AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Mercantil Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A.

Business Wire

MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” to Mercantil Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. (Mercantil Seguros) (Panama). The outlook assigned to the Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Mercantil Seguros’ balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Mercantil Seguros’ balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best´s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is at the strongest level. The ratings also reflect the company’s well-structured reinsurance program, sound underwriting practices and conservative investment strategy. Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is Mercantil Seguros’ relatively small size within Panama´s insurance industry.

Mercantil Seguros is a Panama-based (re)insurer established in 2013, with net premiums written composed of health (66%), auto (22%) and miscellaneous (12%), as of 2018. The company, which is part of Mercantil Group’s international companies, controlled by ultimate parent Alvina Corporation, operates in Panama through a network of brokers and direct distribution channels. Mercantil Seguros also performs as a retrocessionaire for reinsurance business sourced in Venezuela, driven by reinsurance brokers.

Mercantil Seguros’ risk-adjusted capitalization stands at the strongest level and is supportive of its ratings. Historically, the company has increased capital at a 50% compound annual growth rate supported by positive bottom-line results, driven by a consistent inflow of underwriting and investment income, and a capital infusion. A well-balanced reinsurance program placed among counterparties of strong credit quality also reinforces the company’s risk-adjusted capitalization.

In AM Best´s view, Mercantil Seguros has shown sound underwriting practices characterized by overall premium sufficiency levels. A combined ratio of 60% in 2018 was enabled through well-underwritten risks by group companies, thus containing claims expenses. Additionally, consistent reinsurance profits, which offset acquisition costs, continue to support the company´s profitability, as evidenced by a return on equity and return on assets of 32.1% and 22.9%, respectively, in 2018.

AM Best expects the company’s current geographic diversification to further improve through distribution channel synergies provided by the overall organization in the near to midterm, enabling Mercantil Seguros to expand its Panama-sourced business.

Positive factors that could result in positive rating action include improvements in geographic diversification in combination with sustained profitability, while maintaining risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level. Factors that could lead to negative rating action include protracted adverse underwriting performance that leads to a significant deterioration in its risk-adjusted capitalization.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM 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 AM 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 AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.