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The financial strength rating of “A-” (excellent) of Minneapolis-based Austin Mutual Insurance Co. was affirmed by A.M. Best. The outlook is stable. It reflects the company’s excellent capitalization, conservative balance sheet and local market knowledge. These factors are derived from management’s conservative operating strategy, effective use of automation for internal processing and long-standing agency relationships. Effective Oct. 1, 2003, Northern Mutual Insurance Co.’s assets and liabilities were transferred to Austin Mutual, and Northern Mutual was dissolved, leaving Austin Mutual with the stand-alone fiancial strength rating of “A-“.