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U.S. Residential Mortgage Input File Format For LEVELS

(Editor's Note: This article is not current, as the substance herein is no longer relevant.)

S&P Global Ratings uses its LEVELS model to analyze U.S. residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) transactions. Related to "Methodology And Assumptions For Rating U.S. RMBS Issued 2009 And Later," published Feb. 22, 2018, we are publishing this article to provide market participants with the input file format to be used with LEVELS (see table). For a general guide to industry terminology, see Appendix V of the related criteria.

The following update has been made to the input file format:

  • Added "CA0" as a valid input value for the Claims Adjustment Category field;
  • Changed the data type of the Primary Borrower ID Number field from "Numeric/Integer" to "Text"; and
  • Changed the format of the Primary Borrower ID Number field from "9(9)" to "X(30)".

Previous updates include:

  • Added "05 = Unknown Self-Employed Status" as a valid input value for the Self-employment Flag field.

LEVELS will also accept residential mortgage input data submitted in the American Securitization Forum RMBS Disclosure format. However, additional fields will be required, such as "Truth in Lending Act (TILA) Status," "Most Recent 24 Month Pay History," and "Documentation Type," by the LEVELS model.

LEVELS Input File Format
Field Field name Data type Sample input Format Required status Description and valid values
1 Loan ID Number Text A123445 X(30) Always Unique mortgage loan ID
2 Loan (Pool) Group Text G1 XX No Indicates the collateral group number for structures with multiple collateral groups. Use '1' if there is only one loan group
3 Cut-off Date (Data As Of Date) Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY Always Date of which the information is provided
4 Originator of Loan Text Originator1 X(140) No Indicates the entity that originated this loan
5 Servicer of Loan Text Servicer1 X(140) No Indicates the entity that has or will have the right to service this loan
6 Occupancy Text P X Always Specifies the property occupancy status
P = Owner Occupied
I = Investment Property
S = Second Home
7 Property Type Numeric/ Integer 03 99 Always Specifies the type of property being used to secure the loan
01 = Single Family Residence
02 = PUD
03 = Cooperative
04 = Condominium
05 = Two Family
06 = Three/Four Family
98 = Other
8 Loan Purpose Text R X Always Indicates the loan purpose
P = Purchase or Construction to Permanent
R = Rate/Term Refinance
C = Cash-Out Refinance
9 Self-employment Flag Numeric/ Integer 02 99 Always An indicator of whether the borrower(s) are self-employed
01 = Both the Borrower and Co-Borrower (if applicable) are self-employed
02 = Borrower is self-employed, Co-Borrower is not self-employed
03 = Co-Borrower is self-employed, Borrower is not self-employed
04 = Both the Borrower and Co-Borrower (if applicable) are not self-employed
05 = Unknown Self-Employed Status
10 Documentation Type Text A X Always The loan documentation type at origination
Q = Appendix Q or QM (Qualified Mortgage loan or loan debt and income amounts are verified in accordance with Appendix Q)
F = Full, not Appendix Q or QM (Traditional documentation used for fully verifying and calculating the qualifying income of the borrower(s) (e.g., written verification of employment, pay stubs, W2s, personal and business tax returns, IRS transcripts))
A = Alternative (Non-traditional income documentation used for verifying and calculating the qualifying income of the borrower(s) (e.g., bank statements))
O = Documentation used to qualify a borrower does not fit into the above documentation type categories
11 Length of Income Verification Numeric/ Integer 3 9 Required for Full and Alternative documentation types A code indicating the number of months to which the income of the borrower used has been verified
3 = 24 months or more income verification
2 = 12 to 23 months income verification
1 = 11 months or less income verification
12 Asset/Down Payment Verification Numeric/ Integer 4 9 Always A code indicating the extent to which the funds used for down payment and closing costs on a purchase money mortgage loan have been verified
4 = Stated, Verified (2 months or more of bank statements/balance documentation for liquid assets, or gift letter)
3 = Stated, "Partially" Verified
2 = Stated, Not Verified
1 = Not Stated, Not Verified
13 Original Loan Amount Numeric/ Decimal 150050.02 9(11).99 Always The dollar amount of the mortgage loan, as specified on the mortgage note at the time of the loan's origination
14 Current Loan Balance Numeric/ Decimal 150050.02 9(11).99 Always Mortgage loan outstanding principal balance as of cut-off date. For HELOCs, the current drawn amount*
