CONTACTS:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK - MAY 03, 2017 03:59 PM (EDT)
A.M. Best has placed under review with positive implications the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICR) of “a” of Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company (Atlantic Specialty) (New York, NY) and its rated affiliates. Collectively, these companies are referred to as OneBeacon Insurance Group (OneBeacon).
Concurrently, A.M. Best has placed under review with positive implications the Long-Term ICRs of “bbb”, the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IR) on issued securities, and the indicative Long-Term IRs on the shelf registrations of OneBeacon’s publicly traded parent, OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd. (OneBeacon Ltd.) (Hamilton, Bermuda) [NYSE:OB], and OneBeacon U.S. Holdings, Inc. (OneBeacon U.S.) (Delaware).
In addition, A.M. Best has placed under review with developing implications the Long-Term ICR of “bbb” of the group’s ultimate parent, White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (White Mountains) (Hamilton, Bermuda) [NYSE: WTM].
These Credit Rating (rating) actions follow the recent announcement that White Mountains has entered into a definitive agreement to vote its shares of OneBeacon Ltd. in favor of the sale of OneBeacon Ltd. to Intact Financial Corporation (IFC) [TSX: IFC]. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017 subject to regulatory approval.
The under review with positive implications status for the OneBeacon Ltd. entities reflects the potential financial and operational benefits that will be derived from IFC being a larger, higher-rated organization. The ratings will remain under review pending the completion of the transactions and review by A.M. Best regarding IFC’s future operating plans for OneBeacon Ltd.
The under review with developing implications status for White Mountains reflects the likelihood that A.M. Best will, in accordance with its policies and procedures, withdraw the ratings of White Mountains once the transaction is complete.
The FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of “a” have been placed under review with positive implications for Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company and its following affiliates:
The following Long-Term IR has been place under review with positive implications:
OneBeacon U.S. Holdings, Inc.—
— “bbb” on $275 million 4.60% senior unsecured notes, due 2022
The following indicative Long-Term IRs under the shelf registration have been placed under review with
positive implications:
OneBeacon U.S. Holdings, Inc. and OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd.—
— “bbb” on senior unsecured debt
— “bbb-”on subordinated debt
— “bb+” on preferred stock
OneBeacon U.S. Holdings Trust I, II, III—
— “bb+” on preferred stock
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.
A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.