AM Best


AM Best Revises Outlooks to Positive for ELCO Mutual Life and Annuity


CONTACTS:

Richard Francis
Senior Financial Analyst
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5152
richard.francis@ambest.com

Erik Miller
Associate Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5187
erik.miller@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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK - MAY 31, 2019 03:12 PM (EDT)
AM Best has revised the outlooks to positive from stable and affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “bb+” of ELCO Mutual Life and Annuity (ELCO) (Lake Bluff, IL).

The ratings reflect ELCO’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as weak, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and marginal enterprise risk management. The revised outlooks to positive reflect a continued strengthening in ELCO’s balance sheet, including improving risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), from profit-based growth in absolute capital, improvements in the risk profile of its investment portfolio and reduced reinsurance leverage. ELCO’s balance sheet had been impacted by unfavorable balance sheet factors, including the asset portfolio composition, which historically has had a higher risk profile, and previously, a very high dependence on reinsurance for ELCO’s deferred annuity business. Continued improvement of balance sheet strength could result in positive rating action.

ELCO’s balance sheet strength assessment mainly reflects the company’s weak level of risk-adjusted capitalization, together with significant reinsurance leverage and limited financial flexibility, partly offset by the absence of financial leverage and a mostly investment grade fixed income portfolio. Furthermore, AM Best notes that ELCO’s financial flexibility is somewhat limited as a small mutual company. The company has a long history of producing operating profits that support capital growth. Returns on equity are strong and driven by the profitability of its core Medicaid-compliant annuity products, which are expected to see continued growth. AM Best expects the company’s operating profitability to remain favorable over the near term.

ELCO’s business is concentrated in annuity offerings, although the company sells pre-need life insurance products, which add diversity. Annuity production is centered on the senior market. Elder care attorneys provide deposit-type single premium annuity sales. This is ELCO’s core business, and the company has been a major participant in these markets for over two decades. Independent general agents distribute most deferred annuities. The group’s enterprise risk management assessment is reflective of a governance structure, culture and risk management controls commensurate with a small mutual insurer.

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 Understanding 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.

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AMB# Company Name
008005 ELCO Mutual Life and Annuity