Aviva acquires Hamilton Co's

Aviva PLC
01 November 2007


News release


1 November 2007


           AVIVA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF HAMILTON COMPANIES AND ENTERS
                          NEW DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS

Aviva plc ('Aviva') announces that it has completed the acquisition of Hamilton
Insurance Company Ltd and Hamilton Life Assurance Company Ltd from HFC Bank plc
('HFC'), a subsidiary of HSBC Finance Corporation.  The Hamilton companies,
which provide a range of creditor insurance products, had gross assets of £180
million and £176 million respectively as at 31 December 2006.

In addition, Norwich Union Insurance, the UK general insurance arm of Aviva, has
signed five year agreements to underwrite creditor business for HFC Bank and
some of its subsidiaries, and to provide home, protection and travel insurance
products to 10.2 million of HSBC Bank plc's ('HSBC') UK customers.  These
agreements are expected to generate up to £1.7 billion in gross written premiums
for Norwich Union Insurance over the next five years.

The new agreement between Norwich Union and HSBC takes effect from today 
(1 November 2007) and replaces plans to create a joint venture.

Igal Mayer, chief executive of Norwich Union Insurance, said:  'This is a
strategically important opportunity, which will enable Norwich Union to provide
HSBC's customers with market-leading products.  We've realised significant value
from our 23 year relationship with HSBC; the new five year agreements create an
opportunity for us both to build on that successful formula and further develop
our profitable relationship.'

                                    - ends -

Enquiries:
Media
Sue Winston, head of group media relations, Aviva plc      [phone]
Adam Cracknell, media relations manager, Norwich Union     [phone]
James Murgatroyd/Ed Simpkins, Finsbury                     [phone]

Analysts
Charles Barrows, investor relations director               [phone]
Susie Yeoh, investor relations manager                     [phone]



Notes to editors:

Aviva plc

•         Aviva is the leading provider of life and pensions to Europe with
substantial positions in other markets around the world, making it the world's
fifth largest insurance group based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December
2006.

•         Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund
management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £41.5 billion
and assets under management of £364 billion at 31 December 2006.

•         The Aviva media centre at www.aviva.com/media includes images, company
and product information and a news release archive.

HSBC Bank plc

HSBC serves 15.6 million customers in the UK and employs more than 40,000 UK
staff. HSBC is Britain's most recommended big bank. HSBC Bank plc is a wholly
owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, and a member of the HSBC Group. HSBC
Holdings plc serves over 125 million customers worldwide through some 10,000
offices in 83 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the
Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of some US$2,150 billion at 30
June 2007, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services
organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.




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