A.M. Best Upgrades Ratings of Wilton Re to A (Excellent), Stable Outlook
April 21, 2011

On April 21, 2011 insurance industry ratings specialist A.M. Best upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to A (Excellent) from A-(Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to ‘a’ from ‘a-‘ for Wilton Re, comprised of Wilton Reinsurance Bermuda Ltd.(Hamilton Bermuda), Wilton Reassurance Company (Plymouth, MN), Texas Life Insurance Company (Waco, TX) and Wilton Reassurance Life Company of New York, (Rye Brook, NY). The outlook for the ratings is stable.

A.M. Best cited Wilton Re’s successful execution of its business plan, continued growth in earnings and operating efficiencies as factors supporting the ratings upgrade, as well as the Company’s strong risk-adjusted capital ratios, conservative investment portfolio and experienced management team. They further mentioned that Wilton Re is debt free with no operating leverage, maintains a favorable liquidity position and has demonstrated the ability to secure outside equity capital, as needed, for the growth of its business. The full press release can be accessed here.

Chris C. Stroup, Chairman and CEO of Wilton Re, said “We are very pleased with A.M. Best’s decision to upgrade the ratings of Wilton Re, especially in the wake of the financial crisis of the past several years. Wilton Re has been consistent and conservative in its approach to building shareholder value while serving the U.S. life insurance industry and our policyholders. We believe the upgrade is an affirmation of the long-term financial security we bring to our relationships with our business partners, as well as to the over one million policyholders we serve through Texas Life Insurance Company, Wilton Reassurance Life Company of New York and through our administrative reinsurance transactions. We continue to bring creative solutions, backed by significant capital resources, to our clients and look forward to continued growth and the further development of our businesses.”

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Wilton Re is a private equity-sponsored life reinsurance company focusing on the U.S. life reinsurance market and is a leading provider of administrative reinsurance and M&A solutions in the industry. Through Texas Life Insurance Company, Wilton Re is also a leader in the worksite permanent life insurance market. The Company is led by an experienced team of specialists with expertise in acquisitions, operations management, capital markets structuring and reinsurance which it utilizes to develop tailored solutions to assist clients’ with their most complex risk and capital management issues.

Launched in January 2005, Wilton Re successfully raised a total of $1.2 billion of equity capital which the Company has deployed in a variety of strategic reinsurance and M&A opportunities. These transactions have involved traditional reinsurance arrangements, as well as primary stock acquisitions and closed block indemnity reinsurance transactions.

For more information please contact Ray Eckert at 203-762-4436 or at [email protected].