Best's News


Best’s News & Research Service - May 24, 2019 09:33 AM (EDT)

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Bangkok Insurance Public Company Limited

  • May 24, 2019 09:33 AM (EDT)
    print icon

Singapore //BestWire// - AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Bangkok Insurance Public Company Limited (BKI) (Thailand). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect BKI’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

BKI’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalization that remains at the very strong level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Capital adequacy is supported by the company’s low net underwriting leverage, albeit partially offset by a high-risk investment portfolio, which includes large and concentrated holdings of domestic equities. While the company has exhibited an elevated dividend payout ratio over recent years, retained earnings have remained robust and sufficient to support business growth. Other balance sheet considerations include the company’s moderate dependence on reinsurance to manage its exposure to catastrophe events, accumulations and large single risks.

AM Best views the company’s operating performance as strong, as evidenced by a five-year average combined ratio of 86.6% and operating ratio of 77.2% (2014-2018). BKI’s underwriting performance has exhibited a high degree of stability over the past five years, as well as comparing favorably with local and regional peers. Prospectively, AM Best expects the company’s operating performance to remain at a strong level, supported by a robust balance of underwriting and investment earnings. AM Best expects the company to continue to exhibit a strong underwriting discipline with a focus on profitable growth.

BKI’s business profile is assessed as neutral. The company is the third-largest non-life insurer in Thailand with direct written premiums of THB 16.7 billion (USD 516 million) in 2018, equivalent to a 7% market share. The company’s portfolio is diversified moderately by line of business; however, almost all business originates from Thailand with a high geographical concentration toward the city of Bangkok.

AM Best considers the company’s ERM framework to be appropriate given the size and complexity of its operations. The company’s risk management capabilities are assessed typically to be adequate for the profile of key risks.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM 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 AM 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 AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best’s Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases.

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



Thailand Financial Strength Press Release Asia Insurance Issuer Credit Rating Best's Credit Rating Action


Latest News

More from Best’s News


Trending

AM Best TV

More Related Company News

To Submit News go to - https://www.ambest.com/bestweek/submitnews.html