated higher.
CARE BBB (L) Such loans are considered to be of investment grade. They
indicate sufficient safety for payment of interest and principal,
at the time of rating. However, adverse changes in
assumptions are more likely to weaken the debt servicing
capability compared to the higher rated loans.
CARE BB (L) Such loans are considered to be speculative, with inadequate
protection for interest and principal payments.
CARE B (l) Loans with such ratings are generally classified susceptible to
default. While interest and principal payments are being met,
adverse changes in business conditions are likely to lead to
default.
CARE C (L) Such loans carry high investment risk with likelihood of default
in the payment of interest and principal.
CARE D (L) Such loans are of the lowest category. They are either in
default or are likely to be in default soon.
As loan characteristics or debt management capability could cover a wide range of
possible attributes whereas rating is express only in limited number of symbols CARE
assigns ‘+’ or ‘-’ signs to be shown after the assigned rating (wherever necessary) to
indicate the relative position within the band covered by the rating symbol.

Short Term Loans

PL-1 Superior capacity for repayment of interest and principal on the loan.
PL-2 Strong capacity for repayment of interest and principal on the loan. They
are rated lower than PL-1 because of somewhat lower margins of
protection. Changes in assumptions may have a greater impact. 69

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Fee Based Services PL-3 Adequate capacity for repayment of interest and principal on the loan.
Variability in earnings and profitability may result in significant changes in
the level of debt servicing capability. The effect of industry characteristics
may be more pronounced.
PL-4 Minimal degree of safety regarding timely payment of interest and
principal and the safety is likely to be adversely affected by short-term
adversity or less favourable conditions.
PL-5 The loan is in default or is likely to be in default on maturity.
As loan characteristics or debt management capability could cover a wide range of
possible attributes whereas rating is expressed only in limited number of symbols,
CARE assigns ‘+’ or ‘-’ signs to be shown after the assigned rating (wherever
necessary) to indicate the relative position within the band covered by the rating
symbol.
Following is the summary of rating symbols used by CARE:

A) Long term and medium-term instruments

Grade For Debenture/bonds For FD’s/CD/SO
1) High Investment CARE AAA CARE AAA (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
CARE AA CARE AAA (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
2) Investment Grade CARE A CARE A (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
CARE BBB CARE BBB (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
3) Speculative CARE BB CARE B (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
CARE B CARE B (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
4) Poor Grade CARE C CARE C (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
CARE D CARE D (FD/CD/SO/CCPS)
Wherein FD means fixed deposits, CD means Certificate of deposits and SO means
structured obligations and CCPS means consultative convertible preference shares.

B) Short-term instruments
Grade Commercial Papers
High Investment PR-1
PR-2
Investment PR-3
Speculative PR-4
Poor PR-5

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