However, their impact goes way beyond lending decisions. We'll explore what they do, how they do it, and why it matters to you as a borrower, investor, or just someone curious about the world of finance.
Credit rating agencies are organisations that assess the creditworthiness of individuals, companies, governments, or other entities that borrow money. These agencies evaluate the likelihood of borrowers repaying their debts based on various financial and non-financial factors.
They assign credit ratings to borrowers, ranging from AAA (highest credit quality) to D (default). The ratings guide lenders and investors about the risk associated with lending money to a particular borrower.
Credit rating agencies in India
Let’s look at some Indian credit rating agencies and learn a little about them.
Acuité Ratings & Research Limited
Founded in: 1995
Headquarters: Mumbai
Acuité Ratings & Research Limited is a comprehensive credit rating agency authorised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and recognised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as an External Credit Assessment Institution (ECAI) for Bank Loan Ratings compliant with BASEL-II regulations.
Acuité is headquartered in Mumbai, and its branches operate in six other cities.
Brickwork Ratings India Private Limited
- Founded in: 2008
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
Brickwork Ratings is powered by the analytical expertise of seasoned credit analysts, bankers, and industry regulators.
Established in 2007, Brickwork Ratings offers dependable credit ratings across various sectors, including structured finance, public finance, financial guarantee, financial institutions, project finance, and corporate sectors.
Brickwork Ratings is registered with the SEBI as a credit rating agency and recognised by the RBI as an ECAI authorised to conduct credit ratings in India.
Care Ratings Limited
- Founded in: 1993
- Headquarters: Mumbai
Established in 1993, Credit Analysis & Research Ltd (CARE) offers diverse credit ratings to help corporations raise capital and assists investors in making informed decisions based on credit risk as well as their own expectations.
Initially promoted by major Indian banks and financial institutions, CARE Ratings evaluates various debt instruments, including structured obligations, commercial paper, debentures, fixed deposits, and bonds across industrial, service, infrastructure, banking, and financial sectors.
Crisil Ratings Limited
- Founded in: 1987
- Headquarters: Mumbai
Crisil Ratings Limited, a subsidiary of CRISIL Limited, is one of the foremost Indian credit rating agencies. With a reputation for excellence and credibility, Crisil Ratings provides expert assessments of credit risks, empowering stakeholders with valuable insights to navigate complex financial landscapes.
ICRA Limited
- Founded in: 1991
- Headquarters: Gurgaon
ICRA Limited, previously known as the Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency of India Limited, is a leading credit rating agency in India that offers reliable credit assessments and ratings to various entities in India.
ICRA's credit ratings are assigned nationally for Indian Rupee-denominated debt and reflect relative credit risks within India. They do not facilitate cross-country comparisons but provide rankings of credit risk within India.
In addition to credit ratings, ICRA assigns Corporate Governance Ratings and provides Performance Ratings, Gradings, and Rankings for mutual funds, construction companies, and hospitals.
India Ratings and Research Pvt. Ltd.
- Founded in: 1995
- Headquarters: Mumbai
India Ratings and Research Pvt. Ltd., previously known as Fitch Ratings India Pvt. Ltd., is a respected credit rating agency in India. Leveraging global expertise and local insights, India Ratings and Research provides comprehensive credit assessments to support stakeholders in managing risks and seizing opportunities in the Indian market.
Infomerics Valuation and Rating Pvt. Ltd
- Founded in: 1986
- Headquarters: Delhi
Infomerics Valuation and Rating Pvt. Ltd. is a dynamic credit rating agency in India that specialises in providing valuation and rating services to diverse entities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does RBI approve CRISIL?
The RBI acknowledges CRISIL Ratings as an external credit assessment institution for evaluating bank loan ratings. Banks rely on CRISIL Ratings to assess the credit risk associated with their loan exposures and assign appropriate risk weights accordingly.
Who controls credit rating agencies in India?
The SEBI regulates credit rating agencies in India.