Latest S&P Headlines

All the headlines from our S&P Topic Page, ordered by recency.

S&P Report on Bermuda’s Re/Insurers – Cautious, but Optimistic

Nov 14 2007 // Analysts from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services have pit together an analytical report on Bermuda’s insurance and reinsurance industry, following what S&P sees as “another excellent...

Ratings Recap: Dresdner, Allianz, LEMMA, Malayan, Chaucer 1084, Fubon

Nov 14 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has announced that its ratings and outlook on Allianz SE -‘AA’ debt ‘A-1+’ with a stable outlook – and related entities were unaffected by our...

S&P Report Examines Calif. Earthquake Insurance Coverage

Nov 14 2007 // As if Southern California’s recent devastating wildfires weren’t enough, the Golden State got a second jolt on Oct. 30 via a 5.6 magnitude earthquake just outside of San Jose. An article published by Standard...

Ratings Roundup: MMC (Marsh), American Safety, Stockbridge

Nov 12 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has placed its ‘BBB’/’A-2’ counterparty credit rating on Marsh & McLennan Cos. (MMC) on CreditWatch with negative implications. S&P said it...

Ratings Roundup: Blue Fin (Allianz), Generali, Greenlight Re, Eureko

Nov 8 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its ‘BB+’ long-term senior secured debt ratings to each of the following notes issued by Blue Fin Ltd. under Allianz SE’s (rated...

Ratings Roundup: AmCOMP, Alliant

Nov 8 2007 // AmCOMP Assurance Corporation and AmCOMP Preferred Insurance Company have each earned a Financial Stability Rating® (FSR) of ‘A,’ Exceptional, from Demotech, Inc. “This level of FSR is assigned to...

Hartford Expands Professional Liability to London; Best, S&P Rate New Unit

Nov 7 2007 // The Hartford Financial Services Group announced that it is expanding its existing international professional liability underwriting capabilities with the opening of a new office in London.Following the success of its U.S....

S&P Says KAMP RE 2005 ‘Imminent Default Probable’

Nov 6 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services announced that it has received a copy of a proof-of-claim notice from the administrator for KAMP RE 2005 Ltd., which “puts the ultimate net losses in excess of the...

S&P Examines Europe’s Insurers Exposure to ‘Credit Crunch’

Nov 6 2007 // Standard & Poor’s has published an “Industry Report Card” on Europe’s insurers, which examines their situation “in the aftermath of the subprime credit crunch,” the findings of an...

Ratings Recap: Hingham, Beazley (US), Kanawha, Genworth Mortgage

Nov 6 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘B+’ (Good) from B++ (Good) and assigned issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “bbb-” to The Hingham Group and its members –...

Business Moves

Nov 4 2007 // Engle Martin & AssociatesEngle Martin & Associates Inc., a national independent insurance adjusting and claims administration firm based in Atlanta, is extending its presence in California by opening a Sacramento...

Ratings Recap: IGI, R&SA, Gerling KA, Mapfre, Alliance PSC, Lonpac, United

Nov 2 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its ‘BBB’ long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings to Bermuda-based insurer, International General Insurance Co. Ltd. (IGI)...

S&P Report Examines ‘Cycle Downturn’ Impact on Reinsurers

Nov 1 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has published “Cycle Downturn Doesn’t Have To Mean Plummeting Profits For Savvy Reinsurers.” The study examines the situation after 2006, which is seen as the...

S&P Affirms Commerce, Mapfre Ratings; Few Concerns Over Merger

Oct 31 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said today that it affirmed its ‘BBB’ counterparty credit rating on Commerce Group Inc. and its ‘A’ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings...

Ratings Roundup: Doctors Company, Old Republic Financial, 21st Century

Oct 31 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has commented that the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of California-based The Doctors Company Insurance Group (TDCG)...

Ratings Recap: Everest Re, Groupama, First Net, Novae, Hiscox, Amlin, Eurasia, Amlin (Bermuda), HSBC Re

Oct 29 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services commented on an announcement by the Bermuda-based Everest Re Group Ltd. (A-/Negative/–) and related subsidiaries (collectively referred to as Everest). Following its...

Ratings Roundup: Assurant, Dongbu (U.S.), Home Pointe

Oct 29 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has affirmed its ‘BBB+’ counterparty credit rating on Assurant Inc., removed it from CreditWatch negative, and assigned a negative outlook to the company. S&P...

Ratings Recap: Labuan, Ansvar, MERITZ, Fairfax, Northbridge

Oct 26 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a-” of Malaysia’s Labuan Reinsurance Ltd. with a stable outlook. “The...

Ratings Roundup: Triad Guaranty, Allstate and Affiliates

Oct 26 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has placed its ‘AA’ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Triad Guaranty Insurance Corp. and its ‘A’ counterparty credit rating on Triad...

Ratings Recap: Northbridge, Fondiaria, MGIC, Trust International, First Capital, St.Paul/Travelers (UK)

Oct 19 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has placed its ‘BBB’ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on Northbridge Financial Corp.’s operating companies–Commonwealth Insurance Co.,...