MEXICO CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#insurance—AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) of Patria Re (US), Inc. (Patria US) (Charleston, SC). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.
The ratings reflect Patria US’ 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).
The ratings also recognize Patria US’ affiliation and strategic importance to its ultimate parent, Peña Verde, S.A.B. (Peña Verde), a leading group in Mexico’s insurance and reinsurance industries, which provides synergies and operating efficiencies. The ratings also reflect the support received from its sister company, Reaseguradora Patria, S.A. (Patria Re), the lead company of the Peña Verde group and a well-known reinsurer in Latin America. As of June 2024, Peña Verde had equity of USD 744 million and premiums of USD 464 million. Patria US is considered a new company formation as it began operations in February of 2023, after receiving authorization in the United States from the South Carolina Department of Insurance. The company was created and is domiciled in South Carolina, as part of Peña Verde’s efforts to expand and strengthen its operations.
AM Best considers Patria US’ balance sheet strength to be at the very strong level, with its capital base expected to strengthen under capital contributions planned for the upcoming years. The latest capital contribution took place in September, in which Patria US received USD 8.5 million from its parent company. AM Best will monitor the capital flows into the company, to continue assessing its capability to grow and undertake its desired level of risk.
Patria US’ operating performance is considered adequate. The company’s initial bulk of business consists of a diverse mix of premiums retroceded from Patria Re, with a profitable track record. Synergies with Patria Re and the small size of Patria US’ operation are expected to help keep operating expenses stable. As of September 2024, Patria US has reported positive bottom-line results, achieved through premium sufficiency. AM Best will continue to monitor the underwriting quality and operating expenses to further assess this building block assessment.
Peña Verde and Patria Re have established a solid niche position in Mexico and in other Latin America markets; however, Patria US’ business profile is considered limited, given its strategic role within the group.
Patria US shares all the group’s comprehensive ERM infrastructure and practices, as well as the expertise from its shared management team. AM Best considers the company’s ERM assessment as appropriate for its risk appetite and as being strongly supported by the holding company’s back office.
The stable outlooks reflect the support Patria Re US receives from its group, which translates into capital contributions when required, as well as profitable business cessions to back up growth, given the strategic importance of the entity.
Positive rating actions could occur if Patria US is able to strengthen its capital base through capital contributions and profitable results, elevating its risk-adjusted capitalization to the strongest level, and demonstrating a consistent trend. Negative rating actions could take place if the operating performance of the inherited business portfolio deteriorates to a level that is no longer profitable and significant losses translate into a weakened capital base. Negative rating actions could also take place if the support that Patria Re US receives from its group decreases in AM Best’s opinion.
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.
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