September 12, 2007 (LPAC) -- Credit rating agencies have been summoned to a special meeting in Washington by the umbrella body for the world's securities regulators, to explain how they rate structured financial products based on mortgage assets.

The International Organization of Securities Commissions compiled a review of a "code of conduct" issued to rating agencies in 2004. The September meeting will explore "conflict of interest" issues, according to today's edition of the Financial Times of London.