A.M. Best Affirms Financial Strength Rating of Blue Whale Re Ltd

Business Wire, Feb 15, 2008

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and assigned an issuer credit rating of "a-"to Blue Whale Re Ltd. (Burlington, VT). The outlook for the FSR is stable, and the outlook assigned to the ICR is stable.

The ratings reflect the company's strong capitalization and conservative operating strategy. The ratings also consider the critical role and favorable profile the company has as part of the Pfizer group and its excellent operating performance in its first two years of operation.

Partially offsetting these positive rating factors are the company's very large gross and net underwriting exposures to property losses and its dependence on reinsurance.

For current Best's Ratings, independent data and analysis on more than 330 reinsurance companies, please visit www.ambest.com/reinsurance.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.