15 Original Interest Rate (Percent) Numeric/ Decimal 6.25 999.99 Always The original note rate as indicated on the mortgage note
16 Current Interest Rate (Percent) Numeric/ Decimal 6.25 999.99 Always The interest rate used to calculate the current P&I or IO payment
17 Amortization Type Text F X Always Indicates whether the loan's interest rate is fixed or adjustable (hybrid ARMs are adjustable)
F = Fixed Rate
A = ARM
18 Margin (Percent) Numeric/ Decimal 5.00 999.99 No The spread between the ARM Index value and the mortgage interest rate
19 Initial Fixed Rate Period Numeric/ Integer 60 999 Required for ARMs For ARMs, the number of months from the first payment date of the mortgage to the first interest rate adjustment date
20 Lifetime Maximum Rate (Percent) Numeric/ Decimal 12.00 999.99 Required for ARMs For ARMS, the maximum interest rate that can be in effect during the life of the loan
21 Lifetime Minimum Rate (Percent) Numeric/ Decimal 2.25 999.99 No For ARMS, the minimum interest rate that can be in effect during the life of the loan
22 Origination Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY No The date of the mortgage note and mortgage/deed of trust
23 First Payment Date of Loan Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY Always The date of the first scheduled mortgage payment to be made by the borrower as specified on the mortgage note
24 Original Amortization Term Numeric/ Integer 240 999 Always The number of months in which the loan would be retired if the amortizing principal and interest payment were to be paid monthly
25 Original Term to Maturity Numeric/ Integer 360 999 Always The initial number of months between loan origination and the loan maturity date, as specified on the mortgage note
26 Original Interest Only Term Numeric/ Integer 120 999 Always Original interest-only term for a loan in months (including negative amortization loans)
27 HELOC Indicator Text Y X Always An indicator of whether the loan is a home equity line of credit
Y = Yes
N = No
28 HELOC Maximum Draw Amount Numeric/ Decimal 150050.02 9(11).99 Required for HELOC loans Maximum draw amount provided at loan origination
29 HELOC Draw Period Numeric/ Integer 36 999 Required for HELOC loans The original number of months during which the borrower may draw funds against the HELOC account
30 Option ARM Indicator Text Y X Required for ARMs An indicator of whether the loan is an Option ARM (Negative Amortization)
Y = Yes
N = No
31 Negative Amortization Limit (Percent) Numeric/ Integer 125 999 Required for Option ARMs The maximum amount of negative amortization allowed before recast is required (expressed as a percentage of the original loan amount: for example 125%)
32 Negative Amortization Period Numeric/ Integer 36 999 Required for Option ARMs The number of months from first payment date before payment must recast to a fully-amortizing payment
33 Mortgage Insurance Company Name Text MICompany X(140) Required for loans with mortgage insurance The name of the mortgage insurance provider
34 Mortgage Insurance Percent Numeric/ Decimal 30 999.99 Required for loans with mortgage insurance Mortgage insurance coverage percentage (indicates % of loan balance covered)
35 Mortgage Insurance Type Numeric/ Integer 02 99 Required for loans with mortgage insurance An indicator of whether mortgage insurance is paid by the borrower or the lender
01 = Borrower Paid
02 = Lender Paid
03 = No MI
99 = Unknown
36 Mortgage Insurance Company's Issuer Credit Rating Numeric/ Integer 03 99 Required for loans with mortgage insurance The S&P Global Ratings issuer credit rating on the mortgage insurance provider
01 = AAA
02 = AA+
03 = AA
04 = AA-
05 = A+
06 = A
07 = A-
08 = BBB+
09 = BBB
10 = BBB-
11 = BB+
12 = BB
13 = BB-
14 = B+
15 = B
16 = B-
99 = NR
37 Claims Adjustment Category Text CA2 XXX Required for loans with mortgage insurance See definitions in criteria ("Methodology For Assessing Mortgage Insurance and Similar Guarantees And Support In Structured And Public Sector Finance and Covered Bonds, Dec. 7, 2014)
CA0**
CA1
CA2
CA3
CA4
CA5
38 Postal Code Text 10041 X(5) Required if no CBSA provided The postal zip code where the subject property is located
39 CBSA Code Text 52341 X(5) Required if no postal code provided The Core Based Statistical Area code where the subject property is located
40 State/Territorial Code Text NY XX Always Postal state abbreviation must be: 50 States; PR = Puerto Rico; VI = Virgin Islands; DC = Washington, DC; GU = Guam
41 Original FICO Score Numeric/ Integer 600 999 Required if Most Recent FICO Score not provided The FICO score at origination
42 Most Recent FICO Score Numeric/ Integer 725 999 Required if Original FICO Score not provided The most recent FICO score, if pulled after loan origination
