Zurich in $2.14bn Australian life acquisition

Zurich Insurance Group has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of ANZ’s life insurance businesses, OnePath Life, in Australia for $2.14 billion (AUD 2.85 billion) to become the country’s largest retail life insurer.

The transaction price comprises AUD 1 billion of upfront reinsurance commissions. Zurich plans to fund the acquisition from internal resources and senior debt. The agreement includes long-term distribution arrangements with ANZ, one of Australia’s leading banks.

“ANZ’s portfolio of non-traditional and profitable retail products fits well with Zurich’s strategy to focus on capital-light protection and unit-linked business,” said Zurich CEO Mario Greco. “Furthermore, it strengthens the Group’s position in Asia Pacific, while building on our strong bank distribution capabilities.

“In addition, the existing portfolio provides a highly cash-generative business that will add to our cash remittances, increase our business operating profit after tax return on equity (BOPAT ROE) target by 50 basis points and support dividend growth beyond that implied by our existing plan.”

The acquisition is expected to contribute to the group’s profitability from day one, generating strong cash flows which will support future dividend growth. The transaction will also increase the proportion of stable life protection-based earnings, reducing overall Group earnings volatility and increasing the proportion of life earnings remitted as cash back to the Group. The transaction is expected to increase the level of overall cash remittances over the 2017-2019 planning period by $225 million.

As part of the transaction, Zurich will enter into a 20-year distribution agreement with ANZ in Australia to distribute life insurance products through bank channels. Under this agreement, Zurich will have access to ANZ’s 6 million customers which are served through the bank’s more than 680 branches and over 2,300 ATMs, as well as digital distribution channels.

As a result of the transaction, Zurich will have an approximately 19 percent share of the Australian retail life insurance market, positioning it as the market’s largest retail life insurer. It will also have around 6 percent of the group life market.

Jack Howell, Zurich’s CEO for Asia Pacific, said, “Zurich has earmarked the Asia Pacific region to be a major engine of growth in distribution and service capabilities, building on our recent acquisitions of Macquarie’s retail life insurance business and the Cover-More Group. Importantly, we are acquiring a profitable business with loyal customers and a track record of strong, stable cash flows.”

On a pro-forma basis, the operations to be acquired reported net earned premiums for the 12 months ended September 30, 2017 of $1.1 billion and a net profit after tax of $142 million.

The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

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