SINGAPORE, March 11 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and the issuer credit rating of “bbb” of The Education Benevolent Society Incorporated (EBS) (New Zealand). The outlook for both ratings is stable.
 
The ratings primarily reflect EBS’ strong risk-adjusted capitalization and consistently favorable operating results.
 
EBS’ risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), is deemed to be strong; characterized by low underwriting leverage, strong liquidity and high quality investments. Despite the relatively high expense ratio and underwriting losses in recent years, the company has been fully subsidized by a stable stream of other income, principally referral commissions. As a result, operating results have remained consistently positive over the past five-year period.
 
The positive rating factors are partially offset by EBS’ small capital base and declining premium trend, though recent signs indicate this trend may be stabilizing.
 
EBS is well-placed at the current rating level. Factors that could lead to negative rating actions for EBS include a weakened competitive market position in its niche educational union sector or a significant deterioration in its operating results.
 
Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication, and unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.
 
This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on A.M. 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 A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page.
 
A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
 
Copyright © 2016 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
 
Contacts
A.M. Best
Larina Huang, +65-6589-8400, ext. 218
Associate Financial Analyst
larina.huang@ambest.com
or
Jason Shum, +65-6589-8400, ext. 217
Financial Analyst
jason.shum@ambest.com
or
Christopher Sharkey, +(1) 908-439-2200, ext. 5159
Manager, Public Relations
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy, +(1) 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
james.peavy@ambest.com

Source: A.M. Best
 
View this news release online at:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160310005975/en
 
--BERNAMA