11.   Longer term, expanded capacity for new channels and more revenue from services not affected by regulation will help results, the rating company said.

12.   Nippon Investors Service Inc., an independent rating company, said it would review its ratings on all Japanese banks because of the possibility of large write-offs.

13.   On the other end, welfare transfer spending reduces the need for private savings and risk-taking, the rating company said.

14.   Rating company IBCA began by supplying credit references for commercial banks, before it moved into rating countries and companies.

15.   Rating companies have a policy of not commenting on whether they plan to change the rating of a borrower.

16.   Some, such as Countrywide Credit Industries, have agreements with the rating companies not to disclose scores to customers, while others will only tell borrowers in person.

17.   Some bonds misbehaved so badly that regulators and bond rating companies began to frown on investors who held too many.

18.   The agency is meeting with the rating companies over possible regulatory oversight, though it is divided over whether it needs to be considered, he said.

19.   The bond rating company also sent a bill, which the county never paid.

20.   The bond rating company said it established new rules because life insurance companies are buying more and more bonds backed by home mortgages.