Ratings agencies
Updated: Ratings agencies split on Aspen reaction
Ratings agency Moody's has affirmed Aspen's rating following its $2.6bn (£2bn) deal with Apollo, while AM Best has placed it under review.
Reinsurers turn to M&A to stay relevant as challenging market forces bite
Global reinsurers have turned to mergers and acquisition deals over the last year in order to remain relevant in the face of challenging market conditions, but S&P maintains a neutral view on this trend.
Lloyd’s Brussels receives ‘A’ rating from AM Best
AM Best has assigned the Lloyd’s Brussels hub a Financial Strength Rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘a+’.
Analysis: Has the industry learned its lesson after the collapse of a third unrated insurer in two years?
After three months of solvent run-off, Danish insurer Alpha finally fell over last month. Its collapse sent shockwaves through the market and prompted black cab drivers to besiege the offices of their London broker.
GRP's Mike Bruce on win-win consolidation
Mergers and acquisitions take many shapes in the UK retail broking market, writes Mike Bruce, CEO broking at Global Risk Partners, noting some deals can actually support an owner's entrepreneurial spirit.
This week: Proceedings and premiums
This week the UK has been focused on court cases and Inquiries.
Underwriting pressure drives negative outlook for London market
Underwriting pressure from the high cost of doing business have caused Fitch Ratings to report a negative sector outlook for London market reinsurance and insurance in 2018.
This week: The consequences of buying big
By far the biggest purchase I ever made was when I bought my house.
Pricing boost not enough to relieve market pressures, says Fitch
Improved pricing for London Market insurers in 2018 may not be enough to relieve the pressure on underwriting results from high expenses and lower reserve releases, according to Fitch Ratings.
Editor's comment: Time for turning
As a mother, finding a consensus that makes all family members happy is often an issue.
Reinsurers ‘living off the past’ says AM Best executive
"Concerning" negative trends within the non-life reinsurance market have been hidden by loss reserve development, an AM Best executives has said.
Global Reinsurers feel the pressure in H1
Global reinsurers continue to feel the pinch of sustained pricing and earning pressure at the half year results, according to Fitch Ratings.
Elite's rating likely to be downgraded as it goes into run-off
Gibraltar-based Elite Insurance's Insurer Financial Strength rating has been scored as BBB, on Rating Watch Negative.
Fitch revises Lloyd's outlook to negative
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Lloyd's of London's outlook to negative from ‘stable’ issuing a stark warning over the markets due deteriorating underwriting performance and increased exposure to catastrophe risk.
AIG’s credit rating affirmed by AM Best as Duperreault gets nod of approval
AIG’s credit rating has been affirmed by AM Best, putting an end to the firm's credit review and removing a potential roadblock to the firm’s profitability.
Solvency II ratios not comparable across EU and won't be used in ratings, says AM Best
Solvency II ratios will not be comparable across the European Union and will not be used in rating assessments, according to AM Best.
AM Best downgrades MS Amlin’s Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001
AM Best has downgraded the financial strength rating of MS Amlin's Lloyd's syndicate 2001 to A from A+.
Climate change: insurers feeling the heat
The global risk landscape is currently dominated by environmental upheavals caused by climate change. The resulting catastrophes are of concern to people in general and insurers, in particular, tasked as they are with underwriting and managing ever…
UK could be downrated as a result of Brexit, says Fitch
A hard Brexit may lead to the UK's sovereign rating being downgraded.
Biba's Steve White on unravelling unrated insurers
I spent a large part of the last quarter of 2016 visiting the British Insurance Brokers' Association regions and talking to the advisory boards and committees as we usually do as part of our manifesto preparations.
Fitch downgrades Towergate bonds
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Towergate’s senior bonds owing to a slow turnaround in the business.
In Depth: Unrated insurers: The Biba Litmus Test Report
The downfall of Enterprise and most recently Gable has again raised the thorny issue of unrated insurers.
Europe: Berating the ratings
Fitch Ratings caused a stir when it criticised the Insurer Financial Strength ratings issued by one of its main rivals, AM Best.
London market insurers will struggle with investment returns in 2016
Investment income will remain a sticking point for London market insurers as reserves are hit by low rates in popular short-term investments, according to a report by Fitch Ratings.