SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited (Singapore Re) (Singapore). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect Singapore Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
Singapore Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalization that remains at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Despite an elevated dividend payout ratio over the past five years, retained earnings have remained sufficient to support new business growth over this period. Other balance sheet factors include the company’s moderate risk investment strategy, and high usage of and dependence on retrocession to manage exposure to catastrophe events, accumulations and large single risks.
AM Best views Singapore Re’s operating performance to be adequate, with the company having reported a five-year average return on equity ratio of 4.9% (2014-2018). Underwriting performance has exhibited a level of volatility and increased pressure over recent years driven by continued competitive conditions and increased natural catastrophe activity, with a five-year average combined ratio of 101.1% (2014-2018). The company’s overall earnings remain supported by investment operations, with a five-year average net investment return (including gains/losses) of 3.3%.
AM Best views Singapore Re’s business profile as neutral. The company is a regional non-life reinsurer based in Singapore, with a modest-sized gross written premium base of SGD 208 million (USD 193 million) in 2018. The company remains somewhat reliant on its long-standing relationships with a select number of local cedants, including some shareholders of Singapore Re, which has enabled preferential access to profitable business over a number of years. AM Best views that any deterioration in these relationships over time would likely place pressure on the company’s business profile assessment.
AM Best views the company’s ERM approach as appropriate given the current size and complexity of its operations. The company identifies and measures key risks on a frequent basis and manages these risks in conjunction with its Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) framework. A partially offsetting factor remains the company’s high level of cedant concentration, largely reflecting the volume of business that emanates from a small number of local cedants with which Singapore Re has long-standing relationships.
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
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 credit rating agency and information provider with an exclusive focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information.
Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
