CONTACTS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK, N.J. - OCTOBER 19, 2012 12:00 AM (EDT)
A.M. Best Co. has placed under review with negative implications the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of certain indirect subsidiaries of OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd.(OneBeacon Group) (Bermuda) [NYSE: OB]. Additionally, A.M. Best has placed under review with negative implications the FSR of B++ (Good) and ICR of “bbb+” of Potomac Insurance Company (Potomac) (Philadelphia, PA). OneBeacon Group’s remaining ratings are unchanged. (See below for a detailed list of the companies and ratings.)
The rating actions follow disclosure of a definitive agreement under which Armour Group Holdings Limited (Armour) will acquire all outstanding shares of certain legal entities from OneBeacon Insurance Group, LLC. When transferred, the legal entities will contain the assets, liabilities (including gross and ceded loss reserves) and capital to support the continued run off of their liabilities, as well as certain infrastructure elements, including staff and office space. The ratings will remain under review until the close of the transaction and the completion of A.M. Best’s analysis of its impact on the companies’ ratings. The transaction is expected to close during the second half of 2013, pending regulatory approval.
The FSR of A (Excellent) and ICRs of “a” have been placed under review with negative implications for the following indirect subsidiaries of OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd.:
- The Camden Fire Insurance Association
- The Employers' Fire Insurance Company
- The Northern Assurance Company of America
- OneBeacon America Insurance Company
- OneBeacon Insurance Company
- OneBeacon Midwest Insurance Company
- Traders & General Insurance Company
The FSR of A (Excellent) and ICRs of “a” are unchanged for the following indirect subsidiaries of OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd.:
- Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company
- Homeland Insurance Company of New York
- Homeland Insurance Company of Delaware
- OBI National Insurance Company
The following debt rating is unchanged:
OneBeacon U.S. Holdings, Inc.—
- “bbb” on $270 million 5.875% senior unsecured notes, due 2013
The following indicative ratings under the shelf registration are unchanged:
OneBeacon U.S. Holdings, Inc. and OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd.—
- “bbb” on senior unsecured debt
- “bbb-” on subordinate debt
- “bb+” on preferred stock
OneBeacon U.S. Holdings Trust I, II, III—
- “bb+” on preferred stock
The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Key criteria utilized include: “Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies”; “Catastrophe Analysis in A.M. Best Ratings”; “Understanding BCAR for Property/Casualty Insurers”; “Rating Members of Insurance Groups”; ”Insurance Holding Company and Debt Ratings”; and “The Treatment of Terrorism Risk in the Rating Evaluation.” Best’s Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.