LONDON -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 7/31/96 -- Standard&Poor's today has lowered to double-`A'-plus from triple-`A' its claims-paying ability rating of Zurich Insurance Company (Zurich). Zurich is the parent company, and principal insurance company, of the Zurich group, one of the World's most diversified insurance and reinsurance groups. The downgrade reflects the fact that Standard&Poor's believes that Zurich is becoming increasingly focused on shareholder value and that, as a result, prospective capital will not be maintained at levels consistent with a triple-`A' rating. At the same time Standard&Poor's lowers to double-`A'-plus from triple-`A' its claims-paying ability ratings of Zurich American Insurance Intercompany Pool, which includes a branch of Zurich as a pool member. In
