DBRS Requests Comments: Proposed Rating Approach to Business Development Companies

DBRS, Inc. (DBRS) is requesting comments on the proposed rating approach to business development companies (BDCs) operating in the United States. Comments should be received on or before July 11, 2015. Please submit your comments to the following e-mail address: DBRSBDCRating_Comments@DBRS.com. DBRS publishes on its website all comments received, except in cases where confidentiality is requested by the respondent.

The main body of the Global Methodology for Rating Finance Companies provides the core framework for DBRS’s approach to rating business development companies (BDCs) operating in the United States. This appendix to the methodology provides additional details on the rating factors for BDCs. BDCs are publicly registered companies, established under special laws in the United States governing their structure and operation, which invest in small and mid-sized businesses. BDCs have high capital and diversification requirements under law, relatively detailed reporting requirements and are required to pay at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders.

Following the review and evaluation of all submissions, DBRS will publish a final version of this rating approach.

DBRS criteria and methodologies are publicly available on its website. http://www.dbrs.com/methodologies

For more information on ratings for banks and other financial institutions, visit www.dbrs.com or contact us at info@dbrs.com.