AM Best

AM Best’s Analytical Briefing –
Understanding AM Best’s Approach to Insurance Financial Strength Ratings and the Process

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 9:00 am GMT/UTC (10:00 BST)

briefing title screen

About This Briefing

AM Best executives and analytical staff, in association with senior leadership from the Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers & Reinsurers (FAIR), will discuss AM Best's (re)insurance rating methodology and the process undertaken by companies across Africa, the Middle East and Asia to obtain a Best's Credit Rating.

This session will include:

  • An overview of AM Best, our products, services and the rating process
  • An overview of Best’s Credit Rating Methodology (BCRM)
  • Rating trends and market issues
  • A Q&A session 

At the end of the briefing, attendees will understand:

  • The types of ratings AM Best provides and the characteristics of a highly rated company
  • Balance sheet strength assessment
  • What size companies AM Best rates
  • How long a company needs to be in operation to obtain a rating
  • What role ERM plays in the rating process
  • Whether Best's Credit Ratings are capped by sovereign ratings
  • What country risk is and how it factors into AM Best's credit rating opinion
  • How AM Best benchmarks its ratings

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Speakers

Vasilis Katsipis
Acting Managing Director,
Market Development,
MENA, South & Central Asia 
AM Best


Ben Diaz-Clegg
Associate Director, Analytics
AM Best

Dale Kirby
Senior Financial Analyst
AM Best

Mo’men Mukhtar
General Secretary 
Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers & Reinsurers (FAIR)