AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Manulife Financial Corporation and Its Subsidiaries

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of “aa-” (Superior) of the life/health (L/H) insurance subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) (Toronto, Canada) [NYSE: MFC]. Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of “a-” (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings (Long-Term IRs) of MFC. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. (See below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)

The ratings reflect MFC’s L/H subsidiaries’ balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as their strong operating performance, favorable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management (ERM).

MFC maintains a balance sheet strength assessment of very strong, exemplified by a very strong risk-adjusted capital position, as measured by the Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test (LICAT) and Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). MFC’s LICAT score remains at a favorable and increasing level over the more recent quarter, and its BCAR improved to be within the very strong assessment from the strong assessment. MFC’s very strong balance sheet strength assessment also is due in part to the company’s financial flexibility, strategically using debt and other financing channels while maintaining a moderate level of financial leverage that has declined over the longer term, as well as strong interest coverage that remains well within the guidelines for its current ratings. The company has taken steps over the past several years to derisk its book of business by reinsuring billions of low return-on-equity and non-core business lines, particularly long-term care insurance.

From an operating performance perspective, MFC has a history of stable earnings and continues to report favorable earnings in its core lines of business despite some fluctuations year to year due to market conditions. The company’s earnings are reflective of its diverse business model, which includes a robust insurance and wealth & asset management product offering, geographic diversification throughout Asia, Canada and the United States and a strong market presence, with MFC holding leading market positions in its core lines of business. The company’s ERM program, which AM Best assesses as very strong, supports MFC’s risks within its balance sheet, operating performance and business profile.