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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 15, 2022 03:08 PM (EDT)
AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Co-operative Life Limited (Co-op Life) (New Zealand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect Co-op Life’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as adequate, as well as its strong operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. In addition, the ratings factor in a neutral impact from the company’s ultimate 100% ownership by The Co-operative Bank Limited (Co-op Bank).
Co-op Life’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, which remains at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). This reflects the company’s low net underwriting leverage and conservative investment strategy. Offsetting balance sheet strength factors include the company’s small absolute capital base, which increases the sensitivity of its capital adequacy to stress scenarios, as well as to changes in future performance, dividend payouts and the size of intangible assets.
The company has a track record of strong operating performance, as exhibited by a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 23.4% (fiscal years 2018-2022). Profitability continues to be driven by the strong underwriting performance of Co-op Life’s in-force life business, coupled with its positive investment returns.
Prospectively, AM Best expects a robust pricing strategy for its underwriting operations, as well as continued positive investment income, to sustain the strong operating performance assessment over the medium term.
AM Best considers Co-op Life’s business profile as limited, principally reflecting the company’s small-scale of operations, as well as its limited product and geographic diversification in New Zealand. The company provides mainly term life and loan protection insurance products to customers of its parent, Co-op Bank. Although Co-op Life benefits from distributing its products through its parent’s banking network, the company maintains a relatively low penetration rate among the bank’s customer base. The company has a market share of less than 1% in New Zealand’s life insurance industry, based on fiscal year 2022 gross premiums written.
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
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 Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.