Tag: Subsidiaries#Credit

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Business

AM Best affirms credit ratings of Ohio National Financial Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a+” of The Ohio National Life Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Ohio National Life Assurance Corporation (together referred to as the Ohio National Life Group). These companies are the principal insurance subsidiaries of Ohio National Financial Services, Inc. (ONFS), which is an intermediate holding company wholly owned by Ohio National Mutual Holdings, Inc. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a-” of National Security Life and Annuity Company (NSLAC). Additionally, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “bbb+” and all existing Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) of ONFS. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. All companies are headquartered in Cincinnati, OH. (See below for a detailed listing of the Long-Term IRs).

The ratings of Ohio National Life Group reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The group’s balance sheet strength assessment is based on its risk-adjusted capitalization being at the very strong level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), while maintaining strong liquidity. AM Best notes that the group’s risk-adjusted capitalization has been enhanced by the issuance of surplus notes, and the use of captive structures to support redundant statutory reserves and to reduce volatility from its annuity living benefit riders. AM Best considers the group’s consolidated financial leverage and interest coverage ratios to be within acceptable ranges. The assessment of the group’s operating performance considers its long-term positive trend in individual life insurance sales prior to the current disruptions driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its stable adjusted GAAP operating results, while the assessment of the group’s ERM recognizes its strong risk management framework, including front-end risk management practices and sound governance structure.

The ratings of NSLAC reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, very limited business profile and appropriate ERM. The ratings also reflect the support of the company’s parent. The company’s balance sheet strength assessment is based on the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, and a high quality investment portfolio. NSLAC was the exclusive distributor of annuities for the group in New York, but is not writing new business currently.

The following Long-Term IRs have been affirmed with a stable outlook:

Ohio National Financial Services, Inc.—

— “bbb+” on $425 million 5.55% senior unsecured notes, due January 2030

— “bbb+” on $250 million 6.625% senior unsecured notes, due May 2031

The Ohio National Life Insurance Company—

— “a-” on $50 million 8.50% surplus notes, due May 2026

— “a-” on $250 million 6.875% surplus notes, due June 2042

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media – Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Christopher Lewis

Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5065
christopher.lewis@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Thomas Rosendale

Senior Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5201
thomas.rosendale@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Categories
Business

AM Best affirms credit ratings of American International Group, Inc. and most subsidiaries; downgrades Issuer Credit Ratings of life/health subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bbb” of American International Group, Inc. (AIG) (headquartered in New York, NY) [NYSE: AIG]. AM Best also has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” of its property/casualty insurance subsidiaries (collectively referred to as AIG PC). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. Concurrently, AM Best has downgraded the Long-Term ICR to “a” from “a+” and affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) for the members of the AIG Life & Retirement Group (AIG L&R). The outlook of the Long-Term ICR has been revised to stable from negative, while the outlook of the FSR is stable. (Please see below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

AIG’s ratings reflect its consolidated risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is an improvement from the very strong level seen in the 2019 review period. Additionally, consolidated risk-adjusted capital is likely to improve now that the Fortitude Reinsurance Company Ltd. (Fortitude RE) transaction has closed. While the closing of Fortitude RE brought with it significant write-downs during 2020, these write-downs did not impact the general insurance or life and retirement statutory entities, and cash flow is still expected to be positive. Overall, AM Best views this transaction as positive for AIG as it sheds longer-tail risk liabilities, along with potentially riskier, longer-duration assets paired with those reserves. Access to the capital markets and significant liquidity at the holding company level also aids the balance sheet. An offsetting factor in the balance sheet strength assessment is the increase in financial leverage and a lower interest coverage ratio expected for 2020.

AIG’s historical operating performance has been hampered by significant losses in general insurance, but the company has made strides in refining its risk profile and AM Best expects further improvement. AIG’s business profile is global, with a distinctly diverse set of property/casualty and life and annuity products, a broad distribution network and significant market share on many of its lines of business.

The ratings of AIG PC reflect the group’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

AIG PC’s risk-adjusted capital position improved in 2019, reflective of a material reduction in net loss reserves as the group continues to pay down claims for older accident years. The group’s balance sheet strength continues to benefit from reinsurance support from highly rated companies. Offsetting these positive factors is the continued reduction in surplus levels that have decreased in each of the past five years, as well as the group’s high gross underwriting leverage, which has risen in recent years as a result of increased use of reinsurance to curb volatility and increase underwriting profitability.

