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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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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. 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).

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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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