01 Sep 2003

PCA LIFE to focus on its successfully growing financial adviser channel

PCA LIFE announced today it will be focusing on its successfully growing proprietary network of financial advisers based on its experience of how best to meet Japanese customers' needs.

Since launching two years ago, PCA LIFE has been rapidly transforming the business with the development of new distribution channels and the launch of new products backed up by significant investment in new, more efficient back office systems and processes. With the groundwork now completed, PCA LIFE is moving ahead with the next stage of its business plan.

Gary R. Bennett, President and Chief Executive Officer of PCA LIFE, said "We are now two years into our business plan and are ready to focus exclusively on advice-driven retail sales through our proprietary Financial Adviser (FA) channel and expanding Bancassurance network." He continued, "We have listened to our customers and we understand this is what they want." This means PCA LIFE will cease distributing products through the corporate agency channel by the end of September.

The company also said that PCA LIFE's current Chief Operating Officer Thomas J. White will become President and CEO effective from today. Gary R. Bennett will now focus on his role as Managing Director of North Asia for Prudential, which includes overall responsibility for Japan and Korea.

Thomas J. White added, "PCA LIFE has Prudential plc's full support and commitment to continue building a successful and profitable business for the long-term in Japan. We believe the future for PCA LIFE is very bright."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. About PCA LIFE

PCA LIFE is a subsidiary of the UK's Prudential plc, one of the world's leading financial services groups. With the strong financial backing, worldwide experience and track record of Prudential behind us, we deliver products and services that accurately meet the needs of customers based on the company credo of "Always listening. Always understanding." PCA LIFE is a Tokyo-based life insurance company with more than 220,000 active policies and total assets as at 31 March 2003 of ¥136 billion.

2. About Prudential plc

Founded in London in 1848, Prudential plc is one of the UK's leading retail financial services companies with over US$260 billion in funds under management worldwide (as at 30 June 2003).

Today Prudential is internationally diversified and amongst the leading companies in its chosen markets in the UK, the US and Asia.

Prudential plc has deep roots in Asia having established its first operation in 1923. Today it is the UK's largest life insurance company in the region with life operations in 12 countries and complementary asset management operations in seven of these. BOCI-Prudential is also one of the leading Mandatory Provident Fund players in Hong Kong.

Alongside its wholly owned operations in Asia, Prudential has forged successful joint ventures and strategic alliances with some of the region's leading financial institutions including CITIC, Bank of China International, India's ICICI Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.