Nedcor Rights Issue

Old Mutual PLC 19 March 2004 Not for release, distribution or publication into or in the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan Old Mutual plc Terms of the Nedcor Rights Issue The Board of Nedcor Ltd ('Nedcor'), Old Mutual plc's ('Old Mutual') 52 per cent owned South African banking subsidiary, has today announced the terms and pricing of the rights issue announced with the preliminary results of both companies on 23 February 2004. Old Mutual shareholders have their attention drawn to the Nedcor Ltd announcement which is available on the JSE Securities Exchange News Service (SENS). The text is also available, on a subscription basis, on the Old Mutual website at www.oldmutual.com. Old Mutual has previously announced, pursuant to this Nedcor rights issue, that the company has undertaken to subscribe in full for their rights under the offer in respect of Nedcor shares held for the benefit of Old Mutual's shareholders. Full details of the rights offer, together with the audited accounts of Nedcor for the year ending December 31st 2003, will be published in a circular and listing particulars to Nedcor Ltd shareholders. It is expected that, once the circular has received all necessary approvals, it will be posted to Nedcor shareholders on about April 13th 2004. Old Mutual has underwritten 76 per cent of the issue alongside Merrill Lynch International and Deutsche Bank who have underwritten the balance. Old Mutual has previously announced that it may increase its current holding in Nedcor through the rights issue. Any purchase of rights representing one per cent or more of the Nedcor equity post the issue, will be announced, within 24 hours, via the JSE Securities Exchange News Service (SENS). Jim Sutcliffe, Chief Executive Old Mutual plc, reaffirming Old Mutual's commitment to support Nedcor, said: 'The Nedcor franchise is good and the rights issue will put the bank in a strong capital position to carry its business forward. Old Mutual is committed to taking up its rights in full, and may decide to further increase its stake if a suitable opportunity arises. 'The price has been set in line with international norms in view of Nedcor's large US shareholder base, and encourages all shareholders to participate in Nedcor's recovery on an equal basis. 'Strengthening the Nedcor balance sheet, as seen in the stronger assets per share after the rights issue, together with refocusing Nedcor on its core South African customers provides the opportunity to build a successful business in future.' - ends - 19 March 2004 Enquiries: Old Mutual plc London James Poole +44 (0)20 7002 7000 Miranda Bellord +44 (0)20 7002 7133 Old Mutual plc South Africa Nad Pillay +27 (0)82553 7980 College Hill Associates Tony Friend +44 (0)20 7457 2020 Notes for Editors: Summary of terms for the Nedcor rights offer is as follows: Shareholders are being offered rights to purchase 5 new shares for each 12 shares currently held, at a price of R45.00 a share, in order to raise R5.15 billion. On March 17th 2004 Nedcor shareholders voted by 99.4 per cent to increase the authorised share capital of Nedcor to 600 million shares from 350 million. Currently there are 274,754,425 shares in issue and up to 114,481,100 new Nedcor shares will be offered in the rights issue. Based on a closing price for Nedcor shares of R60.26 a share on 18 March the theoretical ex-rights price for the Nedcor shares is R55.77. Following the rights issue net assets per Nedcor share as at the 31 December 2003 balance sheet date will rise from R42.21 per share to R43.91 a share. Old Mutual currently owns 52.8% of the Nedcor issued ordinary share capital and consolidate the results of Nedcor into its own accounts in full. For release outside the United States only. This announcement is not an offer for sale of securities in the United States. Securities may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Nedcor does not intend to register any portion of the rights issue in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan. It may be unlawful to distribute this announcement in certain other jurisdictions. The information in this announcement does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Canada, Japan or Australia. This announcement has been issued by Old Mutual plc and is the sole responsibility of Old Mutual plc. Merrill Lynch International and Deutsche Bank are acting for Nedcor Limited and no-one else in connection with the rights issue and will not be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to clients of Merrill Lynch International and Deutsche Bank or for providing advice with respect to the rights issue. This document does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, any rights or shares, nor shall it or any part of it nor the fact of its distribution form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or investment decision in relation thereto. Prices and values of, and income from, shares may go down as well as up and an investor may not get back the amount invested. It should be noted that past performance is no guide to future performance. Persons needing advice should consult an independent adviser. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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