KBRA Earns ABS Rating Agency of the Year Title at GlobalCapital’s 2025 U.S. Securitization Awards
Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), a leading global credit rating agency known for its rigorous analysis and client-focused approach, has been recognized as the “ABS Rating Agency of the Year” at GlobalCapital’s U.S. Securitization Awards 2025. The distinction, announced at a prestigious awards ceremony held on May 15 in New York City, solidifies KBRA’s status as an industry leader within the asset-backed securities (ABS) sector.
This accolade not only honors KBRA’s technical expertise and forward-thinking strategies in rating structured finance instruments but also highlights the firm’s continued commitment to transparency, innovation, and responsiveness in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Championing Transparency in the ABS Market
Since its inception, KBRA has differentiated itself through a focus on clear, accessible, and analytically sound credit opinions. This core philosophy has become especially significant in the ABS market, where the diversity and complexity of asset classes—from auto loans and credit card receivables to esoteric assets like music royalties and data centers—demand a multifaceted and nuanced rating approach.
In accepting the award, Eric Thompson, Global Head of Structured Finance Ratings at KBRA, highlighted the firm’s deliberate strategy of bringing analytical clarity to emerging and complex ABS asset classes. “KBRA has been at the forefront of bringing analytical clarity to newer and more complex ABS asset classes, including fiber networks and digital infrastructure, music royalty, and data center securitizations,” said Thompson. “These transactions often require a cross-disciplinary approach, and KBRA’s ability to bring together sector experts from across its numerous rating teams has been essential in developing thoughtful, well-reasoned credit opinions.”
Analytical Depth Meets Cross-Sector Expertise
KBRA’s success in the ABS domain is underpinned by its unique collaborative model. Rather than siloing analytical teams by asset class or geography, KBRA encourages cross-pollination of ideas and knowledge-sharing across its entire organization. This integrative approach ensures that analysts evaluating esoteric or hybrid structures can draw on insights from specialists in infrastructure, consumer finance, commercial real estate, and beyond.
The agency’s analysts have demonstrated the ability to understand not just the financial performance of underlying assets, but also the technological, regulatory, and operational dynamics that impact long-term credit risk. In esoteric areas such as data centers, music royalties, and broadband infrastructure, KBRA’s analysts have gone beyond conventional metrics—digging into unique cash flow drivers, operational resilience, and shifting consumption trends.
Such expertise has earned KBRA the trust of both issuers and investors who are increasingly navigating beyond traditional ABS markets in search of yield and diversification.
A Year of Notable Momentum
The year 2024 proved pivotal for KBRA’s structured finance division. The agency issued hundreds of new ABS ratings, covering a broad spectrum of asset classes that spanned both the core and the unconventional. These included deals in well-established sectors like auto finance, student loans, and credit cards, as well as newer segments such as solar ABS and whole business securitizations.
In each case, KBRA reinforced its reputation for producing detailed and timely pre-sale reports, post-sale surveillance, and sector research. These reports not only outlined the rationale behind each rating but also provided critical context to help market participants understand emerging risks and evolving credit dynamics.
“Our analysts put in the work to understand the unique attributes of each ABS deal and share our insights with the market—whether it’s a core consumer ABS or an emerging asset class,” said Yee Wong, Lead Analytical Manager for Structured Finance Ratings at KBRA. “That attention to detail and open dialogue with market participants are what set us apart.”
Engaging With the Market
Another key pillar of KBRA’s value proposition is its open-door policy with market participants. The agency has become known for its willingness to engage in deep conversations with investors, issuers, and arrangers—not only during transactions but throughout the lifecycle of a securitization.
“We know investors value not just the ratings, but timely insights into the analytical considerations that drive our credit opinions,” added Thompson. “Whether it’s a solar ABS, a whole business deal, or a consumer loan platform, our analysts are available, our reports are rich with context, and our approach is grounded in transparency and real-world expertise.”
KBRA also regularly publishes thematic research that informs the market about emerging risks and macroeconomic trends that may impact structured finance. These include reports on inflationary pressure, interest rate volatility, consumer credit health, and the intersection of technology and securitization.
Recognition by GlobalCapital
GlobalCapital’s U.S. Securitization Awards are widely regarded as a barometer of excellence within the structured finance sector. Each year, the awards celebrate firms and professionals that have made significant contributions to the market through innovation, performance, and client service.
Winners are selected based on a combination of peer nominations, editorial judgment, and votes from market participants, making the recognition especially meaningful. KBRA’s win in the ABS category reflects both the depth of its analytical work and the esteem in which it is held by clients and peers alike.
“Winning the ABS Rating Agency of the Year is more than an award—it’s a validation of the values and discipline that guide our team every day,” said Wong. “We are deeply grateful to the clients, investors, and colleagues who trust us to provide clear, reasoned, and consistent ratings that support informed decision-making.”
About KBRA
KBRA, one of the major credit rating agencies, is registered in the U.S., EU, and the UK. KBRA is recognized as a Qualified Rating Agency in Taiwan, and is also a Designated Rating Organization for structured finance ratings in Canada. As a full-service credit rating agency, investors can use KBRA ratings for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.
