A.M. Best Releases Criteria Reports on Operating Leverage, Liquidity Model for Life Insurers and Rating Members of Insurance Groups

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co.has released the following criteria reports:

• A.M. Best’s Perspective on Operating Leverage
• Rating Members of Insurance Groups
• A.M. Best’s Liquidity Model for U.S. Life Insurers

Each criteria report updates earlier versions of the same title. The criteria report, “A.M. Best’s Perspective on Operating Leverage,” provides detail on forms of debt that have qualified as operating leverage and updates A.M. Best’s view on the threshold of maximum operating leverage in a company’s capital structure, from 35% of liabilities to 30% of liabilities.

These criteria reports are being updated as part of A.M. Best’s continual review of its rating methodology. None of the changes are considered material.

The criteria report, “Rating Members of Insurance Groups,” contains only minor syntax edits. The criteria report, “A.M. Best’s Liquidity Model for U.S. Life Insurers,” contains no changes.

Visit www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology to download a PDF copy of each report.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2012 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A.M. Best Co.
Duncan McColl, CFA, 908-439-2200, ext. 5826
Manager, Rating Criteria
duncan.mccoll@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5445
Senior Manager, Public Relations
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com
or
Michelle Baurkot, ARe, ARM, 908-439-2200, ext. 5507
Vice President
michelle.baurkot@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best Co.