A.M. Best Places Ratings of First Nonprofit Insurance Company Under Review With Positive Implications [Health & Beauty Close – Up]

A.M. Best Co. has placed under review with positive implications the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of a- of First Nonprofit Insurance Company (Chicago).

A.M. Best said the under review status follows the announcement that FNIC has entered into a definitive agreement under which it will become part of the AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. group. As part of the transaction, FNIC's parent, Mutual Insurers Holding Company will be demutualized and converted into a stock holding company, which will continue to own FNIC. The positive implications reflect the expected benefits to be derived by being part of a much larger organization with access to additional financial and managerial resources.

The transaction is expected to close during the first half of 2013 and is subject to regulatory and policyholder approval.

The principal methodology used in determining these ratings is Best's Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a explanation of A.M. Best's rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Key criteria utilized include: Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies; Understanding BCAR for Property/Casualty Insurers; and Rating Members of Insurance Groups.

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