Oklahoma City boasts top bond ratings

The City of Oklahoma City has maintained its triple-A bond ratings for the 15th consecutive year. The top credit rating recognizes the City’s strong financial health.  

Global data analyzation agencies Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings affirmed the ratings with a stable long-term outlook in recent reports, Moody’s in March and S&P in February.  

The Aaa rating by Moody’s and AAA rating by S&P are the highest awarded by each agency. Oklahoma City is one of only seven cities of its size in the United States to be awarded the AAA rating. 

In its report, Moody’s said the rating reflects the city's large and stable economy that is anchored by a diverse group of governmental agencies and private corporations in the energy sector. It also noted the strong financial reserves the city has maintained despite economic fluctuations such as the pandemic. 

City of Oklahoma City Finance Director Brent Bryant said the ratings are a result of the longstanding, conservative financial management locally, as well as a growing and diversified economy, strong financial policies, robust budgetary performance, a solid debt and contingent liability position. 

“When we sit down with companies looking to relocate to Oklahoma City, the AAA bond rating is very meaningful,” said Eric Long, research economist with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “It is a real, quantitative way of showing the fiscal responsibility of our city when compared to other markets.” 

The city utilizes these ratings when pricing bonds sold to fund initiatives such as the Better Streets, Safer City infrastructure investment program. 

“The strong rating shows businesses and their employees that the city is being responsible when it comes to the cost of debt and providing infrastructure that improves overall quality of life,” Long said.