A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Citi Assurance Services Group's Insurance Affiliates.

OLDWICK, N.J. -- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "a" of Citi Assurance Services Group's (CAS) two life/health member companies, American Health and Life Insurance Company and its subsidiary, Sears Life Insurance Company

(collectively referred to as AHL). A.M. Best also has affirmed the FSR of A (Excellent) and ICR of "a" of CAS' property/casualty member, Triton Insurance Company (Triton). The Texas-domiciled companies are indirect subsidiaries of Citigroup, Inc. (Delaware) (NYSE: C), one of the world's largest financial services company with consolidated assets of approximately $2.2 trillion as of December 31, 2007.

The ratings of AHL are based upon its consistent earnings, favorable balance sheet quality and liquidity and strong risk-adjusted capitalization. The ratings also acknowledge the competitive advantage derived from the sale of its core credit life and credit disability products through its parent, CitiFinancial Credit Company (CCC). CCC is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., and one of the leading consumer finance institutions with a network of branch offices throughout the United States and Canada. A.M. Best believes AHL's activities, which are principally conducted through the consumer finance operations of CCC, will continue to provide AHL with a more stable source of premium income relative to many of its competitors.

Partially offsetting these strengths is AHL's operational concentration in credit insurance products, the challenges inherent in the credit insurance market and the high dividend requirements of Citigroup, Inc.

Triton's ratings reflect its supportive level of risk-adjusted capitalization, strong operating performance and the advantages it receives as a subsidiary of CCC and as a member of the Citigroup enterprise. These positive rating factors are reflective of management's expertise in consumer finance oriented products and Triton's conservative operating leverage.

These positive rating factors are partially offset by Triton's concentration in the traditionally challenging credit insurance market, its distribution dependence on CCC and the impact on Triton's premiums of the continuing run off of several large credit insurance programs. Despite these offsetting factors, the rating outlook considers management's guidance with respect to Triton's future operations and A.M. Best's expectations that future profitability will be in line with historic performance, and risk-adjusted capitalization will remain supportive of the ratings.

For Best's Ratings, an overview of the rating process and rating methodologies, please visit www.ambest.com/ratings.

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is a global full-service credit rating organization dedicated to serving the financial and health care service industries, including insurance companies, banks, hospitals and health care system providers. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.