www.finanznachrichten.de/...fs-to-bbb-outlook-negative-004.htm
10.12.2010 15:21
Fitch Downgrades Irish Life Assurance plc's IFS to 'BBB+'; Outlook Negative
Fitch Ratings has downgraded Irish Life Assurance plc's (Irish Life) Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating to 'BBB+' from 'A-' and Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'BBB' from 'BBB+'. The Outlooks are Negative. Irish Life's subordinated debt was also downgraded to 'BB+' from 'BBB-'.
Irish Life is the main insurance subsidiary of Irish Life&Permanent Plc (ILP). ILP's Individual rating was today downgraded to 'D/E' from 'D' and its Support Rating affirmed at '2'. The Irish sovereign's rating was yesterday downgraded to 'BBB+'/Stable from 'A+'/Negative (see separate comments published at www.fitchratings.com).
The downgrade of Irish Life's ratings and Negative Outlook reflect the deterioration in the macro-economic environment in Ireland. The impact of the Irish government's austerity package, high unemployment and reduced consumer confidence could trigger higher policyholder lapse rates and lower sales volumes, threatening Irish Life's profitability. The company is also exposed to increased investment risk as it has shareholder exposure to Irish sovereign debt and other Irish investments.
The downgrade also reflects the capital which Irish Life will provide to ILP through a EUR100m securitisation, which will reduce Irish Life's financial flexibility and future profits.
Despite the downgrade, Irish Life's ratings continue to reflect the positive rating factors of its strong standalone capitalisation (regulatory solvency ratio of 178% at end- Q310), comparatively low-risk business and strong market position. The business returned to profit in 2009 on an Irish GAAP basis with a result of EUR4m. A significant reduction in the cost base has also been made. However, Fitch expects profit margins and earnings to remain under pressure for a number of years.
Irish Life's rating could be further downgraded if the Irish macro-economic situation deteriorates further or has a greater-than-expected impact on persistency or new business, or if the company does not remain profitable.
Additional information is available at www.fitchratings.com.
Applicable criteria, "Insurance Rating Methodology", dated 16 August 2010, "Life Insurance Rating Methodology", dated 24 March 2010, and "Fitch's Approach to Rating Insurance Groups", dated 24 March, 2010, are available at
www.fitchratings.com.
Applicable Criteria and Related Research:
Insurance Rating Methodology
www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/...e.cfm?rpt_id=547766
Life Insurance Rating Methodology
www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/...e.cfm?rpt_id=506285
Non-Life Insurance Rating Methodology
www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/...e.cfm?rpt_id=506369
Fitch's Approach to Rating Insurance Groups
www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/...e.cfm?rpt_id=506368
ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE.
Contacts:
Fitch Ratings
Primary Analyst:
Clara Hughes, +44 20 3530 1250
Director
Fitch Ratings Limited
30 North Colonnade
London, E14 5GN
or
Secondary Analyst:
Harish Gohil, +44 20 3530 1257
Managing Director
or
Committee Chairperson:
Federico Faccio, +44 20 3530 1394
Senior Director
or
Media Relations:
Hannah Warrington, +44 (0) 207 417 6298 (London)
hannah.warrington@fitchratings.com
© 2010 Business Wire