Fitch

Diversified Financials

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Summary:

Fitch Ratings is a credit rating company based in New York and London. Fitch is owned in full by Hearst Communications, though the company retains much of its independent administration. Fitch does not protect employees from viewpoint discrimination, and the company has pledged to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies. However, the company has not publicly terminated business ties due to political or religious differences. Fitch Ratings CEO Paul Taylor has signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge, and the company has stated that it is "committed" to the proliferation of ESG practices in the private sector. However, Fitch has not corporately funded ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression, and the company does not disqualify religious organizations from its charitable giving program. For these reasons, Fitch earns a High Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

Fitch received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (1). Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies and advocate for LGBTQ communities and policies. Fitch integrates ESG into all of its business practices (2). The company gives lower ratings and credit scores to firms that do not prioritize ESG. 

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Fitch does not discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Fitch does not protect employees from political viewpoint discrimination (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Fitch Group CEO Paul Taylor has signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge (1). Fitch’s 2021 DEI Transparency Report also states that the company is, “committed to positive and sustainable ESG performance” (2). Fitch integrates ESG into all of its business practices (3).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Fitch has not corporately funded ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression. The company does integrate ESG into all of its business practices and credit ratings (1).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Fitch does not have a PAC.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 6, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

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