S&P: Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. and Subsidiary Ratings Lowered to ‘AA-‘; Outlook Stable

NEW YORK (Standard & Poor’s) Sept. 15, 2004–Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said today that it lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. (PMIC) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Physicians Life Insurance Co. (PLIC), to ‘AA-‘ from ‘AA’. Standard & Poor’s also said that the outlook on these companies… Continue reading S&P: Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. and Subsidiary Ratings Lowered to ‘AA-‘; Outlook Stable

Fitch Downgrades QBE Insurance Group to Long-term ‘A’; Assigns Expected ‘A’ to GPB150MM Debt

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sept. 10, 2004–Fitch Ratings, the international rating agency, has today downgraded QBE Insurance Group Limited’s (‘QBE’) Long-term rating to ‘A’ from ‘A+’. At the same time, the agency has assigned its proposed GPB150 million senior unsecured sterling issue due 2009 an expected ‘A’. The Outlook on the ratings is Stable. The downgrade reflects QBE’s… Continue reading Fitch Downgrades QBE Insurance Group to Long-term ‘A’; Assigns Expected ‘A’ to GPB150MM Debt

S&P: Swiss Re Insurance Group Outlook Revised to Negative; ‘AA’ Ratings Affirmed

LONDON, September 8, Standard & Poor’s – Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said today it revised its outlook on Zurich-based global reinsurer Swiss Reinsurance Co. and related entities of the Swiss Re group (Swiss Re) to negative from stable. At the same time, Standard & Poor’s affirmed all ratings on the group, including its ‘AA’… Continue reading S&P: Swiss Re Insurance Group Outlook Revised to Negative; ‘AA’ Ratings Affirmed

S&P Affirms Aon’s ‘A-‘ Ratings; Outlook Negative

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services announced that it has affirmed its ‘A-‘ counterparty credit rating on Aon Corp., but the outlook remains negative.    “The ratings on Aon are supported by its very strong competitive position in the insurance brokerage industry and its strong competitive positions in its individual supplemental accident, health, and disability insurance… Continue reading S&P Affirms Aon’s ‘A-‘ Ratings; Outlook Negative

Fitch: Fairfax’s Ratings Placed on Negative Rating Watch

NEW YORK, August 31, Business Wire – Fitch Ratings has placed the ratings of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax) and its rated subsidiaries and affiliates on Ratings Watch Negative. See complete list below. The ratings previously had a Negative Outlook. This action largely reflects Fitch’s concerns as to increasing liquidity pressures at Fairfax, as well… Continue reading Fitch: Fairfax’s Ratings Placed on Negative Rating Watch

Moody’s Lowers Converium Ratings, Some Cut to Junk

Moody’s Investors Service on Tuesday cut Converium’s (CHRN.S) debt ratings to junk status, and cut the company’s financial strength rating to three notches above junk status, after the reinsurer said it had to raise more cash than previously announced to replenish its reserves. Converium said it planned to raise $420 million, above its previous estimates… Continue reading Moody’s Lowers Converium Ratings, Some Cut to Junk

S&P Announces: American Family Mutual, Units Ratings Lowered; Outlook Stable

NEW YORK, August 18, Business Wire and Standard & Poor’s – On August 18, 2004, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on American Family Mutual Insurance Co. (AFMIC) and other units of its property/casualty group (collectively, American Family; see ratings list) to ‘A+’ from ‘AA-‘. The outlook is… Continue reading S&P Announces: American Family Mutual, Units Ratings Lowered; Outlook Stable

St. Paul Travelers planning more cost cuts

The St. Paul Travelers Companies Inc. says it plans to slash expenses by $568 million, much more than announced April 1 when the company was created through the merger of the St. Paul Companies and Travelers Property Casualty Corp. The cost-cutting effort includes cutting about 3,000 jobs in addition to reducing advertising and legal expenses,… Continue reading St. Paul Travelers planning more cost cuts

A.M. Best Downgrades Debt Ratings of St. Paul Travelers; Affirms Financial Strength Ratings and Revises Outlooks

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the debt ratings of St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (St. Paul Travelers) (NYSE: STA) (St. Paul, MN) to “a-” from “a” on senior debt, “bbb+” from “a-” on subordinated debt, “bbb” from “bbb+ on trust preferred securities and “bbb” from “bbb+” on preferred stock. A.M. Best has also downgraded the… Continue reading A.M. Best Downgrades Debt Ratings of St. Paul Travelers; Affirms Financial Strength Ratings and Revises Outlooks

Best Downgrades Converium AG

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength ratings of Converium AG (Switzerland) and its rated core subsidiaries (collectively referred to as Converium) to “A-” (Excellent) from “A” (Excellent). At the same it has downgraded all issuer credit ratings and related debt issues and placed all ratings under review with negative implications. (See full list… Continue reading Best Downgrades Converium AG