43 Most Recent FICO Score Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY Required if Most Recent FICO provided The date of the most recent FICO score, if pulled after loan origination
44 Borrower Residency Status Numeric/ Integer 03 99 Always An indicator as to whether the borrowers are U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens
01 = Both the Borrower and Co-Borrower (if applicable) are US citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens
02 = Borrower is not a US citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien
03 = Co-Borrower is not a US citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien
04 = Both the Borrower and Co-Borrower (if applicable) are not US citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens
45 Lien Position Numeric/ Integer 2 99 Always A number indicating the loan's lien position (1 = first lien etc.); 99 = Unknown
46 Senior Loan Amount Numeric/ Decimal 150050.02 9(11).99 Required for non-first lien loans For non-first mortgages, the sum of the balances of all associated senior mortgages at the time of origination of the subordinate lien
47 Junior Mortgage Balance Numeric/ Decimal 50050.02 9(11).99 No For first mortgages with subordinate liens at the time of origination, the combined balance of the subordinate liens (if known)
48 Most Recent 24 Month Payment History Text 00010000 00000000 00000123 X(24) Always String indicating the payment status per month (oldest to most recent). The most recent month is located to the right
0 = Current
1 = 30-59 Days Delinquent
2 = 60-89 Days Delinquent
3 = 90-119 Days Delinquent
4 = 120+ Days Delinquent
5 = Foreclosure
6 = REO
7 = Loan Did Not Exist in Period
X = Unavailable
49 Sales Price Numeric/ Decimal 408000.02 9(11).99 Required if no Original Appraised Property Value provided For purchase loans only: The sales price of the property between the buyer and seller
50 Original Appraised Property Value Numeric/ Decimal 418000.02 9(11).99 Required if no Sales Price provided The appraised value of the property used to approve the loan
51 Original Property Valuation Type Numeric/ Integer 03 99 Required if Original Appraised Property Value is provided The method by which the property value (at time of underwriting) was reported
01 = Tax Assessment
02 = Drive-By Form 704
03 = URAR Form 1004, Form 70, Form 72, Form 1025, Form 1073, Form 465, Form 2090, Form 1004C, and Form 70B (Form 1075 retired 11/1/2005)
04 = Form 2070 and Form 2075 (Form 2065 retired 11/1/2005)
05 = Form 2055, Form 1075, Form 466, and Form 2095 (Exterior Only)
06 = Form 2055 (with Interior Inspection)
07 = Automated Valuation Model
08 = No Appraisal/Stated Value
09 = Desk Review
10 = BPO as-is
11 = BPO quick sale
12 = NADA/Yellow Book Value (for MH)
13 = Land Only (for Lot and MH)
14 = Hold for other types of MH valuations
15 = Case-Shiller/Other Index Application
16 = Form 1004MC
98 = Other
99 = Unavailable
52 Original Property Valuation Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY Always The date on which the original property value (at the time of underwriting) was reported
53 Most Recent Property Value Numeric/ Decimal 418000.02 9(11).99 No The value of the property according to the most recent property valuation, if obtained after loan origination
54 Most Recent Property Valuation Type Numeric/ Integer 03 99 Required if Most Recent Property Value is provided Specifies the method used to obtain the most recent value of the subject property, if the valuation was obtained after loan origination
01 = Tax Assessment
02 = Drive-By Form 704
03 = URAR Form 1004, Form 70, Form 72, Form 1025, Form 1073, Form 465, Form 2090, Form 1004C, and Form 70B (Form 1075 retired 11/1/2005)
04 = Form 2070 and Form 2075 (Form 2065 retired 11/1/2005)
05 = Form 2055, Form 1075, Form 466, and Form 2095 (Exterior Only)
06 = Form 2055 (with Interior Inspection)
07 = Automated Valuation Model
08 = No Appraisal/Stated Value
09 = Desk Review
10 = BPO as-is
11 = BPO quick sale
12 = NADA/Yellow Book Value (for MH)
13 = Land Only (for Lot and MH)
14 = Hold for other types of MH valuations
15 = Case-Shiller/Other Index Application
16 = Form 1004MC
98 = Other
99 = Unavailable
55 Most Recent Property Valuation Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY Required if Most Recent Property Value provided The date of the most recent property valuation, if obtained after loan origination
56 # Months Reserves at Closing Numeric/ Integer 24 9(11) No The cash reserves of the borrower and co-borrower divided by the PITI payments, including Condo and HOA fees
57 Originator Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI) Numeric/ Decimal 65.24 999.99 Required for Appendix Q or QM, Full, and Alternative Documentation Types or if Neutral DTI Flag = "N" in LEVELS Back-end DTI ratio used by the originator to qualify the loan
