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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 07, 2018 09:11 AM (EST)
A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a+” of Fubon Insurance Co., Ltd. (Fubon Insurance) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect Fubon Insurance’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, favorable business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Fubon Insurance continues to maintain a robust risk-adjusted capitalization, supported by prudent reserving practices, a comprehensive reinsurance program and gradual organic growth in retained earnings, despite high dividend payout ratios.
The company has delivered a track record of stable operating profitability, mainly underpinned by favorable investment earnings and profitable results from its domestic underwriting portfolio, although partially offset by operating losses from its China operations. Moreover, a weakened Taiwan dollar in 2017 negatively impacted the company’s sizable overseas investment portfolio, leading to a significant foreign exchange loss during the year, despite having been partially hedged by the use of derivatives.
Fubon Insurance’s favorable business profile is underpinned by its market-leading position and solid brand recognition in Taiwan’s non-life insurance market over the past three decades. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Fubon Financial Holding Co., Ltd., Fubon Insurance benefits from cross-selling synergies with affiliated companies while forming a strategic part of the financial product suite.
Offsetting rating factors include higher volatility in domestic and overseas investment markets, the company’s exposure to unhedged foreign currency risk, as well as execution risk in improving the operating profitability of its overseas operations. Moreover, the company’s underwriting portfolio is concentrated in catastrophe-prone geographies.
Positive rating actions could occur if the company demonstrates a sustainable improvement in its operating performance while maintaining a robust risk-adjusted capitalization. Negative rating actions could occur if there are material capital or dividend payouts that lead to a substantial decline in its risk-adjusted capitalization.
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. 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 A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.
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