DBRS Morningstar Assigns Provisional Ratings of AAA (sf), A (sf), and BBB (sf) to CARDS II Trust, Series 2021-1

DBRS Limited (DBRS Morningstar) assigned provisional ratings to the Credit Card Receivables-Backed Notes, Series 2021-1 (the Notes) to be issued by CARDS II Trust (the Trust) as follows:

-- AAA (sf) to the Credit Card Receivables-Backed Class A Notes, Series 2021-1 (the Class A Notes)
-- A (sf) to the Credit Card Receivables-Backed Class B Notes, Series 2021-1 (the Class B Notes)
-- BBB (sf) to the Credit Card Receivables-Backed Class C Notes, Series 2021-1 (the Class C Notes)

The finalization of the ratings is contingent upon receipt of final documents conforming to information already received by DBRS Morningstar.

On March 17, 2021, the DBRS Morningstar Sovereigns group published its updated outlook on the impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on key economic indicators for the 2021–22 time frame. The initial outlook was published on April 16, 2020 and has been updated periodically since. For details see https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/375376. The uncertainty of the pandemic’s continued impact in Canada on unemployment and the timing and pace of economic recovery coupled with the eventual elimination of government support may affect the performance of the portfolio over time, including increases in delinquencies and losses. For the ratings assigned, DBRS Morningstar considered implications of DBRS Morningstar Sovereigns group's moderate economic scenario in developing its base case net loss rate, yield and payment rate assumptions.

DBRS Morningstar considered the following factors in its analysis:

(1) For the Class A Notes, credit enhancement (CE) will be available through subordination of 7.25% (4.75% Class B Notes and 2.50% Class C Notes), excess spread, and the series-specific cash reserve account, which could build up to 5% of the initial invested amount.

(2) For the Class B Notes, CE will be provided by subordination of 2.50% (the Class C Notes), excess spread, and the series-specific cash reserve account.

(3) For the Class C Notes, CE will be available through excess spread and the series-specific cash reserve account.

(4) Since 2008, the three-month average payment rate for the portfolio has remained high averaging more than 30%, while the three-month average gross yield has been strong averaging over 22% since 2009 following the removal on June 25, 2009 of the 2% cap on interchange.

(5) The custodial pool is a well-diversified, seasoned portfolio and is one of the largest in Canada.

DBRS Morningstar stress testing indicates that simultaneous declines in yield and payment rates and increases in losses would not result in a failure of the Trust in repaying the Notes on a timely basis. The severity of the tests applied is commensurate with the respective ratings of the Notes.

DBRS Morningstar notes that the program fees and expenses (which could include indemnity payments) that are payable to the financial services agent are not subordinated to payments to Noteholders, as expected in DBRS Morningstar’s “Legal Criteria for Canadian Structured Finance.” DBRS Morningstar will monitor the monthly servicer reports, and to the extent that these fees and expenses may affect payments to Noteholders, DBRS Morningstar will review and take appropriate rating actions, if necessary.

DBRS Morningstar also notes that a true sale opinion in respect of the co-ownership interests in any new accounts that may be added will not be delivered in connection with each account addition, as expected in DBRS Morningstar’s “Legal Criteria for Canadian Structured Finance.” DBRS Morningstar considers the risk minimal, as additional accounts are transferred to the Custodian infrequently, an officer’s certificate is provided by the Seller in connection with each additional account transfer and a true sale opinion in respect of the co-ownership interests in any new accounts that may be added will be delivered every six months for any additions made within the previous six months.

A description of how DBRS Morningstar considers ESG factors within the DBRS Morningstar analytical framework can be found in the DBRS Morningstar Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings at https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/373262.

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

The principal methodology is Rating Canadian Credit Card and Personal Line of Credit Securitizations (November 4, 2020), which can be found on dbrsmorningstar.com under Methodologies & Criteria.

For more information regarding rating methodologies and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/357883.

For more information regarding structured finance rating methodologies and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/358308.

For more information regarding the structured finance rating approach and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/359905.

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 under Related Documents or by contacting us at [email protected].

The Trust or Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, in its capacity as Financial Services Agent of the Trust, participated in the rating process. DBRS Morningstar had access to the accounts and other relevant internal documents of the Trust or the Financial Services Agent.

Please see the related appendix for additional information regarding the sensitivity of assumptions used in the rating process.

The full report providing additional analytical detail is available by clicking on the link under Related Research below or by contacting us at [email protected].

For more information on this credit or on this industry, visit www.dbrsmorningstar.com or contact us at [email protected].

DBRS Limited
DBRS Tower, 181 University Avenue, Suite 700
Toronto, ON M5H 3M7 Canada
Tel. +1 416 593-5577