A.M. BestTV: Leading Analysts Discuss Africa's Rising Insurance Markets; Medicare Advantage Rate Cuts; GCC Growth

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLDWICK - APRIL 07, 2014 09:25 AM (EDT)
A.M. Best Co.'s latest episode of "First Monday," the monthly program featuring commentary by the company's leading analysts, explores rising interest in Africa's untapped insurance markets; how insurers might react to Medicare Advantage rate cuts; and whether insurance growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is sustainable. Click on http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=firstmonday414 to view the video program.

The April 2014 episode of "First Monday" includes:

• Foreign Interest in Africa on the Rise: Carlos Wong-Fupuy, senior director of analytics in A.M. Best's London office, discusses how increased stability and a rising middle class has made Africa more fertile for insurance growth and more attractive to foreign insurers: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=fmafrica414 .


• Challenges Ahead on Medicare Advantage: Assistant Vice President Joseph Zazzera and Senior Financial Analyst Bridget Maehr explore how insurers that manage Medicare Advantage may offset potential reimbursement rate cuts: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=fmmedicare414 .


• Growth in the GCC: Is It Sustainable?: Mahesh Mistry, a director of analytics in A.M. Best's London office, says that although insurance growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is comparable to that of developed markets and the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China), it has relied heavily on compulsory business, and opportunities in those areas may be limited: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=fmgcc414 .

Each month, "First Monday" will provide A.M. Best's point of view concerning timely topics or growing trends that are affecting (re)insurance company operations, and in some cases, the analytics behind Best's Credit Ratings process. Go to http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=firstmonday414 to view the latest edition. To suggest topics for A.M. Best's analytic teams to address, send an e-mail to FirstMonday@ambest.com.

A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.