S&P close to historic settlement over its role in the financial crisis

S&P and US Justice Department closing in on $1.37 billion settlement

S&P is close to reaching a settlement with the US Justice Department for its role in the 2008 financial crisis. (Getty Images)

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services is reportedly close to reaching a historic settlement with the US Justice Department and several states in a case claiming that S&P knowingly played a part in the 2008 financial crisis.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the $1.37 billion deal could be struck as early as Thursday. If the settlement is reached, it would be the largest paid by a ratings agency over allegations of unfair bond grading leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, which was deepened by the bursting of the housing bubble.

The lawsuits claim that S&P issued positive grades of residential mortgage bonds when the firm knew the grades were not accurate. In all, 20 states and Washington D.C. filed lawsuits against S&P.

The US Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, tasked with investigating the crisis, said that S&P and other credit ratings agencies were “key enablers of the financial meltdown.”

S&P has not signed the settlement yet and it’s unclear exactly when it will be agreed, but sources close to the deal say it should not be longer than a week, the Journal reported.

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