AM Best


A.M. Best Affirms Issue Credit Rating of Redding Funding Ltd.’s Secured Notes


CONTACTS:

Asha Attoh-Okine
Associate Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5716
asha.attoh-okine@ambest.com

Elmo Chin
Director
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5227
elmo.chin@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 - APRIL 12, 2018 02:28 PM (EDT)
A.M. Best has affirmed the Long-Term Issue Credit Rating (Long-Term IR) of “a+” on the initial $1.2 billion ($905 million outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2017) of 5.75% Secured Notes (notes), due Dec. 31, 2058, issued by Redding Funding Ltd. (Redding Funding) (Nova Scotia, Canada), a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilton Re Ltd (WRL). The outlook of this Credit Rating (rating) is stable.

The notes were part of a transaction used to fund statutory reserve requirements for a block of life insurance policies ceded by Wilton Reassurance Company to Redding Reassurance Company 2, a South Carolina-domiciled special purpose financial captive insurance company. As the statutory reserve requirements are reduced, the amount of the corresponding notes also will be reduced.

At time of the issuance of the notes, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the parent of WRL, contributed $1.2 billion to WRL, which in turn contributed the amount to Redding Funding to collateralize the notes. The collateral is to be invested under specific investment guidelines. In addition, the notes are guaranteed by WRL; this guaranty is subordinated to all senior debt of WRL.

The rating affirmation represents A.M. Best’s current opinion as to the issuer’s ability to meet its financial obligations to the noteholders when due. The rating takes into consideration primarily the following: the notes issued are collateralized by a pool of invested assets, which as of Dec. 31, 2017, other than a small amount in a money market fund, were entirely invested in U.S. Treasuries; the potential losses of the collateral portfolio due to defaults and lack of marketability of the investments over the notes legal maturity period; and the support provided by WRL as guarantor of Redding Funding’s payment obligations.

The Long-Term IR could be upgraded or downgraded and/or the outlook revised if material changes occur in the credit ratings of the underlying collateral or the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of the guarantor.

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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AMB# Company Name
054155 Redding Funding Ltd
051608 Wilton Re Ltd
060560 Wilton Reassurance Company