Fitch Upgrades 3 Classes of LB-UBS 2002-C7

Fitch Ratings has upgraded three classes and affirmed two classes of LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, series 2002-C7, commercial mortgage pass-through certificates. A detailed list of rating actions follows at the end of this press release.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The upgrades and affirmations are the result of continued paydown and the resolution of three specially serviced real estate owned (REO) assets since Fitch's last rating action despite the pool's concentration as only seven of the original 115 loans remain.

As of the February 2015 distribution date, the pool's aggregate principal balance has been reduced by 97.8% to $25.7 million from $1.19 billion at issuance. Per the servicer reporting, two loans (27.6% of the pool) are defeased, including the second largest loan in the pool (24.4%) which has an anticipated repayment date (ARD) of 2017 and a final maturity date of 2032. Interest shortfalls are currently affecting classes T through U. Fitch has designated one Fitch Loan of Concern (31%), the largest asset in the pool and the lone specially serviced REO asset.

The REO asset is a 95,527 square foot (sf) retail center located in Houston, TX. The loan was transferred to special servicing in October 2010 and foreclosure was completed in June 2011. As of year-end 2014, the property was 79% occupied after a new tenant took occupancy in May 2014. Fitch anticipates losses upon the liquidation of the asset based on recent property valuations obtained by the servicer.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

The Rating Outlook on class N remains Stable. Although Fitch expects the class to be paid in full, no further upgrades are warranted at this time given that the class has experienced interest shortfalls previously, as well as the vulnerability to potential interest shortfalls in the future. Fitch will not assign or maintain 'AAAsf' or 'AAsf' ratings for notes that it believes have a high level of vulnerability to interest shortfalls or deferrals, even if permitted under the terms of the documents (see 'Criteria for Rating Caps and Limitations in Global Structured Finance Transactions', dated May 28, 2014, for more details). Downgrades to the pool could occur should the specially serviced REO asset take losses greater than expected or performing loans within the pool are transferred to the special servicer.

Fitch upgrades the following classes as indicated:

--$2.8 million class N to 'Asf' from 'BBBsf'; Outlook Stable;

--$8.9 million class P to 'BBsf' from 'Bsf'; Outlook Stable;

--$3 million class S to 'CCsf' from 'Csf'; RE 100%.

Fitch affirms the following classes as indicated:

--$4.5 million class Q at 'CCCsf'; RE 100%;

--$6.5 million class T at 'Dsf'; RE 25%.

The class A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-1b, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L and M certificates have paid in full. Fitch does not rate the class U certificates. Fitch previously withdrew the ratings on the interest-only class X-CL and X-CP certificates.

Additional information on Fitch's criteria for analyzing U.S. CMBS transactions is available in the Dec. 10, 2014 report, 'U.S. Fixed-Rate Multiborrower CMBS Surveillance and Re-REMIC Criteria', which is available at 'www.fitchratings.com' under the following headers:

Structured Finance >> CMBS >> Criteria Reports

Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'.

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

--'Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria' (Aug. 4, 2014);

--'U.S. Fixed-Rate Multiborrower CMBS Surveillance and Re-REMIC Criteria' (Dec. 10, 2014).

Applicable Criteria and Related Research:

Global Structured Finance Rating Criteria

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=754389

U.S. Fixed-Rate Multiborrower CMBS Surveillance and Re-REMIC Criteria

http://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=812608

Additional Disclosure

Solicitation Status

http://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=981954

ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE '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 MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE.

Contacts:

Fitch Ratings
Primary Analyst
Dustin Pike
Associate Director
+1-212-612-7875
Fitch Ratings, Inc.
33 Whitehall Street
New York, NY 10004
or
Committee Chairperson
Mary MacNeill
Managing Director
+1-212-908-0785
or
Media Relations:
Sandro Scenga, New York, +1 212-908-0278
Email: sandro.scenga@fitchratings.com

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.