15 U.S.C. § 78o: Study and rulemaking on assigned credit ratings

In this section, the term “structured finance product” means an asset-backed security, as defined in section 3(a)(77) 1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [ 1 See References in Text note below. 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(79) ], as added by section 941, 1 and any structured product based on an asset-backed security, as determined by the Commission, by rule. the credit rating process for structured finance products and the conflicts of interest associated with the issuer-pay and the subscriber-pay models; an assessment of potential mechanisms for determining fees for the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; appropriate methods for paying fees to the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations; the extent to which the creation of such a system would be viewed as the creation of moral hazard by the Federal Government; and any constitutional or other issues concerning the establishment of such a system; the range of metrics that could be used to determine the accuracy of credit ratings; and alternative means for compensating nationally recognized statistical rating organizations that would create incentives for accurate credit ratings. the findings of the study required under subsection (b); and any recommendations for regulatory or statutory changes that the Commission determines should be made to implement the findings of the study required under subsection (b). After submission of the report under subsection (c), the Commission shall, by rule, as the Commission determines is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, establish a system for the assignment of nationally recognized statistical rating organizations to determine the initial credit ratings of structured finance products, in a manner that prevents the issuer, sponsor, or underwriter of the structured finance product from selecting the nationally recognized statistical rating organization that will determine the initial credit ratings and monitor such credit ratings. In issuing any rule under this paragraph, the Commission shall give thorough consideration to the provisions of section 15E(w) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as that provision would have been added by section 939D of H.R. 4173 (111th Congress), as passed by the Senate on May 20, 2010 , and shall implement the system described in such section 939D unless the Commission determines that an alternative system would better serve the public interest and the protection of investors. Nothing in this subsection may be construed to limit or suspend any other rulemaking authority of the Commission. The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on alternative means for compensating nationally recognized statistical rating organizations in order to create incentives for nationally recognized statistical rating organizations to provide more accurate credit ratings, including any statutory changes that would be required to facilitate the use of an alternative means of compensation. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act [ July 21, 2010 ], the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the study conducted under subsection (a), including recommendations, if any, for providing incentives to credit rating agencies to improve the credit rating process.”