A.M. Best Assigns Ratings to FNF Title Insurance Company Ltd.
A.M. Best Assigns Ratings to FNF Title Insurance Company Ltd.
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of "a-" to FNF Title Insurance Company Ltd. (FNF Malta) (Floriana, Malta). The outlook assigned to both ratings is stable.
During the first quarter of 2012, FNF Malta was formed to write legal indemnity and title coverages in the United Kingdom and Europe.
The ratings reflect FNF Malta's adequate risk-adjusted capitalization, the significant reinsurance support provided by its parent, Chicago Title Insurance Company (CTIC) (Omaha, NE), as well as the financial flexibility and operational support afforded by its ultimate parent, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) (headquartered in Jacksonville, FL) [NYSE: FNF]. FNF, through its subsidiary companies and other investments, is the leading provider of title insurance, mortgage services and diversified services in the United States. Offsetting these positive rating factors are the marketing and execution challenges FNF Malta's management will face expanding into new markets with its title and title-related insurance coverages.
While A.M. Best believes FNF Malta is well positioned at its current rating level, factors that may lead to positive rating actions include a trend of favorable operating results while maintaining modest underwriting leverage and adequate risk-adjusted capitalization. However, factors that may lead to negative rating actions include a trend of poor underwriting and operating profitability and/or the erosion of surplus to an extent to cause a significant rise in FNF Malta's underwriting leverage measures or a lessening in its support from FNF.
The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best's Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best's rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Key criteria utilized include: "Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies"; "BCAR for Title Insurers"; "Evaluating Country Risk"; "Rating New Company Formations"; and "Rating Title Insurance Companies." Best's Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visitwww.ambest.com.
Copyright © 2013 by A.M. Best Company, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
A.M. Best Co.
Michael Russo
Senior Financial Analyst
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5372
michael.russo@ambest.com
or
Michael Lagomarsino, CFA
Assistant Vice President
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5810
michael.lagomarsino@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow
Senior Manager, Public Relations
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5378
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
(908) 439-2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com
KEYWORDS: United States Europe North America New Jersey
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