58 Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Numeric/ Decimal 1.25 999.99 No The ratio used in determining debt servicing ability. DSCR is the primary measure to determine if a property will be able to sustain its debt based on cash flow
59 DSCR Indicator Text Y X No A field used to identify debt service coverage ratio loans
Y = Yes
N = No
60 Anti-Predatory Lending Category Text Y X No A field used to identify "high-cost" loans, "covered" loans, or any other similarly designated loans as defined under any state, local, or federal law with respect to predatory and abusive lending laws
Y = Yes
N = No
61 Truth in Lending Act (TILA) status Numeric/ Integer 03 99 No A code to identify the TILA designation
01 = QM/Non-HPML (safe harbor)
02 = QM/HPML (rebuttable presumption)
03 = Non-QM/ATR Compliant
04 = Not Covered/exempt
62 Total Origination and Discount Points (in dollars) Numeric/ Decimal 18000.02 9(11).99 Required for Non-QM and QM/HPML loans Dollar amount of points and fees as defined by Regulation Z
63 Credit Grade Text A X No The due diligence credit grade
A = Loan adheres fully to originator guidelines
B = Loan falls outside of originator guidelines but has adequate compensating factors
C = Loan falls outside of originator guidelines without compensating factors
D = Loan file is missing material documentation and has insufficient information to perform review
64 Property Valuation Grade Text A X No The due diligence property valuation grade
A = Valuation performed consistent with industry standards; first secondary value no more than 10% below the original value
B = Valuation performed consistent with industry standards; additional secondary value no more than 10% below the original appraisal
C = Valuation does not meet industry standards and/or additional secondary value more than 10% below the original appraisal
D = Loan file is missing the original value or the original valuation is incomplete
65 Regulatory Compliance Grade Text A X No The due diligence regulatory compliance grade
A = Complies with all applicable enforceable federal, state and local laws
B = Exceptions represent minor compliance violations that would not impair enforceability of the mortgage or the servicer’s ability to foreclose
C = Does not comply with all enforceable federal, state and local laws and violations could impair enforceability of the mortgage or the servicer’s ability to foreclose
D = Loan file is missing material documentation and has insufficient information to perform review
66 Servicer Advancing Text B X Always The manner in which principal and/or interest are to be advanced by the servicer
B = Both Principal and Interest
P = Principal Only
I = Interest Only
N = No Advancing
67 Length of Servicer Advancing Numeric/ Integer 48 999 Required for "B", "P" or "I" advancing types Indicates months of principal and interest advancing. Use 999 if loan is to be advanced upon until deemed unrecoverable
68 Primary Borrower ID Number Text A1448911 X(30) No Used to identify the number of times a single borrower appears in a given loan pool
69 Outstanding Escrow Advances Numeric/ Decimal 1800.02 9(11).99 No Indicates the balance of escrow advances related to this loan that have not yet been recovered by the servicer nor have they been capitalized onto the loan's current outstanding balance
70 Outstanding Corporate Advances Numeric/ Decimal 108.02 9(11).99 No Indicates the balance of corporate advances related to this loan that have not yet been recovered by the servicer nor have they been capitalized onto the loan's current outstanding balance
71 Outstanding Principal and Interest Advances Numeric/ Decimal 100008.02 9(11).99 No Indicates the balance of P&I advances related to this loan that have not yet been recovered by the servicer nor have they been capitalized onto the loan's current outstanding balance
72 Total Number of Borrowers Numeric/ Integer 2 99 Always Number of borrowers who are obligated to repay the mortgage note
73 Bankruptcy Discharge Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY No The date on which the borrower was last discharged from bankruptcy
74 Foreclosure Sale Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY No The date of last foreclosure sale
75 Short Sale Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY No The date on which a lender accepted a payoff of a previous loan that was less than the principal balance of the borrower's mortgage
76 Deed-In-Lieu Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY No The date on which the title was transferred to the servicer pursuant to a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure agreement
77 Modification Flag Text N X No An indicator of whether the loan has been modified
Y = Yes
N = No
