AM Best Upgrades Credit Ratings of Individual Assurance Company, Life, Health & Accident; Affirms Credit Ratings of LifeShield National Insurance Co.

AM Best has upgraded the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) to B++ (Good) from B+ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) to "bbb" (Good) from "bbb-" (Good) of Individual Assurance Company, Life, Health & Accident (IAC). In addition, AM Best has affirmed the FSR of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term ICR of "bbb" (Good) of LifeShield National Insurance Co. (LifeShield National). Both companies are domiciled in Oklahoma City, OK. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect LifeShield National and IAC's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its marginal operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

IAC's increased importance to the overall business strategy of the organization, and the continued integration of operations between LifeShield National and IAC support the full rating enhancement for IAC. IAC mainly provides administrative services to LifeShield National and some unaffiliated third parties, and in doing so, has contributed to cost efficiencies and greater policyholder retention throughout the organization. LifeShield National has demonstrated explicit support by down-streaming capital to IAC, and management has shown commitment to the success of IAC through shared services with noticeable synergies between the two entities. Along with these factors, IAC provides diversification and is a material portion of earnings to the group, which also is supportive of full rating enhancement.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM 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 AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

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