Blackstone and Resolution Life strike reinsurance partnership

Resolution Life and  Blackstone have formed a strategic partnership for new closed book transactions, including reinsurance, in the life and annuity sector globally.

The partnership will solidify Resolution Life’s position by combining its global liability management platforms and Blackstone’s insurance asset management capabilities.

The two companies plan to raise $3 billion of new equity capital commitments – including a $500 million strategic investment from Blackstone – bringing the company’s overall equity capital base to more than $8 billion. The $3 billion in capital would be raised through a newly established perpetual capital vehicle with Blackstone serving as the general partner and the majority of Resolution Life’s existing investors expected to roll their investments into this vehicle.

Nippon Life, the largest existing investor in Resolution Life, supports the strategic partnership and welcomes Blackstone’s investment and asset management expertise which will contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Resolution Life.

The enhanced capital base will allow Resolution Life to “rapidly scale its growth path in a highly active acquisition market”, continuing its mission of being a “global custodian” to life insurance and annuity policyholders. Resolution Life said it remains group regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority with a strong group capital position, high solvency ratios and investment grade ratings.

Resolution Life will be Blackstone’s strategic partner for the pursuit of new closed book transactions, including reinsurance, in the life and annuity sector globally.

Blackstone will become Resolution Life’s investment manager for certain key areas, including directly originated assets across the private credit, real estate and asset-based-finance markets. The company believes the addition of investment and direct origination capabilities from Blackstone will serve as a new competitive advantage for Resolution Life and enhance its ability to serve direct insurance partners in the marketplace.

In order to help take advantage of “compelling” market opportunities, the Blackstone investment management partnership has commenced upon signing of the transaction.

Blackstone will manage an initial target of up to $25 billion of Resolution Life’s existing private assets in the first year. As Resolution Life completes new transactions and new investments are deployed into asset classes managed by Blackstone, total Resolution Life private assets managed by Blackstone are expected to increase to over $60 billion over the next six years.

Closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and anticipated to occur in the second half of 2023.

Resolution Life founder, Clive Cowdery, will continue to lead the company as executive chairman and chief executive officer.

He said: “This partnership accelerates Resolution Life’s growth through access to Blackstone’s capital and investment capabilities. It is a continuation of Resolution’s 20-year mission to be the partner of choice for the life insurance industry and a custodian for its in-force policyholders globally.”

Gilles Dellaert, global head of Blackstone Insurance Solutions, added: “We believe that Blackstone’s world-class private credit and asset origination platform and Resolution Life’s leading position in the closed book consolidation market will be a powerful combination. We look forward to working closely with the Resolution Life team in the years ahead to help drive their growth and deliver greater financial security for policyholders.”

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