78 Loan Modification Type Numeric/ Integer 03 99 No A code indicating the type of modification loss mitigation method the servicer is pursuing with the borrower. Provide additional details in the Notes field for the following loan modification types: Temporary Interest Rate Reductions, Combination, and Other/Unknown
01 = Principal Forgiveness
02 = Forbearance Amount
03 = Temporary Interest Rate Reduction
04 = Permanent Interest Rate Reduction
05 = Term Extension
06 = Combination
99 = Other/Unknown
79 Modification First Payment Date Date 01-Jan-2018 DD-MON- YYYY Required for modified loans The date of the first scheduled post loan modification mortgage payment
80 Total Deferred Balance Numeric/ Decimal 160008.02 9(11).99 No Indicates the balance of any non-interest bearing deferred amounts (e.g. principal, interest and fees)
81 Forgiven Principal Amount Numeric/ Decimal 160008.02 9(11).99 No The sum total of all principal balance reductions as a result of loan modifications
82 Modification Debt-to-Income Ratio Numeric/ Decimal 65.24 999.99 No If the loan is modified, the modified DTI used at the time of modification
83 Pre-Modification Amortization Type Text F X No If the loan is modified, indicate whether the loan's pre-modification interest rate is fixed or adjustable (hybrid ARMs are adjustable)
F = Fixed Rate
A = ARM
84 Pre-Modification Original Amortization Term Numeric/ Integer 240 999 No If the loan is modified, the pre-modification number of months in which the loan would be retired if the amortizing principal and interest payment were to be paid monthly
85 Pre-Modification Original Term to Maturity Numeric/ Integer 360 999 No If the loan is modified, the pre-modification initial number of months between loan origination and the loan maturity date, as specified on the mortgage note
86 Pre-Modification Original Interest Only Term Numeric/ Integer 120 999 No If the loan is modified, the pre-modification original interest-only term for a loan in months (including negative amortization loans)
87 Pre-Modification Documentation Type Text A X No If the loan is modified, the loan documentation type at origination
Q = Appendix Q or QM (Qualified Mortgage loan or loan debt and income amounts are verified in accordance with Appendix Q)
F = Full, not Appendix Q or QM (Traditional documentation used for fully verifying and calculating the qualifying income of the borrower(s) (e.g., written verification of employment, pay stubs, W2s, personal and business tax returns, IRS transcripts))
A = Alternative (Non-traditional income documentation used for verifying and calculating the qualifying income of the borrower(s) (e.g., bank statements))
O = Documentation used to qualify a borrower does not fit into the above documentation type categories
88 Pre-Modification Length of Income Verification Numeric/ Integer 3 9 No If the loan is modified, a code indicating the number of months to which the income of the borrower used has been verified at origination
3 = 24 months or more income verification
2 = 12 to 23 months income verification
1 = 11 months or less income verification
89 Pre-Modification Maximum Rate (Percent) Numeric/ Decimal 20.25 999.99 No If the loan is modified, the pre-modification maximum interest rate that can be in effect during the life of the loan
90 Pre-Modification Senior Loan Amount Numeric/ Decimal 150050.02 9(11).99 No For modified non-first mortgages, the sum of the balances of all associated senior mortgages at the time of origination of the subordinate lien
91 Pre-Modification Junior Mortgage Balance Numeric/ Decimal 50050.02 9(11).99 No For modified first mortgages with subordinate liens at the time of origination, the combined balance of the subordinate liens (if known)
92 Notes Text Sample Text X(1000) No Input information or commentary related to the mortgage loan
Note: For modified loans (excluding trial modifications), input post-modification values in fields 1-82, if applicable. Fields 83-91 should be input with pre-modification values. *For HELOCs that have been drawn upon (Current Loan Balance > 0) the HELOC Maximum Draw Amount will be used in the calculation of foreclosure frequency and loss severity. For HELOCs without a current draw amount (Current Loan Balance = 0) the loss severity in LEVELS will be zero. **CA0 corresponds to a claims adjustment rate of 0% for all rating categories. It is added for sensitivity analysis. Our criteria ("Methodology For Assessing Mortgage Insurance and Similar Guarantees And Support In Structured And Public Sector Finance and Covered Bonds, Dec. 7, 2014) is unchanged.

This report does not constitute a rating action.

Primary Credit Analyst:Julian He, CFA, New York + 1 (212) 438 8154;
julian.he@spglobal.com
Secondary Contact:Jun Wang, New York (1) 212-438-5553;
jun.wang@spglobal.com

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