Morningstar DBRS Finalizes Provisional Credit Ratings on Switch ABS Issuer, LLC, Series 2024-1

DBRS, Inc. (Morningstar DBRS) finalized its provisional credit ratings on the following classes of Term Notes, Series 2024-1 to be issued by Switch ABS Issuer, LLC (the Master Trust):

-- Class A-1-L at A (sf)
-- Class A-2 at A (low) (sf)
-- Class B at BBB (low) (sf)

All trends are Stable.

Switch ABS Issuer, LLC is a securitization collateralized by the borrower's fee-simple interest in four data center properties located in three states: Nevada, Texas, and Michigan. Morningstar DBRS generally takes a positive view on the credit profile of the overall transaction based on the portfolio’s favorable property quality, affordable power rates, desirable efficiency metrics, and strong redundancy. As of the closing date, Switch held a portfolio of 19 data center properties in six different metropolitan areas, inclusive of the subject collateral. The transaction is structured as a master trust with the subject series 2024-1 notes being the inaugural issuance of notes from the Master Trust.

Morningstar DBRS' rating on the notes reflects the low leverage of the transaction, the strong and stable cash flow performance, and a firm legal structure to protect noteholders’ interests. The rating also reflects the quality of service provided by the company, the access to key fiber nodes, and technology that can maintain the data centers' relevance into the future.

The data centers backing this financing are generally well built and benefit from the large national network provided by Switch. Switch is a leader in technology with more than 700 patents and patents pending for design and operations that maintain high standards and reliability. Switch also uses a modular design that allows for infrastructure upgrades with minimal disruption. Finally, Switch has, over time, developed a large purchasing cooperative for its customers that allow for savings on both connectivity and power, both of which represent key inputs for users.

Data centers, while having existed in one form or another for many years, have become a key component of the modern global technology industry. The advent of cloud computing, streaming media, file storage, and artificial intelligence applications has increased the need for these facilities over the last decade in order to manage, store, and transmit data globally. Both hyperscale and colocation data centers have a role in the existing data ecosystem. Hyperscale data centers are designed for large capacity, storage, and processing of information, whereas colocation centers act as an "on-ramp" for users to access the wider network, or for information from the network to be routed back to users. Switch Data Centers operates a large network using third-party and proprietary fiber to provide access to a large number of technology firms.

From the standpoint of the physical plants, the data center assets are adequately powered, with some assets in the portfolio exhibiting higher critical IT loads than others. Morningstar DBRS views the data center collateral as strong assets with a strong critical infrastructure, including power and redundancy that is built to accommodate the technology needs of today and the future.

Morningstar DBRS’ credit rating on Switch ABS Issuer, LLC, Series 2024-1 addresses the credit risk associated with the identified financial obligations in accordance with the relevant transaction documents. The associated financial obligations are the related Principal Amounts and Interest Distribution Amounts for the rated Notes as well as the LFN Administrative Agent Fee for Class A-1-L.

Morningstar DBRS’ credit rating does not address nonpayment risk associated with contractual payment obligations contemplated in the applicable transaction document(s) that are not financial obligations. For example, Post-ARD Additional Interest and Prepayment Consideration for Class A-2 and Class B.

Morningstar DBRS’ long-term credit ratings provide opinions on risk of default. Morningstar DBRS 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. The Morningstar DBRS short-term debt rating scale provides an opinion on the risk that an issuer will not meet its short-term financial obligations in a timely manner.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS

There were no Environmental/Social/Governance factor(s) that had a significant or relevant effect on the credit analysis.

A description of how Morningstar DBRS considers ESG factors within the Morningstar DBRS analytical framework can be found in the Morningstar DBRS Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings (23 January 2024) https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/427030

All credit ratings are subject to surveillance, which could result in credit ratings being upgraded, downgraded, placed under review, confirmed, or discontinued by Morningstar DBRS.

Notes:
All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

The principal methodology is Rating and Monitoring Data Center Transactions (23 January 2024)
https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/427033

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

With regard to due diligence services, Morningstar DBRS was provided with the Form ABS Due Diligence-15E (Form-15E), which contains a description of the information that a third party reviewed in conducting the due diligence services and a summary of the findings and conclusions. While due diligence services outlined in Form-15E do not constitute part of Morningstar DBRS’ methodology, Morningstar DBRS used the data file outlined in the independent accountant’s report in its analysis to determine the credit ratings referenced herein.

The credit rating was initiated at the request of the rated entity.

The rated entity or its related entities did participate in the credit rating process for this credit rating action.

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

This is a solicited credit rating.

Please see the related appendix for additional information regarding the sensitivity of assumptions used in the credit rating process. Please note a sensitivity analysis is not performed for CMBS bonds rated CCC or lower.

DBRS, Inc.
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Tel. +1 212 806-3277

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

-- DBRS Morningstar North American Commercial Real Estate Property Analysis Criteria (22 September, 2023; https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/420982/dbrs-morningstar-north-american-commercial-real-estate-property-analysis-criteria)

-- Legal Criteria for U.S. Structured Finance (07 December, 2023; https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/425081/legal-criteria-for-us-structured-finance)

-- North American Commercial Mortgage Servicer Rankings (23 August, 2023; https://dbrs.morningstar.com/research/419592/north-american-commercial-mortgage-servicer-rankings)

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