Fitch Upgrades CitiMortgage Master Servicer Rating

The residential master servicer rating of CitiMortgage Inc., St. Louis, has been raised by Fitch Ratings from RMS2-plus to RMS1-minus for prime loans.The rating agency also affirmed CitiMortgage's residential primary servicer rating at RPS1. Fitch said the upgrade of the master servicer rating was based on CitiMortgage's "continued effective performance in managing its $10 billion master servicing portfolio" and the "numerous efficiencies and enhanced reporting capabilities" created since the company completed its acquisition of First Nationwide Mortgage Corp.'s master servicing platform in November 2002. Fitch rates residential servicers on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest rating. The rating agency can be found online at http://www.fitchratings.com.