A.M. Best Co.'s latest episode of "First Monday" features commentary pertinent to the global (re)insurance industry by A.M. Best's analysts.

The Company noted that the Aug. 2012 episode of "First Monday" includes:

-Rated US Captives Feeling the Squeeze: Assistant VP Steven Chirico talks about how soft-market conditions, low investment yields and the continuing global financial downturn have intruded on the positive operating performance of the U.S. captives that A.M. Best follows.

-Lloyd's Capital Strength Remains Resilient: Catherine Thomas, director of analytics at A.M. Best Europe - Rating Services, says the Lloyd's market managed good results in 2011 given the number of catastrophe events, but that Solvency II and heavy market competition remain as potential obstacles going forward.

-Fixed-Annuity Reinsurance Deals Gaining Speed: Assistant VP William Pargeans discusses how the U.S. life reinsurance market is seeing a rise in fixed-annuity reinsurance deals, as new market entrants are backed by private equity firms offering up their investment management expertise.

Each month, A.M. Best said that "First Monday" will provide the Company's point of view concerning timely topics or trends that are affecting (re)insurance company operations, and in some cases, the analytics behind Best's Credit Ratings process.

A.M. Best Company is an insurance rating and information source.

More Information

www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=firstmonday812

www.ambest.com

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