AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (Excellent) of Bermudian-based Conduit Reinsurance Limited.

The outlook of these credit ratings is stable.

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

The agency said Conduit Re’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best’s capital adequacy ratio.

It added that the company is expected to manage BCAR comfortably in excess of the strongest threshold as it executes its business plan and grows its reinsurance portfolio.

AM Best said Conduit Re’s balance sheet is supported by high quality capital, a conservative investment strategy focused on fixed maturity securities and a reinsurance programme of excellent credit quality.

Conduit Re’s operating performance assessment incorporates its business plans along with results achieved in its first years of operation.

Despite several industrywide catastrophe and large loss events during its initial years, Conduit Re’s underwriting results have been robust, AM Best said.

The company reported a discounted combined ratio of 72.5 per cent under IFRS 17 for the first six months of 2023, and expects good profitability for the year.

Over the coming years, AM Best expects Conduit Re to generate solid combined ratios, supported by continued favourable market conditions and lower expense ratios as its revenue grows.

The agency said Conduit Re has experienced a favourable reception from the market since its launch in December 2020, and in its second year of operation (2022) wrote gross written premiums of $637.5 million.

Growth ahead of its initial public offering target has been achieved in the first nine months of 2023, with the company writing GWP of $764.4 million (excluding reinstatement premiums under IFRS 17 reporting).

AM Best said the company is broadly on track to achieve its business plan, with management demonstrating its ability to adapt to market conditions.

Conduit Re’s risk management framework and internal controls have matured as the company has grown, and risk management capabilities appear to be commensurate with its risk profile, the agency said.