When Sean Egan co-founded Egan-Jones Ratings Company, the credit rating industry was not just flawed. It was failing investors. Agencies were slow to react and expensive to use. Egan believed there had to be a better model, one that gave power back to the investor.
“We were tired of seeing investors being charged exorbitant fees for ratings that came too late and missed the mark,” said an Egan-Jones spokesperson. “We saw an opportunity to build something better.”
Three decades later, Egan-Jones has not just endured. It has flourished. It has become a quiet powerhouse, especially in the private credit space. In 2024 alone, the company evaluated over 3,000 private deals, surpassing any other agency of its kind. The firm’s independent model has helped it stand apart.
He added that the firm is fortunate to have a strong base of long-standing institutional clients and now increasingly counts some of the world’s most significant financial firms among its clients.
“The firm’s flexible ratings approach allows us to provide ratings for an ever-increasing number of transaction types and structures.”
Calling It Early, Calling It Right
Egan-Jones has built its reputation not by making noise, but by making calls others missed. Before the rest of Wall Street blinked, it issued early warnings on some of the biggest financial collapses in modern history—Enron, WorldCom, Bear Stearns, Lehman Brothers, and General Motors, to name a few.
In 2008, as the world was just waking up to a full-blown financial crisis, Egan testified before Congress. Fortune magazine named him the number one person who foresaw the crisis.
Built on Values, Powered by People
Egan-Jones’ success is not just about what it does. It is about how it does it. The company operates on a lean, agile model that emphasizes personal accountability, continuous improvement, and the belief that intelligence should never be monopolized.
“We hire people with good hearts, strong minds, and a willingness to learn,” a company representative shared. “Everyone’s voice matters here.”
Though the company has embraced a fully remote work model, it has not sacrificed connection. Annual team gatherings bring everyone together, encouraging collaboration and trust. Performance tracking and workflow tools help streamline operations, but a culture of ownership drives real innovation.
The benefits include competitive salaries, generous time off, health insurance, and the autonomy to do meaningful work from anywhere. It is a formula that not only attracts top talent but keeps them invested in the mission.
Who’s Choosing Egan-Jones and Why
From asset managers and insurance firms to family offices and pension funds, a growing number of financial professionals are turning to Egan-Jones. Why? Because trust matters.
Clients appreciate the company’s:
● Independent model
● Unmatched volume of private debt ratings
● High-quality research and risk commentaries
What Comes Next
As the financial world moves toward a future shaped by tech, regulation, and global volatility, Egan-Jones is doubling down on what works and reinventing what does not. It is investing in sales and marketing to expand its reach.
“We are not just reacting to change,” Egan said. “We are anticipating it and building for what comes next.”
And even after 30 years, the company is still led by the same question that launched it: How can we improve this for investors?
A Legacy That Still Looks Forward
In a modern economic world where institutions often age into complacency, Egan-Jones continues to defy expectations. The company does not need a global billboard or an army of influencers.
It needs only clients who value insight over noise and results over reputation.
“When you take care of the foundation, you do not have to scramble when the storm hits,” an Egan-Jones representative said.
More Than Just Ratings
While credit ratings remain its backbone, Egan-Jones has also grown into a major player in proxy advisory services. Since 2002, the company has guided some of the world’s largest institutional investors through the complex world of shareholder voting.
Its full-service model includes vote guidance, vote execution, and annual reporting. Some of the world’s leading investment firms have turned to Egan-Jones.
“When we realized the flaws in how shareholder votes were being guided, we knew we had to build something smarter,” a company representative said.
