KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to CROSS 2026-CES1 Mortgage Trust

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA assigns preliminary ratings to seven classes of mortgage pass-through certificates from CROSS 2026-CES1 Mortgage Trust (CROSS 2026-CES1). CROSS 2026-CES1 is backed by closed-end second (CES) lien mortgages, comprising $405.3 million. The underlying pool is seasoned approximately five months and comprises 2,825 loans, with Button Finance, Inc. (Button; 63.3%) and CrossCountry Mortgage (CrossCountry or CCM; 36.7%) as the only contributing originators. The collateral is characterized by fully amortizing, fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) with 10-year (0.8%), 15-year (2.8%), 20-year (22.4%), 25-year (0.4%) and 30-year (73.5%) terms.

The CROSS 2026-CES1 deal structure incorporates excess spread along with a sequential interest and principal payment waterfall. Losses will be allocated reverse sequentially beginning with the Class B-3 Certificates through to the Class A-1A Certificates.

KBRA’s rating approach incorporated loan-level analysis of the mortgage pool through its Residential Asset Loss Model (REALM), 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.

To access ratings and relevant documents, click here.

Click here to view the report.

Related Publications

• RMBS KCAT
• CROSS 2026-CES1 Mortgage Trust Tear Sheet

Methodologies

• RMBS: U.S. RMBS Rating Methodology
• Structured Finance: 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), one of the major credit rating agencies (CRA), is a full-service CRA 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. In addition, KBRA is designated as a Designated Rating Organization (DRO) by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized as a Qualified Rating Agency by Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission and is recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider (CRP) in the U.S.

Doc ID: 1016344