AM Best views AIG PC’s operating performance as marginal. The group has been materially impacted over the last five years by underwriting losses and a reduction in investment income, leading to a five-year operating ratio of 102.1 that continues to lag the commercial casualty composite performance over the same time period by a considerable margin. However, AM Best notes that the group’s operating performance has demonstrated a steadily improving trend for the past three calendar years, attributable to numerous underwriting and risk management initiatives, as well as positive pricing momentum in most key business lines. The potential for further improvement in the near term is reduced by uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which could dampen growth opportunities, increase underwriting losses and creates the possibility of investment impairments.

The ratings of AIG L&R ratings reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as adequate, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate ERM.

The Long-Term ICR downgrade reflects a revision in AM Best’s assessment of the AIG L&R’s operating performance to strong from very strong. AM Best believes the group’s more-recent returns, and prospective returns, will be more in line with its strong rated peers, driven by intense competition within the annuity segment and record low interest rates, both of which are likely to continue to drive spread income and fee income lower. In addition, the low interest rate environment is likely to negatively impact the top and bottom lines within the individual and group annuity segments.

AIG L&R’s balance sheet assessment remains stable at adequate, and its year-over-year risk-adjusted capital position remains virtually unchanged at year-end 2019. The risk-adjusted capital position benefits from the large modified coinsurance agreement with Fortitude RE, which reduces much of the risk from the longer-term structured settlements book of business. AIG L&R has had a high dividend payout ratio back to the parent due in large part to a series of de-risking practices, which has lowered the need for additional capital, but overall capital and surplus growth has been limited. Going forward, the parent holding company may become less reliant on AIG L&R dividends due its recent sale of Fortitude RE, increased liquidity and improving performance within its general insurance segment. AIG L&R’s ratings also reflect its favorable business profile with a diverse set of product offerings and national reach with its robust distribution network.

The FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” have been affirmed with stable outlooks for the following subsidiaries of AIG, which are collectively referred to as the AIG Property Casualty Insurance Group:

  • National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA
  • American Home Assurance Company
  • Lexington Insurance Company
  • Commerce and Industry Insurance Company
  • AIG Property Casualty Company
  • The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania
  • New Hampshire Insurance Company
  • Illinois National Insurance Company
  • AIG Specialty Insurance Company
  • AIU Insurance Company
  • AIG Assurance Company
  • AIG Insurance Company – Puerto Rico
  • AIG Insurance Company of Canada
  • AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited
  • Granite State Insurance Company
  • Tudor Insurance Company
  • Stratford Insurance Company
  • Western World Insurance Company
  • Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company
  • Blackboard Insurance Company
  • American International Group UK Limited
  • American International Reinsurance Company, Ltd.
  • AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd.
  • Validus Reinsurance, Ltd.
  • Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd.

The Long-Term ICRs have been downgraded to “a” from “a+” and the FSR of A (Excellent) affirmed, with the outlook of the Long-Term ICR revised to stable from negative and the FSR outlook maintained as stable, for the following operating subsidiaries of AIG, which are collectively referred to as the AIG Life & Retirement Group:

  • AGC Life Insurance Company
  • American General Life Insurance Company
  • United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York
  • The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media – Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Gregory Dickerson
Associate Director—P/C
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5161
gregory.dickerson@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Erik Miller
Associate Director—L/H
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5187
erik.miller@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

Categories
Business

AM Best affirms credit ratings of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and most of its subsidiaries

OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “aa+” of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (State Farm Mutual) and its affiliates, State Farm Fire and Casualty Company and State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas (Richardson, TX). In addition, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a-” of HiRoad Assurance Company (HiRoad). AM Best also has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a” of Dover Bay Specialty Insurance Company (Dover Bay). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a-” of State Farm Florida Insurance Company (State Farm Florida) (Winter Haven, FL). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. AM Best has also affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a+” of State Farm General Insurance Company. The outlook of the FSR is stable while the outlook of the Long-Term ICR is negative. In addition, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR of “a-” of State Farm Indemnity Company (State Farm Indemnity). The outlook of these ratings is positive. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of A++ (Superior) and the Long-Term ICRs of “aa+” of State Farm Life Insurance Company and State Farm Life and Accident Assurance Company (together referred to as State Farm Life). The outlook of these ratings is stable.

