2010-02-09 22:17:17 -

A.M. Best Co. has placed the financial strength ratings (FSR) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of the life/health and property/casualty insurance subsidiaries of MetLife, Inc. (MetLife) (Delaware) under review with negative implications. A.M. Best also has placed the ICR of MetLife under review with negative implications. (Please see link below for a detailed listing of the companies and ratings.)


The rating actions reflect MetLife’s recent public comments that it is in discussions with American International Group, Inc. (AIG) over the potential acquisition of American Life Insurance Company (ALICO).

A.M. Best notes that a definitive agreement has not been reached with AIG nor is there any assurance that an agreement will be reached.

A.M. Best views the magnitude of this potential transaction

as significant. As a result, there is uncertainty with respect to the impact on MetLife’s balance sheet, capitalization and financial metrics; thus, the ratings have been placed under review with negative implications.

The addition of ALICO, if consummated, would be transformational from a strategic perspective—augmenting MetLife’s earnings capability via increased scale, enhancing international market positions and increasing product diversity on a globalized platform.

All ratings will remain under review pending A.M. Best’s review of this potential acquisition, as well as the financing and integration plans to determine the transaction’s overall impact on MetLife’s ratings.

For a complete listing of MetLife, Inc. and its life/health and property/casualty subsidiaries’ FSRs, ICRs and debt ratings, please visit www.ambest.com/press/020909metlife.pdf :

The principal methodologies used in determining these ratings, including any additional methodologies and factors that may have been considered, can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology : .



Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com : .



A.M. Best Co.AnalystsMarc Steinberg, 908-439-2200, ext. 5225 marc.steinberg@ambest.com : mailto:marc.steinberg@ambest.com orWilliam
Pargeans, 908-439-2200, ext. 5359 william.pargeans@ambest.com : mailto:william.pargeans@ambest.com orPublic
RelationsJim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644 james.peavy@ambest.com : mailto:james.peavy@ambest.com orRachelle
Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378 rachelle.morrow@ambest.com : mailto:rachelle.morrow@ambest.com