AM Best


AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Seguros e Inversiones S.A.


CONTACTS:

Salvador Smith
Senior Financial Analyst
+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 109
salvador.smith@ambest.com

Alfonso Novelo
Senior Director, Analytics
+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107
alfonso.novelo@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Manager, Public Relations
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Jim Peavy
Director, Communications
+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644
james.peavy@ambest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEXICO CITY - OCTOBER 15, 2021 01:39 PM (EDT)
AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb+” (Good) to Seguros e Inversiones S.A. (SISA) (El Salvador). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect SISA’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The ratings also reflect SISA’s strongest risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), supported by consistent profitability, a diversified business profile and market leader position, as well as its appropriate reinsurance program. Its affiliation to Inversiones Financieras Grupo Imperia Cuscatlan S.A. (IFGIC), provides the company with synergies and operating efficiencies. Offsetting these positive rating factors are El Salvador’s current macro-economic conditions that may tamper SISA’s asset allocation strategy within non-investment grade fixed income.

SISA initiated operations in 1962. As of year-end 2020, the company stood as the market leader with 28% of gross premiums written covering domestic exposures. Fifty-eight percent of its business portfolio is composed of life products, 29% by property/casualty products, and the remaining 13% in health. SISA’s distribution channels are positioned with brokers, pension funds, bancassurance, and government mainly. In 2020, the merger and acquisition of Seguros SISA SV, S.A. was led by IFGIC in order to support the company’s growing domestic and regional expansion.

SISA’s risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by BCAR, is supportive of its ratings, and as a result of the 2020 acquisition, its capital base was strengthened further. Additionally, SISA’s balance sheet is supported by a comprehensive reinsurance program set with reinsurers with excellent security. Nonetheless, AM Best expects the company’s very strong balance sheet assessment to remain pressured by the country’s macro fundamentals and its exposure to non-investment grade securities.

SISA has shown disciplined underwriting, consistently reporting overall premium sufficiency levels that compare positively with its competitors. In 2020, the company reflected a combined ratio of approximately 95.7%, marginally up from 90.6% in 2019 driven by the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic claims on its life business book, as well as increased reserves to overcome government delays and current global contingency. SISA’s consistent underwriting results have sustained overall profitability, as reflected in a return on equity of 10.8% by year-end 2020, and have contributed to expanding the company’s capital base.

Key factors that could lead to positive rating actions for SISA include sustained favorable trends in profitability while maintaining capital adequacy driven by good underwriting practices. Conversely, a sharp deterioration in operating performance or a significant weakening of its risk-adjusted capitalization driven by El Salvador´s macro-economic conditions could lead to negative rating actions.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (Version Nov. 13, 2020), which provides a comprehensive explanation of AM Best’s rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Best’s Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

Key insurance criteria reports utilized:


  • Available Capital & Holding Company Analysis (Oct. 13, 2017)

  • Catastrophe Analysis in AM Best Ratings (Version Oct. 13, 2017)

  • Evaluating Country Risk (Version Oct. 13, 2017)

  • Scoring and Assessing Innovation (Version March 5, 2020)

  • Understanding Global BCAR (Version July 22, 2021)

View a general description of the policies and procedures used to determine credit ratings. For information on the meaning of ratings, structure, voting and the committee process for determining the ratings and monitoring activities, please refer to Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings.


  • Previous Rating Date: Not Rated

  • Date Range of Financial Data Used: Dec. 31, 2015-Dec. 31, 2020

This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on AM Best’s website. For additional 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.

AM Best does not validate or certify the information provided by the client in order to issue a credit rating.

While the information obtained from the material source(s) is believed to be reliable, its accuracy is not guaranteed. AM Best does not audit the company’s financial records or statements, or otherwise independently verify the accuracy and reliability of the information; therefore, AM Best cannot attest as to the accuracy of the information provided.

AM Best’s credit ratings are independent and objective opinions, not statements of fact. AM Best is not an Investment Advisor, does not offer investment advice of any kind, nor does the company or its Ratings Analysts offer any form of structuring or financial advice. AM Best’s credit opinions are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities, or to make any other investment decisions. View our entire notice for complete details.

AM Best receives compensation for interactive rating services provided to organizations that it rates. AM Best may also receive compensation from rated entities for non-rating related services or products offered by AM Best. AM Best does not offer consulting or advisory services. For more information regarding AM Best’s rating process, including handling of confidential (non-public) information, independence, and avoidance of conflicts of interest, please read the AM Best Code of Conduct. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.


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AMB# Company Name
089450 Seguros e Inversiones, S.A.