DBRS Morningstar Upgrades and Confirms Ratings on Finance of America HECM Buyout 2020-HB2

DBRS, Inc. (DBRS Morningstar) upgraded the ratings on five classes and confirmed the rating on one class of asset-backed notes issued by Finance of America HECM Buyout 2020-2 HB2 as follows:

-- Class A confirmed at AAA (sf)
-- Class M1 upgraded to AAA (sf) from AA (sf)
-- Class M2 upgraded to AA (sf) from A (sf)
-- Class M3 upgraded to A (sf) from BBB (sf)
-- Class M4 upgraded to BBB (sf) from BB (sf)
-- Class M5 upgraded to BBB (low) (sf) from BB (low) (sf)

These rating actions reflect asset performance and credit-support levels that are consistent with the current ratings.

DBRS Morningstar’s rating actions are based on the following analytical consideration:

-- Key performance measures, as reflected in credit enhancement increases since deal inception, and running total cumulative loss percentages.

In connection with the economic stress assumed under its moderate scenario (see “Global Macroeconomic Scenarios - June 2021 Update” published on June 18, 2021), DBRS Morningstar advances the mortality curve of all the reverse mortgage (RM) borrowers by four years, advances all foreclosure timelines to a AAA scenario timeline, and applies an immediate 10% valuation haircut to all loans.

The pools backing the reviewed RMBS transactions consist of reverse mortgage collateral.

Reverse Mortgage Loans
Lenders typically offer RM loans to people who are at least 62 years old. Through RM loans, borrowers have access to home equity through a lump sum amount or a stream of payments without periodically repaying principal or interest, allowing the loan balance to accumulate over a period of time until a maturity event occurs. Loan repayment is required if (1) the borrower dies, (2) the borrower sells the related residence, (3) the borrower no longer occupies the related residence for a period (usually a year), (4) it is no longer the borrower’s primary residence, (5) a tax or insurance default occurs, or (6) the borrower fails to properly maintain the related residence. In addition, borrowers must be current on any homeowner’s association dues if applicable. RMs are typically nonrecourse; borrowers don’t have to provide additional assets in cases where the outstanding loan amount exceeds the property’s value (the crossover point). As a result, liquidation proceeds will fall below the loan amount in cases where the outstanding balance reaches the crossover point, contributing to higher loss severities for these loans.

ESG CONSIDERATIONS
A description of how DBRS Morningstar considers ESG factors within the DBRS Morningstar analytical framework can be found in the DBRS Morningstar Criteria: Approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance Risk Factors in Credit Ratings at https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/373262.

Notes:
The principal methodology is the U.S. Reverse Mortgage Securitization Ratings Methodology (May 8, 2020), which can be found on dbrsmorningstar.com under Methodologies & Criteria.

For more information regarding rating methodologies and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/357883.

For more information regarding structured finance rating methodologies and Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), please see the following DBRS Morningstar press release: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/358308.

The rated entity or its related entities did participate in the rating process for this rating action. DBRS Morningstar had access to the accounts and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities in connection with this rating action.

For more information on these credits or on this industry, visit www.dbrsmorningstar.com or contact us at info@dbrsmorningstar.com.

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