The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday that each of the credit rating agencies previously identified as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization has applied to be registered with the commission.

The firms, which may continue to represent themselves and act as NRSROs while the SEC considers their applications, are: A.M. Best Company, Inc.; DBRS; Fitch, Inc.; Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.’ Moody’s Investors Service; Rating and Investment Information, Inc.; and Standard and Poor Ratings Services

On June 26, final commission rules implementing the new credit rating agency legislation went into effect. The act and the associated rules prescribe that credit rating agencies can only become an NRSRO through registering with the commission. However, any credit rating agency that was the subject of a commission staff no-action letter identifying it as an NRSRO can continue to represent itself or act as an NRSRO if it has applied to be registered with the SEC.