Aviva PLC Aviva approves sale of its French Business (0165Q)

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RNS Number : 0165Q

Aviva PLC

23 February 2021

23 February 2021

Aviva approves sale of its French Business for EUR3.2 billion*

Aviva's strategic transformation to focus on its strongest businesses in the UK, Ireland and Canada has taken a major step forward with the sale(1) of Aviva France to Aéma Groupe for EUR3.2bn(2) in cash.

Key highlights:

-- Significantly strengthens Aviva's capital and liquidity with an increase in excess capital(3) of c. GBP2.1bn and centre cash(3) of c. GBP2.8bn

-- Realises significant value for shareholders: all cash consideration at 0.8x Solvency II own funds(4)

   --    Provides security to employees and continuity of service to customers under new ownership 

Amanda Blanc, Chief Executive Officer of Aviva, said:

"The sale of Aviva France is a very significant milestone in the delivery of our strategy. It is an excellent outcome for shareholders, customers, employees and distributors. The transaction will increase Aviva's financial strength, remove significant volatility and bring real focus to the Group."

"Aéma Groupe has a strong heritage in the French insurance industry and this transaction will propel it to a top five position in the French market. I am confident Aéma Groupe will be an excellent owner of Aviva France."

The transaction covers the French life, general insurance, and asset management businesses and the (75%) shareholding in UFF(5) ("Aviva France"). A further update will be provided with Aviva's results on 4 March 2021, however the estimated financial impact on Aviva as at 31 December 2020, is:

-- Increase of Solvency II capital surplus(3) by c. GBP0.8bn and Solvency II cover ratio(3) by c. 22 percentage points

-- Increase of excess capital above 180% Solvency II cover ratio(3) by c. GBP2.1bn and centre cash(3) by c. GBP2.8bn

   --    Reduction in IFRS net asset value(3) of c. GBP0.5bn 

Aviva expects to use the increased capital and cash to support its previously communicated capital framework of debt reduction, investment for long-term growth and return of excess capital to shareholders. Part of the cash proceeds (up to GBP0.5 billion) will be used to accelerate repayment of some of the Group's internal loan with Aviva Insurance Limited.

Aviva France is the largest part of the Group's manage-for-value portfolio and has not remitted any dividends to Aviva plc in 2020. Aviva France's core business is capital intensive and this transaction will reduce the volatility in the Group's solvency ratio by removing exposure to interest rate risk from the Eurofonds guaranteed life insurance product.

As part of the transaction with Aéma Groupe, Aviva has agreed to customary warranties and indemnities. This includes a specific indemnity agreement in respect of the 'known price' contracts, written by Abeille Vie between 1989 and 1997, that would share the risk in the unlikely scenarios of certain costs in respect of these contracts rising above Aviva France's already appropriate existing provisions. This will have a negligible impact on Aviva's solvency position.

The transaction is subject to consultation and customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to complete by the end of 2021.

Aéma Groupe is a leading French mutual insurer, with 8m customers, revenues of over EUR8bn and EUR7.4bn of equity, created in January 2021 as the result of the combination of Aésio and Macif. Customers and agents of Aviva France will continue to receive the same high quality of service from the business and there is no impact to customer policies as a result of this announcement. Management and employees of Aviva France will transfer with the business, which is planned to operate as a standalone autonomous entity within the Aéma Groupe, ensuring continuity of service.

In 2019, Aviva France's IFRS profit after tax was GBP293m(6) . The gross assets and IFRS net asset value of Aviva France were GBP91.2bn(7) and GBP2.4bn(7) respectively as at 30 June 2020. The French asset management operations of Aviva Investors will form part of the transaction. As at 30 June 2020, these asset management operations had assets under management of GBP105bn(7) and generated IFRS profit after tax of GBP33m(6) in 2019.

Notes:

   1.     Aviva has entered into an exclusive Memorandum of Understanding with Aéma Groupe 
   2.     The consideration includes EUR1.1bn in respect of Aviva France's intra-group debt 
   3.     Using estimated 31 December 2020 position and GBP/EUR FX spot rate of GBP1/EUR1.12 
   4.     Using 30 September 2020 position and GBP/EUR spot rate of GBP1/EUR1.10 
   5.     L'Union Financière de France, a wealth manager listed on the Paris Bourse 
   6.     Using 2019 average GBP/EUR FX rate of GBP1/EUR1.14 
   7.     Using 30 June 2020 GBP/EUR FX spot rate of GBP1/EUR1.10 

*This announcement contains inside information. The person responsible for making this announcement on behalf of the Group is Kirstine Cooper (Group Company Secretary).

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Enquiries :

Media:

Andrew Reid [phone]

Sarah Swailes [phone]

Analysts:

Jakub Rosochowski [phone]

Notes to editors :

-- For information on how Aviva is helping our people, customers and communities impacted by COVID-19 visit: www.aviva.com/covid-19-our-response/

-- We exist to be with people when it really matters, throughout their lives - to help them make the most of life. We have been taking care of people for more than 320 years, in line with our purpose of being 'with you today, for a better tomorrow'.

-- In 2019, we paid GBP33.2 billion in claims and benefits on behalf of our 33.4 million customers.

-- Aviva is invested in our people, our customers, our communities and our planet. We are committed to playing our role in tackling the climate crisis. We were the first international insurer to go operationally carbon neutral in 2006 and we are champions of renewable energy and energy storage at our offices. We have invested GBP6bn in green assets since 2015 and we are a member of the UN Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance. We helped found the World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) which was launched in 2018.

-- Aviva is a Living Wage and Living Hours employer and provides market-leading benefits for our people, including flexible working, paid carers leave and equal parental leave. Find out more at www.aviva.com/social-purpose

-- We will focus on the UK, Ireland and Canada where we have leading market positions and significant potential. We will invest for growth in these markets. Our international businesses in Europe and Asia will be managed for long-term shareholder value. We will also transform our performance and improve our efficiency. Our transformation will be underpinned by managing our balance sheet prudently, reducing debt and increasing our financial resilience.

-- Total group assets under management at Aviva group are GBP522 billion (HY20) and our Solvency II capital surplus is GBP11.8 billion (Q320). Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE 100 index.

-- For more details on what we do, our business and how we help our customers, visit www.aviva.com/about-us

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February 23, 2021 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)