Fitch Affirms 40 Classes from the Vermont Student Assistance Corp., 1995 Indenture
* Reuters is not responsible for the content in this press release.
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)-- Fitch Ratings has affirmed 40 classes from the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) student loan revenue bonds issued by Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC), 1995 Indenture of Trust. The actions follow a review of trust collateral performance taken in conjunction with Fitch's ongoing review of student loan transactions with auction-rate exposure. The collateral supporting the bonds consists of 85% FFELP, 0.5% Health Education Assistance Program (HEAL), and 14.5% VSAC's EXTRA, EXTRA Law, and EXTRA Medical private student loans. FFELP loans are guaranteed by an eligible guarantor to at least 97% of principal and accrued interest, depending on loan origination date. The FFELP loans are also reinsured by the U.S. Department of Education up to the same amounts. The HEAL loans are guaranteed at 100% by the Secretary of the United States of Health and Human Services. VSAC's EXTRA, EXTRA Law, and EXTRA Medical student loans are self insured. Overall, collateral performance for the trust has been consistent with expectations from a net default and delinquency perspective. Approximately 79% of the notes are tax-exempt auction-rate securities and the remaining 21% are taxable auction-rate securities which are currently earning interest at the maximum rate. The trust documents define the tax-exempt maximum auction rate as the lesser of (a) the applicable percentage of the after-tax equivalent rate and the Kenny Index, and (b) the maximum interest rate which is equal to the lesser of (i) 14% and (ii) maximum interest rate permitted under the laws of the State of Vermont. The after-tax equivalent rate for the tax-exempt notes is equal to the lesser of (i) 'AA' rated 30-day commercial paper rate on such date multiplied by one minus the statutory corporate tax rate. The maximum rate for the taxable bonds is equal to the lesser of (a) the maximum auction rate which is the average annual 91-day Treasury Bill rate plus a spread and (b) the maximum interest rate which is equal to the lesser of 18% and (b) the maximum interest rate permitted by the laws of the State of Vermont. Although the trust continues to experience failed auctions causing the bonds to pay interest at the maximum rate, the senior and total parity ratio, or the ratio of assets to liabilities are at 104.6% and 104.0%, respectively, as of Sept. 30, 2008. Credit enhancement consists of excess spread, overcollateralization, and a debt service reserve fund. Additionally, the senior notes benefit from subordination provided by the lower priority notes. The excess spread generated by the trusts has been sufficient to cover any losses and pay note principal to build credit enhancement. The student loan portfolio is serviced by VSAC which is not rated by Fitch. Fitch affirms the following Education Loan Revenue Bonds at 'AAA': 1995-A 1995-B 1995-C 1996-F 1996-G 1996-H 1998-K 1998-L 1998-M 1998-O 2000-R 2000-S 2000-T 2001-V 2001-W 2001-X 2001-Y 2001-Z 2001-AA 2002-BB 2002-CC 2002-DD 2003-FF 2003-GG 2003-HH 2003-II 2003-JJ 2003-KK 2003-LL 2004-MM 2004-NN 2004-OO 2004-PP 2005-RR 2005-SS 2006-UU 2006-VV 2007-WW 2007-XX 2007-YY 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 Jeff Prackup, 212-908-0839 Stefanie Leung, 212-908-0826 or Media Relations: Sandro Scenga, 212-908-0278 Email: sandro.scenga@fitchratings.com Copyright Business Wire 2009
Comments (0)
This discussion is now closed. We welcome comments on our articles for a limited period after their publication.



Follow Reuters