The updated methodology can be downloaded here. This rating methodology replaces the version published on 10 January 2025. The methodology is now final following a call-for-comments period and will apply to all issuer and debt ratings of financial institutions. The proposed changes to the methodology are not expected to have an impact on outstanding ratings assigned by Scope.

Link to the updated methodology

Methodology update

The update provides increased transparency and a detailed presentation of Scope’s analytical approach for assigning credit ratings to Financial Institutions. The proposed methodology update contains the following changes:

• Introduction of an enhanced framework for the assessments of an issuer’s country-specific operating environment, based on a mix of qualitative and quantitative subfactors.
   
• Introduction of two new qualitative scorecards for the assessment of parental support, for i) assessing the degree of a subsidiary’s integration into a banking group (and hence the choice of a top down vs bottom up rating approach) and ii) the parent company’s expected willingness to support the subsidiary, which is a key driver in determining the number of downwards notching in a top down approach and upwards notching in the bottom up approach.
   
• Simplification of our long-term sustainability assessments, which can now only result into three outcomes (Positive, Neutral, Negative).
   
• Editorial changes to improve clarity, consistency, and usability.

Scope had invited issuers, investors and other interested parties to comment on the proposed methodology by 4 September 2025, as part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to transparency and open dialogue with market participants. Comments received, alongside Scope’s responses, are available publicly here.

Download the proposed update here or on www.scoperatings.com.