Fitch Ratings closes derivatives spin-off as agencies count the cost of slowdown

Derivative Fitch, launched to much fanfare just over a year ago, has been rolled back into the parent company in response to falling revenues from derivatives and structured credit

Fitch Group has created a new division to consolidate all of the agency's non-rating business. Fitch Solutions will take over product development, credit training and product sales. The move means that Derivative Fitch, the spun-off entity that opened at the end of 2006, will be closed. Its business will be divided between Fitch Ratings and the new group.

"While we always have had strong convictions in our current practices and policies to protect the independence and integrity of our ratings, we