A.M. Best Places Ratings of the Risk Management Association of the Residential Construction Employers Council (RCEC) Under Review With Negative Implications.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has placed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a-" of the Risk Management Association of the Residential Construction Employers Council (RCEC) (Illinois) under review with negative implications.

Following initial receipt of notification of the change in service administrators to Assurance Agency, Ltd. (Assurance) from Walker Risk Analysis Management Services Company, A.M. Best, per its standard operating procedure, will assess the new service administrator's performance. A.M. Best will also monitor the transition of the functions between service administrators.

A.M. Best will meet with Assurance as well as the new claims administrator (GAB Robins Company) within the next 30 days to determine the program's strict adherence to rating requirements which may result in maintenance of the current rating. A.M. Best will need to confirm the new service administrators' team's performance, as well as the expected smooth transition of the functions from the old service administrators' team to the new.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.