OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-” of RiverSource Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN) and its wholly owned subsidiary, RiverSource Life Insurance Co. of New York (Albany, NY). A.M. Best also has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and ICRs of “a+” of IDS Property Casualty Insurance Company (IDS) and its wholly owned, fully reinsured subsidiary, Ameriprise Insurance Company (both domiciled in De Pere, WI). Together, these companies represent the key life insurance and property/casualty subsidiaries of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise) (headquartered in Minneapolis, MN) [NYSE: AMP].
Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of “a-” and the existing debt ratings of Ameriprise. The outlook for all ratings is stable. (Please see below for a detailed listing of the debt ratings.)
The ratings of the life insurance companies primarily reflect their strong risk-adjusted capital positions despite $1.6 billion of stockholder dividends in 2011 and their favorable statutory operating performance after adjusting for the capital impact of their hedging programs. A.M. Best notes that statutory operating results were significantly impacted by an increase in reserves for variable annuity guaranteed benefits. However, these impacts are substantially offset by unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, which are not included in income, but rather below-the-line adjustments to statutory capital. Ameriprise historically has employed effective hedge programs that are primarily constructed to hedge GAAP income and economic risk, but also had the effect of limiting statutory capital volatility. The company also has reduced the risk of some of its product offerings in recent periods. In addition, the company maintains a moderate financial leverage of approximately 19% and strong interest coverage in the 19X–20X range. A.M. Best also views favorably the recent announcement that Ameriprise intends to change its banking subsidiary from a federal savings bank to a non-depository federal trust by year-end 2012.
The ratings also consider Ameriprise’s broad multi-platform network of financial advisors, its leading market position and well developed enterprise risk management program. A.M. Best notes that the number of the company’s financial advisors has increased over the most recent period after declining in prior years as it had been focused on recruiting experienced advisors while culling less productive advisors.
While life and annuity sales rebounded somewhat in 2011, statutory premiums from Ameriprise’s annuity and life and health segments generally have declined over the past five-year period and remains well below levels prior to the financial crisis. This is primarily due to a substantial decline in variable annuity and variable universal life sales following the financial crisis. Sales of variable annuities have been impacted more recently due to the organization’s decision to cease marketing through third-party distribution channels and the transition to a new volatility managed annuity product in 2012. However, the company’s product mix has become more balanced as ordinary life insurance sales have increased over the past year. A.M. Best notes that Ameriprise’s earnings are highly correlated to movements in interest rates and equity markets. As a result, earnings may be materially impacted going forward should the low interest rate environment persist as a significant portion of the crediting rates on Ameriprise’s fixed annuity business are at or near their guaranteed minimums. Furthermore, Ameriprise may continue to experience net outflows in its annuity and asset management businesses due to the ongoing volatility in the financial markets.
IDS and Ameriprise Insurance Company’s ratings are based on their consolidated operating results and the financial positions of both companies and reflect their synergies with Ameriprise. In addition, the ratings take into account the companies’ solid risk-adjusted capital position and positive operating results despite two years of above plan weather-related catastrophes.
A.M. Best believes Ameriprise and its subsidiaries are well positioned at their current ratings.
Negative rating actions could result from a material decline in RiverSource Life Insurance Company’s risk-adjusted capital due to stockholder dividends and/or deteriorating operating results due to spread compression or a significant decline in assets management fees.
The following debt ratings have been affirmed:
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.—
-- “a-” on $700 million 5.65% senior unsecured notes, due 2015
-- “a-” on $300 million 7.30% senior unsecured notes, due 2019
-- “a-” on $750 million 5.35% senior unsecured notes, due 2020
-- “a-” on $200 million 7.75% senior unsecured notes, due 2039
-- “bbb” on $294 million 7.518% junior subordinated notes, due 2066
The following indicative shelf ratings have been affirmed:
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.—
-- “a-” on senior unsecured debt
-- “bbb+” on subordinated debt
-- “bbb” on preferred stock
Ameriprise Capital Trust I, II, III and IV—
-- “bbb” on trust preferred securities
The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Best’s Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.
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Copyright © 2012 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
A.M. Best Co.
Michael Adams, 908-439-2200, ext. 5133
Senior Financial Analyst
michael.adams@ambest.com
or
Thomas Rosendale, 908-439-2200, ext. 5201
Assistant Vice President
thomas.rosendale@ambest.com
or
Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378
Senior Manager, Public Relations
rachelle.morrow@ambest.com
or
Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644
Assistant Vice President, Public Relations
james.peavy@ambest.com
Source: A.M. Best Co.