OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings has affirmed the U.S. residential primary servicer ratings for Specialized Loan Servicing, LLC (SLS):

--Primary servicer rating for Prime product at 'RPS2, Outlook Positive;
--Primary servicer rating for Alt-A product at 'RPS2', Outlook Positive;
--Primary servicer rating for Subprime product at 'RPS2', Outlook Positive;
--Primary servicer rating for HELOC product at 'RPS2', Outlook Positive;
--Primary servicer rating for Second Lien product at 'RPS2', Outlook Positive;
--Special servicer rating at 'RSS2', Outlook Positive.

The servicer rating affirmations and Positive Outlook reflect SLS's sustained strong servicing metrics and the well-managed growth of its servicing portfolio. The ratings also reflect SLS's established control environment and effective systems and technology.

SLS maintains a strong corporate governance structure that includes an oversight committee comprised of SLS executive management and senior members from its parent, Computershare. The framework provides a more independent reporting structure for SLS' established internal audit, legal and compliance departments.

The ratings also take into consideration the expansion of the servicer's portfolio, which has increased generally due to the on-boarding of legacy distressed portfolios from banks and modest growth of its agency loan portfolio. SLS has applied a disciplined approach to the growth of its portfolio and has maintained strong servicing metrics.

The ratings also take into consideration the financial condition of SLS and its parent; both are non-rated entities. Financial condition is a component of Fitch's servicer ratings.

SLS is headquartered in Highlands Ranch, CO. As of Sept. 30, 2015, SLS' portfolio comprised approximately 335,000 loans totaling $39 billion. The portfolio contains approximately 77,000 subprime loans totaling $15 billion, 70,000 HELOC loans totaling $4 billion, 61,000 subprime closed-end second liens totaling $2.2 billion, 28,000 agency loans totaling $6 billion, 27,000 loans Alt-A loans totaling $7.5 billion, and 72,000 other loans totaling $4 billion.