A Study of RASC Subprime Loan Prepayments, Delinquencies, and Losses

Abstract

Subprime first-lien mortgages are securitized through the residential assets securities corporation. While they manifest differences with respect to loan age, credit grade, loan-to-value ratio, and vintage, both fixed-rate and adjustable-rate rasc mortgages exhibit positive convexity similar to that of the rest of the subprime market. There is some flexibility built into the credit underwriting guidelines through compensating factors related to (for example) delinquency versus debt-to-income ratios. This article describes collateral and performance differences in detail.