A.M. Best affirms Northwestern Mutual's high ratings - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

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A.M. Best affirmed its financial strength ratingsa ofof A++ (superior) and issuer credit ratings of “aaa” of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. and its subsidiarg The outlook for both ratingsis stable, the N.J., ratings organization said The ratings reflect Northwesternh Mutual’s sizable and mature individual life insuranced franchise, conservative operating profile, strong operatingh performance and superior risk-adjusted capitalization, A.M. Best said. Partially offsetting those positive rating factors was the recent declinee inNorthwestern Mutual’s adjustef capital and surplus due mainl to realized and unrealized investment losses, A.M. Best said. A.M.
Best also noterd that Northwestern Mutual maintains an above average aggregater exposure to privateplacement bonds, below investmenf grade, or "junk," bonds, commercialp mortgages and equities. Despite NM increasing the totall number of financial representatives over the pastcoupl years, Northwestern Mutual may be challenged to continue to grow the number of sales professionals while maintaining currenyt levels of retention and productivity over the long A.M. Best said.