To the brink of destruction ǂb America's rating agencies and financial crisis

To the Brink of Destruction exposes how America's rating agencies helped generate the global financial crisis of 2007 and beyond, surviving and thriving in the aftermath. Despite widespread scrutiny, rating agencies continued to operate on the same business model and wield extraordinary power, exerting extensive influence over public policy. Timothy J. Sinclair brings the shadowy corners of this story to life by examining congressional testimony, showing how the wheels of accountability turned—and ultimately failed—during the crisis. He asks how and why the agencies risked their lucrative franchise by aligning so closely with a process of financial innovation that came undone during the crisis. What he finds is that key institutions, including the agencies, changed from being judges to being advocates years before the crisis, eliminating a vital safety valve meant to hinder financial excess. Sinclair's well-researched investigation offers a clear, accessible explanation of structured finance and how it works. To the Brink of Destruction avoids tired accusations, instead providing novel insight into the role rating agencies played in the worst crisis of modern global capitalism. "To the Brink of Destruction exposes how America's rating agencies helped generate the global financial crisis of 2007 and beyond, surviving and thriving in the aftermath. Despite widespread scrutiny, rating agencies continued to operate on the same business model and wield extraordinary power, exerting extensive influence over public policy. Timothy J. Sinclair brings the shadowy corners of this story to life by examining congressional testimony, showing how the wheels of accountability turned--and ultimately failed--during the crisis. He asks how and why the agencies risked their lucrative franchise by aligning so closely with a process of financial innovation that came undone during the crisis. What he finds is that key institutions, including the agencies, changed from being judges to being advocates years before the crisis, eliminating a vital safety valve meant to hinder financial excess."-- Provided by publisher "Analyzes the role of the major American rating agencies-Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch-in the global financial crisis that began in 2007, and examines the perseverance of the agencies in the aftermath of the meltdown, despite being blamed by many observers for the disaster"-- Provided by publisher BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Finance / General; BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Economic History; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Economy; Rating agencies (Finance)--United States; Rating agencies (Finance)--United States--History--21st century; Financial crises--United States; Global Financial Crisis, 2008-2009 Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Agencies and What They Do 3. How to Think about the Agencies 4. The Agencies and Financial Innovation 5. Cogs in the Wheel of Financial Destruction 6. Aftermath 7. Addendum 8. I’ll Be Gone. You’ll Be Gone. Index