Você está na página 1de 7

OVERVIEW

Securitisation activity in South Africa A private equity fund of funds can


INSIDE THIS ISSUE
continues apace with a number of securitise its different stakes in Overview ......................................................... 1
transactions coming to market in underlying funds by selling these
Q206. Fitch Ratings rated two RMBS investments into a securitisation Rating Private Equity Securitisations ............. 2
issues, Nqaba Finance 1 and Blue special-purpose vehicle (SPV), SPVs in Structured Finance Transactions...4
Granite Investments 2, and a CMBS which issues notes to fund such an
tap issuance for Growthpoint Note acquisition. Through securitisation, Appendix: Fitch Publicly Rated
Issuer Company. fund managers can gain access to Securitisations in South Africa Ratings
Update ............................................................. 6
additional and diversified funding
South African arrangers have, over the sources.
past few years, securitised major asset
classes such as home loans, auto loans, In rating private equity CFOs, Fitch CONTACT DETAILS
credit card receivables and commercial evaluates a number of factors,
property loans in addition to the including an asset manager review, Fitch Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd
ubiquitous ABCP conduits. It remains quantitative modelling, legal review Block C
to be seen how other asset classes such and structural analysis. As with all Stonewedge Office Park
as CDOs will gain market acceptance. securitisation transactions, Fitchs 1 Wedgewood Link Rd
One variant of CDOs are CFOs structured finance performance Bryanston
(collateralised fund obligations), analytics team will monitor these Tel: +27 11 516 4900
whereby private equity cash flows are transactions carefully to ensure that the Fax: +27 11 706 9594
securitised. assigned ratings remain an appropriate
reflection of the issued notes credit Johannesburg
The first article in this newsletter risk. Yohan Assous
therefore explores the concept of how yohan.assous@fitchratings.com
securitisation techniques can be used The second article describes the role of
as a source of funding for the private SPVs in structured finance Troy Murray, CFA
equity industry. transactions. troy.murray@fitchratings.com
Private equity as an asset class spans a Fitch attaches great importance to the Tertius Smith
wide number of investment types, bankruptcy remoteness and tertius.smith@fitchratings.com
ranging from blue sky venture cleanliness of such SPVs. To
capital to leveraged buyouts and circumvent corporate credit risk and London
mezzanine finance, as well as event risk, a securitisation issuer SPV Dr. Stefan Bund
secondary sales of private equity should have an independent legal stefan.bund@fitchratings.com
stakes. existence as well as a separate
corporate existence from the originator
Private equity stakes in companies are of the securitised assets. By having a
typically held through a private equity newly formed SPV, there will be no
fund. Investors can gain further operating history and the risk of
diversification by investing in a private existing creditors bringing bankruptcy
equity fund of funds, which invests in proceedings against the SPV. Fitch BREAKFAST WITH FITCH
a number of underlying private equity will therefore consider SPVs that
funds. This allows risk exposure to be comply with these criteria to have a Fitch holds regular breakfast seminars in
spread across a number of fund much reduced bankruptcy risk. Cape Town and Johannesburg to discuss
managers, geographical locations, current securitisation topics. To be
investment stages, sectors and Finally, Appendix 1 at the end of the included in Fitchs mailing list, please
industries and time horizons. Risk newsletter summarises all Fitchs contact Hilary Steyn on +27 11 516 4900.
diversification is important since a publicly rated South African
fund usually commits investment securitisations.
capital over a number of years.
AUGUST 2006
RATING PRIVATE EQUITY SECURITISATIONS
PRIVATE EQUITY FUNDS terms and conditions of the fund. TYPES OF PRIVATE EQUITY
Internationally, there has been a surge in Compensation for the GPs consists of a INVESTMENTS
interest in securitisation transactions management fee based on the portfolios Private equity investments can be
supported by shares in private equity net asset value (NAV) and a percentage classified into venture capital, buyout
funds. These transactions allow a larger of profits. The commitment period, which investments, mezzanine finance and
number of investors to access private can be several years, is the period over secondary purchases.
equity investments. In turn, fund which the fund may call committed
managers can obtain access to new capital from the LPs. Such capital calls, Venture capital describes the investments
funding sources. The securitisation of also known as drawdowns or takedowns, in young companies embarking on new
private equity cash flows are referred to are unscheduled and can occur at any time ventures. Venture capital investing can be
