Life new business Q4 2002
Aviva PLC
21 January 2003
21 January 2003
AVIVA plc
Worldwide long-term savings new business
Year to 31 December 2002
- Worldwide long-term new business sales of £14.6 billion (2001: £15.0 billion)
- Worldwide life and pensions sales up 2% on an APE* basis to £2,373 million
- Investment sales continue to be held back by difficult market conditions and investor caution
- Worldwide total bancassurance sales up 50% at £3,030 million (2001: £2,009 million)
- Continental European life and pensions sales up 5% on an APE* basis and now represent 43% of worldwide life and
pensions new business sales
* Annual premium equivalent (APE) is the UK industry's standard measure of new regular premiums and 10% of single
premiums.
All growth rates quoted are at constant rates of exchange.
Richard Harvey, Group Chief Executive, commented:
'As the largest life and pensions provider to Europe, we have delivered a solid performance over the past twelve months,
despite the challenging conditions which have affected the savings industry as a whole. We expect these difficult market
conditions to continue this year and some markets may contract further in the short term. Our geographical spread, broad
product range, financial strength and growth from new distribution arrangements will provide some resilience.
'Spain and Italy were strong performers in 2002 and our recent initiatives in Asia are starting to come on-line. The
long-term growth dynamics for our business remain very good, as evidenced by governments across Europe addressing
savings and pension reform.'
Enquiries:
Analysts/Investors: Philip Scott, Group Executive Director UK Life +44 (0)20 7662 2264
Tony Wyand, Group Executive Director
Continental Europe +44 (0)20 7662 2285
Steve Riley, Investor Relations Director +44 (0)20 7662 8115
Media: Hayley Stimpson, Director of External Affairs +44 (0)20 7662 7544
Alex Child-Villiers, Financial Dynamics +44 (0)20 7269 7107
There will be a conference call today for wire services at 7:45am on +44 (0)20 7162 0125. This conference call will be
hosted by Philip Scott, Group Executive Director UK Life and Tony Wyand, Group Executive Director Continental Europe.
There will be a conference call today for analysts and investors at 9:30am (UK time) on +44 (0)20 7162 0125. This
conference call will be hosted by Philip Scott, Group Executive Director UK Life and Tony Wyand, Group Executive
Director Continental Europe.
Replay will be available for two weeks until 4 February. The dial in number for replay is +44 (0)20 8288 4459 and the
pass code is 885382.
Total new business Annual premium
sales equivalent sales(2)
12 months Local 12 months Local
to currency to currency
31 December growth(1) 31 December growth(1)
2002 2002
£m £m
Life and pensions
United Kingdom 6,844 (6%) 1,231 (3%)
France 1,856 (8%) 223 (5%)
Ireland 343 (35%) 103 (1%)
Italy 1,133 17% 153 20%
Netherlands (including Belgium
and Luxembourg) 796 1% 158 (8%)
Poland 76 3% 48 (16%)
Spain 1,309 39% 189 38%
Other Europe 309 18% 93 3%
International 952 42% 175 36%
------ ------ ------ ------
Total life and pensions 13,618 1% 2,373 2%
====== ====== ====== ======
Investment sales
United Kingdom 556 (32%) 67 (25%)
Netherlands 119 38% 12 38%
Poland 16 - 2 -
Other Europe 70 (69%) 7 (69%)
International 267 (24%) 27 (24%)
------ ------ ------ ------
Total investment sales 1,028 (31%) 115 (26%)
------ ------ ------ ------
Total long-term savings 14,646 (2%) 2,488 1%
====== ====== ====== ======
Navigator sales
(not included above) 797 (15%) - -
(1) Growth rates are calculated based on constant rates of exchange.
(2) Annual premium equivalent (APE) is the UK industry's standard measure of new regular premiums and 10% of single
premiums.
United Kingdom:
Our UK life and pensions business reported sales in 2002 totalling £1,231 million (2001: £1,269 million) on an Annual
Premium Equivalent (APE) basis. These results reflected a solid performance against the backdrop of the worst bear
market for more than a quarter of a century, which progressively dampened investor demand. We expect these challenging
trading conditions to continue into 2003. Our overall share of the UK life market for 2002 is around 12%, underlining
our position as a leading life and pensions provider and reflecting the benefits of our broad product range and
multi-distribution capability. Total sales for the year were £7,400 million (2001: £8,081 million).
