A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a-” of Des Moines-based American Equity Investment Life Insurance Co. and its subsidiary, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company of New York. Concurrently, Best has affirmed the issuer credit rating of “bbb-” for American Equity Life’s parent, American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. However, the outlook for all ratings has been revised to negative from stable, reflecting the holding company’s exposure to commercial mortgage loans, the negative impact of its previously announced impairment losses on statutory surplus, a continuing high level of intangible assets attributed to increasing deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements and the potential challenges to manage the core fixed indexed annuity business in a volatile market.

Alliant Energy Corp. reported third-quarter earnings of $108.5 million, or 98 cents per share, compared with $119.6 million, or $1.08 per share, in the same period last year. Earnings were affected by flood-related cleanup and restoration costs in Iowa. Those expenses were partially offset by lower operating expenses and increased allowance for funds used in the construction of wind-powered projects in Iowa and Wisconsin, the Madison, Wis.-based company said.

Global migration will be the subject of a symposium Nov. 5-6 at Drake University and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.’s Carver Center. A free forum is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. Nov. 6 at Drake’s Olmsted Center. A symposium with sessions on the future outlook for global migration, relocating employees, leading an international work force and the business impact of global migration will be from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Pioneer’s Carver Center. To register, go to www.iciu.org or www.desmoinesmetro.com/inclusion.

James Noyce, CEO of FBL Financial Group Inc. and a 1978 graduate of Drake University, will bring his expertise in financial services back to campus to present the Executive in Residence lecture Nov. 6. The lecture is free and open to the public. It starts at 7 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 2507 University Ave.

Central Iowa nonprofit and faith leaders have announced the formation of the Central Iowa Recovery Network (CIRN), dedicated to facilitating the long-term recovery of those households still in need of assistance following this summer’s flooding. CIRN, composed of more than a dozen local organizations experienced at human services and providing assistance to those in need, will focus on needs that persist long after a disaster ceases to be headline news. Initial funding comes from an Embrace Iowa grant, the American Red Cross Central Iowa Chapter, the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines. People in need of assistance, or those interested in donating or volunteering, should call United Way 2-1-1 or visit www.unitedwaydm.orgCIRN.