Bermuda-registered life reinsurer Wilton Re and its subsidiaries have had their A- ratings affirmed by ratings agency AM Best, which supported the company?s strategy of growth through acquisitions but cuationed that it needs to raise additional capital.

Best affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of ?a-? of Bermuda-based Wilton Reinsurance Bermuda Ltd. and Minnesota-based Wilton Reassurance Company and said the outlook was stable.

Best also upgraded the FSR to A- (Excellent) from B (Fair) and assigned an ICR of ?a-? to The American Life Insurance Company of New York, which was bought earlier this year.

Wilton also bought approximately one-half of the life and annuity business of JP Morgan Chase & Co., which was acquired by Protective Life Corporation (Birmingham, Alabama in 2006.