Announcements

GCR affirms Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited’s rating at AA-(KE); Outlook Stable.

Johannesburg, 18 July 2017 — Global Credit Ratings has today affirmed the national scale financial strength rating assigned to Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited of AA-(KE), with the outlook accorded as Stable. The rating is valid until June 2018.

SUMMARY RATING RATIONALE

Global Credit Ratings (“GCR”) has accorded the above credit rating to Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited (“Liberty Life Kenya”) based on the following key criteria:

Liberty Life Kenya’s rating is supported by very strong liquidity, having measured at a very high level throughout the review period, supported by sound cashflow generation. Total investments coverage of total policyholder liabilities registered at a stable 1.2x at FY16. Sustained cashflow generation, coupled with a balanced investment allocation strategy, is expected to maintain liquidity metrics at a strong level. Furthermore, asset liability matching has measured at a strong level, supported by an asset liability matching model from the group.

The insurer’s earnings capacity is viewed to be sound, with the net margin averaging 11% over the past four years buoyed by a comparatively low claims experience. The net margin equated to a more subdued 5% in FY16, owing to a rise in the benefits ratio to 57% (prior three year average: 52%). Management has budgeted for a sound net margin of 12% in FY17, supported by cost controls (with the budgeted expense ratio moderating to 21%, albeit remaining higher than peers). Note is taken, however, that the combination of elevated expenses coupled with claims volatility may limit margin headroom somewhat going forward.

Liberty Life Kenya reflects moderately strong capitalisation, supported by healthy capital build. In this regard, the insurer has achieved an average return on equity (“RoE”) of 23% over the review period, with a RoE of 19% projected in FY17. The insurer’s capital base increased to KES2.3bn at FY16 (FY15: KES2.1bn), with the statutory solvency margin equating to 161%. Capital management is supported by internal economic capital and scenario testing models from the group. Accordingly, in conjunction with continued internal capital generation (supported by a full profit retention strategy), the insurer is expected to sustain capitalisation at existing levels.

The insurer reflects a strong competitive position, underpinned by higher than industry average growth rates over the review period, supported by a strong distribution channel network. Going forward, increased operational and branding alignment with the group is expected to cement competitive positioning. Over the medium term, group capabilities are expected to provide enhanced distribution and product management competencies, while franchise value is expected to contribute positively to market confidence.

The insurer’s earnings spread, while evidencing limited diversification, benefits from the high weighting towards low to intermediate risk product offerings. The establishment of new distribution channels to boost group life business could gradually see increased diversification over the medium term. The quality of the insurer’s reinsurance counterparties is considered sound, with net deductibles set at conservative levels relative to capital.

GCR views Liberty Life Kenya’s stand-alone credit profile as deriving upliftment from implied shareholder support, following the rebranding exercise undertaken. In this respect, Liberty Life Kenya (formerly “CfC Life Assurance Limited”) is a 100% owned subsidiary of Liberty Kenya Holdings Limited, which is majority-owned by South African based Liberty Holdings Limited (“the group”). This view is further supported by Liberty Life Kenya’s moderate success in contributing to overall group growth and profit objectives, with systems integration, technical expertise and operational support available from the group.

The rating currently matches the national scale ceiling applicable to entities operating within the Kenyan insurance industry. In this regard, positive rating action may follow an assessment of country and industry risk factors. The rating exhibits negative sensitivity to weakening profitability, a reduction in liquidity, or a lowering in risk based capital adequacy.

NATIONAL SCALE RATINGS HISTORY    
     
Initial rating (May 2013)    
Financial strength: A+(KE)    
Outlook: Stable    
     
Last rating (June 2016)    
Financial strength: AA-(KE)    
Outlook: Stable    

ANALYTICAL CONTACTS

Primary Analyst   Committee Chairperson
Munyaradzi Mushure   Yvonne Mujuru
Credit Analyst   Sector Head: Insurance Ratings
(011) 784-1771   (011) 784-1771
munyaradzim@globalratings.net   ymujuru@globalratings.net

APPLICABLE METHODOLOGIES AND RELATED RESEARCH

Criteria for Rating Long Term Insurance Companies, updated July 2016

CfC Life Assurance Limited, 2013-2015.

Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited report, 2016

RATING LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS

ALL GCR’S CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://GLOBALRATINGS.NET/UNDERSTANDING-RATINGS. IN ADDITION, GCR’S RATING SCALES AND DEFINITIONS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://GLOBALRATINGS.NET/RATINGS-INFO. GCR’S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, PUBLICATION TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT HTTP://GLOBALRATINGS.NET.