as collateralised fund obligations (CFOs). within the commitment period. The legal classified into three stages: seed stage;
maturity of a private equity fund is early stage and late/expansion stage. Seed
In a criteria report, Going Public with usually about 10 years, by which time the stage describes investments in companies
Private Equity CFOs, published on 6 fund is supposed to have liquidated all its that have not yet fully established
February 2006 and available at investments for cash or in-kind commercial operations and need financing
www.fitchratings.com, Fitch discusses the distributions. for continued research and development.
factors that influence the rating of private Early stage describes investments in
equity securitisation transactions. The life cycle of a private equity fund companies that have passed the initial
occurs in three stages: an initial seed stage and require financing for
A private equity fund is a pooled commitment of investment capital by the continued product development and
investment vehicle established for the LPs; gradual drawdown of these operational activities. The late or
purpose of achieving returns from private committed amounts by the GPs; and expansion stage describes investments in
equity investments. Private equity distribution of returns to LPs as they are companies seeking finance to expand
investments are privately negotiated realised. The available capital is usually operations from a regional to a national or
investments in ordinary and preference committed during the first year and drawn even international scale. Venture capital
shares, subordinated debt, convertible down as investment opportunities are companies receive frequent rounds of
securities and share options. The identified. As drawdowns occur, normally financing, typically every six to 12
companies they are invested in are usually during the earlier years of the fund, the months. The predominant exit strategy is
unlisted. invested value of the portfolio begins to an initial public offering (IPO) of the
accumulate. Finally, cash or marketable investment and the existence of a
Investor participation in a private equity securities are received as underlying functioning IPO market is thus important
fund typically requires high minimum investments are realised and proceeds in order to realise investment returns.
investment amounts and long investment distributed to the LPs.
commitment periods. Private equity funds Buyout investments is a broad category
might exert their influence over the For the LP investors, the investment in a referring to investments in companies,
companies in which they have purchased private equity fund entails substantial often controlling stakes, to allow the
stakes in pursuit of investors investment uncertainty. The timing of both private equity fund to exercise substantial
objectives. Investors have traditionally drawdowns and distributions is influence over the companys
been high-net-worth individuals, unpredictable. An insolvency of a management and typically are:
insurance companies, pension funds and portfolio company results in a write-off of
other investment managers. that investments value. Portfolio investments made with the intention
valuations are not always meaningful of quickly listing the company;
Private equity funds are usually organised because the regular mark-to-market of traditional leveraged buyouts in
as limited partnerships but may be set up fund investments is prohibitively costly. which high yield debt is issued to
as limited liability companies with similar finance an acquisition;
structural features to limited partnerships. Since reported NAVs of private equity turnaround situations involving a
The general partners (GPs) of the funds are not always reliable, their distressed company; or
private equity fund are responsible for performance tends to be evaluated by
value propositions in which
making investment decisions on behalf of using their internal rate of return (IRR),
companies are purchased for their
investors, which are the limited partners which is the discount rate that causes the
low price-earnings multiples.
(LPs). Once investments are made, the net present value of cash flows to be equal
GPs endeavour to influence the to zero. The IRR is a measure of cash
Mezzanine debt is speculative financing
management of the underlying companies return net of cash investment on an
that is senior to ordinary equity capital but
in an effort to maximise profits. annualised, time-weighted basis, finalised
subordinated to other debt of the company
only when all investments have been
and has a higher yield relative to other
The relationship between the GPs and LPs liquidated. Because investments by
debt to compensate for the higher risk.
is governed by a limited partnership investors occur before distributions to
agreement that specifies the rights and them, the IRR is at first negative before
A secondary purchase is that of an
obligations of all parties, how the GPs are rising to its final, liquidated level.
existing LP interest in a seasoned private
compensated, the funds commitment equity fund. X
period and legal maturity, and all other

