Fitch Rates ARSI's $1.33B A-B P-T Certificates Series 2003-W9.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 2003

Fitch rates Argent Securities Inc.'s (ARSI) certificates, series 2003-W8, as follows:

-- $1.1 billion classes A-1 through A-5 'AAA';

-- $93.6 million class M-1 'AA';

-- $79.7 million class M-2 'A';

-- $20.8 million class M-3, M-3A and M-3B 'A-';

-- $20.8 million class M-4, M-4A and M-4B 'BBB+';

-- $20.8 million class M-5 'BBB'.

Fitch does not rate the $17.3 million class M-6 Certificates.

Credit enhancement for the 'AAA' rated class A-1 through A-5 certificates reflects the 18.25% subordination provided by classes M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-6, monthly excess interest and initial overcollateralization(OC) of 3%. Credit enhancement for the 'AA' rated class M-1 Certificates reflects the 11.50% subordination provided by classes M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, M-6, monthly excess interest and initial OC. Credit enhancement for the 'A' rated class M-2 certificates reflects the 5.75% subordination provided by classes M-3, M-4, M-5, M-6, monthly excess interest and initial OC. Credit enhancement for the 'A-' rated class M-3 certificates reflects the 4.25% subordination provided by classes M-4, M-5, M-6, monthly excess interest and initial OC. Credit enhancement for the 'BBB+' rated class M-4 certificates reflects the 2.75% subordination provided by classes M-5 and M-6, monthly excess interest and initial OC. Credit enhancement for the 'BBB' rated class M-5 certificates reflects the 1.25% subordination provided by class M-6, monthly excess interest and initial OC. In addition, the ratings reflect the integrity of the transaction's legal structure, as well as the capabilities of Ameriquest Mortgage Company as master servicer. Deutsche Bank National Trust Company will act as trustee.

The mortgage pool consists of closed-end, first lien subprime mortgage loans that may or may not conform to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae loan limits. As of the cut-off date (Dec. 1, 2003), the mortgage loans have an aggregate balance of $1,050,000,001. The weighted average loan rate is approximately 7.38%. The weighted average remaining term to maturity (WAM) is 355 months. The average cut-off date principal balance of the mortgage loans is approximately $178,117. The weighted average original loan-to-value ratio (OLTV) is 84.43% and the weighted average Fair, Isaac & Co. (FICO) score was 616. The properties are primarily located in California (31.37%), Florida (10.03%) and New York (8.07%). On the Closing date, the depositor will deposit approximately $336,000,000 into a pre-funding account. The amount in this account will be used to purchase subsequent mortgage loans after the Closing date and on or prior to March 9, 2004.

Approximately 92.11% of the loans were originated or acquired by Argent Mortgage Company LLC (Argent), and 7.89% of the loans originated or acquired by Olympus Mortgage Company. Both mortgage companies are subsidiaries of Ameriquest Mortgage Company, a specialty finance company engaged in the business of originating, purchasing and selling retail and wholesale subprime mortgage loans. Both Argent and Olympus focus primarily on wholesale subprime mortgage loans.