A.M. Best affirms Northwestern Mutual's high ratings - Phoenix Business Journal:

http://www.davecortez.com/rom.html
A.M. Best affirmed its financia l strength ratings ofof A++ (superior) and issue r credit ratings of “aaa” of Northwesterh Mutual Life Insurance Co. and its subsidiaryt The outlook for both ratingswis stable, the Oldwick, N.J., ratinge organization said Thursday. The ratings reflecrt Northwestern Mutual’s sizable and mature individual lifeinsurancee franchise, conservative operating profile, strongv operating performance and superiorr risk-adjusted capitalization, A.M. Best said. Partially offsetting thosee positive rating factors was the recenf decline inNorthwestern Mutual’s adjusted capital and surplus due mainlyh to realized and unrealized investment A.M.
Best said. A.M. Best also noted that Northwestern Mutuap maintains an above average aggregat exposure to privateplacement bonds, belo w investment grade, or "junk," bonds, commercial mortgagex and equities. Despite NM increasing the totalp number of financial representatives over the pastcoupler years, Northwestern Mutual may be challenged to continue to grow the numberf of sales professionals while maintaining current levels of retention and productivitt over the long term, A.M. Best said.