UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 20, 2013
Tower Group International, Ltd.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | |
| Bermuda | | 001-35834 | | N/A |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Bermuda Commercial Bank Building
19 Par-La-Ville Road
Hamilton, HM 11, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive office)
(441) 279-6610
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.133-4(c)) |
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On December 20, 2013, Tower Group International, Ltd. (“Tower”) announced that A.M. Best Company (“A.M. Best”) lowered Tower’s issuer credit rating, as well as its financial strength rating, from “B++” (Good) to “B” (Fair). The ratings remain under review with negative implications pending further discussions between A.M. Best and Tower’s management.
- 2 -
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | | | |
| | | | Tower Group International, Ltd. |
| | | | Registrant |
| | |
| Date: December 24, 2013 | | | | /s/ William E. Hitselberger |
| | | | WILLIAM E. HITSELBERGER |
| | |
| | | | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
- 3 -
