Premier Auto $1.7 Billion 1998-4 Notes Expected AAA Rating By Fitch IBCA
8 September 1998
Premier Auto $1.7 Billion 1998-4 Notes Expected AAA Rating By Fitch IBCA - Fitch IBCA -NEW YORK, Sept. 4 -- Premier Auto Trust's 1998-4 $550 million 5.56% class A-2, $470 million 5.69% class A-3, and $304 million 5.78% class A-4 asset-backed notes are expected to be rated 'AAA' by Fitch IBCA. Class A-1 notes and certificates are not being publicly offered. The expected 'AAA' ratings on the class A notes are based upon funds in the reserve account, the subordination of the certificates, the initial overcollateralization (OC) amount, and the availability of excess spread to create additional OC. In addition, the ratings reflect the high quality of the retail auto receivables originated by Chrysler Financial Corp. (CFC) and the sound legal and cash flow structures. The transaction will be fully funded at closing. Unlike previous Premier transactions, the certificates do not bear interest in the Premier 1998-4 transaction. By subordinating the certificates and eliminating certificate interest, the structure assures that all collections on the receivables first go to pay interest and principal to the senior bonds. Excess spread available to turbo the class A notes is also increased under this structure. Premier 1998-4 also contains a cash release mechanism where cash generated from payments on the underlying receivables is released during the cash release period (CRP), a feature seen in the last four Premier securitizations. Credit enhancement for the class A notes, initially 8.25% grows as OC builds through the use of excess spread. The initial OC, 4.25% of the initial securities principal balance (ISPB), is expected to increase to a target level whereupon the CRP begins. On each distribution date during the CRP, cash from the underlying receivables is released to Premier Receivables, L.L.C. As seen in every Premier Auto transaction since 1994, 1998-4 utilizes a full turbo structure to increase OC. Since all excess spread is distributed as principal to the class A notes before and after the CRP, OC increases over time, providing substantial loss protection for each class of noteholders. In addition, the reserve account is based on the ISPB, which also increases credit enhancement as the pool amortizes. Premier's credit enhancement levels continue to drop with each successive securitization. The decrease is due to decreasing losses and delinquencies on CFC's retail auto portfolio. The trends come as a result of CFC's improved servicing and more rigid underwriting standards after loosening underwriting standards in 1995 in response to increased competition. Despite the decrease in credit enhancement, Fitch IBCA remains comfortable that credit enhancement available is sufficient to sustain losses at our 'AAA' stress scenarios. Interest and principal on the class A notes will be distributed monthly, beginning Oct. 8, 1998. Classes A-1 through A-4 are sequential pay note classes. No principal will be distributed to the certificateholders until all the class A notes have been paid in full.