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Weiss Ratings accepts no payments for its ratings from rated institutions. It is among the nation’s
leading providers of independent ratings on more than 8,000 U.S. banks and thrifts and the only
provider of independent ratings on the nation's 4,200 insurance companies. Weiss Ratings also
distributes independent ratings on the shares of thousands of publicly traded companies, mutual
funds, closed-end funds and ETFs.
If you are a journalist writing a story about bank or insurance ratings, Weiss Ratings would like to
help you. Our analysts are available for interviews to discuss industry trends and data or provide you
with an independent financial analysis on specific companies. To arrange an interview, please contact
561-818-8885.
Click here to access all press releases.
Facts About Weiss Ratings
- Companies Rated
- Life and annuity insurers – 870
Property and casualty insurers – 2,600
Health insurers – 609
Banks and thrifts – 7,700
Credit unions – 7,500
- Rating Scale
- A = Excellent; B = Good; C = Fair; D = Weak; E = Very Weak; F = Failed
- Rating Philosophy
- Independence from industry; reliance on objective, quantitative methods. Accepts no compensation from rated companies and does not allow companies to suppress publication of unfavorable ratings. Revenues derived strictly from sale of ratings and reports to consumers, institutions, businesses, libraries, and governmental agencies.
- History
- Founded in 1971 to evaluate safety of financial institutions and investments for consulting clients. Issued first bank ratings in 1987 and first insurance ratings in 1989. First-ever ratings of Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and HMOs introduced in 1991 and 1994, respectively. Introduced mutual fund ratings in 1998, stock ratings in 2001, and closed-end mutual fund ratings in 2003. In 2006, Weiss Ratings sold to TheStreet.com. In May 2010, Weiss bought back insurance and bank ratings and entered into a licensing agreement with TheStreet.com to resume distribution of independent ratings on publicly traded companies, mutual funds, closed-end funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Introduced credit union ratings in 2011.
- Key Individuals
- President – Martin D. Weiss, Ph.D.
Vice President – Melissa Gannon
- Primary Products
- Unlimited Ratings Research online subscription by industry ($499)
Online subscription to Medicare supplement insurance pricing data (custom pricing)
Consumer Guide Box Set ($499 biennial) containing Consumer Guide to Elder Care Choices; Consumer Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance; Consumer Guide to Variable Annuities; Consumer Guide to Auto Insurance; Consumer Guide to Homeowners Insurance; and Consumer Guide to Health Savings Accounts.
Comprehensive publications including ratings and key financial data for all companies within the industry ($249 for one annual edition or $499 for four quarterly editions): Guide to Banks and Thrifts; Guide to Credit Unions; Guide to Health Insurers; Guide to Life & Annuity Insurers; and Guide to Property & Casualty Insurers.