It's also possible because some subprime lenders don't report to the credit rating agencies that people may find that their credit scores haven't changed at all.

NPR: Beware the Bad Home Loans

Although the credit rating agencies don't rate these pools, they give triple-As to the corporate bonds of the sponsors.

FORBES: Magazine Article

So, understandably, credit rating agencies don't trumpet free offerings.

FORBES: Paying For Peace Of Mind

For a start, credit rating agencies' own credibility hasn't recovered - perhaps it never will - from their role in the sub-prime fiasco.

BBC: Sterling steadies after loss of UK AAA credit rating

The sourpuss bond rating agencies weren't so sure and said they're reviewing Valero's BBB-credit rating and might downgrade it to junk status.

FORBES

Reinsurers use models to set their prices, and credit rating agencies may downgrade an insurer's rating if they don't like what model results show.

NPR: Coastal Homeowners Stagger Under Insurance Costs

It hasn't been helped by the three biggest credit agencies lowering the company's bond rating to "junk, " and the Lumia 900's violently slashed price.

ENGADGET: Nokia's Q2 2012 financials: 4 million Lumias sold, $1.01 billion dollar loss