KBRA Assigns Rating to Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company’s Series B Prescribed Capital Notes

KBRA assigns a BBB+ long term credit rating to Knighthead Annuity & Life Assurance Company’s 8.50% fixed rated USD 75 million Series B Prescribed Capital Notes (Notes) due December 15, 2046. The Outlook for the rating is Stable. On July 6, 2026, KBRA assigned a BBB+ preliminary long term credit rating for these Notes with a Stable Outlook.

Knighthead Annuity plans to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including assumption of additional reinsurance and M&A.

Key Credit Considerations

The rating reflects Knighthead Annuity’s strengthened capitalization in 2025, from both retained earnings and capital contributions. The proceeds from the Notes further enhance the company’s regulatory and financial flexibility. KBRA believes that financial leverage remains manageable and debt service coverage remains strong, inclusive of the Series B Notes. Subject to prior approval of the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA), Knight Annuity has paid all required interest on its outstanding Series A prescribed capital notes since issuance in October 2022. KBRA expects similar payment on the Series B Notes. The Notes are deeply subordinated to policyholders, claimants, beneficiaries, and other creditors, rank pari passu with existing and future prescribed capital notes issued by Knighthead Annuity, and require CIMA approval for interest, principal, and redemption payments.

Balancing these strengths are the CIMA approval and deferral mechanics which create payment-timing uncertainty for noteholders. Knighthead Annuity’s investment strategy has produced strong long-term returns and has materially supported earnings. However, the general account includes a meaningful allocation to less liquid and higher-risk assets. While this is consistent with Knighthead Annuity’s long-short total-return investment strategy and is supported by risk management and valuation controls, it remains a key source of earnings and capital volatility, particularly under adverse market conditions. Knighthead Annuity remains concentrated in fixed annuity business, with earnings and spread performance driven primarily by MYGA/FIA-related direct and assumed business and investment spread management. Product concentration and reliance on investment performance remain constraining credit factors, notwithstanding growing distribution capabilities and strategic expansion into additional jurisdictions and platforms.

Rating Sensitivities

An upgrade of Knighthead Annuity's insurance financial strength rating (IFSR) could result in positive rating action, while a downgrade in Knighthead Annuity's IFSR could result in negative rating action.

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