Oklahoma City earns highest bond ratings for 18th consecutive year

Oklahoma City has once again received the highest possible bond ratings from both Moody’s Investors Service and S&P Global Ratings, marking the 18th consecutive year the city has maintained the top-tier distinction. 

Moody’s affirmed the City’s Aaa rating and stable outlook in an April 6 report, while S&P Global Ratings affirmed the City’s AAA rating and stable outlook on April 7. The ratings are the highest issued by each agency and place Oklahoma City among a small group of large U.S. cities with top ratings from both organizations. 

The ratings are used to help determine borrowing costs for the City’s general obligation bonds, which support major infrastructure investments, including projects tied to the Better Streets, Safer City program, and the 2025 GO Bond package. 

According to the City, Oklahoma City is one of only 13 U.S. cities with populations greater than 500,000 to hold triple-A ratings from both Moody’s and S&P. 

The strong ratings reflect confidence in the City’s financial management, economic stability and long-term growth outlook, while also helping lower interest costs for taxpayers on future bond issuances. 

Separately, Moody’s assigned an Aa1 rating with a stable outlook to Oklahoma City’s arena sales tax revenue bonds on May 5. The bonds are tied to the voter-approved 1% sales tax that will fund the city’s new downtown arena and future home of the NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder. 

“We are grateful for the Aa1 rating as it will provide the City with an opportunity to fund the new home for the World Champion Oklahoma City Thunder,” Assistant City Manager Brent Bryant said in a statement. 

The Series 2026 arena bonds are scheduled to be sold May 20 through Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and BOK Financial. Revenue collections for the arena sales tax are