AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Himalayan Reinsurance Limited

AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bb+” (Fair) to Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (Himalayan Re) (Nepal). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Himalayan Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

Himalayan Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation that is expected to remain at the strongest level for its first five years of operations, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best views the company’s initial capitalisation of NPR 7 billion (USD 59 million) in paid-up capital to be supportive of the company’s planned growth over its five-year start-up phase. Additionally, financial flexibility is expected to be enhanced by the company’s plan for public listing over the near to medium term. AM Best expects the company to maintain a low-risk investment portfolio, with a majority allocation to cash and term deposits, and the remainder mostly in fixed income securities. Offsetting balance sheet considerations include the company’s exposure to severe catastrophe events, albeit the risk is mitigated in part through the use of retrocession.

AM Best views the company’s operating performance as adequate. As a start-up reinsurer, operating performance is exposed to potential volatility arising from elevated operational risk and business execution risk. Himalayan Re’s underwriting performance is projected to face negative pressure in the early years, in part driven by high initial expenses and a lack of business scale, although a gradual improvement is expected. Underwriting performance will also depend heavily on the company’s ability to source good quality domestic business. Investment returns, mainly from interest income, are expected to be a key driver of earnings, particularly in the earlier years.

Himalayan Re’s business profile is assessed as limited. As a new domestic reinsurer, the second in the Nepal’s market, Himalayan Re lacks an established market position and is expected to face increasing competition as it grows its market share. AM Best expects the company’s business growth to benefit from regulatory developments, including a first right of refusal to domestic reinsurance business that has been provided to domestic reinsurers, including Himalayan Re. The underwriting portfolio is expected to show line of business concentration toward property and engineering risks. In addition, the company will have a geographic concentration to Nepal, albeit with a gradual diversification planned over time.

AM Best views the company’s ERM framework as adequate supported by a risk governance structure that has been put in place, and risk management policies and procedures, which are expected to be refined over time. Risk management capabilities are supported by an experienced management team that brings technical expertise and relevant industry experience.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM 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 see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City.