Fitch Takes Various Actions on 5 Washington Mutual Mortgage Alt-A Transactions

2008-05-22 00:54:43 -

- Fitch Ratings has taken rating actions on the mezzanine/subordinate bonds of the following five Washington Mutual Mortgage transactions:

--Washington Mutual Mortgage, WMALT Series 2005-1;

--Washington Mutual Mortgage, WMALT Series 2005-2;

--Washington Mutual Mortgage, WMALT Series 2006-2;

--Washington Mutual Mortgage, WMALT Series 2006-3;

--WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007.

A spreadsheet detailing Fitch's rating actions on the transactions in question is available on the Fitch Ratings web site at www.fitchratings.com under the following headers:

Structured Finance then RMBS then Research Highlights

The rating actions taken today reflect Fitch's analysis of expected default and loss from delinquent loans, in addition to projected losses from the currently performing pool. Fitch generates its expectations using its ResiLogic default and loss model. These expectations are adjusted based on actual performance to-date versus model projected performance. The model incorporates the impact of historical home price movements on mortgage performance, in addition to projecting further stress for many regions of the U.S. The model also reflects the demonstrated high default rates for loans that exhibit risk-layering.

The details of the application of ResiLogic to seasoned mortgage pools, and the specific assumptions used for the Alt-A review, will be described in research to be released shortly.

Fitch is completing its review of the 2005-2007 Alt-A transactions in two separate phases. The first phase will be a review of all mezzanine and subordinated bonds, which are more immediately exposed to delinquency losses. This phase is currently nearing completion. The second phase, which will begin shortly, will be a review of all the senior bonds that, in many instances, require additional cash flow analysis to evaluate the risk of the various individual classes within the senior tranche. Most notably, the use of super-senior structures will be considered in evaluating senior bonds.

Additional details are available in the following reports, also available at www.fitchratings.com under:

Structured Finance then RMBS then Special Reports

--'Drivers of 2006-2007 Alt-A Collateral Performance' (May 7, 2008);

--'U.S. Alt-A RMBS Performance Deteriorating Rapidly, Fitch Initiates Extensive' (Mar. 6, 2008);

--'Alt A Bonds Placed on Rating Watch Negative - Amended' (Mar. 20, 2008).

Further information regarding current delinquency, loss, and credit enhancement statistics is also available at www.fitchratings.com.

Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site.

Fitch Ratings, New York
Tara Sweeney, 212-908-0347
Michele Patterson, 212-908-0779
Sandro Scenga, 212-908-0278 (Media Relations)