Was the US credit rating downgraded under Obama?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

Yes, the United States sovereign credit rating was downgraded for the first time in history during the administration of President Barack Obama. In August 2011, major credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) lowered the nation's long-term sovereign credit rating from the pristine AAA down to AA+, citing growing political polarization, gridlock over the federal debt ceiling, and a deteriorating long-term fiscal outlook regarding mounting national debt levels. The unprecedented downgrade triggered significant turbulence and sharp declines across global financial markets. While other major rating agencies like Moody's and Fitch maintained their AAA ratings at the time (though Fitch later instituted a downgrade years later), the S&P action became a focal point of intense political debate regarding fiscal responsibility, legislative compromise, and economic governance in Washington.

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The American Automobile Association and its network of affiliated motor clubs and underwriting insurance companies maintain a strong posture of financial stability, supported by large membership bases and conservative reserve management.

Meritz Financial Group is a publicly traded corporation listed on the Korea Exchange under the ticker symbol 138040. As a major financial holding company in South Korea, its shares are actively traded by institutional and retail investors.

A good credit rating for a commercial or investment bank typically falls within the investment-grade category, rated BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor's and Fitch, or Baa3 or higher by Moody's.

An A+ credit score typically refers to an exceptional FICO or VantageScore credit rating falling within the highest tier of creditworthiness, generally scoring 800 to 850 on the standard 300-to-850 scale.

Meritz Financial Group maintains a strong financial standing, evidenced by its corporate credit rating of AA- (Double A minus), which has been assigned by the Korea Investors Service Co., Ltd.

Meritz Financial Group is a prominent financial holding company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, established in March 2011 to consolidate various financial service entities under a unified strategic umbrella.

Meritz is widely known for its specialized focus on high-performance financial services, particularly within the investment banking and insurance sectors in South Korea.