The joint venture with the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBSG) has delivered total sales up 83% at £880 million (2001:
£480 million). Our share of the results of £693 million (2001: £240 million), comprised £506 million (2001: nil)
representing 100% of single premium with-profit bond sales, written through Norwich Union and £187 million (2001: £240
million), reflecting our 50% share of sales written through the joint venture company. The extension of our joint
venture to include collective investments will begin from February 2003 and the benefits of this new income stream will
start to flow through in the first quarter of 2003.
Sales of annuity products continued to grow in the fourth quarter, with total sales for the year up 32% to £1,035
million (2001: £785 million). Sales of mortgage products, primarily protection business, also increased, up 44% to £72
million (2001: £50 million).
Total pension sales for the year were higher at £2.7 billion (2001: £2.5 billion), including stakeholder sales of £651
million (2001: £282 million). We have taken action during the year to improve our margins on stakeholder business, by
reducing commissions and continuing to target large group schemes for new business. We welcome the government's
intention to consult with the industry on the important issue of the economic viability of a one per cent charge on
'Sandler style' products. Norwich Union will continue to play a leading role in the debate on pensions reform and to
champion initiatives that are aimed at narrowing the savings gap in the UK.
Continuing investor preference for non-equity related products dampened bond sales in the fourth quarter, with total
sales for the year at £2.8 billion (2001: £3.7 billion). During the latter part of 2002 we introduced a series of new
products which provide a degree of capital and income protection. We will continue to develop these products into 2003.
Investment sales were lower at £556 million (2001: £816 million) in part reflecting our planned shift away from 'CAT'
standard products. New products initiatives in early 2003 include a Distribution Fund which aims to offer a high and
growing level of income to the investor along with the prospect of long-term capital growth, and a Property Isa which
will offer investors the opportunity to participate in returns from the property market.
Our strategy of focusing on profitable, capital-efficient business, together with our multi-distribution capability,
provides a firm foundation for delivering our stated objective of long-term sustainable and profitable growth.
France:
Aviva France reported total sales of £1,856 million (2001: £1,998 million) the fall reflecting continuing difficult
markets and customer caution.
Sales of single premium fixed interest AFER products increased to £983 million (2001: £930 million). This reflected
customers' continuing preference for fixed interest investments, the strength of AFER's brand and its position as the
largest savings organisation in France.
Total sales of unit-linked and other savings products were 23% lower at £699 million (2001: £892 million), achieved
against the background of an overall market for unit-linked products which decreased by approximately 30% in the first
11 months of 2002. A series of new limited offer unit-linked products are planned for launch in early 2003. These
products will offer a guaranteed return in the first year and subsequently revert to a return linked to market
performance. Sales of protection business were £174 million (2001: £176 million).
Our agreement to establish a partnership with Mederic, announced in July 2002 was finalised during the final quarter of
2002. Aviva France will offer a range of individual life products to Mederic's customers through a new joint venture
life company. The sale of our group protection business to Mederic forms part of this deal and is effective from 1
January 2003, subject to regulatory approval. Sales from the group protection business in 2002 were approximately €196
million. The reduction in sales of new protection business written by Aviva France in 2003 will be gradually offset by
sales of life products which are planned to start early in the second quarter of 2003.
Our agreement in principle for a bancassurance partnership with Credit du Nord, a federation of eight regional banks
with more than 600 branches and 1.3 million customers, was announced in the fourth quarter and sales through this
channel will begin in late 2004.
Ireland:
New business sales at Hibernian Life & Pensions, our top-five provider of life and pensions products, were £103 million
(2001: £102 million) on an APE basis, reflecting a higher proportion of regular premium business during the year. Total
sales were lower at £343 million (2001: £523 million), and were in line with a fall in the market overall.
Total regular premiums increased by 36% to £76 million (2001: £55 million). Regular premium life and savings products
grew by 59% to £35 million (2001: £22 million) primarily due to one-off sales of £23 million from the Government's
Special Savings Incentive Account (SSIA) before its closure on 30 April 2002.
We maintained our focus on regular premium pension sales which benefited from the ongoing demand for executive and group
pension products. Sales were 21% higher at £41 million (2001: £33 million).
Total sales of single premium life products were lower at £157 million (2001: £327 million). Sales continued to be
affected by investors' caution towards unit-linked and with-profit bond investments.
