A.M. Best Affirms Credit Ratings of CIBC Reinsurance Company Limited

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a+” of CIBC Reinsurance Company Limited (CIBC Re) (Barbados). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

CIBC Re is a life reinsurance subsidiary that is ultimately owned by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). CIBC Re assumes credit insurance business that has been underwritten by unaffiliated life insurance carriers on consumer mortgages, loans and credit cards originated by CIBC’s Canadian branches. CIBC Re subsequently retrocedes a portion of these risks to two unaffiliated reinsurers. Formerly, CIBC Re participated in excess retrocession pools within the United States and Canada but has since exited the market through a series of novations and natural run-off.

The ratings reflect CIBC Re’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The company has a history of solid performance metrics and profitability and maintains a conservative investment portfolio composed entirely of high-quality, liquid and relatively short duration bonds. These positive rating factors are partially offset by CIBC Re’s dependence on consumer loan originations for premium growth, which have a potential to decline if consumer loan originations in the Canadian market slow.

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

Kevin Varvaro, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5487

Financial Analyst

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William Pargeans, +1-908-439-2200, ext. 5359

Director

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

Manager, Public Relations

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

Director, Public Relations

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Source: A.M. Best