Fitch IBCA rates Premier Auto
21 October 1998
Fitch IBCA Expects To Rate $1.68 Billion Premier 1998-5 A/B Notes AAA - Fitch IBCA -NEW YORK, Oct. 21 -- Premier Auto Trust's 1998-5 $640 million 5.07% class A-2, $450 million 5.07% class A-3, and $214.375 million 5.19% class A-4 asset-backed notes are expected to be rated `AAA' by Fitch IBCA. The $380 class 5.14% A-1 notes, rated `F1+', and the 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 amount (initial O/C), and the availability of excess spread to create additional overcollateralization. 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. Credit enhancement for the class A notes, initially 7.00%, grows as overcollateralization builds through the use of excess spread. The initial O/C, 3.00% of the initial securities principal balance (ISPB), is expected to increase to a target dollar amount whereupon the cash release period (CRP) begins. On each distribution date during the CRP, cash from the underlying receivables is released to Premier Receivables L.L.C., a feature seen in the last five Premier securitizations. Since all excess spread is distributed as principal to the class A notes before and after the CRP, overcollateralization 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. Fitch gained comfort with the reduced levels of credit enhancement due to the continuing trend of low losses and delinquencies on Chrysler's retail auto portfolio, and the incorporation of Chrysler's Gold Key Plus Program into the receivables pool. Despite the decrease in credit enhancement, Fitch IBCA, Inc. remains comfortable that credit enhancement available is sufficient to sustain losses at our `AAA' stress scenarios. Chrysler's Gold Key Plus Program constitutes approximately 21% of the pool. Similar to a lease, contracts originated under this program provide for a stream of fixed monthly payments with a final fixed payment at the end of the contract term. The final payment is equal to the residual value of the vehicle that is set at the beginning of the vehicle contract. The obligor pays the fixed monthly payments, and at the end of the contract's term has the option of returning the vehicle to Chrysler, purchasing the vehicle by payment in full of the vehicle's final fixed payment, or refinancing the final fixed payment. The trust will receive only the fixed monthly payments pertaining to the vehicle contract. However, in the event of an obligor default on such receivable, all proceeds from the sale of the vehicle backing such receivable will go first to pay off the principal balance of the fixed monthly payments due plus any interest accrued up to the date of default. Similar to the Premier 1998-4 transaction, the certificates do not bear interest. 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. Interest and principal on the class A notes will be distributed monthly, beginning Nov. 9, 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.