Beechwood Re To Close $590 Million Reinsurance Transaction

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Beechwood Re, Ltd., a life reinsurer, announced today that it had executed definitive documents to complete a reinsurance transaction with subsidiaries of CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO). 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140212/NY63663LOGO )

The deal will have CNO's subsidiaries cede $550 million of statutory reserves and approximately $40 million of other capital associated with closed blocks of long-term care insurance underwritten by Bankers Conseco Life Insurance Company and Washington National Insurance Company.  The reinsurance transaction and associated structures have obtained all required regulatory approvals necessary to proceed.

"We are very pleased to have entered into this agreement with CNO," said Beechwood Re CEO Mark Feuer.  "These transactions exemplify the creative reinsurance solutions that Beechwood Re has to offer.  We look forward to working with our new partner through a smooth transition and providing them with ongoing reinsurance support."

Ed Bonach, CEO of CNO said, "Our reinsurance agreements represent a meaningful step forward in addressing our run-off business. We are pleased to have Beechwood Re as our partner in this transaction and look forward to a successful relationship moving forward."

As a part of the transaction, Bankers Conseco and Washington National will transfer to Beechwood the in-force reserves and liabilities associated with the blocks of business.  The transactions are to be completed on a 100% coinsurance basis, with Beechwood holding reserves and required over-collateralization in trusts, with investment guidelines and periodic true-up provisions. 

Fuzion Analytics, of Carmel, Indiana, will provide data analytics and coordination of Third Party Administration services on behalf of Beechwood Re to ensure best-in-class policyholder services following the transition.  Willis Re, a global reinsurance intermediary, was instrumental in the deal, led by Michael Kaster of their Life Solutions Group.

The transaction is expected to be fully consummated by the end of February. 

About Beechwood Re, Ltd and Beechwood Bermuda International Ltd.

The Beechwood family of companies includes Beechwood Re, a reinsurer domiciled in Grand Cayman and regulated by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), and Beechwood Bermuda International Ltd., a licensed long-term insurer located in Hamilton, Bermuda and regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA).  The companies were formed with the belief that there is a shortage in attractive capacity for the life markets, driven by a need for flexibility and creativity in underwriting the life and annuity reinsurance market associated with asset risk.  The Beechwood companies provide life and annuity reinsurance to primary insurance companies in the United States and Internationally.  Beechwood seeks to provide flexibility for companies to manage their balance sheets and risk profiles through a variety of solutions.  Target markets include reinsuring in-force blocks and ongoing quota-shares of fixed and indexed annuities, in addition to in-force, closed blocks of long-term care and long-term disability policies for primary writers.

More information is available by contacting Susan Sweetin, Media Relations at [email protected] or (212) 260-5050 ext. 204

SOURCE Beechwood Re, Ltd.