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Fitch Expects to Rate Nelnet Student Loan Trust 2015-1; Presale IssuedFitch Ratings expects to assign the following ratings to the Nelnet Student Loan Trust (NSLT) 2015-1 student loan asset-backed notes: --$553,232,000 class A notes 'AAAsf(EXP)'; Outlook Stable; --$13,114,000 class B notes 'A+sf(EXP)'; Outlook Stable. KEY RATING DRIVERS High Collateral Quality: The trust collateral consists of 100% Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans including 19.55% rehabilitated (rehab) loans. In Fitch's opinion, the credit quality of the trust collateral is high, based on the guarantees provided by the transaction's eligible guarantors and at least 97% reinsurance of principal and accrued interest provided by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The U.S. is currently rated 'AAA', Outlook Stable. Sufficient Credit Enhancement: Cash flow scenarios for class A and B notes were satisfactory under Fitch's respective stresses. Total credit enhancement (CE) is provided by overcollateralization (OC) and excess spread, and for the class A notes, 2.32% subordination is provided by the class B notes. At closing, total and senior parity are expected to be 101.25% and 103.65%, respectively. A target OC amount equal to the greater of 1.25% of the adjusted pool balance and $2 million must be met before excess spread can be released from the trust. Adequate Liquidity Support: Liquidity support is provided by an approximate $6.51 million reserve account (1.15% of outstanding note balance), funded at closing with note proceeds. On or after the February 2020 distribution date, the specified reserve requirement will be the greater of 0.25% of the outstanding note balance and 0.10% of the initial note balance. Acceptable Servicing Capabilities: Nelnet, Inc. will service 100% of the NSLT 2015-1 portfolio. In Fitch's opinion, Nelnet, Inc. is acceptable servicer of FFELP student loans. RATING SENSITIVITIES Since FFELP student loan ABS (News - Alert) rely on the U.S. government to reimburse defaults, 'AAAsf' FFELP ABS ratings will likely move in tandem with the 'AAA' U.S. sovereign rating. Aside from the U.S. sovereign rating, defaults and basis risk account for the majority of the risk embedded in FFELP student loan transactions. Additional defaults and basis shock beyond Fitch's published stresses could result in future downgrades. Likewise, a buildup of credit enhancement driven by positive excess spread given favorable basis factor conditions could lead to future upgrades. For further discussion of Fitch's sensitivity analysis, please see the presale titled 'NSLT 2015-1', dated Feb. 17, 2015, available at www.fitchratings.com. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. Applicable Criteria and Related Research: --'Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria' (May 20, 2014); --'Rating U.S. Federal Family Education Loan Program Student Loan ABS Criteria' (June 23, 2014); --'Representations, Warranties and Enforcement Mechanism in Global Structure Finance Transactions' (Oct. 31, 2014). Applicable Criteria and Related Research: Nelnet Student Loan Trust 2015-1 (US Student Loans) http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=862220 Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=754389 Rating U.S. Federal Family Education Loan Program Student Loan ABS Criteria http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=750530 Representations, Warranties and Enforcement Mechanisms in Global Structured Finance Transactions http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=799248 Additional Disclosure Solicitation Status http://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=979935 ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE. |
