REORGANIZATION
Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Plans Reorganization to Create Holding Company
GRINNELL, Iowa //BestWire// - Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. plans to form a mutual insurance holding company, seeking the ability to access capital markets and enhance financial flexibility and operational diversity, it said in an Iowa regulatory filing.
It wants to reorganize into three corporations: Grinnell Mutual Holding Co.; Grinnell Holdings Inc., an intermediate stock holding company; and Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. SI, a mutual insurer converted into a stock insurance company.
In the first half of 2024, Grinnell Mutual Group moved to an $87.4 million net income from a $79.9 million net loss in the prior-year half, according to its Best’s Credit Report. It ended the first half with $628.1 million of policyholders’ surplus, up from $610 million a year earlier. Total cash and invested assets increased to $1.31 billion from $1.20 billion in the first half of 2023.
Operating performance is currently adequate, supported by five-year average combined and operating ratios that sit above composite measures. A negative outlook was placed on the rating due to the continual deterioration of key operating performance metrics through the first half of 2023, according to Best's Credit Report.
Grinnell Mutual Group’s book of business is split into thirds between personal lines, commercial lines, and reinsurance, the report said.
Because it writes substantial property business, results “tend to be heavily affected by weather-related events. From 2019 until present, the group has seen more weather activity year over year with 2023 weather activity coming to a head, as both frequency and severity of losses have impacted results,” the report said.
Grinnell Mutual Holding will be governed by a board of directors elected by Grinnell policyholders with rights as the holding company’s members, according to its reorganization plan. Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance stock will be owned by Grinnell Holdings and its stock will be owned by Grinnell Mutual Holding.
As part of the reorganization, Grinnell said it will declare a stock dividend of 100% of issued stock to Grinnell Holdings, which requires approval by the Iowa Insurance Commissioner.
Existing policies will continue and policyholders will become members of Grinnell Mutual Holdings.
In the filing with the Iowa Insurance Division, Grinnell said it currently doesn’t intend to sell stock.
Grinnell’s present board of directors and its officers will assume the same roles at the three new companies, the company said.
The reorganization plan was submitted by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Menary and President Dave Wingert.
The insurance division held a public hearing on the reorganization plan on Oct. 30.
Operating entities of Grinnell Mutual Group currently have a Best's Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent).
(By Renée Kiriluk-Hill, senior associate editor, BestWire: Renee.Kiriluk-Hill@ambest.com)