Lower single premium pension sales of £110 million (2001: £141 million) resulted from difficult investment conditions
which continued to restrict opportunities for new group scheme mandates, together with continued uncertainty around the
introduction of the Government's new personal pension plan, the Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA). We will
leverage our experience from the UK stakeholder market and are working to build a market-leading product for the new
PRSA scheme for the expected launch in March 2003.
Italy:
Total new sales in Italy grew by 17% to £1,133 million (2001: £958 million) reflecting the continuing development of our
distribution through our four bancassurance partners.
Sales through our agreement with UniCredito Italiano's (UCI) subsidiary, Cassa di Risparmio di Torino, increased to £695
million (2001: £595 million). The reorganisation of UCI's branch network is expected to complete by the end of the first
quarter of 2003. Whilst the challenges to maintaining sales momentum during the reorganisation remain, we are confident
that the reorganised network will provide a platform for enhanced opportunities over the longer term.
Sales at Banca Popolare di Lodi increased to £217 million (2001: £166 million), and new products are planned for early
2003 to build on this growth. Following the introduction of competitive new products, sales through Banca delle Marche
increased during the fourth quarter, resulting in total sales of £52 million (2001: £72 million) for the full year.
Direct business in the fourth quarter of 2002 included one-off single premium sales of £126 million.
Netherlands (including Belgium and Luxembourg):
Delta Lloyd, our top-five life and pensions business in the Netherlands, reported total sales of £915 million (2001:
£862 million).
Total pensions sales were lower at £307 million (2001: £516 million), partially due to the 2001 result including one-off
group pensions premium of £75 million relating to the Fokker pension scheme transfer. Furthermore, the changes in tax
legislation meant that the rush to invest before the end of the fiscal year occurring in the prior year was not
repeated, and as a result fourth quarter sales of pension sales were lower.
Total sales of life products were significantly higher at £489 million (2001: £261 million), reflecting good sales of
immediate annuity products as we seek to retain monies from maturing policies and the benefits of sales through our
distribution channel with Bank Nagelmackers in the second half of the year. We are optimistic for further development in
2003 of this distribution channel targeting high net worth individuals.
Investment sales increased 38% to £119 million (2001: £85 million) reflecting improved sales in the fourth quarter of
2002, and following the launch in the Netherlands of a new investment fund offering guaranteed returns at the end of the
third quarter.
Our new bancassurance agreement with ABN AMRO will provide us with a further major distribution channel in the
Netherlands and offers additional opportunity for sales growth. This deal is expected to complete by the end of the
first quarter of 2003 and sales are anticipated to commence from the second quarter of 2003.
Poland:
Although market conditions remain very tough, CU Polska has successfully maintained its market share. It remains the
leading provider of individual life and private pensions with an 18% share of the life market measured by total premium
income and a 29% share of the private pensions market measured by total assets under management.
The continuing difficult economic conditions led to total life sales falling to £46 million (2001: £51 million). Pension
sales increased to £30 million (2001: £26 million), as a result of delayed contributions from the State Agency.
Sales of mutual funds commenced late in the second quarter and total sales for the year were £16 million (2001: nil).
Spain:
Aviva now ranks as the third in Spain, both in the bancassurance market and in the life market as a whole. Sales were up
39% to £1,309 million (2001: £932 million) following encouraging growth in our developing bancassurance partnerships,
and one-off sales of £177 million (2001: £79 million). Our five bancassurance partnerships in Spain include our recently
completed agreement with Caja de Granada.
Sales through Bancaja were lower at £805 million (2001: £858 million), reflecting a large one-off single premium
corporate sale of £79 million in 2001. Sales benefited from increased demand for traditional savings products although
unit-linked sales declined in the difficult investment environment.
Our more recent agreements with Unicaja, Caixa Galicia and Caja Espana offer significant potential for growth due to the
levels of customer penetration for life and pensions business being relatively low. Total new business sales through
these agreements were £447 million (2001: £15 million) as further new products were introduced, based on our experience
through the Bancaja network. Total sales for the year for Unicaja and Caixa Galicia included £177 million of
non-recurring lower margin single premium corporate pensions business.
Following completion of the agreement covering our new bancassurance partnership with Caja de Granada during the fourth
quarter of 2002, sales are expected to commence from mid-2003 once systems have been fully implemented.
The changes to income tax legislation from January 2003, principally the introduction of Planes de Prevision Asegurados
('PPA'), is expected to stimulate demand for life products. Aviva is currently developing new products to take advantage
of the favourable tax status of these plans and their launch is expected during the first half of 2003.
