KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust 2021-1 (WFMBS 2021-1)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) assigns preliminary ratings to 36 classes of mortgage pass-through certificates from Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust 2021-1 (WFMBS 2021-1). KBRA notes that this transaction is being marketed during the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and none of the loans are in active forbearance plans as of the cut-off date.

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust 2021-1 (WFMBS 2021-1) is a prime RMBS transaction comprising 390 residential mortgages with an aggregate principal balance of $404.1 million as of the March 1, 2021 cut-off date. The underlying collateral consists entirely of non-conforming, fully amortizing fixed-rate mortgages, all of which have been designated as Qualified Mortgages (QM).

KBRA’s rating approach incorporated loan-level analysis of the mortgage pool through its U.S. RMBS Mortgage Default and Loss Model, an examination of the results from third-party loan file due diligence, cash flow modeling analysis of the transaction’s payment structure, reviews of key transaction parties and an assessment of the transaction’s legal structure and documentation. This analysis is further described in our U.S. RMBS Rating Methodology.

Click here to view the report. To access ratings and relevant documents, click here.

Related Publications

• WFMBS 2021-1 Tear Sheet
• RMBS KBRA Comparative Analytic Tool (KCAT)
• U.S. RMBS Rating Methodology
• U.S. RMBS Mortgage Default and Loss Model Methodology
• Global Structured Finance Counterparty Methodology

Disclosures

Further information on key credit considerations, sensitivity analyses that consider what factors can affect these credit ratings and how they could lead to an upgrade or a downgrade, and ESG factors (where they are a key driver behind the change to the credit rating or rating outlook) can be found in the full rating report referenced above.

A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.

Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.

Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.

About KBRA

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.