A.M. Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of the Members of Athene Group
April 17, 2017 by Athene
Press Release – APRIL 13, 2017
A.M. Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of the Members of Athene Group
CONTACTS:
| Edward Kohlberg Associate Director +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5664 edward.kohlberg@ambest.com Thomas Rosendale |
Christopher Sharkey Manager, Public Relations +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Jim Peavy |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OLDWICK – APRIL 13, 2017
A.M. Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to “a” from “a-” of the members of Athene Group. (See below for a detailed listing of Athene Group’s members and ratings.) The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from positive. Athene Group is the consolidating rating unit for the U.S. operating companies, which is focused on the fixed indexed and fixed annuity market segments, along with Athene Life Re Ltd. (ALRe) (Bermuda), its affiliated reinsurance company.
Concurrently, A.M. Best has upgraded the Long-Term ICR to “bbb” from “bbb-” of Athene Holding Ltd. (AHL) (Bermuda). The outlook of this rating has been revised to stable from positive. AHL operates as the holding company for the U.S. and Bermuda operations.
The rating actions for Athene Group reflect its strong risk-adjusted capitalization, a trend of strong profitability and recent sales growth through retail initiatives, including its position as a leader in the fixed-index annuity market. The company is led by a strong management team with proven ability to grow capital both organically and through new capital generation, a trend that has not abated since the company’s inception. The company’s strong trend of earnings and capital growth has enabled AHL and its operating companies to strengthen their balance sheets while providing sufficient capital support for retail growth and new product development. A.M. Best also notes that the quality of the group’s capital is high, as the capital structure currently employs no financial leverage. In addition, the company recently completed its initial public offering in December of 2016.
Partially offsetting these positive rating factors are the pressures associated with managing assets in an extended low interest rate environment, as well as the embedded exposures present in changing credit cycles. The company’s investment portfolio, which includes structured securities, is viewed as more aggressive compared to traditional life insurance companies. A.M. Best also notes the challenges the company faces in managing risks associated with its expanded retail distribution platform and continued rapid growth.
The FSR has been upgraded to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs upgraded to “a” from “a-” with the outlook revised to stable from positive for the following members of Athene Group:
- Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company
- Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company of New York
- Athene Annuity and Life Company
- Athene Life Insurance Company of New York
- Athene Life Re Ltd.
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.
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European Union Disclosures
A.M. Best – Europe Rating Services Limited (AMBERS), a subsidiary of A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc., is an External Credit Assessment Institution (ECAI) in the European Union (EU). Therefore, credit ratings issued and endorsed by AMBERS may be used for regulatory purposes in the EU as per Directive 2006/48/EC.
Australian Disclosures
A.M. Best Asia-Pacific Limited (AMBAP), Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN No.150375287), is a limited liability company incorporated and domiciled in Hong Kong. AMBAP is a wholesale Australian Financial Services (AFS) Licence holder (AFS No. 411055) under the Corporations Act 2001. Credit ratings emanating from AMBAP are not intended for and must not be distributed to any person in Australia other than a wholesale client as defined in Chapter 7 of the Corporations Act. AMBAP does not authorize its Credit Ratings to be disseminated by a third-party in a manner that could reasonably be regarded as being intended to influence a retail client in making a decision in relation to a particular product or class of financial product. AMBAP Credit Ratings are intended for wholesale clients only, as defined.
Credit Ratings determined and disseminated by AMBAP are the opinion of AMBAP only and not any specific credit analyst. AMBAP Credit Ratings are statements of opinion and not statements of fact. They are not recommendations to buy, hold or sell any securities or any other form of financial product, including insurance policies and are not a recommendation to be used to make investment /purchasing decisions.
Important Notice: A.M. Best’s Credit Ratings are independent and objective opinions, not statements of fact. A.M. Best is not an Investment Advisor, does not offer investment advice of any kind, nor does the company or its Ratings Analysts offer any form of structuring or financial advice. A.M. Best’s credit opinions are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities, or to make any other investment decisions. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of credit rating opinions, as well as the rating process, information requirements and other rating related terms and definitions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings.
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