At the same time, AM Best has upgraded the FSR to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICR to “a” from “a-” of State Farm Lloyds (Richardson, TX). The outlook of these ratings has been revised to stable from positive. All companies are headquartered in Bloomington, IL, except where specified.

The ratings of State Farm Mutual reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, very favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

Additionally, the ratings reflect State Farm Mutual’s strong net income generation despite challenging market conditions in recent years, and AM Best’s expectation that the company will continue to generate solid earnings and maintain excellent risk-adjusted capitalization, despite the currently high state of economic uncertainty in the United States. State Farm Mutual, its subsidiary and affiliated property/casualty and life insurance companies, comprise the largest personal lines insurance organization in the United States based on direct premiums written and the second largest in terms of policyholders’ surplus. The State Farm group remains the leading provider of private passenger automobile and homeowners’ insurance in the United States. The organization’s personal lines products are complemented by other lines of business such as commercial multi-peril, commercial auto liability, workers’ compensation and several other lines. The ratings of the subsidiaries and affiliates of State Farm Mutual benefit from shared services, common management, cross selling of products and services, common distribution and brand name recognition. These positive rating aspects are offset in part by the State Farm group’s underwriting variability, above-average exposure to equity market volatility and susceptibility to weather-related catastrophes.

The ratings of State Farm Lloyds reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. The rating upgrades of State Farm Lloyds recognize its consistently excellent risk-adjusted capitalization and that the company’s underwriting and net leverage ratios have stabilized at levels that are significantly improved relative to levels reported several years ago.

The ratings of State Farm General reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. The ratings also reflect lift, as defined within Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (BCRM), from its parent, State Farm Mutual.

The negative outlook for State Farm General’s Long-Term ICR considers deteriorating operating performance and capital erosion observed in 2017 and 2018, when the company was significantly impacted by California wildfire losses. AM Best notes that the company reported much improved results and surplus generation in 2019 and through the first quarter of 2020. If these favorable trends are sustained over the next 12-24 months, the Long-Term ICR outlook could be revised to stable.

The ratings of State Farm Indemnity reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. The positive outlook for State Farm Indemnity’s ratings recognizing favorable trends in underwriting results for the past few years. AM Best notes that State Farm has announced significant rate decreases for personal auto insurance in New Jersey, which comprises the entirety of Indemnity’s business. These ratings could be upgraded if the company sustains its improved underwriting performance while maintaining its strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization. The outlooks could be revised to stable from positive if the company’s operating performance deteriorates from current levels.

The ratings of HiRoad reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as adequate, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM. The ratings also reflect lift, as defined within Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (BCRM), from its parent, State Farm Mutual.

The ratings of Dover Bay reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM. The ratings also reflect lift, as defined within BCRM, from its parent, State Farm Mutual.

The ratings of State Farm Florida reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as adequate, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate ERM. The ratings also reflect lift, as defined within BCRM, from its parent, State Farm Mutual.

The ratings of State Farm Life reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its strong operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate ERM. The ratings also reflect lift, as defined within BCRM, from its parent, State Farm Mutual

Additionally, the ratings of State Farm Life benefit from strong brand-name recognition, sustained competitive advantages derived from an affiliated exclusive agency field force, and a diverse product portfolio of individual ordinary life and fixed annuity products. Further, State Farm Life finances its statutorily required excess reserves (Regulation XXX) related to term life insurance through capital rather than externally through either domestic captives or offshore reinsurers. The amount of these excess reserves is sizeable and viewed favorably by AM Best, as it qualitatively enhances the group’s strong risk-adjusted capitalization ratios. Partially offsetting rating factors are ongoing spread compression within its annuity block, losses within its supplementary contracts line of business and exposure to life business with significant minimum guarantee rates.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media – Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2020 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Gregory Dickerson
Associate Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5161
gregory.dickerson@ambest.com

Raymond Thomson, CPCU, ARe, ARM

Director

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5621

raymond.thomson@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy

Director, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com