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Best’s News & Research Service - September 21, 2018 01:22 PM (EDT)

A.M. Best Withdraws Credit Ratings of North American Title Insurance Company

  • September 21, 2018 01:22 PM (EDT)
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Oldwick //BestWire// - A.M. Best has downgraded the Financial Strength Rating to B (Fair) from B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “bb+” from “bbb+” of North American Title Insurance Company (NATIC) (Concord, CA). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) has been revised to stable from positive. Concurrently, A.M. Best has withdrawn the ratings upon management’s request to no longer participate in A.M. Best’s interactive rating process.

The downgrade of the ratings takes into consideration the $60 million dividend taken by NATIC in the third quarter of 2018 and its consequential detrimental effect on the company’s risk-adjusted capitalization. As an affiliate of Lennar Corporation, one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, NATIC is afforded rating enhancement in the form of implied support.

The ratings reflect NATIC’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as weak, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

NATIC is one of the largest regional title insurance writers in the United States, with business in 30 states and plans to expand its footprint nationwide. Its business is concentrated in California, Texas and Florida. While the large dividend was driven by management’s decision to not pursue a strategy to write commercial title business; NATIC remains committed to its residential title book, which has consistently been profitable and accretive to surplus.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.

A.M. Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry.



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