In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy explores the failures of credit ratings through historical examples, including the Penn Central bankruptcy, the Enron collapse, and the 2008 financial crisis. He discusses the inherent conflicts in the credit rating system, particularly the issuer-pay model, and the implications of these failures for investors. The episode concludes with lessons learned and the importance of using credit ratings as one of many tools in risk assessment.

In this episode of Money Lessons, Andy discusses the world of credit ratings, explaining their significance in the bond market. He introduces the historical context of credit ratings, their development by John Moody, and how they provide a simplified measure of bond quality. 

The episode covers the different rating scales, the factors influencing ratings, and the implications of these ratings on investment decisions. Andy also highlights the importance of credit ratings in assessing default risk and the limitations inherent in the rating system.