OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has published its U.S. Student Loan ABS Index Report Card with data up to Q1'15, for both private and FFELP student loans. The performance metrics that Fitch tracks include gross defaults, deferment, forbearance and delinquencies.

For 1Q15, delinquencies and defaults for private student loans remain at low levels due to the stronger economy. Delinquencies and defaults for FFELP loans are higher than pre-crisis levels; but is relatively stable year over year.

Additionally, Fitch addresses the heightened maturity risk of FFELP student loan asset-backed securities in its publication, and identifies those transactions which possess notes that may miss paying off by their legal final maturity date. Fitch has placed 23 transactions on Rating Watch Negative given their potential maturity risk. (See Fitch's Press Release: 'Fitch Places 57 U.S. FFELP ABS Tranches on Rating Watch Negative for Maturity Risk', dated June 26, 2015)

The full report is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.