SALIENT FEATURES OF ACCORDED RATINGS

GCR affirms that a.) no part of the rating was influenced by any other business activities of the credit rating agency; b.) the rating was based solely on the merits of the rated entity, security or financial instrument being rated; c.) such rating was an independent evaluation of the risks and merits of the rated entity, security or financial instrument.

Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited participated in the rating process via face-to-face management meetings, teleconferences and other written correspondence. Furthermore, the quality of information received was considered adequate and has been independently verified where possible.

The credit rating has been disclosed to Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited with no contestation of the rating.

The information received from Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited and other reliable third parties to accord the credit rating included:

  • Audited financial results of Company as at 31 December 2016
  • Four years prior audited financial statements
  • Unaudited interim results to 31 March 2017
  • Budgeted financial statements for 2017
  • Actuarial valuation statement for 2016
  • Financial condition report for 2016
  • The current year reinsurance cover notes
  • Other non-public statistical information

The rating above was solicited by, or on behalf of, the rated client, and therefore, GCR has been compensated for the provision of the rating.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS/ACRONYMS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT AS PER GCR’S INSURANCE GLOSSARY

Balance Sheet Also known as a Statement of Financial Position. A statement of a company’s assets and liabilities provided for the benefit of shareholders and regulators. It gives a snapshot at a specific point in time of the assets the company holds and how they have been financed.
Capacity The largest amount of insurance available from a company. In a broader sense, it can refer to the largest amount of insurance available in the marketplace.
Capital The sum of money that is invested to generate proceeds.
Capitalisation The provision of capital for a company, or the conversion of income or assets into capital.
Capital Adequacy A measure of the adequacy of an entity’s capital resources in relation to its risks.
Cash Funds that can be readily spent or used to meet current obligations.
Cash Flow The inflow and outflow of cash and cash equivalents. Such flows arise from operating, investing and financing activities.
Claim A request for payment of a loss, which may come under the terms of an insurance contract.
Deductible The portion of an insured loss to be borne by the insured before he is entitled to recovery from the insurer.
Diversification Spreading risk by constructing a portfolio that contains different investments, whose returns are relatively uncorrelated. The term also refers to companies which move into markets or products that bear little relation to ones they already operate in.
Dividend The portion of a company’s after-tax earnings that is distributed to shareholders.
Experience A term used to describe the relationship, usually expressed as a percent or ratio, of premiums to claims for a plan, coverage, or benefits for a stated time period.
Financial Flexibility The company’s ability to access additional sources of capital funding.
International Scale Rating LC International local currency (International LC) ratings measure the likelihood of repayment in the currency of the jurisdiction in which the issuer is domiciled. Therefore, the rating does not take into account the possibility that it will not be able to convert local currency into foreign currency or make transfers between sovereign jurisdictions.
Investment Income The income generated by a company’s portfolio of investments.
Liabilities All financial claims, debts or potential losses incurred by an individual or an organisation.
Liquidity The speed at which assets can be converted to cash. The ability of an insurer to convert its assets into cash to pay claims if necessary. Market liquidity refers to the ease with which a security can be bought or sold quickly and in large volumes without substantially affecting the market price.
Loss The happening of the event for which insurance pays.
Market Risk Volatility in the value of a security/asset due to movements in share prices, interest rates, currencies, commodities or wider economic factors.
Net Profit Trading/operating profits after deducting the expenses detailed in the profit and loss account such as interest, tax, depreciation, auditors’ fees and directors’ fees.
Portfolio All of the insurer’s in-force policies and outstanding losses, with respect to described segments of its business.
Premium The price of insurance protection for a specified risk for a specified period of time.
Rating Horizon The rating outlook period
Reinsurance The practice whereby one party, called the Reinsurer, in consideration of a premium paid to him agrees to indemnify another party, called the Reinsured, for part or all of the liability assumed by the latter party under a policy or policies of insurance, which it has issued. The reinsured may be referred to as the Original or Primary Insurer, or Direct Writing Company, or the Ceding Company.
Risk The chance of future uncertainty (i.e. deviation from expected earnings or an expected outcome) that will have an impact on objectives.
Securities Various instruments used in the capital market to raise funds.
Solvency With regard to insurers, having sufficient assets (capital, surplus, reserves) and being able to satisfy financial requirements (investments, annual reports, examinations) to be eligible to transact insurance business and meet liabilities.
Stop Loss Any provision in a policy designed to cut off an insurer’s losses at a given point. In effect, a stop loss agreement guarantees the loss ratio of the insurer.
Underwriting The process of selecting risks and classifying them according to their degrees of insurability so that the appropriate rates may be assigned. The process also includes rejection of those risks that do not qualify.

For a detailed glossary of terms please click here

GCR affirms Liberty Life Assurance Kenya Limited’s rating at AA-(KE); Outlook Stable.

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