NEW YORK, Aug. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services today announced that Beth Ann Bovino has been named U.S. Chief Economist for Standard & Poor's Ratings Services. Beth Ann has been very successful as S&P's main spokesperson for the U.S. economy in her role as Deputy Chief Economist and the new title is recognition of the significant contributions she has made.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130816/NY65216 )

In this role, Beth Ann will continue to develop S&P's U.S. economic forecasts as well as author the monthly U.S. Economic Forecast, the quarterly U.S. Risks to the Forecast, the weekly Financial Notes and the Weekly Economics Call.

"Beth Ann's in-depth knowledge and experience has made her well qualified to lead S&P's U.S. Economic efforts," said Paul Sheard, S&P's Chief Global Economist. "As Deputy Chief Economist, she demonstrated an exceptional ability in forecasting economic trends and her research has been an invaluable resource for the company."

Before joining S&P in February 2004, Beth Ann spent more than a decade doing economic and market research for Sungard Institutional Brokerage, UBS Warburg and the Federal Reserve.

Beth Ann holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree in International and Development Economics from Yale University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Columbia University.

Media Contact: Jim Henry, New York (1) 212-438-9371;
jim.henry@standardandpoors.com  

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, part of McGraw Hill Financial (NYSE: MHFI), is the world's leading provider of independent credit risk research and benchmarks. We publish more than a million credit ratings on debt issued by sovereign, municipal, corporate and financial sector entities. With over 1,400 credit analysts in 23 countries, and more than 150 years' experience of assessing credit risk, we offer a unique combination of global coverage and local insight. Our research and opinions about relative credit risk provide market participants with information and independent benchmarks that help to support the growth of transparent, liquid debt markets worldwide.

SOURCE Standard & Poor's Ratings Services