AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to SWBC Property and Casualty Insurance Company and SWBC RE, Ltd.
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OLDWICK - MARCH 18, 2024 04:08 PM (EDT)
AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of “a-” (Excellent) to SWBC Property and Casualty Insurance Company (SWBC PC) (San Antonio, TX). Additionally, AM Best has assigned an FSR of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) to SWBC RE, Ltd. (SWBC Re) (Bermuda). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings of SWBC PC reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).
SWBC PC was established in 2022 to underwrite general contractual liability policies directly, supporting debt cancellation programs in response to growing demand over the past few years, and to eliminate its reliance on external fronting agreements. The rating assignments reflect AM Best’s expectation that based on SWBC PC’s business projections, the company will maintain a balance sheet strength assessment of very strong, supported by the projected risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level throughout the five-year forecast period, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best expects initial capitalization and retained earnings over the forecast period to support the company’s expected premium growth, but long-term capital is expected to be managed through the use of reinsurance with their affiliate, SWBC Re. Investment risk is low given a conservative investment portfolio, which consists of investment grade fixed income securities and cash equivalents established in support of developing short-tail liabilities.
The adequate operating performance and limited business profile assessments are based on SWBC PC’s forecast presented to AM Best. Initially, SWBC PC absorbed existing accounts sold through both their affiliated distribution channel, as well as select outside brokers. Their business plan indicates expected continued growth, leading to underwriting earnings generating historically favorable loss ratios. While the contractual liability programs tend to be considered low risk, SWBC PC was formed recently and operates in a single state, limiting the business profile assessment.
The ratings of SWBC Re reflect its balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate ERM.
SWBC Re exhibits the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, and it is expected to remain at this level, supported by low-risk reserves, conservative investment portfolio and consistent profitability. The company has a strong history of underwriting profitability in the contractual liability insurance market, in addition to various other credit lines of business, which management plans to bring on to the balance sheet in the near- to mid-term. The business profile assessment is limited given low geographic diversification and concentration risk, mitigated by a strong senior management team with vast industry experience. SWBC Re has provided a detailed expansion plan, which projects significant growth in the near term. While much of this expansion includes affiliated accounts, some level of execution risk remains. AM Best will continue to monitor this expansion closely and respond if actual results materially differ from projections.
ERM is supported by robust governance frameworks that monitors and reviews business risks. SWBC PC and SWBC Re benefit from the comprehensive risk management framework established by the ultimate parent, which has defined functions to oversee and validate key performance indicators across the organization.
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 Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.