Other Europe:
Total life and pensions sales from our other European businesses increased by 18% to £309 million (2001: £260 million).
In Germany, total new business premiums grew strongly to £154 million (2001: £117 million), driven primarily by sales
through our partnership with local banks. Single premium sales from our Dublin-based offshore life and savings business
increased to £101 million (2001: £93 million) while investment sales of our Luxembourg UCITS were lower at £70 million
(2001: £227 million), reflecting the continuing challenging conditions in investment markets. In Turkey total new
business premiums increased slightly to £21 million (2001: £20 million), despite the continuing economic crisis and the
uncertainty created by the recent general election.
International:
In our International business, total sales were higher at £1,219 million (2001: £1,036 million), with life and pension
sales increasing 42% to £952 million (2001: £689 million).
United States: Total life and pension sales of £587 million (2001: £371 million) increased 66%, reflecting continuing
demand for fixed annuity products in the current market. Single premium sales increased significantly to £542 million
(2001: £333 million), whilst regular premium sales were also higher at £45 million (2001: £38 million).
Australia: Total life and pension sales were maintained at £239 million (2001: £244 million) whilst sales of unit trusts
were lower at £267 million (2001: £347 million) reflecting low investor confidence in equity-related products. Although
not included in the new business figures, sales of Navigator, our market-leading master trust, were also impacted by
lower investor confidence in equity markets and were lower at £797 million (2001: £930 million).
Singapore and Hong Kong: Our bancassurance partnership with DBS Group Holdings Limited (DBS) in Singapore generated
total sales of £121 million (2001: £63 million). Total sales on an APE basis were £24 million (2001: £8 million),
reflecting our ongoing strategic shift towards regular premium business. We also launched our Navigator master trust in
Singapore in the fourth quarter and expect it to be fully operational by mid-2003. Sales from our bancassurance
partnership with DBS in Hong Kong commenced as planned in the fourth quarter of 2002.
India: Our new partnership with Dabur Group in India, where we own 26% of the joint venture, was launched in June 2002
and has now sold over 6,500 policies, mainly through our direct sales force. Aviva recently announced new agreements to
extend our distribution arrangements through Canara Bank, the second largest bank in India, and Lakshmi Vilas Bank
Limited, a regional bank, from the first quarter of 2003.
China: We launched our new joint-venture life business, Aviva COFCO, on 1 January 2003 and have since completed our
first sales, having received our licence at the end of 2002. We are initially operating in Guangzhou and will seek to
establish additional branch offices to take advantage of the considerable potential of the Chinese market.
Notes to Editors
1. Aviva is the UK's largest insurer and one of the top-five life companies in Europe with substantial positions in
other markets around the world, making it the world's seventh-largest insurance group based on gross worldwide
premiums. In the UK Aviva operates under the Norwich Union brand.
Aviva's principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with
worldwide premium income and retail investment sales from continuing operations of more than £28 billion for the
year ended 31 December 2001, and assets under management of £214 billion at 30 June 2002.
2. New business figures have been translated at average exchange rates applying for the period. The average euro
rates employed in this announcement are 1 euro = £0.63 (year to 31 December 2001: 1 euro = £0.62).
3. All growth rates are quoted in local currency.
4. Definitions:
Annual premium equivalent (APE) is a UK industry standard for calculating life, pensions and investments new
business levels. It is the total of new regular premiums and 10% of single premiums.
5. Cautionary statements:
The cautionary statements identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially
from those projected in forward-looking statements made in this press release. Forward-looking statements are
based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed.
Aviva plc is a company registered in England No. 2468686.
