Press Release

DBRS Morningstar Confirms Credit Ratings on Red & Black Auto Italy S.r.l.

Auto

November 08, 2023

DBRS Ratings GmbH (DBRS Morningstar) confirmed its credit ratings on the Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D Notes (together, the Rated Notes) issued by Red & Black Auto Italy S.r.l. (the Issuer) as follows:

-- Class A Notes at AA (high) (sf)
-- Class B Notes at AA (low) (sf)
-- Class C Notes at BBB (high) (sf)
-- Class D Notes at BB (high) (sf)

The credit rating on the Class A Notes addresses timely payment of interest and ultimate payment of principal by the legal final maturity date. The credit ratings on the Class B, Class C, and Class D notes address the ultimate payment of interest and principal by the legal final maturity date, as well as the timely payment of interest while the senior-most class is outstanding.

The confirmations follow an annual review of the transaction and are based on the following analytical considerations:
-- Portfolio performance, in terms of delinquencies, defaults and losses, as of the September 2023 payment date;
-- Probability of default (PD), loss given default (LGD), and expected loss assumptions on the remaining receivables; and
-- Current available credit enhancement to the Rated Notes to cover the expected losses at their respective rating levels.

The transaction is a securitisation of a portfolio of auto loans to individual borrowers in Italy for the purchase of new and used vehicles. The receivables are originated and serviced by Fiditalia S.p.A., whose ultimate parent is Société Générale, S.A. The transaction is static and is not subject to residual value risk. The receivables include insurance premia.

The transaction features a mixed pro rata/sequential amortisation mechanism, whereby the rated notes initially amortise sequentially until the Class A Notes’ support ratio reaches a target level. Thereafter, the rated notes will start to amortise pro rata. However, certain events could cause this feature to stop indefinitely, resulting in the rated notes amortising on a sequential basis.

PORTFOLIO PERFORMANCE
As of September 2023, loans two to three months in arrears represented 0.3% of the outstanding portfolio balance, up from 0.1% in September 2022. Loans more than three months in arrears represented 0.5% of the outstanding portfolio balance, up from 0.2% in September 2022. The cumulative gross default ratio and cumulative net default ratio were both 0.4%.

PORTFOLIO ASSUMPTIONS AND KEY DRIVERS
DBRS Morningstar conducted an analysis of the remaining pool of receivables and updated its base case PD and LGD assumptions to 2.0% and 76.5%, respectively.

CREDIT ENHANCEMENT
Credit enhancement (CE) to the rated notes consists of their subordination (excluding the unrated Class J Notes) and the cash reserve. As of the September 2023 payment date, CE to the rated notes had increased since closing as follows:
-- CE to the Class A Notes to 12.2% from 6.0%
-- CE to the Class B Notes to 9.0% from 4.5%
-- CE to the Class C Notes to 5.1% from 2.6%
-- CE to the Class D Notes to 0.6% from 0.5%

The transaction benefits from a cash reserve funded via the Class J Notes issuance. The cash reserve is available to cover senior fees, swap payments, and interest on the Rated Notes. It is amortising and set at 0.5% of the outstanding balance of the rated notes and floored at EUR 2.5 million. As of the September 2023 payment date, it was at its floor of EUR 2.5 million.

The Bank of New York Mellon SA/NV, Milan branch (BNYM Milan) acts as the account bank for the transaction. Based on DBRS Morningstar’s private rating on BNYM Milan, the downgrade provisions outlined in the transaction documents, and other mitigating factors inherent in the transaction structure, DBRS Morningstar considers the risk arising from the exposure to the account bank to be consistent with the rating assigned to the Class A Notes, as described in DBRS Morningstar's "Legal Criteria for European Structured Finance Transactions" methodology.

DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank (DZ Bank) acts as the swap counterparty for the transaction. DBRS Morningstar's public Long Term Critical Obligations Rating on DZ Bank of AA is above the first rating threshold as described in DBRS Morningstar's "Derivative Criteria for European Structured Finance Transactions" methodology.

DBRS Morningstar’s credit ratings on the notes addresses the credit risk associated with the identified financial obligations in accordance with the relevant transaction documents.

DBRS Morningstar’s credit rating does not address nonpayment risk associated with contractual payment obligations contemplated in the applicable transaction documents that are not financial obligations.

DBRS Morningstar’s long-term credit ratings provide opinions on risk of default. DBRS Morningstar considers risk of default to be the risk that an issuer will fail to satisfy the financial obligations in accordance with the terms under which a long-term obligation has been issued.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS
There were no Environmental/Social/Governance 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/416784.

DBRS Morningstar analysed the transaction structure in Intex DealMaker.

Notes:
All figures are in euros unless otherwise noted.

The principal methodology applicable to the credit ratings is the “Master European Structured Finance Surveillance Methodology” (22 October 2023), https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/422281/master-european-structured-finance-surveillance-methodology.

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

DBRS Morningstar has applied the principal methodology consistently and conducted a review of the transaction in accordance with the principal methodology.

