19 Jun 2009
Prudential plc completes transfer of legacy agency book and agency force in Taiwan to China Life Insurance of Taiwan
Prudential plc ("Prudential") announces that it has completed the transfer of the assets and liabilities of its agency distribution business and its agency force in Taiwan to China Life Insurance Company, Ltd of Taiwan ("China Life").
As a result of the transaction, which was announced on 20 February 2009 and received regulatory approval on 16 June, there will be a net increase in Prudential's Insurance Groups Directive (IGD) capital surplus of approximately £800 million. The Group's IGD capital surplus as announced on 14 May 2009 was estimated at £2.0 billion. With the completion of this agreement, the surplus would increase to £2.8 billion.
Prudential retains an important presence in the Taiwanese market through its fast growing wholly owned subsidiary PCA Life Assurance Company Ltd, which specialises in bank distribution through two strategic partnerships with Standard Chartered Bank and E.Sun and also through its successful asset management operation PCA Securities Investment Trust Company Ltd. In addition, Prudential, as announced on February 20, has invested £45 million to purchase a 9.99 per cent stake in China Life. Prudential believes that these interests provide an excellent platform to create added value for the Group from Taiwan.
Tidjane Thiam, Group Chief Financial Officer says:
"As a Group, we are focused on capital preservation and on profitable and capital efficient growth in all our markets. With the completion of this transaction in Taiwan, our IGD surplus increases to £2.8 billion, a strong and robust position. Asia continues to present the Group with excellent profitable growth opportunities in the long term and Taiwan is a key market. We remain committed to expanding our life insurance business in Taiwan through bank distribution partnerships and the development of our asset management business in that market."
ENDS
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Notes to Editors:
PCA Life Assurance Company
The liabilities being transferred under this agreement represent 94 per cent of PCA Life Assurance Company's in-force liabilities in Taiwan and include the legacy interest rate guaranteed products.
About Prudential plc
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 160 years and has £249 billion in assets under management (as at 31 December 2008). 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
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