Registered office St Helen's 1 Undershaft London EC3P 3DQ
Statistical Supplement
CONTENTS
Analyses
1. Detailed worldwide long-term savings new business analysis
2. Analysis of UK long-term savings by distribution channel - sales and APE
SUPPLEMENT 1
Detailed worldwide long-term savings new business analysis
Single Regular Total
12 months 12 months Local 12 months 12 months Local Local
to to currency to to currency currency
31 December 31 December growth 31 December 31 December growth growth
2002 2001 2002 2001
£m £m £m £m
United Kingdom
Individual pensions 1,501 1,479 1% 99 135 (27%) (1%)
Group pensions 781 526 48% 321 329 (2%) 29%
Mortgage - - - 72 50 44% 44%
Annuities 1,035 785 32% - - - 32%
Bonds 2,801 3,697 (24%) 1 2 (50%) (24%)
Other life 119 175 (32%) 114 87 31% (11%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total life
and pensions 6,237 6,662 (6%) 607 603 1% (6%)
Peps/Isas/Unit
Trusts/Oeics 543 808 (33%) 13 8 63% (32%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
6,780 7,470 (9%) 620 611 1% (8%)
France
AFER (excluding
unit-linked) 983 930 4% - - - 4%
Unit-linked &
other savings 672 874 (24%) 27 18 51% (23%)
Protection business 159 157 - 15 19 (22%) (2%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
1,814 1,961 (9%) 42 37 13% (8%)
Ireland
Life and savings 157 327 (53%) 35 22 59% (46%)
Pensions 110 141 (23%) 41 33 21% (15%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
267 468 (44%) 76 55 36% (35%)
Italy
Life and savings 1,089 924 16% 44 34 29% 17%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
1,089 924 16% 44 34 29% 17%
Netherlands (including
Belgium
& Luxembourg)
Pensions 275 482 (44%) 32 34 (5%) (41%)
Life 434 192 123% 55 69 (22%) 85%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total life and
pensions 709 674 4% 87 103 (16%) 1%
Unit trusts 119 85 38% - - - 38%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
828 759 8% 87 103 (16%) 5%
Poland
Life and savings 22 17 33% 24 34 (26%) (6%)
Pensions 9 2 453% 21 24 (9%) 22%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total life and
pensions 31 19 69% 45 58 (19%) 3%
Mutual funds 16 - - - - - -
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
47 19 155% 45 58 (19%) 25%
Spain
Life and savings 1,004 738 34% 38 28 35% 35%
Pensions 240 147 62% 27 19 41% 59%
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
1,244 885 39% 65 47 37% 39%
Other Europe
Life and pensions 240 188 26% 69 72 (3%) 18%
UCITS and other 70 227 (69%) - - - (69%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
310 415 (26%) 69 72 (3%) (23%)
International
Life and pensions 863 619 43% 89 70 30% 42%
Unit trusts 267 347 (24%) - - - (24%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
1,130 966 19% 89 70 30% 19%
Total long-term 13,509 13,867 (3%) 1,137 1,087 5% (2%)
savings
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Analysed:
Life and pensions 12,494 12,400 - 1,124 1,079 4% 1%
Investment sales 1,015 1,467 (31%) 13 8 61% (31%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total long-term
savings 13,509 13,867 (3%) 1,137 1,087 5% (2%)
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Navigator sales 797 930 (15%) - - - (15%)
(not included above)
SUPPLEMENT 2
Analysis of UK long-term savings by distribution channel
Sales
Single Regular Total
12 months 12 months Local 12 months 12 months Local Local
to to currency to to currency currency
31 December 31 December growth 31 December 31 December growth growth
2002 2001 2002 2001
£m £m £m £m
IFA
- life & pensions
products 4,289 4,875 (12%) 472 498 (5%) (11%)
- investment
products 340 509 (33%) 8 5 60% (32%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
4,629 5,384 (14%) 480 503 (5%) (13%)
Bancassurance
partnership
with RBSG
- life & pensions
products 677 228 197% 16 12 33% 189%
Other partnerships
/Direct
- life & pensions
products 1,271 1,559 (18%) 119 93 28% (16%)
- investment
products 203 299 (32%) 5 3 67% (31%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
1,474 1,858 (21%) 124 96 29% (18%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total UK long-term
savings 6,780 7,470 (9%) 620 611 1% (8%)
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Annual premium equivalent
Life and pensions sales Investment sales Total sales
12 months Local 12 months Local 12 months Local
to currency to currency to currency
31 December growth 31 December growth 31 December growth
2002 2002 2002
£m £m £m
IFA 901 (9%) 42 (25%) 943 (10%)
Bancassurance partnership
with RBSG 84 141% - - 84 141%
Other partnerships/Direct 246 (1%) 25 (25%) 271 (4%)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total UK long-term savings 1,231 (3%) 67 (25%) 1,298 (5%)
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
Latest directors dealings
- 1 day ago Savannah Energy
- 1 day ago Buccaneer Energy PLC
- 1 day ago Savannah Energy
- 1 day ago Carclo
- 1 day ago Schroder Japan Growth Fund