KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Marlette Funding Trust 2018-3

NEW YORK--()--Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) assigns preliminary ratings to three classes of notes issued by Marlette Funding Trust 2018-3 (MFT 2018-3). This is a $402.31 million consumer loan ABS transaction.

This transaction represents the eighth securitization collateralized by unsecured consumer loans originated by Cross River Bank, under the Marlette Best Egg Platform and sold to Marlette Funding, LLC (“Marlette”) or its affiliate.

Founded in 2013 in Wilmington DE, Marlette operates an online marketplace lending platform, operating under the Best Egg brand (www.mybestegg.com) (the “Marlette Best Egg Platform” or the “Platform”). Approximately $400- $550 million of loans are originated through the Platform per quarter. Since March 2014, over $5.5 billion of loans have been originated though the Platform, and as of March 31, 2018, Marlette has approximately $109 million of loans on its balance sheet.

Marlette purchases and retains for its own balance sheet a portion of the loans originated through the Marlette Best Egg Platform. The Platform does not offer Peer-to-Peer funding, but instead partners exclusively with institutional investors for whole loan sales. All whole loan purchasers receive a random allocation of originations. Loan retention from Cross River Bank, loan purchases from Marlette and whole loan purchasers from institutional investors creates an alignment of interest among stakeholders. On the closing date, the depositor will acquire loans from ten Loan Sellers who will contribute loans as collateral for MFT 2018-3.

The transaction has initial credit enhancement levels of 36.50% for the Class A Notes, 24.10% for the Class B Notes, and 12.50% for the Class C Notes. Credit enhancement consists of overcollateralization, subordination (in the case of the Class A and Class B Notes), excess spread and a reserve account funded at closing.

KBRA applied its Global Consumer Loan ABS methodology for Asset-Backed Securities as part of its analysis of the transaction’s underlying collateral pool, the proposed capital structure and the Marlette Platform’s historical gross loss data. KBRA also conducted an operational assessment of the Marlette Platform, as well as a review of the transaction’s legal structure and transaction documents. KBRA will also reviewed the operative agreements and legal opinions for the transaction prior to closing.

Preliminary Ratings Assigned: Marlette Funding Trust 2018-3

Class       Preliminary Rating       Initial Class Principal
A       AA (sf)       $292,588,000
B       A (sf)       $56,689,000
C       BBB- (sf)       $53,032,000

Representations & Warranties Disclosure

All Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations are required, pursuant to SEC Rule 17g-7, to provide a description of a transaction’s representations, warranties and enforcement mechanisms that are available to investors when issuing credit ratings. KBRA’s disclosure for this transaction can be found in the report available here.

Related Publications: (available at www.kbra.com)

About KBRA and KBRA Europe

KBRA is a full service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. In addition, KBRA is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider and a certified Credit Rating Agency (CRA) by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered with ESMA as a CRA.

Contacts

Kroll Bond Rating Agency
Analytical:
Eric Neglia, 646-731-2456
Managing Director
eneglia@kbra.com
or
Jenny Ovalle, 646-731-2309
Associate Director
jovalle@kbra.com
or
Brendan Carter, 646-731-3315
Associate
bcarter@kbra.com
or
Andrew Silverhardt, 646-731-2492
Senior Analyst
asilverhardt@kbra.com
or
CONNECT WITH KBRA
Twitter
LinkedIn
Download the iOS App
YouTube

Contacts

Kroll Bond Rating Agency
Analytical:
Eric Neglia, 646-731-2456
Managing Director
eneglia@kbra.com
or
Jenny Ovalle, 646-731-2309
Associate Director
jovalle@kbra.com
or
Brendan Carter, 646-731-3315
Associate
bcarter@kbra.com
or
Andrew Silverhardt, 646-731-2492
Senior Analyst
asilverhardt@kbra.com
or
CONNECT WITH KBRA
Twitter
LinkedIn
Download the iOS App
YouTube