The FINANCIAL -- A.M. Best Co. expects the overall financial impact of Hurricane Irene to the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) industry to be generally manageable given the current overall strength of the industry.

The FINANCIAL -- A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to C++ (Marginal) from B- (Fair) and issuer credit rating to "b" from "bb-" of National Life Insurance Company (NALIC), (Hato Ray, PR).

The FINANCIAL -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of "a+" of MS Frontier Reinsurance Ltd (MS Frontier) (Hamilton, Bermuda).

The FINANCIAL -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings of "a" of China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation (China Re) and its subsidiaries, China Property & Casualty Reinsurance Company Ltd. (CPCR) and China Life Reinsurance Company Ltd. (CLRC).

The FINANCIAL -- London-25 August 2011: Fitch ratings says in a new report that its sector rating outlooks for the Swiss life and non-life insurance sectors remain stable, despite the challenges of financial market turbulence and low interest rates.