DBRS Morningstar Confirms Ratings on Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation, Series 2021-1

DBRS, Inc. (DBRS Morningstar) confirmed its rating on all classes of notes issued by Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation, Series 2021-1.

The rating confirmations are based on the following analytical considerations:

-- The transaction assumptions consider DBRS Morningstar’s baseline macroeconomic scenarios for rated sovereign economies, available in its commentary “Baseline Macroeconomic Scenarios for Rated Sovereigns: April 2023 Update,” published on April 28, 2023. These baseline macroeconomic scenarios replace DBRS Morningstar’s moderate and adverse Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic scenarios, which were first published in April 2020.

-- Current ratings, transaction capital structure and credit enhancement levels.

-- Credit enhancement and liquidity support levels are sufficient to support the DBRS Morningstar cash flow assumptions under various stress scenarios. Credit enhancement and liquidity support are in the form of overcollateralization, a reserve account, and excess spread.

-- Collateral performance is within expectations and cumulative net losses remain low as FFELP student loans benefit from guarantees that are ultimately provided by the U.S. government for at least 97% of principal and accrued interest.

-- The rating of the U.S. remains Under Review as we continue to consider the implications of the recent standoff and evaluate the polarization on the predictability of U.S. policy making. The passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 mitigates the near-term threat of a federal default and payment delays.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS
There were no Environmental/Social/Governance (ESG) factors that had a significant or relevant effect on the credit analysis.

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/396929 (May 17, 2022).

Notes:
The principal methodology applicable to the ratings is DBRS Morningstar Master U.S. ABS Surveillance (May 16, 2023; https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/414028).

Other methodologies referenced in this transaction are listed at the end of this press release.

The DBRS Morningstar Sovereign group releases baseline macroeconomic scenarios for rated sovereigns. DBRS Morningstar analysis considered impacts consistent with the baseline scenarios as set forth in the following report: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/384482.

The rating was initiated at the request of the rated entity.
The rated entity or its related entities did participate in the rating process for this rating action.

DBRS Morningstar had access to the accounts management and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities in connection with this rating action.

This is a solicited credit rating.

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

DBRS, Inc.
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The rating methodologies used in the analysis of this transaction can be found at:
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com

Operational Risk Assessment for U.S. ABS Servicers (April 5, 2023)
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/412303
Operational Risk Assessment for U.S. ABS Originators (April 5, 2023)
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/412302
Interest Rate Stresses for U.S. Structured Finance Transactions (August 30, 2022)
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/402153
Legal Criteria for U.S. Structured Finance (December 7, 2022)
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/407008
Rating U.S. Structured Finance Transactions (February 6, 2023)
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/409449
Rating U.S. Federal Family Education Loan Program Securitizations (January 13, 2023)
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/408396

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