OREANDA-NEWS. Fitch Ratings assigns a rating of 'BBB' to Horace Mann Educators Corporation's (HMN) $250 million senior notes due Dec. 1 2025.

The net proceeds from this issuance are expected to be used to redeem or repay certain outstanding indebtedness, including $125 million 6.85% senior notes due April 15, 2016 and borrowing under the bank credit facility which totalled $113 million at Sept. 30, 2015. HMN's proforma financial leverage ratio (FLR) at Sept. 30, 2015, remains moderate at 18.8%.

The issuance resolves Fitch's concerns raised in an Aug. 5, 2015 press release regarding uncertainty tied to near-term debt maturities. Total borrowings under HMN's $150 million credit facility grew to $113 million at June 30, 2015 as the company drew on the line to repay $75 million in senior notes due June 15, 2015, with the additional upcoming maturity of $125 million in 2016.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

Key rating triggers that could lead to a downgrade include a sustained period of weak earnings with GAAP fixed-charge coverage below 8x, failure to maintain a P/C Prism capital model score that is comfortably within the 'Strong' category, financial leverage above 25%, adverse reserve development amounting to 5% of prior year surplus, and/or a significant decline in market share or distribution weakness in the 403(b) market.

Fitch views Horace Mann's ratings as limited by its small size and scale relative to larger, national peers.

FULL LIST OF RATING ACTIONS

Fitch assigns the following rating.

Horace Mann Educators Corporation
--4.5% senior notes due December 1, 2025 'BBB'.

Fitch affirms the following rating with a Stable Outlook.

Horace Mann
--IDR at 'BBB+'.

Fitch affirmed the following ratings on Aug. 5, 2015 with a Stable Outlook.

Horace Mann
--IDR at 'BBB+';
--6.85% senior notes due April 2016 at 'BBB'.

Horace Mann Insurance Co.
Teachers Insurance Co.
Horace Mann Property & Casualty Insurance Co.
Horace Mann Lloyds
Horace Mann Life Insurance Co.
--IFS at 'A'.