In an era of globalisation, syndicated lending and consolidation within the banking industry, virtually all industries will have international dealings, whether directly or indirectly, and will therefore be exposed to consequential risks. An understanding of international risk, from that of bank of country failure to the idiosyncrasies of different religious, cultural and regulatory frameworks, is essential for the modern banker. This book gives the reader a thorough understanding of how to calculate, analyse and manage such risks.

What are credit rating agencies? Many people paying for ratings and ratings reports do not fully understand what they are buying and how these agencies really work. Ratings agencies wield immense power over the fate of individual corporations, countries, and whole economies, yet their workings are remarkably opaque. Many events over the past decade, such as the Asian crisis and the demise of certain financial institutions have highlighted some of the limitations of ratings agencies, and raised questions as to their accountability and the level of service they provide.
In this comprehensive account of the workings of the rating agencies,Andrew Fight explains the role played by ratings agencies, how ratings are obtained, the methodologies through which organisations are assessed and the wider consequences of these decisions.