THE Sage Group is expecting a high rating at the end of the month from US insurance rating agency AM Best. Sage is the only South African financial services firm to hold a life insurance subsidiary in the US, Sage Life of America. The rating will be a cue to open the American firm for business. The firm’s chairman, Louis Shill, hopes an A or A-minus rating, both excellent. The last registration hurdle for the New York subsidiary, a particular business licence, is also expected shortly. In order to be rated by Best, Sage concluded a partnership with SwissRe Life & Health of North America, building on a relationship Sage has had with SwissRe for 30 years. The partnership gives Sage solid established market backing for the rating process.