Solicitation of Comment To Assist in Study on Assigned Credit Ratings

The Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission') requests public comment to assist it in carrying out a study on, among other matters, the feasibility of establishing a system in which a public or private utility or a self-regulatory organization ("SRO') assigns nationally recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs') to determine credit ratings for structured finance products. This study, and a resulting report to Congress, are required by Section 939F of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act').