A.M. Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of Nissan Global Reinsurance, Ltd.

A.M. Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to "a" from "a-" of Nissan Global Reinsurance, Ltd. (NGRe) (Hamilton, Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) remains stable.

The ratings reflect NGRe's balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The neutral business profile considers NGRe's strategic role as a captive insurer for its parent, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan) NSANY.

The ratings of NGRe were upgraded based on A.M. Best's assessment of NGRe's balance sheet strength and the risks associated with its significant asset-backed securities (ABS) investments. The company's sizable ABS investments originate at Nissan's affiliated financing companies. Despite its substantial relative size, the underlying loans are considered of high credit quality and have been performing in accordance with expectations. These investments play an integral role in NGRe's capital resources and generate substantial cash flows that also drive a principal source of earnings for NGRe. The investment and liquidity risks related to ABS also were incorporated into this rating assessment.

NGRe is a single-parent captive of Nissan, one of the largest automakers in the world. In its role as a single-parent captive, NGRe provides Nissan with a host of insurance coverages in the United States and abroad.

As a member of the Nissan family of companies, NGRe benefits from the group's proprietary data warehouse, extensive risk management practices and loss control programs.

A.M. Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated in the United States and throughout the world. For current Best's Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on A.M. Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best's Credit Ratings and A.M. Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best's Credit Ratings and A.M. Best Rating Action Press Releases.

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