Our Approach
Examine the thinking behind the rating.
VAST Ratings combines superintelligence with expert credit analysis within published methodological frameworks. Financial metrics establish the initial view. Credit professionals assess the business, industry and market contexts, and committee review determines the definitive opinion.
Evaluate corporate credit.
Our Global Corporate Methodology assesses companies producing goods and providing services across a broad range of industries.
Examine profitability and size alongside business profile.
Assess leverage, debt coverage and financial policy.
Account for liquidity and other factors that may materially influence creditworthiness.
Assess non-bank financial institutions.
Our NBFI Methodology addresses the distinct risks of businesses including finance companies, fintech lenders and asset managers.
Evaluate liquidity and the reliability of funding.
Assess leverage, capital strength and franchise durability.
Examine governance and management’s approach to risk.
Account for material weaknesses.
Both frameworks use multiplicative scoring to limit the extent to which strength in one area can offset weakness elsewhere.
Expert assessment adds context to the model’s output before the committee reaches a definitive opinion.
See the analysis in practice.
Our anonymized sample indicative report illustrates how the analytical framework translates into a credit opinion.
Review the company profile and rating grid.
Examine the rationale behind the assessment.
Understand what could move the indicative rating up or down.
Illustrative indicative assessment. This is not a definitive rating.
Apply the framework to your company.
Begin with an indicative assessment before pursuing a full rating engagement.