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OLDWICK, N.J.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--A.M. Best Co. has commented that the financial strength, issuer credit and debt ratings of MetLife, Inc. (MetLife) (New York, NY) (NYSE: MET) and its insurance subsidiaries are unchanged following the Federal Reserveas report that MetLife has missed stress test targets during its participation in the Federal Reserveas 2012 Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review. The Federal Reserve also has objected to MetLifeas incremental capital distribution plan including the $2 billion stock repurchase. The outlook for all ratings is stable.

"Risk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companies"

A.M. Best has analyzed the pertinent information and decided that at this time there is no ratings impact from these events. Capital within MetLife is expected to accumulate stemming from the Federal Reserveas rejection of MetLifeas increased capital deployment plans. While MetLife did pass the Federal Reserveas projected minimum Tier-One common capital ratio, the Federal Reserveas projected bank total risk-based capital ratio fell short of the minimum target. It was noted that the bank total risk-based capital ratio performs stress tests through bank centric metrics, which would put MetLife at a disadvantage due to the predominately life insurance nature of its balance sheet. A.M. Best will continue to closely monitor the situation at MetLife.

For more information on MetLifeas ratings, please see A.M. Bestas press release dated November 17, 2011.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Bestas Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Bestas rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Key criteria utilized include: aRisk Management and the Rating Process for Insurance Companiesa; aBCAR for Life/Health Insurersa; aRating Members of Insurance Groupsa; aA.M. Bestas Perspective on Operating Leveragea; aA.M. Best Ratings & the Treatment of Debta; and aEquity Credit for Hybrid Securities.a Bestas Credit Rating Methodology can be found at [ www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology ].

Founded in 1899, A.M. Best Company is the worldas oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit [ www.ambest.com ]

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