RMS Launches Exam Preparation Program for the Certified Catastrophe Risk Analyst (CCRA) Designation

Special Exam Review Designed for Experienced Cat Modelers

Newark, Calif. – March 1, 2007 – Risk Management Solutions (RMS), the world's leading provider of products and services for the management of catastrophe risk, has launched the Certified Catastrophe Risk Analyst (CCRA™) Exam Prep program, a comprehensive self-study review program that allows experienced catastrophe risk analysis professionals to prepare for the RMS CCRA exam without attending the six-week Catastrophe Analysis Training (CAT) program.

The CCRA Exam Prep program is designed to provide experienced catastrophe risk analysis professionals with the full suite of topics that may be covered on the CCRA exam and helps direct their studies to areas of greatest need given those topics. This program is self-directed by the individual wishing to earn certification as part of one’s industry credentials. The program provides an individual with access to the full suite of CAT program course materials, a comprehensive study guide, and a five-hour on-site CCRA exam review session with a senior RMS professional.

“Steadily increasing client interest in our CAT program and CCRA exam are testament to growing industry recognition that formalized catastrophe risk education is a crucial factor in ensuring greater professional understanding and assessment of risk,” commented Cheryl TeHennepe, vice president of client training at RMS. “Those who obtain the CCRA designation demonstrate not only their personal achievement in the field of catastrophe risk analysis, but also their company’s commitment to quality and excellence.”

Launched in 2005, RMS’ six-week CAT program focuses on the science of modeling and encourages critical thinking throughout the entire catastrophe risk analysis process. The program offers a rigorous curriculum of lectures, hands-on examples, and discussion groups in order to instruct cat modelers about such issues as dealing with uncertainty, the impact of data quality, understanding and appropriately applying modeled loss results, and the coding of complex insurance and reinsurance structures. To date, over 125 underwriters, portfolio managers, analysts, actuaries and business unit managers have attended RMS’ 2005 and 2006 CAT Programs, and an additional 75 are expected to enroll for the 2007 offering.

“JLT Re has recognized the value of the Catastrophe Analyst Training Program and has ensured that all of our catastrophe modeling consultants have attended the course and achieved the CCRA designation,” said Andy Poulton, head of JLT Re’s Business Research Unit. “Catastrophe modeling has become an essential part of risk management decisions, and a designation like the CCRA is helping our industry establish a recognized professional standard for cat modeling. Moreover, the CAT Program is helping expand the industry’s understanding of catastrophe models and their application.”

Registration for the 2007 CCRA Exam Prep Program will open on April 23, 2007 and registration for the next full CAT Program program will open on April 2, 2007 at www.rms.com.