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AM Best Places Credit Ratings of Vision Service Plan and Its Subsidiaries Under Review With Negative ImplicationsAM Best has placed under review with negative implications the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings (Long-Term ICRs) of "a" of Vision Service Plan (VSP) (Rancho Cordova, CA (News - Alert)) and its insurance subsidiaries. The Credit Ratings (ratings) of VSP and its subsidiaries, which were last updated in April 2019, were placed under review with negative implications following the announcement that VSP has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Visionworks. Visionworks and its subsidiaries comprise the sixth-largest specialty retail optical chain in the United States, with over 700 retail locations across 40 states. The acquisition will materially increase the size and geographic reach of VSP's retail network. Visionworks will provide an additional source of unregulated revenue and earnings. However, the transaction is expected to materially increase financial leverage and create a significant amount of goodwill, which places considerable pressure on the balance sheet assessment. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. The ratings will remain under review pending further discussions with the management of VSP regarding the financial and operational implications of the transaction and regulatory approval. The FSR of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term ICRs of "a" have been placed under review with negative implications for Vision Service Plan and its following subsidiaries:
AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information. Copyright © 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190710005539/en/ |