Fitch Affirms Four Classes of C-BASS CBO IX, Ltd./Corp

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Fitch Ratings has affirmed four classes of notes issued by C-BASS CBO IX, Ltd./Corp (C-BASS IX) as follows:

-- $17,828,900 class A-2 notes at 'CCCsf';

-- $10,000,000 class B notes at 'CCsf';

-- $12,000,000 class C notes at 'Csf';

-- $7,227,634 class D notes at 'Csf'.

This review was conducted under the framework described in the report 'Global Rating Criteria for Structured Finance CDOs' using the Structured Finance Portfolio Credit Model (SF PCM) for projecting future default levels for the underlying portfolio. These default levels were then compared to the breakeven levels generated by Fitch's cash flow model of the CDO under various default timing and interest rate stress scenarios, as described in the report 'Global Criteria for Cash Flow Analysis in CDOs'. Fitch also considered additional qualitative factors in its analysis, as described below, to conclude the rating affirmations for the rated notes.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

At the last payment date in January 2013, the class A-1 notes Paid-In-Full and the class A- 2 notes received their first principal distribution. The affirmation for the class A-2 notes is due to the amortization of the notes increasing credit enhancement to offset any negative migration in the underlying portfolio. The class has received approximately $2.2 million or 10.9% of its previous balance since the last review. The affirmation is in line with the breakeven levels from the cash flow model.

Since Fitch's last rating action in March 2012, the credit quality of the collateral has deteriorated with approximately 42.9% of the portfolio downgraded a weighted average of 4.4 notches. Approximately 86.4% of the portfolio has a Fitch-derived rating below investment grade and 64.2% rated in the 'CCC' category or lower, compared to 71.1% and 52.7%, respectively, at last review.

Breakeven levels for the class B, C, and D notes were below SF PCM's 'CCC' default level, the lowest level of defaults projected by SF PCM. Therefore Fitch compared the classes' credit enhancement level to the expected losses from distressed and defaulted assets in the portfolio (rated 'CCsf' or lower). Based on this comparison, the ratings for each of the classes are affirmed.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

The transaction remains sensitive to further negative migration and increasing concentration in assets of a weaker credit quality. Moreover, interest coming off defaulted bonds which currently contributes to the A-2 notes' paydown may not be sustainable at the same levels in the future.

C-BASS IX is a cash flow structured finance collateralized debt obligation (SF CDO) that closed on March 23, 2004. The portfolio is currently monitored by NIC Management LLC, an affiliate of Newcastle Investment Corp. and consists of 85% residential mortgage-backed securities, 12.9% commercial and consumer asset-backed securities, and 2.1% SF CDOs from 2001 through 2004 vintage transactions.

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. The ratings above were solicited by, or on behalf of, the issuer, and therefore, Fitch has been compensated for the provision of the ratings.

The information used to assess these ratings was sourced from the issuer, periodic trustee reports, note valuation reports, and the public domain.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--'Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria' (June 6, 2012)

--'Global Rating Criteria for Structured Finance CDOs' (Oct. 3, 2012)

--'Global Criteria for Cash Flow Analysis in CDOs' (Sept. 13, 2012)

--'Criteria for Interest Rate Stresses in Structured Finance Transactions' (Jan. 25, 2013)

Applicable Criteria and Related Research

Criteria for Interest Rate Stresses in Structured Finance Transactions

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=695535

Global Criteria for Cash Flow Analysis in CDOs

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=688518

Global Rating Criteria for Structured Finance CDOs

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=690203

Global Structured Finance Ratings Performance: First-Half 2004 Review

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=214934

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