We would love to hear from you. Click on the ‘Contact Us’ link to the right and choose your favorite way to reach-out!

wscdsdc

media/speaking contact

Jamie Johnson

business contact

Victoria Peterson

Contact Us

855.ask.wink

Close [x]
pattern

Industry News

Categories

  • Industry Articles (21,155)
  • Industry Conferences (2)
  • Industry Job Openings (35)
  • Moore on the Market (414)
  • Negative Media (144)
  • Positive Media (73)
  • Sheryl's Articles (800)
  • Wink's Articles (353)
  • Wink's Inside Story (274)
  • Wink's Press Releases (123)
  • Blog Archives

  • March 2024
  • February 2024
  • January 2024
  • December 2023
  • November 2023
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • August 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • November 2008
  • September 2008
  • May 2008
  • February 2008
  • August 2006
  • A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Delaware Life Insurance Company

    February 26, 2016 by Best's News Servicw

    Oldwick – A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings of “a-” of Delaware Life Insurance Company (Wilmington, DE) and Delaware Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY) (collectively referred to as Delaware Life). The outlook for all ratings is stable.

    The ratings for Delaware Life reflect the group’s strong risk-adjusted capitalization, a capital support agreement from its owners and stable adjusted operating earnings provided by a large in-force acquired block of life and annuity liabilities in excess of $34 billion. The ratings also acknowledge the group’s evolving business profile as it begins to grow its annuity business and reinvigorate its distribution channels since its 2013 acquisition. Delaware Life’s operating profile benefits from fee income through its acquired variable annuity and COLI/BOLI separate account business lines, in addition to interest spreads on its fixed annuity blocks. Operating performance continues to benefit from relatively stable investment spreads, favorable, albeit recently declining equity market results and strong persistency within its large acquired block of variable annuity business. Additionally, financial leverage and interest coverage ratios remain within the guidelines for the current ratings with additional access to liquidity.

    Partially mitigating rating factors include the challenges of expanding its business profile, high levels of interest rate and equity market sensitivity and elevated levels of investment risk when compared to similarly rated companies, along with a portfolio yield that is currently below the industry average. As Delaware Life rebuilds its distribution channels and introduces new products, success will be contingent on executing its business plan in the highly competitive annuity market. In addition, a significant percentage of its liabilities are subject to interest rate and equity market sensitivity, which can impact sales, spreads and fee income, resulting in potential operating volatility.

    Delaware Life’s general account invested assets are managed by Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, which uses a differentiated investment philosophy by emphasizing holdings in structured securities, schedule BA assets and short term loans, which pose potential liquidity and valuation risk under distressed capital market conditions. Its current portfolio return is below industry averages due to high levels of cash and short term investments held during its business transition period along with exposure to floating rate asset-backed securities at lower coupon yields. While potential credit and liquidity risk exists, these risks are partially offset by access to additional liquidity resources, effective investment underwriting practices and ongoing credit monitoring.

    Factors that could lead to a positive rating action are profitable earnings growth, strong but manageable premium growth, and a reduction in higher risk assets along with improving portfolio returns. Factors that could lead to a negative rating action include a material decline in absolute risk-adjusted capitalization due to operating losses, impairments and dividends to shareholders, an increase in riskier asset classes and declining portfolio returns. Additionally, an increase in financial leverage could result in a negative rating action.

    This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on A.M. 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 visit A.M. Best’s Ratings & Criteria Center.

    A.M. Best is the world’s oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source.

    Originally Posted at AM Best on February 24, 2016 by Best's News Servicw.

    Categories: Industry Articles
    currency