Announcements (view more)

A.M. Best Presents at the 2009 Opportunity Finance Network Conference: Date: 10/19/2009    Source: Press Release A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Central Bank of Kansas City and Central Bancshares of Kansas City, Inc.: Date: 10/9/2009    Source: Press Release A.M. Best to Exhibit and Host Power Breakfast at 2009 American Bankers Association Annual Convention: Date: 10/8/2009    Source: Press Release A.M. Best Special Report: Proprietary Study Pinpoints Troubled U.S. Banks: Date: 10/5/2009    Source: Press Release A.M. Best to Exhibit and Discuss Ratings at Iowa Bankers Association Convention: Date: 9/8/2009    Source: Press Release

Methodologies

Rating U.S. CDFI Banking Organizations
(January 8, 2009)
This report provides a general background of the banks and bank (or thrift) holding companies having Community Development Financial Institutions designations, as well as A.M. Best Co.s performance metrics and rating analytical framework for assessing their financial strength.

Analyzing Finance Companies (June 6, 2005) - The analytical framework for assessing finance companies highlights special issues particular to the finance industry, according to A.M. Best Co.'s latest rating methodology, Analyzing Finance Companies.

Analyzing Commercial Banking Operations (March 28, 2005) - Globally, increasing numbers of banks and insurers have expanded operations into each other's industry. Based on this growing trend, A.M. Best Co. has released a methodology for evaluating the financial health of the banking operations of insurance-related enterprises.

Industry Research (view more)

2009 Special Report: U.S. Banking -- Issue Review. Proprietary A.M. Best Study Pinpoints Troubled U.S. Banks.: A significant rise in bank failures may just be ahead, based on A.M. Best research showing a large number of U.S. commercial banking institutions that could be categorized as troubled institutions. The current difficult economic environment could further increase the number of troubled banks on A.M. Best's list. Date: 10/5/2009    Source: Special Reports (PDF)     Pages: 4

2009 Special Report: U.S. Banking - Regulatory Review. Regulatory Rules' Overhaul Seeks to Change Banking Landscape
Depending on what Congress enacts, the Obama administration's regulatory response to the global financial crisis could represent the most broad-based transformation of the nations patchwork of financial regulation since the Great Depression.
Date: 8/03/2009    Pages: 16   Available: Spreadsheet Data

2009 Special Report: U.S. Banking - Issue Review. Bank Loan Reserves Too Cyclical; ALLL Methodology May Evolve
U.S. Banks loan loss reserves are lagging behind delinquent loans, and the shortfall is drawing scrutiny to the methodology for calculating this reserve - the Allowance For Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL). Most agree that ALLLs should peak just before delinquencies surge, but historically the opposite has tended to occur.
Date: 7/10/2009    Pages: 16   Available: Spreadsheet Data

2009 Special Report: U.S. Banking Regulatory Review. Bank Oversight in Crisis is a High-Wire Act
The global financial crisis has banks and their regulators struggling with conflicting imperatives amid efforts to shore up the financial system and pull the economy at large from its deepest slump since the Great Depression. The need to restart the flow of credit sits awkwardly with banks need to preserve capital and renounce lax lending standards.
Date: 5/26/2009    Pages: 8

2009 Special Report: U.S. Banking 1st Quarter Interest Review. U.S. Debt May Overwhelm Global Investors Interest
With the record amount of Treasury debt to be auctioned in 2009, A.M. Best raises questions as to whether demand can keep pace with the increase in supply.
Date: 5/05/2009    Pages: 8    Available: Spreadsheet Data

2009 Special Report: U.S. Banking Issue Review. Widening Net Interest Margins Suggest Hope for Traditional Banks
Good news is scarce for the banking industry, as banks face deteriorating assets and capital levels, but A.M. Best sees, in current financial market and banking data, signs of opportunity for banks if they can weather the next year or two.
Date: 3/26/2009    Pages: 8    Available: Spreadsheet Data