Press Release: Review of Nationale Suisse rating: A.M. Best anticipates synergies and sees opportunities for the specialty lines business

Nationale Suisse / Review of Nationale Suisse rating: A.M. Best anticipates synergies and sees opportunities for the specialty lines business . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

A.M. Best is reviewing its rating for Nationale Suisse. This review is a routine procedure following the announcement early this week that Helvetia and Nationale Suisse are to join forces. The Financial Strength Rating of "A-" (Excellent) for Nationale Suisse is now designated as "under review with positive implications". A.M. Best thus confirms Nationale Suisse's conviction that the merger with Helvetia will allow both parties to exploit synergies and strengthen the specialty lines business.

The rating agency A.M. Best is reviewing the Financial Strength Rating of "A-" (Excellent) for the international insurance group Nationale Suisse. This review has been prompted by the merger between Helvetia and Nationale Suisse, which was announced on 7 July 2014. The rating of "A-" (Excellent) is being designated as "under review with positive implications" for the duration of the review.

Nationale Suisse is taking note of this routine rating review and remains firmly convinced that the planned merger with Helvetia offers exceptional prospects for employees and shareholders while guaranteeing continuity and security for customers, a conviction which is backed up by A.M. Best's positive outlook. A.M. Best highlights the fact that the merger opens up opportunities for both parties to exploit synergies, particularly in their activities abroad. The rating agency also foresees benefits for Nationale Suisse's specialty lines business in integrating selected areas of Helvetia's business.

Brief profile

Nationale Suisse is an innovative, international and independent Swiss insurance group providing first-rate risk and pension solutions in non-life and life business as well as a growing number of tailored specialty lines products. Consolidated gross premiums came to CHF 1.5 billion in 2013. The Group comprises the parent company and about 20 subsidiaries and branch offices for focused product lines in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Asia and Latin America. The headquarters of Swiss National Insurance Company Ltd are in Basel. Nationale Suisse is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (NATN). On 31 December 2013, the Group employed 1 918 staff (full-time equivalents).

Information Remo Meier Nationale Suisse Investor Relations Steinengraben 41 Phone +41 61 275 22 45 4003 Basel Fax +41 61 275 22 21 Switzerland investor.relations@nationalesuisse.com www.nationalesuisse.co m/investor-relations

Jonas Grossniklaus Nationale Suisse Media Relations Steinengraben 41 Phone +41 61 275 28 11 4003 Basel Fax +41 61 275 22 21 Switzerland media.relations@nationalesuisse.com www.nationalesuisse.co m/media-relations

Key dates Publication of the Interim Report 03.09.2014 Media conference to announce interim financial results 03.09.2014 at Widder Hotel, Zurich Financial analysts' conference at Widder Hotel, Zurich 03.09.2014

Disclaimer and exclusion of liability

The purpose of this press release is to inform the public about certain events or developments arising from the company's business. The information published in this article is not an advertisement, offer or recommendation to engage in transactions involving securities or other products of Nationale Suisse or any other type of transaction. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Even if these forward-looking statements reflect the opinion and expectations of Nationale Suisse, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors may lead to actual developments and results differing strongly from the expectations of Nationale Suisse. It is pointed out expressly that the statements and projections contained in this press release are selective in nature. Nationale Suisse provides no guarantee, either explicitly or implicitly, regarding the accuracy and completeness of the statements and forecasts published in this press release. Neither Nationale Suisse nor its executive bodies or senior managers accept any liability for any damage or losses arising directly or indirectly from the use of this press release. Unless otherwise provided by applicable binding law Nationale Suisse is under no obligation to update or amend the statements contained in this press release, be it in response to new information, future events or any other reasons.

Updated post-publication information is available on our website www.nationalesuisse.com. You may find further details and forecasts about the business of Nationale Suisse there.

Press release: http://hugin.info/100296/R/1822392/631243.pdf

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The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Nationale Suisse via Globenewswire

HUG#1822392

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Nationale Suisse

Steinengraben 41 Basel Switzerland

WKN: 1081197;ISIN: CH0010811971;

http://www.nationalesuisse.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   July 11, 2014 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT)- - 12 00 PM EDT 07-11-14