2
RATING PRIVATE EQUITY SECURITISATIONS
Continued from page 2

X SECURITISATION OF PRIVATE This is done with the expectation that external credit support or
EQUITY FUNDS OF FUNDS earlier distributions received from funds dependencies;
Investors can gain access to a diverse can be used to fund later drawdowns. In interest rate & currency hedges; and
group of private equity funds by investing practice, a liquidity facility is often in transaction fee structure.
in a private equity fund of funds, which place to provide liquidity equal to the
affords them diversification benefits over-commitment. Independent Valuation
relative to investors in a single fund. When the private equity portfolio is
Illiquidity
transferred to the SPV at closing, an
Private equity securitisation involves a Private equity investments tend to be
independent valuation of the portfolio by
fund-of-funds sponsor setting up a special- illiquid, with any secondary market
a third party will provide comfort that the
purpose vehicle (SPV), which issues inhabited largely by opportunistic
purchase price represents a fair value.
notes to fund the purchase of a portfolio of investors. Secondary sales, particularly
Independent valuations will also be
private equity funds, specifically the LP when transacted under duress or a limited
conducted for secondary purchases. Fitch
interests, that serves as collateral for the time horizon, often occur at deep discounts.
will conduct a review of the valuation
notes. The GPs have to consent to the As such, private equity investing is
providers practices and procedures to
transfer of the LP interests to the SPV. necessarily a buy-and-hold strategy.
determine whether the methodology is
Through the use of securitisation, fund-of-
funds managers can therefore broaden their
RATING PROCESS satisfactory.
range of investors and diversify their In rating private equity CFOs, Fitch will
Legal Review
conduct an asset manager review, Private equity CFOs share similar legal
funding sources.
structural analysis, independent valuation, considerations with other types of
RISK FACTORS legal review, quantitative analysis and securitisations. These include the
Some of the risks of securitising a modelling, and ongoing surveillance. bankruptcy-remoteness of the SPV, true
portfolio of private equity funds include: sale, perfection and first priority security
Asset Manager Review
Fitch will review the asset managers interest in the collateral, and the
Cash Flow Management
performance track record, operational enforceability of the agreements governing
Unlike cash flows in a typical
processes, research capabilities and various parties in the transaction. Fitch will
securitisation, the cash inflows from
infrastructure as a critical part of the rating review all transaction documents and
private equity funds are unscheduled and
process. The review is conducted on a requires and reviews legal opinions.
can vary considerably. At the same time,
the CFO SPV incurs regular cash outflows pass-or-fail basis to determine whether a
Quantitative Analysis and Modelling
such as interest payments on the notes, suitable management team is in place. Conservative assumptions are derived from
management fees and administrative Investment managers should be able to historical data to reflect the performance of
expenses. To circumvent these cash flow demonstrate historical performance the assets in the structure. These are placed
mismatches, the transaction sponsor has a through various market cycles, executing a in Fitchs proprietary quantitative model to
number of options. The notes can be made relatively consistent investment strategy quantify the default probability associated
deferrable so that payment is not due until throughout. While historical track record is with each of the CFO notes. The results of
cash distributions from the underlying not reliably indicative of future the model in conjunction with all other
funds are received. Alternatively, the performance, a solid, verifiable track information gathered during the rating
structure can incorporate a reserve account record will be viewed favourably in process are analysed to determine the final
set aside at closing that will cover all determining the strengths of the investment ratings of the notes.
ongoing expenses that are not deferrable. A manager. In addition, Fitch views
third party can also be contracted to favourably the arrangements that align the Surveillance
provide liquidity support. All these interests of the manager with those of all Fitch will monitor the performance of the
mechanisms come as an expense to the classes of investors. transaction to ensure that the ratings of the
structure and one way of circumventing debt outstanding are consistent with actual
Legal Review risk to noteholders. As part of the ongoing
these costs is to issue principal-protection
Fitch will review the structural parameters surveillance, Fitch will require monthly
notes, which do not pay an interest coupon,
of a CFO transaction to determine the reports that provide information on the
with the sole promise that investors will
extent to which major risks of the investments. Fitch will also conduct
receive over time at least the nominal
structure can be contained. Typical periodic investment manager reviews.
amount of their initial investment at
structural components reviewed are:
maturity.
SUMMARY
Efficient Use of Capital maximum allocation to a single fund Fitch recognises the risks and benefits of
If the fund manager cannot invest all the or manager; private equity securitisation and has
funds available, it will cause substantial maximum allocation to a single developed a conservative approach to
costs to the structure due to the lower sector; assigning credit ratings to notes issued
expected returns from holding cash for other portfolio diversification from such structures. Given the existing
prolonged periods. The fund manager guidelines; vibrant private equity market in South
may thus use an over-commitment commitment strategies; Africa, CFOs can provide another
strategy, in which it commits more capital coupon payment features; diversified source of funding for this
to the underlying funds than it has at its sources and terms of liquidity market.
disposal, to maximise the amount invested support;
in the underlying private equity funds.

