NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) assigns ratings to three classes of notes issued by Mill City Solar Loan 2020-1 Ltd. and Mill City Solar Loan 2020-1 LLC (“MCSLT 2020-1-GS”), an asset-backed securitization collateralized by a pool of residential solar loans.
The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in rising unemployment, which can adversely impact the performance of the transaction and consumer loans in general. Owing to KBRA’s expectations of high and rising unemployment, KBRA increased its base case default assumptions for the subject pool in a manner that was consistent with a recent portfolio review of the residential solar loan sector noted in the following press release: KBRA Comments on U.S. Solar Loan ABS Monitoring. The review did not result in Watch Placements on any existing KBRA transaction ratings.
The collateral in the MCSLT 2020-1-GS deal includes approximately $195.31 million of residential solar loans, as of the March 31, 2020 statistical cut-off date. The ratings reflect the initial credit enhancement levels ranging from 25.62% for the Class A notes to 10.34% for the Class C notes.
Loanpal, LLC (formerly known as Paramount Equity Mortgage, LLC d/b/a Loanpal) (“Loanpal” or the “Company”) was incorporated in California in 2003 to provide residential mortgage loans. In December 2017, Loanpal launched its current solar loan origination platform where it originates loans to mostly prime credit quality homeowners for the purpose of purchasing home improvements, including solar panel systems and batteries. Headquartered in Roseville, CA, as of March 31, 2020, Loanpal has originated and funded over $28.6 billion in loan volume since inception, including approximately $3.0 billion in solar loans since December 2017.
KBRA applied its Global General Rating Methodology for Asset-Backed Securities and Global Structured Finance Counterparty Methodology as part of its analysis of the transaction’s underlying collateral pool and the proposed capital structure. KBRA also conducted an operational assessment of Loanpal, as well as a review of the transaction’s legal structure and transaction documents. KBRA also reviewed the operative agreements and legal opinions for the transaction prior to closing.
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Related Publications
- Mill City Solar Loan 2020-1 Ltd. and Mill City Solar Loan 2020-1 LLC New Issue Report
- Global General Rating Methodology for Asset-Backed Securities
- 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 U.S. Information Disclosure Form 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 U.S. Information Disclosure Form referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.
About KBRA
KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered as an NRSRO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 and is a certified Credit Rating Agency (CRA) with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered with ESMA as a CRA.
