A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of United Transportation Union Insurance Association.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of B (Fair) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of "bb" of United Transportation Union Insurance Association (UTUIA) (Cleveland, OH). The outlook for both ratings is negative.

Concurrently, A.M. Best has withdrawn the ratings and assigned a category NR-4 to the FSR and an "nr" to the ICR in response to UTUIA's management's request to be removed from A.M. Best's interactive rating process.

The rating affirmations reflect UTUIA's adequate level of risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), as well as support of its current level of insurance and investment risks. However, the outlook is negative primarily due to UTUIA's fluctuating net operating gains and the challenge in increasing its net premium written trend.

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

The principal methodologies used in determining these ratings, including any additional methodologies and factors that may have been considered, can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

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.