A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd.

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “aa” of Assured Guaranty Re Overseas Ltd. (AGRO) (Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect AGRO’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

AGRO’s risk-adjusted capital, as measured by the Best Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), is currently and is projected to be at the strongest level over the next one to three years. Shareholders’ equity at AGRO has increased in the past few years, and further increases are expected in the near term. The company’s strong liquidity position, conservative investment portfolio and financial flexibility due to its affiliation with Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. (AG Re), the indirect parent, and Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGL), the ultimate parent, as well as AGRO’s active capital management using its internal capital model, provide support of the balance sheet assessment of strongest.

AGRO’s operating performance is assessed as adequate based on positive operating results that have been driven primarily by investment income and the performance of its various lines of business. An increase in expenses related to its target lines of business has hampered AGRO’s overall operating performance; however, AGRO forecasts its target lines of business to be profitable in the coming years.

AGRO’s business profile is assessed as neutral, as its target lines of business exhibit risk profiles with low loss probability, with an attractive pricing environment and minimal number of players.

AGRO’s overall ERM assessment is appropriate, as the company employs a robust ERM framework and infrastructure embedded across the AGL group of companies of which AGRO is a member. A.M. Best considers AGRO’s risk assessment capabilities to be aligned appropriately with its risk profile.

The ratings also take into consideration the benefits and support AGRO receives from the AGL group of companies — a broader, successful franchise — and its importance to AGL’s overall business strategy and profile.

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

Asha Attoh-Okine

Associate Director,

Insurance-Linked Securities

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5716

[email protected]

or

Wai Tang

Director,

Insurance Linked Securities

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5633

[email protected]

or

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439-2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]

or

Jim Peavy

Director, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

[email protected]

Source: A.M. Best