A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Illinois State Bar Association Mutual Insurance Company.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating to "a" from "a-" of Illinois State Bar Association Mutual Insurance Company (ISBA Mutual). The outlook for both ratings has been revised to stable from positive.

These ratings actions follow the positive rating outlook that was assigned to ISBA Mutual in May 2007 and takes into consideration its strong operating performance in 2007. The ratings also recognize ISBA Mutual's extensive knowledge of the Illinois legal community and the benefits it derives as the endorsed carrier of the Illinois State Bar Association. ISBA Mutual's management has employed a conservative operating strategy over the years, which has contributed to the company's consistently favorable operating results and excellent risk-adjusted capitalization. The ratings also acknowledge ISBA Mutual's high policyholder retention levels and conservative investment portfolio.

Partially offsetting these positive rating factors is the group's business concentration of risk, which increases its susceptibility to adverse economic, regulatory and legislative conditions. The company also has experienced some variability in accident year loss reserve development, although calendar year development has been consistently favorable.

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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.