Prudential Equitable Life
Prudential PLC
04 December 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4 December 2007
Proposed transfer of Equitable Life's with-profits annuities book
to Prudential receives Court approvals
Prudential UK ('Prudential') and Equitable Life ('Equitable') confirm that the
proposed transfer of Equitable's with-profits annuities book to Prudential has
received final Court approval in the UK and the Channel Islands. This follows
the Extraordinary General Meeting on 26 October at which over 98 per cent of
Equitable's voting members supported the proposed transfer. The transaction is
expected to complete by 31 December 2007.
Under the terms of the agreement, the portfolio of with-profits annuities will
transfer into Prudential's with-profits fund. Prudential will take over direct
responsibility for the management of these policies and payment to these
annuitants after the transfer is completed.
Equitable's with-profits annuities book covers approximately 62,000 policies and
is anticipated to have assets of around £1.7 billion as at 31 December 2007. The
transaction is expected to generate premium income for Prudential of
approximately £170 million on an APE basis and this will be recognised once the
transaction completes.
Nick Prettejohn, Chief Executive, Prudential UK, said: 'We are delighted that
the proposed transfer has received the necessary Court approvals and the
transaction is on schedule to complete by the end of this year. The agreement
will provide Equitable's with-profits annuitants with improved prospects and
greater security by being part of one of the largest and financially strongest
funds in the UK. The fund has delivered consistently strong investment returns
over many years and as a result of this transaction, Equitable's with-profit
annuitants will benefit from Prudential's considerable experience in the
annuities market where we are a market leader.'
Vanni Treves, Equitable Life's Chairman said: 'At our EGM in October,
policyholders voted more than 98 per cent in favour of this transfer. We are
delighted that the final legal hurdles have been completed and we will be able
to deliver the proposal which policyholders have supported so overwhelmingly.'
Charles Thomson, Equitable Life's Chief Executive added: 'There is an enormous
amount of ground-breaking work required to make innovative deals like this one
happen. It is very gratifying to be able to deliver a transaction which has the
approval of the Courts, the Regulator and, most importantly, policyholders.'
-ENDS-
ENQUIRIES TO:
Prudential Equitable Life
Media Media
Steve Colton Alistair Dunbar
Tel: 020 7150 3136 Tel: 07967 564039
Analysts/Investors
James Matthews
Tel: 020 7150 3561
About Prudential
Prudential plc is a company incorporated and with its principal place of
business in England, and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world's
leading financial services groups. It provides insurance and financial services
directly and through its subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the world. It
has been in existence for over 150 years and has £256 billion in assets under
management as at 30 June 2007. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner
with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is
in the United States of America.
Forward-Looking Statements
This statement may contain certain 'forward-looking statements' with respect to
certain of Prudential's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to
its future financial condition, performance, results, strategy and objectives.
Statements containing the words 'believes', 'intends', 'expects', 'plans', '
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generally; the policies and actions of regulatory authorities, the impact of
competition, inflation, and deflation; experience in particular with regard to
mortality and morbidity trends, lapse rates and policy renewal rates; the
timing, impact and other uncertainties of future acquisitions or combinations
within relevant industries; and the impact of changes in capital, solvency or
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example result in changes to assumptions used for determining results of
operations or re-estimations of reserves for future policy benefits. As a
result, Prudential's actual future financial condition, performance and results
may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in
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update the forward-looking statements contained in this statement or any other
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