OREANDA-NEWS.  Fitch Ratings has upgraded two classes and affirmed two classes of First Union National Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust 2001-C3, commercial mortgage pass-through certificates. A detailed list of rating actions follows at the end of this press release.

KEY RATING DRIVERS
The upgrades reflect recent paydowns, defeasance, and stable performance of the remaining collateral. Fitch modeled losses of 2% of the remaining pool; expected losses on the original pool balance total 4%, including $32.5 million (4% of the original pool balance) in realized losses to date. Five assets remain in the pool, two of which are defeased (60.5% of the pool). There are no specially serviced loans.

The three remaining non-defeased performing loans (39.5% of the pool) are single-tenant drugstores located in MI, NC, and SC. The assets are each 100% occupied by CVS and have leases that are coterminous with their respective maturity dates. Two of the loans are fully amortizing, while the other is a balloon on a 26 year amortization schedule. Year-end (YE) 2014 NOI DSCRs range between 1.00x and 1.11x, which is consistent with historical performance.

As of the October 2015 distribution date, the pool's aggregate principal balance has been reduced by 99% to $8.1 million from $818.8 million at issuance. Interest shortfalls are currently affecting classes M through P. Recently one specially serviced asset has liquidated with better than expected recoveries.

RATING SENSITIVITIES
The ratings of classes L and M are expected to remain stable. An upgrade to class M above the recommended rating is not warranted due to pool concentration and single-tenant drugstore exposure. Class M may be subject to downgrades should losses increase above expectations.

DUE DILIGENCE USAGE
No third party due diligence was provided or reviewed in relation to this rating action.

Fitch has upgraded the following ratings:

--$3.8 million class L to 'AAAsf' from 'BBsf', Outlook Stable;
--$4.1 million class M to 'BBsf' from 'CCCsf', Outlook Stable assigned.
Fitch has affirmed the following ratings:

--$255.3 thousand class N at 'Dsf', RE 100%;
--$0 class O at 'Dsf', RE 0%.

The class A-1, A-2, A-3, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K and interest-only class IO-II certificates have paid in full. Fitch does not rate the class P certificates. Fitch previously withdrew the rating on the interest-only class IO-I certificates.