AM Best Places Credit Ratings of Mercantil Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. and Mercantil Reaseguradora Internacional, S.A. Under Review with Negative Implications

MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has placed under review with negative implications the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bbb” (Good) of Mercantil Seguros y Reaseguros, S.A. (Mercantil Seguros) and Mercantil Reaseguradora Internacional, S.A. (Mercantil Re) (both domiciled in Panama).

These rating actions follow the announcement that the group’s intermediate holding company, Mercantil Holding Financiero Internacional, S.A., has acquired Capital Bank, Inc. and its subsidiaries in Panama, including insurer Optima Compañia de Seguros S.A. Mercantil Holding Financiero Internacional, S.A. runs the group’s international operations and is controlled by ultimate parent Mercantil Servicios Financieros Internacional.

AM Best expects the transaction to expand the group´s domestic footprint in Panama’s insurance and financial services industries. The under review with negative implications status pertains to the uncertain impacts on Mercantil Seguros and Mercantil Re´s balance sheet strength assessments, as well as integration risk. AM Best will continue to monitor the transaction as it evolves and receives customary regulatory approvals.

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.

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