Best's Issuer Credit Rating
Effective June 23, 2009
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Also see sections on Financial Strength, Debt and Bank Deposit Ratings. |
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A Best's Issuer Credit Rating is an opinion of an issuer/entity's ability to meet its ongoing senior financial obligations. The rating is based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a company's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile.
These ratings are assigned to insurance companies, banks, hospitals, holding companies or other legal entities authorized to issue financial obligations.
A.M. Best's rating process incorporates specific methodologies designed to address Issuer Credit Ratings and the credit marketplace. Read A.M. Best's Ratings and the Treatment of Debt, which outlines the relationship between Best's Financial Strength Ratings, Issuer Credit Ratings and Debt Ratings. A complete list of Best's Credit Rating Methodologies is available.
A Best's Issuer Credit Rating is not a warranty of an entity's creditworthiness and ability to meet its financial obligations. View this Important Notice for complete details.
Understanding Best's Issuer Credit Ratings
Below is the rating scale used when assigning a Best's Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (ICR).
| Insurance Company ICR | Non-Insurance Company ICR | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Investment Grade |
Non-Investment Grade |
Investment Grade |
Non-Investment Grade | |||
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aaa (Exceptional) |
bb (Fair) |
aaa (Exceptional) |
bb (Speculative) | |||
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aa (Superior) |
b (Marginal) |
aa (Very Strong) |
b (Very Speculative) | |||
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a (Excellent) |
ccc, cc (Weak) |
a (Strong) |
ccc, cc, c (Extremely Speculative) | |||
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bbb (Good) |
c (Poor) |
bbb (Adequate) |
d (In Default) | |||
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rs (Regulatory Supervision/Liquidation) |
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Ratings from "aa" to "ccc" may be enhanced with a "+" (plus) or "-" (minus) to indicate whether credit quality is near the top or bottom of a category.
A Rating Outlook is assigned to an interactive Best's Issuer Credit Rating (aaa to c) to indicate its potential direction over an intermediate term, generally defined as 12 to 36 months. A Rating Outlook can be:
| Outlook | Definition |
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Positive |
Indicates possible rating upgrade due to favorable financial/market trends relative to the current rating level. |
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Negative |
Indicates possible rating downgrade due to unfavorable financial/market trends relative to the current rating level. |
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Stable |
Indicates low likelihood of a rating change due to stable financial/market trends. |
A Best's Short-Term Issuer Credit Rating is an opinion as to the ability of the rated entity to meet its senior financial commitments on obligations maturing in generally less than one year. The list below outlines the specific ratings in this area along with the associated descriptions.
| Short-Term ICR | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Investment Grade |
Non-Investment Grade | |
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AMB-1+ (Strongest) |
AMB-4 (Speculative) | |
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AMB-1 (Outstanding) |
d (In Default) | |
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AMB-2 (Satisfactory) |
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AMB-3 (Adequate) |
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Rating Modifiers may be assigned to both Long- and Short-Term Issuer Credit Ratings.
Note: The public data modifier does not apply to Short-Term Ratings which are only assigned on an interactive basis.
| Modifier | Descriptor | Definition |
|
u |
Under Review |
Indicates the rating may change in the near term, typically within six months. Generally is event driven, with positive, negative, or developing implications. |
|
pd |
Public Data |
Indicates rating assigned to a company that chose not to participate in A.M. Best's interactive rating process. |
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i |
Indicative |
Indicates rating assigned is indicative. |
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s |
Syndicate |
Indicates rating assigned to a Lloyd's syndicate. |
In addition, Affiliation Codes may be added to identify companies whose assigned ratings include consideration of a group ("g"), pooling ("p") or reinsurance ("r") affiliation with other insurers.
Not Rated Designation
The Not Rated (nr) designation may be assigned to issuers or issues that previously were rated.
Usage of Best's Ratings
Best's Credit Ratings are proprietary and may not be reproduced without permission from A.M. Best. A company assigned a Best's Credit Rating should review the Guide to Proper Use, which outlines the acceptable parameters of the use of these ratings.
All queries regarding the use of proprietary information or to obtain a licensing agreement or a letter of consent should be directed to:
A.M. Best Company, Office of Intellectual Property, Ambest Road, Oldwick, New Jersey 08858
Phone: 908-439-2200, extension 5644 or e-mail James.Peavy@ambest.com.
View our Legal and Licensing information for details on the use of A.M. Best trademarks, logos and service marks.
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