DBRS Confirms SOUND Trust’s Senior Short-Term Notes, Series 1998-1 at R-1 (high) (sf)

DBRS Limited (DBRS) confirmed the rating of the Senior Short-Term Notes, Series 1998-1 (the Notes) issued by SOUND Trust (the Trust) at R-1 (high) (sf) as part of its annual review of publicly rated asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) conduits. The confirmation is part of DBRS’s continued effort to provide timely credit rating opinions and increased transparency to market participants.

The Trust is a multi-seller, multi-asset securitization conduit administered by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC; rated AA with a Negative trend by DBRS). The Trust engages in only traditional asset transactions. Assets and/or interests acquired by the Trust from sellers (the Assets) are subject to eligibility criteria and/or confirmation from DBRS. As at July 31, 2017, the Assets backing the Notes consisted of auto loans (28.5%), equipment loans and leases (18.1%), credit card receivables (15.6%), franchise loans (15.1%), auto leases (10.9%), conventional mortgages (6.2%), auto fleets (5.2%) and insured mortgages (0.4%).

The rating confirmation is based on the following considerations:

(1) Credit enhancement levels that are consistent with similarly rated programs in Canada. From inception, every transaction funded by the Notes has been independently structured to meet a AAA standard.

(2) The liquidity facilities meet DBRS’s Global Liquidity Standard and are available to assist the Trust in repaying the Notes if the Trust is not able to issue new Notes to do so. The commitment amount equals at least the face value (including interest) of all outstanding Notes.

(3) Minimum credit ratings of “A” or R-1 (low) or their equivalent for liquidity providers, credit enhancers and hedge counterparties are required, unless otherwise approved by DBRS.

(4) The Assets, through Securitization Agreements, are typically structured to be bankruptcy remote from the sellers, and the bankruptcy remoteness is supported by legal opinions.

(5) All transactions are reviewed by DBRS prior to initial funding by the Trust.

(6) The performance of the underlying collateral is strong.

(7) CIBC has significant experience in structuring, administering and managing multi-asset, multi-seller securitization programs.

CIBC currently administers three ABCP conduits with an aggregate notes outstanding amount of $5,546,929,101 as at July 31, 2017.

Notes:
All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

The related regulatory disclosures pursuant to the National Instrument 25-101 Designated Rating Organizations are hereby incorporated by reference and can be found by clicking on the link to the right under Related Research or by contacting us at info@dbrs.com.

The principal methodologies are Rating Canadian ABCP and Related Enhancement Features, Master Canadian Structured Finance Surveillance Methodology, Legal Criteria for Canadian Structured Finance and Derivatives Criteria for Canadian Structured Finance, which can be found on dbrs.com under Methodologies

The rated entity or its related entities did participate in the rating process. DBRS had access to the accounts and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities.

The full report providing additional analytical detail is available by clicking on the link under Related Research at the right of the screen or by contacting us at info@dbrs.com.