1. For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "credit rating" means an opinion regarding the creditworthiness of an entity, a debt or financial obligation, debt security, preferred share or other financial instrument, or of an issuer of such a debt or financial obligation, debt security, preferred share or other financial instrument, issued using an established and defined ranking system of rating categories;

(b) "credit rating agency" means a legal person whose occupation includes the issuing of credit ratings on a professional basis;

(c) "home Member State" means the Member State in which the credit rating agency has its registered office;

(d) "rating analyst" means a person who performs analytical functions that are necessary for the issuing of a credit rating;