Give credit to chat boards, online ratings systems and word of mouth among startup executives.

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"We do not endorse any external ratings systems, " CQC operations director Amanda Sherlock told the BBC.

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The local system of ratings notches isn't directly comparable with international systems, but the ratio of upgrades to downgrades is now heading towards parity, from two or more a year ago.

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Such systems exist in their infancy, like the ratings on Amazon.com and the filtering provided in Slashdot.org.

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With the help of Pulte's mortgage unit in Denver, the company set up its systems to meet the standards of U.S. ratings agencies like Fitch Investors Service, which earlier this year gave it an AA rating.

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With the help of Pulte's mortgage unit in Denver, Colorado, the company set up its systems to meet the standards of such U.S. ratings agencies as Fitch Investors Service, which earlier this year gave it an AA rating.

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