A.M. Best has removed from under review with developing implications and affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of the key life/health subsidiaries of Genworth Financial, Inc. (Genworth) (Richmond, VA) [NYSE:GNW]. Additionally, the ICR of “bbb-” of Genworth and its existing issue ratings have been removed from under review and affirmed. Concurrently, A.M. Best has assigned ratings to Genworth’s shelf registration, effective May 2015, which replaced the previously expired shelf. The outlook assigned to all ratings is negative.

On May 1, 2015, A.M. Best placed Genworth’s ratings under review with developing implications in response to the company’s public disclosure that it was assessing the market interest and considering the merits of selling its life and annuity businesses. The removal of the under review status follows Genworth’s public announcement, during the second quarter 2015 earnings call on Aug. 5, 2015, that the company has terminated the proposed strategic divestiture of its life and annuity businesses. However, there remains potential that the company may pursue smaller, targeted block transactions. As such, A.M. Best will continue to closely monitor the overall diversification of insurance risks within the organization.

The assignment of the negative outlook reflects A.M. Best’s concerns with the volatility of earnings, lack of growth in its life and annuity operations and the organizations’ challenge to improve sales following the recent strategic uncertainty, as well as the inherent volatility of the long-term care business. Further divestiture in its non-insurance operations, which provide a steady stream of dividends to the Genworth organization, may reduce financial flexibility.

A.M. Best notes that as of second quarter 2015, Genworth has positioned itself to be compliant with Private Mortgage Insurer Eligibility Requirements (PMIERS) within the required timeframe. The company continues to report good financial flexibility at the holding company, with $1.2 billion of cash and invested assets, and financial leverage was approximately 27% as of June 30, 2015. A.M. Best expects that Genworth management will continue to refrain from taking dividends from the life/health companies in the medium term, servicing holding company needs from its global mortgage insurance subsidiaries.

The FSR of A- (Excellent) and the ICRs of “a-” for the following subsidiaries of Genworth Financial, Inc. have been affirmed and assigned a negative outlook:

  • Genworth Life Insurance Company
  • Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York
  • Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company

The ICRs of “bbb-” of Genworth Financial, Inc. and Genworth Holdings, Inc. have been affirmed and assigned a negative outlook.

The following indicative issue ratings on securities available under universal shelf registration have been assigned with a negative outlook:

Genworth Financial, Inc.—

-- “bbb-” on senior unsecured debt

-- “bb+” on subordinated debt

-- “bb” on preferred stock

Genworth Holdings, Inc.—

-- “bbb-” on senior unsecured debt

-- “bb+” on subordinated debt

-- “bb” on preferred stock

The following issue ratings have been affirmed and assigned a negative outlook:

Genworth Holdings, Inc. (guaranteed by Genworth Financial, Inc.) —

-- “bbb-” on $300 million 8.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2016

-- “bbb-” on $600 million 6.515% senior unsecured notes, due 2018

-- “bbb-” on $400 million 7.70% senior unsecured notes, due 2020

-- “bbb-” on $400 million 7.20% senior unsecured notes, due 2021

-- “bbb-” on $750 million 7.625% senior unsecured notes, due 2021

-- “bbb-” on $400 million 4.9% senior unsecured notes, due 2023

-- “bbb-” on $400 million 4.8% senior unsecured notes, due 2024

-- “bbb-” on $300 million 6.50% senior unsecured notes, due 2034

-- “bb” on $600 million fixed/floating rate junior subordinated notes, due 2066

Genworth Global Funding Trusts— “a-” program rating

-- “a-” on all outstanding notes issued under the program

This press release relates to rating(s) 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 visit A.M. Best’s Ratings & Criteria Center.

A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2015 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A.M. Best CompanyKate Steffanelli, 908-439-2200, ext. 5063Senior Financial Analystkate.steffanelli@ambest.comorSally Rosen, 908-439-2200, ext. 5280Assistant Vice Presidentsally.rosen@ambest.comorChristopher Sharkey, 908-439-2200, ext. 5159Manager, Public Relationschristopher.sharkey@ambest.comorJim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644Assistant Vice President, Public Relationsjames.peavy@ambest.com

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