A review of the transaction legal documents was not conducted as the legal documents have remained unchanged since the most recent rating action.

For a more detailed discussion of the sovereign risk impact on Structured Finance credit ratings, please refer to “Appendix C: The Impact of Sovereign Ratings on Other DBRS Morningstar Credit Ratings” of the “Global Methodology for Rating Sovereign Governments” at: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/421590/global-methodology-for-rating-sovereign-governments.

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/baseline-macroeconomic-scenarios-application-to-credit-ratings.

The sources of data and information used for these credit ratings include investor reports and portfolio amortisation schedule provided by Banca Finanziaria Internazionale S.p.A., loan-level data provided by the European DataWarehouse GmbH, and historical performance data provided by Fiditalia S.p.A.

DBRS Morningstar did not rely upon third-party due diligence in order to conduct its analysis.

At the time of the initial credit ratings, DBRS Morningstar was supplied with third-party assessments. However, this did not impact the rating analysis.

DBRS Morningstar considers the data and information available to it for the purposes of providing these credit ratings to be of satisfactory quality.

DBRS Morningstar does not audit or independently verify the data or information it receives in connection with the credit rating process.

The last credit rating action on this transaction took place on 9 November 2022, when DBRS Morningstar confirmed its ratings of the Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D Notes at AA (high) (sf), AA (low) (sf), BBB (high) (sf), and BB (high) (sf), respectively.

Information regarding DBRS Morningstar credit ratings, including definitions, policies and methodologies is available at www.dbrsmorningstar.com.

Sensitivity Analysis: To assess the impact of changing the transaction parameters on the credit rating, DBRS Morningstar considered the following stress scenarios as compared with the parameters used to determine the credit rating (the Base Case):

-- DBRS Morningstar expected a lifetime base-case PD and LGD for the pool based on a review of the current assets. Adverse changes to asset performance may cause stresses to base case assumptions and therefore have a negative effect on credit ratings.
-- The base case PD and LGD of the current pool of loans for the Issuer at the B (low) (sf) credit rating level are 2.0% and 76.5%, respectively.
-- The risk sensitivity overview below illustrates the credit ratings expected if the PD and LGD increase by a certain percentage over the base case assumption. For example, if the LGD increases by 50%, the credit rating on the Class A Notes would be expected to fall to A (high) (sf), assuming no change in the PD. If the PD increases by 50%, the credit rating on the Class A Notes would be expected to fall to A (sf), assuming no change in the LGD. Furthermore, if both the PD and LGD increase by 50%, the credit rating on the Class A Notes would be expected to fall to BBB (high) (sf).

Class A Notes Risk Sensitivity:
-- 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of A (high) (sf)
-- 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of A (high) (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD, expected credit rating of A (high) (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD, expected credit rating of A (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of A (low) (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of A (low) (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (high) (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (high) (sf)

Class B Notes Risk Sensitivity:
-- 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of A (sf)
-- 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of A (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD, expected credit rating of A (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD, expected credit rating of A (low) (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (high) (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (high) (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (sf)

Class C Notes Risk Sensitivity:
-- 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (high) (sf)
-- 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (high) (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD, expected credit rating of BBB (high) (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD, expected credit rating of BBB (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (low) (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BBB (low) (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BB (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BB (sf)

Class D Notes Risk Sensitivity:
-- 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BB (sf)
-- 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of BB (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD, expected credit rating of BB (high) (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD, expected credit rating of BB (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of B (high) (sf)
-- 25% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating of B (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 25% increase in LGD, expected credit rating below B (sf)
-- 50% increase in PD and 50% increase in LGD, expected credit rating below B (sf)

For further information on DBRS Morningstar historical default rates published by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) in a central repository, see: https://registers.esma.europa.eu/cerep-publication. For further information on DBRS Morningstar historical default rates published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in a central repository, see https://data.fca.org.uk/#/ceres/craStats.

These credit ratings are endorsed by DBRS Ratings Limited for use in the United Kingdom.

Lead Analyst: Daniel Rakhamimov, Assistant Vice President
Rating Committee Chair: Alfonso Candelas, Senior Vice President
Initial Rating Date: 28 September 2021

DBRS Ratings GmbH
Neue Mainzer Straße 75
60311 Frankfurt am Main Deutschland
Tel. +49 (69) 8088 3500
Geschäftsführer: Detlef Scholz
Amtsgericht Frankfurt am Main, HRB 110259

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

A description of how DBRS Morningstar analyses structured finance transactions and how the methodologies are collectively applied can be found at https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/278375.

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

ALL MORNINGSTAR DBRS RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO DISCLAIMERS AND CERTAIN LIMITATIONS. PLEASE READ THESE DISCLAIMERS AND LIMITATIONS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING MORNINGSTAR DBRS RATINGS, INCLUDING DEFINITIONS, POLICIES, RATING SCALES AND METHODOLOGIES.

Download This Press Release