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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK, N.J. - MARCH 01, 2002 12:00 AM (EST)
A.M. Best Co. has assigned a "bbb" rating to the $150 million, 30-year Optionally Convertible Equity-linked Accreting Notes (OCEANs) issued by AmerUs Group Co. (NYSE: AMH) through a private placement offered under Rule 144A. The notes will constitute senior subordinated indebtedness of the company. Approximately $100 million of the proceeds of the offering will be used to repay bank debt; the remainder will be used for stock repurchase. In addition, the A (Excellent) financial strength rating on the group's core life insurance subsidiaries has been affirmed.
A.M. Best views the OCEANs as a positive step in providing for a more permanent and conservative capital structure, improving AmerUs Group's financial flexibility. AmerUs Group can defer interest payments up to five years and, in certain circumstances, redeem the OCEANs - in which case the security holders would most likely convert. The impact on AmerUs Group's fixed charge coverage is slightly positive due to the low cash interest payments and the OCEANs' favorable accounting and tax treatment. A.M. Best expects the company to maintain a total debt - including preferreds - to capital ratio in the 25% to 30% range in the near- to medium-term.
The ratings reflect the group's solid earnings, diversified product portfolio, expanding distribution, sophisticated asset/liability management and sound capitalization. AmerUs Group's life and annuity businesses have produced steady earnings, which are more than sufficient to cover fixed charges. A significant portion of earnings is generated from its stable block of individual life insurance, which has experienced favorable mortality and persistency. In addition, A.M. Best believes operating results from AmerUs Group's annuity businesses are sustainable due to expansion of controlled distribution, significant conservation efforts and maintenance of spreads.
Going forward, the group should benefit from new relationships developed with regional banks and marketing organizations, its existing partnerships as well as sales of new equity indexed life insurance products, which have higher profit margins than traditional life offerings. Although some progress has been made to date, the AmerUs Group will be challenged to fully realize its growth and expense reduction objectives with regard to the integration of the Indianapolis Life companies, which were acquired via sponsored demutualization in May 2001. In addition, although new business production has been discontinued at IL Annuity due to product persistency problems, the balance of annuity business in other AmerUs Group companies is profitable and within pricing expectations.
AmerUs Group Co. is an Iowa corporation engaged through its subsidiaries in the business of marketing and underwriting individual life insurance and annuity products in fifty states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As of December 31, 2001, AmerUs Group reported consolidated assets of $18.3 billion and stockholders' equity of $1.2 billion.
The following rating has been assigned:
AmerUs Group Co.-
"bbb" rating on $150 million % Optionally Convertible Equity-linked Accreting Notes (OCEANs)senior subordinated convertible notes due 2032
The following ratings on existing debt have been affirmed:
AmerUs Group Co. -
"bbb+" rating on $125 million 6.95% senior notes due June 2005
AmerUs Capital I -
"bbb-" rating on $68.9 million 8.85% capital securities backed by junior subordinated debentures due February 2027
Indianapolis Life Insurance Company -
"bbb+" rating on $25 million 8.66% surplus notes due April 2011
The following indicative ratings assigned to debt securities available under shelf registration have been affirmed:
AmerUs Group Co. -
"bbb+" senior debt rating
"bbb-" preferred stock rating
AmerUs Capital III -
"bbb-" capital securities rating
The following financial strength ratings have been affirmed:
AmerUs Life Insurance Co.
A (Excellent)
American Investors Life Insurance Co.
A (Excellent)
Delta Life and Annuity Co.
A (Excellent)
Indianapolis Life Insurance Co.
A (Excellent)
Bankers Life Insurance Company of NY
A (Excellent)
IL Annuity and Insurance Co.
A (Excellent)
Western Security Life Insurance Co.
A (Excellent)
Financial Benefit Life Insurance Co.
B+ (Very Good)
A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.