Fitch Places Acenden's UK Primary and Special Servicer Ratings on RWE
The RWE follows the recent announcement that Storm Funding Limited has agreed to sell Acenden to Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Advisors L.L.C. (Blackstone) and TPG Special Situations Partners (TSSP) and the uncertainties that this brings with it. Specifically, operational, financial and strategic support could potentially all be affected. Fitch also wants to determine the financial commitment of the new owners following the completion of the sale process to establish the future support offered to Acenden and its impact on operational strategies, business performance, technology infrastructure and loan performance.
Fitch will continue to monitor the situation and the RWE will remain in place pending a final resolution of the sale, which is subject to regulatory approval. Fitch will then conduct a further assessment of the sale's impact which, depending on the outcome, could result in an upgrade, affirmation or downgrade of the servicer rating.
Fitch is aware that Blackstone and TSSP have also recently acquired Kensington Mortgage Company Limited (KMC; RSS2+). The agency believes that there is potential synergy between KMC and Acenden and will see if any operational changes come about as a result of having a shared parent.
Fitch conducted a full review of Acenden prior to the announcement of the sale, which indicated that the company continued to have a strong governance structure and maintained a proactive approach to servicing.
As of 31 December 2014, Acenden's servicing portfolio totalled GBP5.1bn (31 December 2013: GBP5.4bn) and comprised 59,951 loans (31 December 2013: 63,089).
Fitch employed its global servicer rating criteria in analysing the servicer's operations and financial condition, with the criteria including a comparison of similar UK servicers as part of the review process.
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