BF&M assigned "A- (Excellent)" Best's Rating

BF&M Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda
13th November 2001

A. M. Best Co., the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source has assigned an "A- (Excellent)" rating to BF&M Limited, the parent of underwriting subsidiaries BF&M Life Insurance Company Limited and BF&M General Insurance Company Limited.

President & Chief Executive Officer of the BF&M Companies, Glenn Titterton, said "I am delighted that BF&M Limited has been rated as "Excellent" by A. M. Best. Our customers will have recognized the strength of our companies for some time but it is gratifying to have this financial strength acknowledged by an independent organization with the international reputation of A. M. Best."

In part A. M. Best cite BF&M's "consistent operating performance, diversified business profile, secure capitalization and experienced and focused management." Bests point out that "management is experienced, focused and typical of a larger enterprise" and they say that "together, these advantages bring considerable strength and security for the benefit of the policyholders."

Mr. Titterton said that BF&M was building on its strong financial base and experienced management to make exciting advances. He pointed to BF&M's customer focus and substantial lead in e-commerce and noted that new products and services were being rolled out on a continuing basis. BF&M recently introduced Bermuda's most advanced health insurance plan, the Global Health Series, offering real alternatives to employees who can choose from nine alternatives, rather than accept a "one size fits all" policy. Other initiatives include 60% owned subsidiary Barr's Bay Properties Limited, which is building a new five floor office building on Pitt's Bay Road, starting in 2002.

Mr. Titterton said that "BF&M is well positioned to meet the challenges ahead and we look to the future with great enthusiasm."

For a guide to A.M. Best Co.'s rating system click here.

ABOUT BF&M INSURANCE GROUP
BF&M Limited is the holding company of the BF&M Insurance Group. The two largest operating companies within the Group are BF&M Life Insurance Company Limited, a leading provider of life, health and pensions products, and BF&M General Insurance Company Limited, the leading general insurer providing all forms of property, casualty, motor and marine products. The group includes several other companies including BF&M Management Limited, Marchmont Insurance Company Limited, BF&M Investment Services and BF&M Properties Limited, (including Scarborough Property Holdings Limited and Barr’s Bay Properties Limited)

For further information contact :-

Glenn M. Titterton, President & Chief Executive Officer

Phone 295 5566, Fax 292 8831, e-mail gmtitterton@bfm.bm