Credit rating agencies: ESMA launches European Ratings Platform

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has launched the European Ratings Platform (ERP), a database that will provide access to free, current information on credit ratings and rating outlooks on ESMA's website. The ERP aims to increase transparency around credit ratings and help investors make informed decisions.

The benefits of the new ERP include:

• allowing investors and other users of ratings to easily compare all credit ratings that exist for a specific rated entity or instrument;
• lowering information costs by centralising information; and
• helping smaller and new credit rating agencies gain visibility in the market.