DBRS Morningstar Upgrades Three Classes of Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust 2019-RM3

DBRS, Inc. (DBRS Morningstar) confirmed three classes and upgraded three classes of notes issued by Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust 2019-RM3 as follows:

-- Mortgage Backed Notes, Series 2019-RM3, Class A confirmed at AAA (sf)
-- Mortgage Backed Notes, Series 2019-RM3, Class B confirmed at AAA (sf)
-- Mortgage Backed Notes, Series 2019-RM3, Class C confirmed at AAA (sf)
-- Mortgage Backed Notes, Series 2019-RM3, Class D upgraded to AAA (sf) from AA (high) (sf)
-- Mortgage Backed Notes, Series 2019-RM3, Class E upgraded to AA (sf) from A (high) (sf)
-- Mortgage Backed Notes, Series 2019-RM3, Class F upgraded to AA (low) (sf) from A (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 considerations:

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

-- The pools backing the reviewed residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) transactions consist of reverse mortgage (RM) collateral.

RM 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 do not 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, GOVERNANCE CONSIDERATIONS
There were no Environmental/Social/Governance factor(s) that had a significant or relevant effect on the credit analysis.

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/396929/dbrs-morningstar-criteria-approach-to-environmental-social-and-governance-risk-factors-in-credit-ratings (May 17, 2022).

Notes:
All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

The principal methodology applicable to the ratings is Rating and Monitoring U.S. Reverse Mortgage Securitizations (November 23, 2022; https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/405660).

Other methodologies referenced in this transaction are listed at the end of this press release.

The DBRS Morningstar Sovereign group releases baseline macroeconomic scenarios for rated sovereigns. DBRS Morningstar analysis considered impacts consistent with the baseline scenarios as set forth in the following report: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/384482.

The rating was initiated at the request of the rated entity.

The rated entity or its related entities did participate in the rating process for this rating action.

DBRS Morningstar had access to the accounts, management and other relevant internal documents of the rated entity or its related entities in connection with this rating action.

This is a solicited credit rating.

DBRS, Inc.
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Tel. +1 212 806-3277

The rating methodologies used in the analysis of this transaction can be found at: https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/about/methodologies.

-- Interest Rate Stresses for U.S. Structured Finance Transactions (June 9, 2023),
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/415687

-- Legal Criteria for U.S. Structured Finance (December 7, 2022),
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/407008/legal-criteria-for-us-structured-finance

-- Operational Risk Assessment for U.S. RMBS Originators (November 23, 2022),
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/405664/operational-risk-assessment-for-us-rmbs-originators

-- Operational Risk Assessment for U.S. RMBS Servicers (November 23, 2022),
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/405665/operational-risk-assessment-for-us-rmbs-servicers

-- Representations and Warranties Criteria for U.S. RMBS Transactions (May 16, 2023),
https://www.dbrsmorningstar.com/research/414076

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