Insurance ratings agency A.M. Best on Wednesday revised its outlook on Cooperativa de Seguros de Vida de Puerto Rico (known as Cosvi for its acronym in Spanish), to positive from stable and affirmed the company’s financial strength rating of B- (Fair) and issuer credit rating of “bb-.”
The 50-year-old life insurance company owned by cooperative organizations in Puerto Rico has reflected improved operating results, risk-adjusted capitalization as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio and a strategic shift to stable and profitable lines of business, A.M. Best noted as reasons for its positive opinion.
This year Cosvi has improved its bottom line and risk-adjusted capitalization through positive net gains associated with the sale of its unprofitable group health plan and Medicare Advantage lines of business.
“However, residual losses from the run off of these businesses continue to impact the current year’s operating results,” A.M. Best said, adding that “the combined results of COSVI’s remaining lines of business, including life, annuities, credit life and individual accident and health, produced favorable statutory operating gains in the most recent period and increasing positive results are projected going forward.”
Another plus, A.M. Best said, is the willingness of COSVI’s members to support the entity’s financial flexibility.
Business reporter with 30 years of experience writing for weekly and daily newspapers, as well as trade publications in Puerto Rico. My list of former employers includes Caribbean Business, The San Juan Star, and the Puerto Rico Daily Sun, among others. My areas of expertise include telecommunications, technology, retail, agriculture, tourism, banking and most other segments of Puerto Rico’s economy.
“We’re particularly interested in Puerto Rico because we see acceptance, and above all, interest in the implementation of [artificial intelligence (AI)] to impact the daily operation of businesses. Additionally, we see areas where [small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs)] in Puerto Rico can stand out, such as business performance and productivity, thanks to the implementation of AI.”
— Ineke Geesink, director for SMEs in Central America and the Caribbean at Microsoft, regarding a survey conducted by the company among SMEs in the Americas, which revealed a 61% positive view on AI’s impact.