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Does Competition Affect Truth Telling? An Experiment with Rating Agencies

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  • Jean Paul Rabanal
  • Olga A Rud

Abstract

We use an experimental approach to study the effect of market structure on the incidence of misreporting by credit rating agencies. In the game, agencies receive a signal regarding the type of asset held by the seller and issue a report. The sellers then present the asset, with the report if one is solicited, to the buyer for purchase. We find that competition among rating agencies significantly reduces the likelihood of misreporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean Paul Rabanal & Olga A Rud, 2018. "Does Competition Affect Truth Telling? An Experiment with Rating Agencies," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 22(4), pages 1581-1604.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:revfin:v:22:y:2018:i:4:p:1581-1604.
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    19. Lawrence J. White, 2010. "Markets: The Credit Rating Agencies," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(2), pages 211-226, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kling, Luisa & König-Kersting, Christian & Trautmann, Stefan T., 2023. "Investment preferences and risk perception: Financial agents versus clients," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    2. Agoraki, Maria-Eleni & Gounopoulos, Dimitrios & Kouretas, Georgios P., 2021. "Market expectations and the impact of credit rating on the IPOs of U.S. banks," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 587-610.
    3. Vu, Huong & Alsakka, Rasha & ap Gwilym, Owain, 2022. "Does competition improve sovereign credit rating quality?," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    4. Benistant, Julien & Galeotti, Fabio & Villeval, Marie Claire, 2021. "The Distinct Impact of Information and Incentives on Cheating," IZA Discussion Papers 14014, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Balmus, Tatiana & Huber, Juergen & Ploner, Matteo, 2020. "More competition in delegated portfolio management: A win-win situation? An experimental analysis," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 777-800.
    6. Vivian M. van Breemen & Frank J. Fabozzi & Dennis Vink, 2023. "Intensified Competition and The Impact on Credit Ratings in the RMBS market," Financial Markets, Institutions & Instruments, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(2), pages 51-86, May.
    7. Goergen, Marc & Gounopoulos, Dimitrios & Koutroumpis, Panagiotis, 2021. "Do multiple credit ratings reduce money left on the table? Evidence from U.S. IPOs," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    8. Pertaia, Giorgi & Prokhorov, Artem & Uryasev, Stan, 2022. "A new approach to credit ratings," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    9. Sheth, Jesal D., 2021. "Disclosure of information under competition: An experimental study," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 158-180.
    10. Angerer, Martin & Herrmann-Romero, Matthias & Szymczak, Wiebke, 2022. "Losing funds or losing face? Reputation and accountability in the credit rating industry," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    11. Benistant, Julien & Galeotti, Fabio & Villeval, Marie Claire, 2022. "Competition, information, and the erosion of morals," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 148-163.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Credit rating agencies; Conflicts of interest; Market structure; Laboratory experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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