Rating Agency Hearing

"Triple-A," admits Warren Buffett,
"Is a term one may rightfully scoff at,
But as owner of Moody's,
I'll tell you the beauty's
Their business plan still turns a profit."

Ratings Week V: the Finale

Though one may have felt left in the lurch
When "triple-A" bonds lost their perch,
The best self-defense
Is still common sense,
And one's own, independent research.

Ratings Week IV

Barney Frank made a stern ultimatum:
"Bond arrangers and the analysts who rate 'em
Should sever relations
That involve compensation
Since the agencies serve those who pay them."

Ratings Week III

"I admit," said an analyst from Fitch, 
"We've enabled some banks to grow rich, 
But a hard-line position 
In this competition 
Would only induce them to switch."

Ratings Week II

Said the banker: "My friend, It occurs to me
That you seem just like Standard and Poor's to me;
Though your scruples are real,
In pursuit of a deal
You would give up a wee bit of yours to me."

Ratings Week I

A CDO analyst from Moody's
Confessed: "I've neglected my duties.
We'll soon be downgrading
Some triple-A ratings
When everyone sees that we blew these."  

Who Rates the Raters?

"Credit ratings I don't understand,"
Said a moody young man from Jharkhand,
"Their standards are poor,
And conflicted, I'm sure -
And the outcome seems canned, if not planned."