Grading of countries, banks and capital market securities based on their creditworthiness. Neutral rating agencies or the editorial boards of internationally recognised financial journals make the assessments using a classification system (e.g. AAA, AA, A, BBB, etc.). The issuer can also request that a rating be made. The world’s leading rating agencies include Standard & Poor’s Corporation; Moody’s Investors Service; Keefe, Bruyette & Wood’s Inc.; International Banking Credit Analysis Ltd.