KBRA Assigns Preliminary Ratings to Upstart Securitization Trust 2021-1

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) assigns preliminary ratings to three classes of notes issued by Upstart Securitization Trust 2021-1 (“UPST 2021-1”), a $207.859 million consumer loan ABS transaction. The preliminary ratings reflect initial credit enhancement level of 41.75% for the Class A notes, 29.85% for the Class B notes and 15.00% for the Class C notes. Credit enhancement consists of overcollateralization, excess spread, a cash reserve account and subordination (in the case of the Class A and Class B notes).

The loans in the collateral pool are originated by Cross River Bank and FinWise Bank. As of the statistical cutoff date, borrowers in UPST 2021-1 have a weighted average interest rate and weighted average FICO score of 18.87% and 678, respectively. The collateral pool has a weighted average original term of 50 months and a weighted average seasoning of four months.

This transaction represents the eighteenth ABS securitization collateralized by unsecured consumer loans originated through the online platform operated by Upstart Network, Inc. (“Upstart” or the “Company”) and the eleventh from the Upstart Securitization Trust (“UPST”) ABS program. Upstart was established in February 2012 and operates an online platform (www.upstart.com) and a white label technology licensing service that allows financial institutions and other potential partners to leverage Upstart’s online application flow, machine learning credit model, verification process and other technology to originate loans according to their own underwriting standards.

KBRA applied its Consumer Loan ABS Global Rating Methodology and Global Structured Finance Counterparty Methodology as part of its analysis of the transaction’s underlying collateral pool, the proposed capital structure and Upstart’s historical gross loss data. KBRA also conducted an operational assessment of Upstart, as well as a review of the transaction’s legal structure and transaction documents. KBRA will also review the operative agreements and legal opinions for the transaction prior to closing.

Click here to view the report. To access ratings and relevant documents, click here.

Related Publications

• Upstart Securitization Trust 2021-1 KCAT
• Consumer Loan ABS Global Rating Methodology
• Global Structured Finance Counterparty Methodology

Disclosures

Further information on key credit considerations, sensitivity analyses that consider what factors can affect these credit ratings and how they could lead to an upgrade or a downgrade, and ESG factors (where they are a key driver behind the change to the credit rating or rating outlook) can be found in the full rating report referenced above.

A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.

Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.

Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.

About KBRA

Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.

Contacts

Analytical Contacts
William Carson, Senior Director (Lead Analyst)

+1 (646) 731-2405

wcarson@kbra.com

Michael Polvere, Senior Analyst

+1 (646) 731-3339

mpolvere@kbra.com

Sandy Azer, Associate Director

+1 (646) 731-1200

sazer@kbra.com

Eric Neglia, Managing Director (Rating Committee Chair)

+1 (646) 731-2456

eneglia@kbra.com

Business Development Contact
Ted Burbage, Managing Director

+1 (646) 731-3325

tburbage@kbra.com