Argo Group International Holdings Ltd. has been assigned indicative debt ratings by AM Best Co. of "bbb" to senior unsecured debt, "bbb-" to subordinated debt and "bb+" to preferred stock, all of which may be issued under its recently filed and approved shelf registration statement.

In addition, Best has assigned an indicative rating of "bb+" to the preferred securities under the shelf registration of Argo Group Statutory Trust. The outlook assigned to all ratings is stable.

All proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities will be used to buy debt securities from Argo Group. The net proceeds from the sale of securities will be used principally for working capital to support the continued growth of the group's insurance operations.