Fitch Ratings Puts Atlantic Mutual on Rating Watch.Business EditorsCHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2003 Fitch Ratings Fitch Ratings An international rating agency for financial institutions, insurance companies, and corporate, sovereign, and municipal debt. Fitch Ratings has headquarters in New York and London and is wholly owned by FIMALAC of Paris. today placed the 'BBB-' insurer An individual or company who, through a contractual agreement, undertakes to compensate specified losses, liability, or damages incurred by another individual. An insurer is frequently an insurance company and is also known as an underwriter. financial strength rating of Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company (ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) Pronounced "a-sick." A chip that is custom designed for a specific application rather than a general-purpose chip such as a microprocessor. ) on Rating Watch Positive. Fitch fitch: see polecat. also placed the 'BBB-' insurance ratings of the other Atlantic Mutual Companies (AMC (Advanced Mezzanine Card) See AdvancedTCA. ) and the 'BB-' surplus note rating of Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company on Rating Watch Negative. The rating actions follow announcements that AMC will sell the renewal rights to its commercial business to OneBeacon Insurance Company (OneBeacon). As part of the transaction, OneBeacon will acquire the unearned premium on the acquired book of business and ASIC. The Rating Watch Positive on ASIC reflects its acquisition by a higher rated entity, OneBeacon, whose insurer financial strength is rated 'A' by Fitch. The Rating Watch Negative on the other AMC ratings recognizes that with this sale, and an earlier sale of AMC's marine book of business, AMC has now disposed dis·pose v. dis·posed, dis·pos·ing, dis·pos·es v.tr. 1. To place or set in a particular order; arrange. 2. of 65% to 75% of its premium base. Going forward, Fitch believes that AMC's ability to achieve expense reductions commensurate com·men·su·rate adj. 1. Of the same size, extent, or duration as another. 2. Corresponding in size or degree; proportionate: a salary commensurate with my performance. 3. with these premium reductions will be critical. Equally critical will be AMC's ability to retain and grow its remaining personal lines business. In resolving the Rating Watch, Fitch expects to monitor AMC's progress in reducing its expense base, and in retaining and growing its remaining business.
The changes to AMC's ratings are listed below:
Entity/Issue/Type Action Rating/Outlook
Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company
-- Insurer Financial Strength 'BBB-'
-- Rating Watch Placed on Positive.
Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company
-- Insurer Financial Strength 'BBB-'
-- Surplus Note 'BB-'
-- Rating Watch Placed on Negative.
Centennial Insurance Company
Atlantic Lloyd's Insurance Company of Texas
-- Insurer Financial Strength 'BBB-'
-- Rating Watch Placed on Negative.
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