Fitch Updates U.S. RMBS Loan Loss Model Criteria

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Link to Fitch Ratings' Report: U.S. RMBS Loan Loss Model Criteria

https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=880673

Fitch Ratings has updated its criteria for estimating losses on U.S. mortgage pools for RMBS transactions, 'U.S. RMBS Loan Loss Model Criteria', as part of its annual criteria review.

Fitch released an exposure draft of the updated criteria in February 2016. Today's release reflects both the changes proposed in the exposure draft, and additional changes resulting from market feedback during the exposure period and additional research by Fitch. The exposure draft and all previous versions of the criteria have been retired.

The core principle of the framework remains the interaction between borrower equity and market value declines in determining expected loss for each loan. In addition, the methodology accounts for both loan level attributes and macroeconomic factors in deriving loss expectations.

The key criteria enhancements that were included in the exposure draft and remain in the criteria released today include:

--A revision to the distressed sale adjustment (DSA) to reflect new GSE historical data;

--A cure-rate adjustment (CRA) for borrowers that default but have enough equity to resolve the default without a loss;

--A simplification of the liquidation timeline projections and stresses;

--Modest changes to originator quality adjustments; and

--A reduction in the geographic concentration penalty.

The key criteria enhancements resulting from market feedback during the exposure period and additional research by Fitch include:

--A modest CRA for loans with a sustainable loan-to-value ratio (sLTV) between 100 and 120;

--An increased credit for loan amortization prior to default in the loss severity calculation;

--A reduced haircut on mortgage insurance credit in GSE credit risk transfer transactions;

--An increased DSA for loans with an original property value over $600,000.

The cumulative impact of the enhancements will likely result in modestly lower average projected losses at all rating categories for both newly-issued and seasoned legacy RMBS pools. Fitch expects no rating implications for recently-issued RMBS pools. For legacy RMBS, Fitch expects generally positive rating pressure on average, although a small percentage of bonds may have modest negative rating pressure based on concentrations of pool attributes and pool performance since the prior rating review.

Fitch expects to review all outstanding rated RMBS with the updated criteria within the next six months.

'U.S. RMBS Loan Loss Model Criteria' is available at 'www.fitchratings.com' or by clicking on the above link.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.

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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160512006613/en/

Fitch Ratings
Grant Bailey
Managing Director
+1-212-908-0544
Fitch Ratings, Inc.
33 Whitehall Street
New York, NY 10004
or
Media Relations
Sandro Scenga
+1 212-908-0278
New York
[email protected]

Source: Fitch Ratings

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