A.M. Best Affirms Financial Strength Ratings Of American National Group And Its Subsidiaries

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of American National Insurance Company (ANICO) (Galveston, TX) (NASDAQ:ANAT), the lead life insurer and an ultimate parent company of the members of American National Group (ANG). Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and ICRs of “a” of American National Life Insurance Company of Texas, Garden State Life Insurance Company, Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company and Farm Family Life Insurance Company (Glenmont, NY), all remaining members of ANG. A.M. Best also has assigned an FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of “a” to American National Life Insurance Company of New York (ANICONY) (Glenmont, NY). The outlook for all the above ratings is stable.

In addition, A.M. Best has downgraded the ICRs to “a” from “a+” and affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) of American National Property and Casualty Group (ANPAC) and its member companies; American National Property and Casualty Company, American National General Insurance Company and American National County Mutual Insurance Company (Galveston, TX). The outlook for the ICRs has been revised to stable from negative, while the outlook for the FSR is stable. All companies above are domiciled in Springfield, MO, unless otherwise specified.

The rating affirmations of ANICO are based on its strengthened consolidated risk-adjusted capitalization, improved GAAP, statutory earnings in the most recent year, diverse product offerings and its distribution channels, which cover life, annuities, health, multi-line, property/casualty insurance segments. The ratings recognize the continuing recovery in ANICO’s investment portfolio performance in 2009 and 2010, which has resulted in higher net investment income, lower other than temporary impairments and unrealized aggregate gains in its fixed income portfolio. ANICO benefits from revenue and income from diverse sources, which include its life/health and property/casualty affiliates, as well as from its non-insurance affiliates.