A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of ARABIA Insurance Company s.a.l.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” of ARABIA Insurance Company s.a.l. (AIC) (Lebanon). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect AIC’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorises as very strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The company’s risk-adjusted capitalisation as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), was at a very strong level in 2016. However, based on 2017 preliminary results, A.M. Best expects risk-adjusted capitalisation to strengthen to the strongest level, primarily due to improved internal capital generation and the consolidation of Arabia Falcon Insurance Company. AIC has demonstrated good financial flexibility in recent years, successfully restructuring group operations to meet evolving and more stringent regulatory requirements. An offsetting factor is the rising level of financial leverage, which may limit prospective financing options available to the company. The company’s balance sheet strength assessment also factors AIC’s invested asset base, which is well-diversified across the Middle East.

Operating performance has been a source of negative rating pressure in recent years, primarily driven by weak underwriting performance. In 2017, AIC underwent a strategic shift to enhance performance through a stricter underwriting approach and cost efficiencies. As a result, the company is expected to report for 2017 its best underwriting performance over the past four years. Earnings have been supported by modest investment income over the period 2012–2016, yielding an average of 4.2% (including gains and losses).

AIC has one of the most geographically diverse underwriting portfolios in the Middle East, although its position in key markets remains relatively small. Despite the high levels of competition across the region, AIC’s consolidated gross written premiums grew by 9.7% in 2017 to approximately USD 199 million. Motor remains AIC’s dominant line of business, accounting for approximately 64% of total net written premiums, and is one of the most competitive sectors across the region.

The company’s ERM framework is considered appropriate for its risk profile; however, regulatory risk is considered one of the greatest threats to the company’s current operating model. A.M. Best expects AIC to continue to develop its ERM processes in order to remain relevant with rapidly changing regulatory requirements in its operating jurisdictions. AIC is headquartered in Lebanon, exposing its operations to heightened levels of economic, political and financial system risk.

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. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.

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A.M. Best

Thomas Bateman, +44 20 7397 0329

Financial Analyst

thomas.bateman@ambest.com

or

Mahesh Mistry, +44 20 7397 0325

Senior Director, Analytics

mahesh.mistry@ambest.com

or

Christopher Sharkey, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

Manager, Public Relations

christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

or

Jim Peavy, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

Director, Public Relations

james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best