New Haven - Standard & Poor's announced June 12 that it had affirmed the AAA financial strength rating of the Knights of Columbus. This marks the 11th consecutive year the Catholic fraternal life insurer has earned a Superior rating from the independent ratings agency.

According to the ratings analysis issued by Standard & Poor's, the Knights was rated AAA because of its "very strong" business position. S & P also cited the company's "extremely strong" operating performance and "consistently strong profitability."

"Standard & Poor's AAA (Superior) rating is proof of the value in the strong financial products we offer our members and their families," said Carl A. Anderson, supreme knight and chief executive officer of the 1.6 million member Knights. "We continue to achieve gains in insurance and annuities sales because we offer a quality product, a level of insurance protection and asset accumulation that our policyholders believe in and trust." The Knights currently has more than $46 billion of insurance in force on its members. It is rated A++ by the A.M. Best Co., and IMSA certified for marketing and sales practices.

S & P also noted an increase in the size and effectiveness of the field force, coupled with growth in members and fraternal activities as positive factors for the Knights' future.

"Our mission is to meet our members' financial needs and protect their standard of living now and in the future. We count on our outstanding field force of close to 1,500 Knights to get the job done," said Anderson. "Their dedication and commitment to service is unmatched."