SINGAPORE (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) March 1, 2001--Standard&Poor's today assigned its double-'A'-plus insurer financial strength rating to Yasuda Fire&Marine Insurance Co. (Asia) Pte. Ltd. (Yasuda Asia). The rating reflects Yasuda Asia's strategic importance to parent Yasuda Fire&Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. (Yasuda Fire, double-'A'-plus/Negative/--), and explicit support from Yasuda Fire in the form of a net worth maintenance agreement. Major rating factors: -- Supportive parent group. Yasuda Fire's commitment to Yasuda Asia is evidenced through explicit and implicit support, including a strong balance sheet, and a high level of operational integration. Yasuda Asia plays an important role in south Asia, servicing the local operations of the parent group's clients and providing underwriting control and reinsurance