3
SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES IN STRUCTURED FINANCE
TRANSACTIONS
Any rating assigned by Fitch to a South African securitisations have, to Beneficial control of SPVs is most
structured finance (SF) transaction date, employed a security structure in commonly held by an owner trust and
encompasses a level of legal analysis in which two SPVs have been employed and managed by professional trustees. In
addition to the asset-class specific credit this has become the accepted market instances where this is not the case, for
analysis undertaken by the Fitch analyst. norm. The purpose of the two-tier commercial, tax, legal or other reasons and
Indeed, in addition to the transaction- structure where one SPV is the typical the SPV remains part of the originators
specific features and credit quality of the issuer vehicle and the other is known as group, Fitch would expect certain
underlying portfolio being securitised, the security SPV is to ensure the safeguards to be put in place to mitigate
each Fitch rating is based on the sound secured rights of the transaction creditors against possible bankruptcy contagion
legal structure of the transaction in who are not noteholders. Whereas the from the originator group or possible
question, as specified on the front page of rights of the noteholders are secured conflicts of interest arising between
any Fitch Presale or New Issue report. In through the issuer SPV, the remaining directors who hold common positions on
deciding on the legal robustness of transaction creditors (such as servicers, both the SPV as well as the originator.
specific transactions, Fitch relies on facility providers, paying agents, etc.) are
externally appointed legal counsel and, in not. The security SPV guarantees the Limitation on Activities
particular, their assessment of the obligations of the issuer to all transaction Whether or not the SPV is newly formed,
transaction opinion provided by the creditors. The issuer SPV cedes all rights Fitch expects the activities of the SPV to
drafting attorneys. and title to its assets to the security SPV be restricted and for those restrictions to
and, should a default occur, the security be maintained over the life of the
A key element in differentiating SF SPV distributes the proceeds of the assets transaction. The purpose of the
issuances to corporate issuances is the to all transaction creditors. restrictions is to maintain the integrity of
presence of a special-purpose vehicle the SPVs bankruptcy remoteness by
(SPV) and the role the SPV plays in Cleanliness of the SPV limiting the amount of new creditors
isolating the transactions assets and the A key factor in determining the level of created that might otherwise bring
concomitant disassociation of them from credit that can be given to any SPV is the foreclosure proceedings against the SPV.
those of the originator. Integral to Fitchs level of bankruptcy remoteness that can
legal assessment in any SF transaction is be attributed to it. Newly-formed SPVs Typically, such restrictions should
an assessment of the bankruptcy have no operating history and a known or include:
remoteness or cleanliness of the SPV limited number of creditors that could
used to house the transaction collateral. bring bankruptcy proceedings against the prohibitions of change of ownership;
This article summarises the key SPV, thus reducing the bankruptcy risk of covenants to maintain a separate
characteristics Fitch expects to see in the SPV at the outset. For SPVs that are business existence;
SPVs employed in SF transactions as well not newly formed, some considerations limitations on ability to amend the
as the analytical approach undertaken in that the Fitch analyst may factor into the constitutional documents;
assessing their validity for use in SF analysis are:
restrictions on asset dealings;
transactions in general and, where
narrowly defined objects and powers;
applicable, within the local context. the nature and extent of the SPVs
historical business operations; restricted powers of directors;
Type of Vehicle the amount of actual and contingent no additional borrowings, finance
In South Africa to date, most SPVs used liabilities and identity of its existing raisings, guarantees or additional
in SF transactions have been limited and potential creditors; granting of security;
liability companies, but SPVs may take
any material tax, litigation and/or no operating business;
on other forms such as trusts (as is the
corporate style liabilities; and no employees; and
case in the Growthpoint commercial
any factors arising out of the way in no commingling of assets with other
mortgage backed securities transaction),
which the SPV has historically parties.
limited liability partnerships or some
other form of body corporate subject to operated, which may mitigate any of
the issues set out above. Fitch will review such activities within
legal limitations on their establishment.
the context of the jurisdiction in which the
Separate Existence transaction is being rated. For example,
It is the SPVs characteristics within the
Apart from the independent legal South African securitisation regulations
context of the overall transaction
existence, Fitch analysts also consider allow for only limited control of the SPV
structure, the impact of the local legal and
whether the SPV has a separate corporate by the originator: 20% shareholding (or
tax regimes and the purpose and role of
existence to that of the originator of the beneficial interest if a trust) or the
the SPV in the SF transaction rather than
assets. Management of the SPV should be appointment of only one of the required
its actual form that determines the amount
separate from that of the originator and minimum of three directors, which is
of credit that can be given for the
the entity should have independent consistent with Fitchs expectations on
improved predictability of outcome
shareholder control. maintaining separate control and
attributable to its presence.
ownership. X

