The `` big three '' are Standard & Poor 's , Moody 's Investor Services and Fitch Ratings . ` ` Big Three '' are Standard & Poor 's , Moody 's Investor , and Fitch Ratings . Critics say the banks have lost their ability to independently judge risk on certain markets . Agencies say they only have opinions on risk ; choices ultimately up to investors . Some of the world 's biggest banks downgraded due to exposure to global financial crisis .
` ` Big Three '' are Standard & Poor 's , Moody 's Investor , and Fitch Ratings . Critics say the banks have lost their ability to independently judge risk on certain markets . Agencies say they only have opinions on risk ; choices ultimately up to investors . Some of the world 's biggest banks downgraded due to exposure to global financial crisis .