The Appellate Bench of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) dismissed an appeal by VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (formerly JCR-VIS Rating Company Limited) and upheld a PKR 800,000 penalty for multiple breaches of the Credit Rating Companies Regulations, 2016. The appeal challenged an SECP order dated October 16, 2019 issued by the Commissioner, Specialized Market Division under Section 159 of the Securities Act, 2015, which found non-compliance including conflict of interest issues in rating assignments, failure to conduct an internal audit review, inadequate risk management policies and framework, absence of an indicative rating, and deficiencies in maintaining regulatory documentation. The Appellate Bench reaffirmed the enforcement outcome and underscored the need for strict adherence to the regulatory framework and high standards of fairness, efficiency, transparency, and ethics by credit rating agencies.
Securites & Exchange Commission of Pakistan 2025-03-06
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan appellate bench upholds PKR 800,000 penalty on VIS Credit Rating Company
The Appellate Bench of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan upheld an PKR 800,000 penalty against VIS Credit Rating Company Limited for breaches of the Credit Rating Companies Regulations, 2016. The appeal contested a 2019 SECP order citing non-compliance issues, including conflicts of interest and inadequate risk management. The decision emphasizes the necessity for credit rating agencies to adhere to standards of fairness, efficiency, transparency, and ethics.