Egan-Jones Leads with Investor-Focused Ratings and Performance-Driven Proxy Advice
When Egan-Jones Ratings opened its doors in 1995, it entered a space dominated by large credit agencies that worked on an issuer-paid model.
When Egan-Jones Ratings opened its doors in 1995, it entered a space dominated by large credit agencies that worked on an issuer-paid model. This meant companies paid to be rated, often resulting in delayed recognition of risk and a lack of objectivity. Egan-Jones set out to do things differently by offering conflict-free ratings, delivered in a timely and affordable way, with investors as the priority.
For nearly three decades, the firm has served institutional clients who rely on clear, well-supported analysis. Its approach is built for consistency, with systems designed to perform reliably across different market conditions and credit cycles. Egan-Jones remains focused on delivering reliable insight while continuing to uphold its original purpose of helping investors make informed and confident decisions.
An Accurate Track Record in Uncertain Markets
Egan-Jones provided early warnings about banks exposed to the impending 2007-2008 credit crisis. Egan-Jones issued its ratings before most, running counter to the prevailing narrative.
Those calls became some of the firm’s most defining. They also drew national attention, with Fortune Magazine naming Sean Egan as one of the few voices in finance who had warned of the coming collapse.
Putting Financial Outcomes First in Proxy Policy
In 2002, Egan-Jones expanded its services to include proxy advisory. While shareholder voting had long been part of the investment process, it was getting more complex. Proposals on board structure, executive compensation, and governance practices were all becoming harder to evaluate, especially for firms that managed diverse portfolios.
How the Firm Grows Without Giving Up Independence
Part of what keeps Egan-Jones effective is its ability to strengthen its internal systems through thoughtful collaboration, all without compromising its independence.
More recently, the firm began working with KPMG to support its efforts around SOC 2 compliance, an added step to protect client information and reinforce the security and reliability of its systems. Â This work supplements Egan-Jones existing internal control reports conducted by ACA Group annually.
Egan-Jones continues to develop its own tools, bringing in outside expertise when it strengthens the quality, security, or accuracy of its work. This allows the company to grow without losing the focus, consistency, or independence that have defined its work from the start.
Maintaining Strong Standards Behind the Scenes
At Egan-Jones, employees work remotely and collaborate through direct, hands-on discussions rather than formal training programs. New team members are chosen as much for their mindset as their experience. Curiosity, sound judgment, and a clear sense of responsibility are all part of the hiring equation.
Instead of centering everything around hierarchy or volume, the culture emphasizes personal accountability, intelligence, and continuous improvement. Teams are expected to understand their work at a detailed level, and regular internal controls keep the firm aligned with strict compliance standards.
As a registered NRSRO with the SEC, Egan-Jones operates under a well-defined regulatory framework. Its ratings are recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and may be used to help insurance firms reduce capital requirements. While it doesn’t rate every asset class, it is fully authorized in the areas it covers.
Expanding With the Same Principles
Egan-Jones works with a wide range of institutional clients, from major asset managers to smaller firms exploring their options. One of the ways it supports that range is through its no-cost indicative ratings, which give clients a preview of the firm’s analysis before they commit to full service. This model was designed to remove cost as a barrier, making reliable insight more accessible across the market.
The firm’s ratings are built to be timely, practical, and affordable—helping clients act quickly when it matters. Egan-Jones currently provides more private debt ratings than any other credit rating agency[1].
For almost thirty years, Egan-Jones has expanded with intention, prioritizing quality over volume. Even as its reach has widened, the firm has remained focused on consistency, credibility, and long-term relationships. Instead of following industry trends or reshaping itself to match others, it has continued doing what it does best: delivering thoughtful, independent analysis that clients can rely on through every market cycle.
SOURCE:Â https://northpennnow.com/news/2025/jul/23/egan-jones-leads-with-investor-focused-ratings-and-performance-driven-proxy-advice/
For nearly three decades, the firm has served institutional clients who rely on clear, well-supported analysis. Its approach is built for consistency, with systems designed to perform reliably across different market conditions and credit cycles. Egan-Jones remains focused on delivering reliable insight while continuing to uphold its original purpose of helping investors make informed and confident decisions.
An Accurate Track Record in Uncertain Markets
Egan-Jones provided early warnings about banks exposed to the impending 2007-2008 credit crisis. Egan-Jones issued its ratings before most, running counter to the prevailing narrative.
Those calls became some of the firm’s most defining. They also drew national attention, with Fortune Magazine naming Sean Egan as one of the few voices in finance who had warned of the coming collapse.
Putting Financial Outcomes First in Proxy Policy
In 2002, Egan-Jones expanded its services to include proxy advisory. While shareholder voting had long been part of the investment process, it was getting more complex. Proposals on board structure, executive compensation, and governance practices were all becoming harder to evaluate, especially for firms that managed diverse portfolios.
How the Firm Grows Without Giving Up Independence
Part of what keeps Egan-Jones effective is its ability to strengthen its internal systems through thoughtful collaboration, all without compromising its independence.
More recently, the firm began working with KPMG to support its efforts around SOC 2 compliance, an added step to protect client information and reinforce the security and reliability of its systems. Â This work supplements Egan-Jones existing internal control reports conducted by ACA Group annually.
Egan-Jones continues to develop its own tools, bringing in outside expertise when it strengthens the quality, security, or accuracy of its work. This allows the company to grow without losing the focus, consistency, or independence that have defined its work from the start.
Maintaining Strong Standards Behind the Scenes
At Egan-Jones, employees work remotely and collaborate through direct, hands-on discussions rather than formal training programs. New team members are chosen as much for their mindset as their experience. Curiosity, sound judgment, and a clear sense of responsibility are all part of the hiring equation.
Instead of centering everything around hierarchy or volume, the culture emphasizes personal accountability, intelligence, and continuous improvement. Teams are expected to understand their work at a detailed level, and regular internal controls keep the firm aligned with strict compliance standards.
As a registered NRSRO with the SEC, Egan-Jones operates under a well-defined regulatory framework. Its ratings are recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and may be used to help insurance firms reduce capital requirements. While it doesn’t rate every asset class, it is fully authorized in the areas it covers.
Expanding With the Same Principles
Egan-Jones works with a wide range of institutional clients, from major asset managers to smaller firms exploring their options. One of the ways it supports that range is through its no-cost indicative ratings, which give clients a preview of the firm’s analysis before they commit to full service. This model was designed to remove cost as a barrier, making reliable insight more accessible across the market.
The firm’s ratings are built to be timely, practical, and affordable—helping clients act quickly when it matters. Egan-Jones currently provides more private debt ratings than any other credit rating agency[1].
For almost thirty years, Egan-Jones has expanded with intention, prioritizing quality over volume. Even as its reach has widened, the firm has remained focused on consistency, credibility, and long-term relationships. Instead of following industry trends or reshaping itself to match others, it has continued doing what it does best: delivering thoughtful, independent analysis that clients can rely on through every market cycle.
SOURCE:Â https://northpennnow.com/news/2025/jul/23/egan-jones-leads-with-investor-focused-ratings-and-performance-driven-proxy-advice/