4
SPECIAL-PURPOSE VEHICLES IN STRUCTURED FINANCE TRANSACTIONS
Continued from page 4

X Transaction Creditors the elements that separates securitisations Legal Opinion


The benefit of having a clean SPV in a from corporate issuances. As mentioned at the beginning of this
securitisation is that all of the transaction article, any Fitch rating is based on a
creditors are known at the outset. The effective segregation of the assets sound legal underpinning, which is
Accordingly, the identifiable creditors, from the originator is achieved in South arrived at by reviewing the transaction
including the noteholders, security trustee, Africa by way of selling the assets to the documentation and a review by Fitch as
liquidity providers, swap counterparty, SPV. The aim of such a sale (a true well as its legal counsel of the transaction
and any other party contracting directly sale) is to mitigate as much as possible opinion. With regards to the SPV, the
with the SPV can contractually agree to the originators ability to overturn the sale transaction opinion should opine on the
limit their rights of legal recourse against and claw-back the sold assets in the event bankruptcy remoteness of the SPV and
the SPV as well as to bind themselves of its bankruptcy or for any other reason. confirm:
through non-petition language not to South African securitisation regulations
petition the courts to put the SPV into specify certain requirements that need to its due incorporation and existence;
be met for a true sale to be effective.
bankruptcy. its capacity to enter into and perform
its obligations under the transaction
Although the known universe of creditors Where the beneficial (or equitable) title
documents;
allows for the payment of liabilities to be rather than the legal title of assets is
structured through a pre-agreed priority transferred at the outset of a transaction, the enforceability of those
via the transaction waterfall, there may Fitch will expect the structure to include transaction documents against it; and
be some third party transaction creditors appropriate perfection mechanisms to whether a true sale of the assets has
who are not bound by the transaction complete the transfer of legal title to the been made from the originator to
agreements or who are statutorily SPV at a point in time sufficiently prior to the SPV.
preferred. While not the case in all enforcement. This may occur where the
jurisdictions in which Fitch rates assets being transferred are in the nature Conclusion
transactions, in South Africa the revenue of a debt and where an effective legal Fitch will consider an SPV established in
authorities may not be subordinated and transfer can only be achieved upon the the manner described above to have a
hence are always found at the top of the acquiescence of the debtor/ obligor or significantly reduced risk of bankruptcy
waterfall. As they may not be upon their being notified by the seller. compared with an operating company and
subordinated, their presence at the top of so be considered bankruptcy remote
the waterfall serves mainly for In order to assess the efficacy of any true although not bankruptcy proof.
information purposes rather than for any sale, Fitch and its legal counsel will
practical purpose with regard to their legal review the transaction documents and For a more thorough review of Fitchs
right to any payment that may be due to legal opinions and expect the transaction criteria on SPVs see Special-Purpose
them. legal opinion to clearly address that the Vehicles in Structured Finance
assets have been transferred to the SPV Transactions, published on 13 June 2006
True Sale and will not be the property of the and for an overview of the South African
As mentioned previously, the isolation or originator's bankruptcy estate (in the legal regime in which they operate see
de-linking of the transaction assets from event of that party's bankruptcy). Securitisation in South Africa 2005,
their associated corporate risk is one of published on 13 January 2006, both
available at www.fitchratings.com.

