| Abstract : | This dissertation studies Credit Rating Agencies and the due diligence process on their creditworthiness assessments, as well as the issues associated with credit ratings quality. The principal role of these agencies is to mitigate the information asymmetry between investors and borrowers who seek external financing, by evaluating their capability to service their debt obligations. The present dissertation aspires to examine the criteria behind these decisions, focusing on Moody's - one of the most influential credit rating agencies worldwide - methodology for bank ratings assessment. The world has changed dramatically for bank creditors since the onset of the financial crisis in 2008 and the banking sector has stimulated the interest of everyone, including regulators. Credit rating agencies have been accused for their, in hindsight, proven failure to warn about the real risks existing prior to the crisis. Therefore, in its aftermath there are definitely some take-away lessons to be borne in mind in the future. Accordingly, some basic issues related to credit ratings are discussed in my study, including both a micro and a macro level of analysis. These issues significantly affect credit ratings informativeness, thus posing a threat for financial prudence, considering their importance to market participants. Among the issues discussed are included indicatively, credit rating agencies transparency, potential conflicts of interest, level of competition, the agencies liability, regulations reliance on ratings and the issue of "procyclicality", namely that ratings tend to be higher during economic booms and lower during economic slowdowns. Regulations, both microprudential and macroprudential, surrounding credit rating agencies and their ratings, are discussed as well. It is stressed that regulators currently focus more on microprudential issues, although there are significant systemic risks inherent to ratings, as it has become clear in the aftermath of the crisis. Considering that financial stability should be the desired outcome of any regulatory framework, the procyclicality of ratings, along with the systemic risks stemming from credit rating agencies, need to be addressed.
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