Iowa-based company American Equity has strong business fundamentals that an improving financial profile supports. American Equity is adopting a more conventional investment risk profile and improving capitalization. As a result, we have revised the outlook on American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. and American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. to positive from stable. We have also affirmed all of our counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on these companies. On Sept. 28, 2010, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services revised its outlook on American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. (AEIL) and American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. (AEL) to positive from stable. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'BB+' counterparty credit rating on AEIL and its 'BBB+' counterparty
