A.M. Best Launches Online Best's Banking Center.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. is responding to industry trends by expanding its analytical coverage to the banking industry, focusing primarily on the U.S. market. As part of this initiative, Best's Banking Center is now available, providing online access to data, special reports, analytical methodologies and news on the U.S. banking industry.

A.M. Best has been providing rating services to the insurance industry since 1899, covering more than 4,000 insurance entities at year-end 2005. However, in recent years there have been fundamental changes in the financial markets in which both insurance companies and banks operate. Increasingly, both industries are competing for customers with similar products that target the same markets. In addition, some insurers have started their own banks, while a number of banks have entered the insurance business, primarily through distribution relationships.

A.M. Best's banking research will be based on regulatory data and will be published regularly throughout each year. Each quarter, A.M. Best will feature several statistical studies on select topics within the industry, from risk issues to market developments. Additionally, there will be a study at the end of each quarter on important changes in the financial statements of U.S. banks, reflecting industry-wide responses to market conditions. At the end of each calendar year, A.M. Best will publish a study on the past year's industry trends and prognosis of the coming year's prospects for release between late February and early March after the close of year-end results.

Analytical methodologies will be released intermittently throughout each year. After the first methodology, "Analyzing Commercial Banking Operations", which was published on March 28, 2005, A.M. Best will provide its analytical views on risk issues and financial strength of U.S. banks. Analytical methodologies will also be published for specialized banking operations and sectors within the banking industry. Additionally, A.M. Best will develop analytics on regional banking markets in the United States in order to incorporate local economic and regulatory factors in its assessment of banks.

News releases by A.M. Best on the banking initiative and other material relating to the banking industry will also be featured regularly on Best's Banking Center. For further information on the initiative or to contact analytical staff, please visit the online Best's Banking Center at www.ambest.com/banks or contact A.M. Best at [phone], ext. 5633.

A.M. Best Co., established in 1899, is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit A.M. Best's Web site at www.ambest.com.