5
APPENDIX: FITCH PUBLICLY RATED SECURITISATIONS IN
SOUTH AFRICA RATINGS UPDATE
National
Issuer Class/Series Long-Term Short-Term
Accelerator Fund 1 (Pty) Ltd
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B A-(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C BBB-(zaf)
Asset-Backed Arbitraged Securities (Pty) Ltd
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper
ABACAS Premier Series (Series 1) 1 F1+(zaf)
ABACAS Global Corporate Series (Series 2) 2 F1+(zaf)
Blue Granite Investments N 1 (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A4 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B AA(zaf)
Blue Granite Investments N 2 (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B AA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C A(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes D BBB(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes E BB(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes F B(zaf)
Blue Titanium Conduit Limited
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper F1+(zaf)
Equipment Rental Securitisation N 1 (Pty) Ltd
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B A(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C BBB(zaf)
Fresco 1
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes A AAA(zaf)
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes B AA(zaf)
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes C A(zaf)
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes D BBB(zaf)
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes E BBB-(zaf)
Growthpoint Note Issuer Company (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B1 AA-(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B2 AA-(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C1 A-(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C2 A-(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes D1 BBB(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes D2 BBB(zaf)
HomePlan Financial Solutions (Pty) Ltd
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A AAA(zaf)
iNdwa Investments Limited
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper F1+(zaf)
NBC Future Guard (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B BBB(zaf)
Nqaba Finance 1 (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B1 AA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B2 AA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C1 A(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C2 A(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes D1 BBB(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes D2 BBB(zaf)

6
APPENDIX: FITCH PUBLICLY RATED SECURITISATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
RATINGS UPDATE
Continued from page 6

National
Issuer Class/Series Long-Term Short-Term
Procul (Pty) Ltd
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes A AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A AAA(zaf)
Sanlam Home Loans 102 (Pty) Limited
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper F1+(zaf)
Sanlam Home Loans 103 (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A4 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A5 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A6 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B1 AA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B2 AA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B3 AA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B4 AA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B5 AA(zaf)
Synthesis Funding Limited
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper F1+(zaf)
The Thekwini Fund 3 (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B A(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C BBB(zaf)
The Thekwini Fund 4 (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B A(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C BBB(zaf)
The Thekwini Fund 5 (Pty) Limited
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A1 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes A2 AAA(zaf)
Secured Fixed-Rate Notes A3 AAA(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes B A(zaf)
Secured Floating-Rate Notes C BBB(zaf)
The Thekwini Warehousing Conduit (Pty) Limited
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Senior F1+(zaf)
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Mezzanine F1(zaf)
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Junior F2(zaf)
Source: Fitch

Copyright 2006 by Fitch, Inc., Fitch Ratings Ltd. and its subsidiaries. One State Street Plaza, NY, NY 10004.
Telephone: 1-800-753-4824, (212) 908-0500. Fax: (212) 480-4435. Reproduction or retransmission in whole or in part is prohibited except by permission. All rights reserved. All of the information
contained herein is based on information obtained from issuers, other obligors, underwriters, and other sources which Fitch believes to be reliable. Fitch does not audit or verify the truth or accuracy of any
such information. As a result, the information in this report is provided as is without any representation or warranty of any kind. A Fitch rating is an opinion as to the creditworthiness of a security. The
rating does not address the risk of loss due to risks other than credit risk, unless such risk is specifically mentioned. Fitch is not engaged in the offer or sale of any security. A report providing a Fitch
rating is neither a prospectus nor a substitute for the information assembled, verified and presented to investors by the issuer and its agents in connection with the sale of the securities. Ratings may be
changed, suspended, or withdrawn at anytime for any reason in the sole discretion of Fitch. Fitch does not provide investment advice of any sort. Ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any
security. Ratings do not comment on the adequacy of market price, the suitability of any security for a particular investor, or the tax-exempt nature or taxability of payments made in respect to any
security. Fitch receives fees from issuers, insurers, guarantors, other obligors, and underwriters for rating securities. Such fees generally vary from US$1,000 to US$750,000 (or the applicable currency
equivalent) per issue. In certain cases, Fitch will rate all or a number of issues issued by a particular issuer, or insured or guaranteed by a particular insurer or guarantor, for a single annual fee. Such fees
are expected to vary from US$10,000 to US$1,500,000 (or the applicable currency equivalent). The assignment, publication, or dissemination of a rating by Fitch shall not constitute a consent by Fitch to
use its name as an expert in connection with any registration statement filed under the United States securities laws, the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 of Great Britain, or the securities laws
of any particular jurisdiction. Due to the relative efficiency of electronic publishing and distribution, Fitch research may be available to electronic subscribers up to three days earlier than to print
subscribers.

Você também pode gostar