The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on Thursday launched a new database to provide access to free, up-to-date information on credit ratings and rating outlooks on its website.
The new database, known as the European Rating Platform (ERP), will allow investors to easily compare all credit ratings for a specific entity or instrument; lower costs by centralizing information, ESMA says in a statement, and help smaller, new credit rating agencies gain market visibility.
“The ERP is an important element of ESMA’s work, following the financial crisis, to increase transparency around credit ratings and help investors make informed decisions,” ESMA says.
The ERP aggregates all individual credit ratings and rating outlooks issued by registered CRAs, except for ratings issued under the investor-pays model. It will be updated daily and provides access to rating history back to July 2015.