AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited

SINGAPORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a” (Excellent) of Singapore Reinsurance Corporation Limited (Singapore Re) (Singapore). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Singapore Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). In addition, the ratings factor in rating enhancement from the company’s ultimate parent, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Fairfax group).

Singapore Re’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), which is expected to remain at the strongest level over the medium term. AM Best views the company as having a moderate risk investment portfolio, which is made up of a combination of low-risk assets of cash, deposits and local government bonds, as well as higher-risk assets including non-rated corporate bonds, equities and real estate. The company has a high dependence on fronting and retrocession to increase underwriting capacity and manage exposure to catastrophe accumulations and large single risks. However, this is partially mitigated through its modest catastrophe exposure and the use of well-rated retrocession counterparties.

Singapore Re’s operating performance is assessed as adequate, with a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 4.7% and combined ratio of 100.5% (2018-2022). The company’s underwriting performance has exhibited a level of volatility in recent years due to competitive market conditions and elevated natural catastrophe activity. However, the underwriting performance improved in 2022, supported by a lower loss ratio and expense ratio. Singapore Re’s investment income, which comprises interest, dividend and rental income, continues to provide a sizable contribution to overall earnings.

AM Best assesses Singapore Re’s business profile as limited. Singapore Re is a modest-sized non-life reinsurer based in Singapore, writing treaty and facultative business mainly in Asia and the Middle East. The underwriting portfolio has shown an increasing concentration toward the property line over time and is exposed to catastrophe accumulation risks from territories across Asia and the Middle East. The company has high cedant concentration risk, although some of its largest cedants are Fairfax group companies and others that include long-standing relationships.

The rating enhancement from the Fairfax group factors in support from the group, including corporate governance, as well as access to shared resources and services across various business functions. Despite Singapore Re’s operations accounting for a small component of the Fairfax group’s consolidated revenue and earnings, the company is considered important to the group’s international expansion plans and provides access to local and regional business.

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 Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, 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 specialising 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. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

Sin Yee Chuah, CFA
Financial Analyst
+65 6303 5022
sinyee.chuah@ambest.com

Christopher Sharkey
Associate Director, Public Relations
+1 908 882 2310
christopher.sharkey@ambest.com

Michael Dunckley, CFA
Associate Director, Analytics
+44 20 7397 0312
michael.dunckley@ambest.com

Al Slavin
Senior Public Relations Specialist
+1 908 882 2318
al.slavin@ambest.com