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 Ratings of Ameritas Mutual Holding Company : A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of �a+� of Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (Ameritas Life) (Lincoln, NE), Ameritas Life Insurance Corp . of New York (Ameritas, NY), Acacia Life Insurance Company (Acacia Life) (headquartered in Bethesda, MD) and The Union Central Life Insurance Company (Union Central) (headquartered in Cincinnati, OH). These insurance entities comprise the life/health operations of Ameritas Mutual Holding Company (Ameritas) (Lincoln, NE). Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the debt rating of �a-� on $50 million 8.20% surplus notes due 2026 of Union Central. The outlook for all ratings is stable. The rating affirmations primarily reflect the group�s strong risk-adjusted capitalization, diversified operating platform, high quality balance sheet and favorable business profile. The ratings also reflect Ameritas Life�s well-established market posi...

Hanover Insurance stock rating by A.M. Best Co : A.M. Best Co. has assigned a debt rating of "bb+" to the 40-year $175 million 6.35% fixed rate junior subordinated debentures recently issued by The Hanover Insurance Group Inc (Hanover, Inc.) (Worcester, MA) [NYSE: THG]. Additionally, A.M. Best has assigned indicative ratings of "bbb" on senior unsecured debt, "bb+" on junior subordinated debt and "bb+" on the preferred stock of the recently filed shelf registration of Hanover, Inc. The outlook assigned to all ratings is stable. All existing ratings of Hanover, Inc. and its subsidiaries are unchanged. The rating assignments recognize Hanover P&C Group's (Hanover) favorable risk-adjusted capitalization and generally positive operating results despite significant catastrophic weather-related activity in the United States in recent years. The ratings also recognize Hanover's proactive and comprehensive risk management, its significant U.S...

RBS Direct Line Insurance stock down today : The shares of Royal Bank of Scotland  (LSE: RBS  ) (NYSE: RBS  )  slipped 1 pence to 305 pence during early London trade this morning after the bank announced late last night that it would sell more shares in Direct Line Insurance  (LSE: DLG  ) . RBS confirmed it would offer 229.4 million shares -- equivalent to 15.3% of Direct Line's share capital -- to institutions via an 'accelerated bookbuild' process. Direct Line's shares fell 4 pence, or 2%, to 206 pence during early trading, indicating RBS could raise about 470 million pounds from the disposal. The sale would take RBS's remaining stake in Direct Line to just below 50%. RBS said the process could involve selling a further 22.9 million shares depending on sufficient institutional demand. RBS is essentially a forced seller of Direct Line, having agreed to dispose of the insurer as part of the commitment made to the European Commission following the bank's ta...