Best’s News & Research Service - February 06, 2018 08:11 AM (EST)
A.M. Best Places Credit Ratings of Kazakhinstrakh Under Review with Negative Implications
- February 06, 2018 08:11 AM (EST)
London //BestWire// - A.M. Best has placed under review with negative implications the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” of Halyk-Kazakhinstrakh, Insurance Subsidiary Company of Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan, JSC (Kazakhinstrakh) (Kazakhstan). These Credit Rating (rating) actions follow the company’s announcement on 25 January 2018 of its shareholder agreement to merge its sister insurer, JSC IC Kazkommerts-Policy (Kazkommerts-Policy), into Kazakhinstrakh. The merger decision follows the 2017 acquisition of JSC Kazkommertsbank, Kazkommerts-Policy’s parent, by JSC Halyk Bank, Kazakhinstrakh’s parent.
The ratings have been placed under review with negative implications as A.M. Best needs to assess the potential for deterioration in the company’s post-merger balance sheet strength and operating performance. Following the merger announcement, and the payment in December 2017 of a large dividend (KZT 9 billion or equivalent to approximately USD 28 billion), there is increased uncertainty regarding the insurer’s capital management strategy.
The merger is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to complete during 2018. The ratings will remain under review until A.M. Best has completed its evaluation of the impact of the merger on Kazakhinstrakh’s rating fundamentals and the transaction has closed.
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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