NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fitch Ratings has affirmed ratings on the Student Loan Corporation (SLC) Private Student Loan Trush 2006-A senior class A, subordinate class B and junior subordinate class C notes issued by the Student Loan Corporation. The Rating Outlook remains Negative. Fitch's Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria and Private Student Loan Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) Criteria were used to review the transaction. The rating actions are detailed at the end of this press release.
The calculated loss coverage multiples for the class A, class B and class C notes are sufficient to maintain the current ratings. The Outlook remains Negative because of Fitch's negative view of the private student loan sector in general.
The rating affirmations are based on a loss coverage multiples commensurate with the notes' current assigned ratings and are based on the collateral performance data as of March 31, 2011. A loss coverage multiple was determined by comparing projected net loss amount to available credit enhancement. Fitch used historical vintage loss data provided by SLC to form a loss timing curve representative of the series 2006-A collateral pool. After giving credit for seasoning of loans in repayment, Fitch applied the trust's current cumulative gross loss level to this loss timing curve to derive the expected gross losses over the projected remaining life. A recovery rate was applied, which was determined to be appropriate based on the latest data provided by the issuer.
Credit enhancement consists of excess spread, a reserve fund, overcollateralization and subordination. Fitch assumed excess spread to be the lesser of the average historical excess spread (earnings on the assets minus interest payments to bondholders and fees) and the most recent 12-month average excess spread, and applied that same rate over the stressed projection of remaining life.
The collateral supporting the SLC Private Student Loan Trust 2006-A note consists entirely of private student. The private student loans are intended to assist individuals in financing their undergraduate or graduate education beyond what the FFELP affords. The private loans are available to students enrolled in or recently graduated from graduate-level certificate or degree programs. Loan proceeds are used by students to finance a portion of the costs of attending law school, medical school, dental school, graduate business school, and other graduate schools, as well as preparing for and taking state bar examinations or participating in a medical residency program.
As of December 31, 2010, Discover Financial Services acquired SLC and its servicing operations for private student loans. SLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services, will continue to act as the primary servicer and administrator for the trust and Citibank (South Dakota) National Association will continue to act as sub-servicer.
Fitch affirms the SLC Private Student Loan Trust 2006-A notes as follows:
--Senior class A-4 affirmed at 'AAAsf'; Outlook Negative;
--Senior class A-5 affirmed at 'AAAsf'; Outlook Negative;
--Subordinate class B affirmed at 'AAsf'; Outlook Negative.
--Junior Subordinate class C affirmed at 'Asf'; Outlook Negative.
Senior class A-3 notes have been paid in full.
Additional information is available at www.fitchratings.com.
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
--'U.S. Private Student Loan ABS Criteria' (Aug. 24, 2009);
--'Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria' (Aug. 16, 2010).
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
U.S. Private Student Loan ABS Criteria
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=463174
Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria
http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=547326
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Senior Director
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