Note: All figures are based on IFRS and are shown in Canadian dollars. All comparisons are with the corresponding period of 2013, unless otherwise stated.
- Premiums and deposits increased by 23% to $1.9 billion
- Assets under administration grew by 8% to $50 billion
- Solvency ratio at 228%
MONTREAL, April 30, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Standard Life Financial Inc. ("Standard Life") today reported that premiums and deposits increased by 23% to $1.9 billion (2013: $1.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2014. The momentum in fee-based business is driven by the strong sales of segregated funds. The group business also continued to progress. Assets under administration grew by 8% to $50 billion (2013: $46 billion).
Charles Guay, President of Standard Life, said: "Our performance for the first three months of the year reflects our constant focus on delivering innovative products and solutions for our customers. We launched a new online tool that simplifies reporting and enhances governance of pension plans for employers and their advisors. We also continued our campaign against financial inertia with the introduction of the Standard Life Investor Confidence Index, which showed that investors have greater confidence in their personal finances than they do in the economy. Moreover, we recently submitted our application to the AMF to be an authorized administrator of Quebec's VRSP.
Our revenue is steadily increasing with the notable success of our individual wealth solutions, which include segregated funds and mutual funds. We continue to strengthen our position in the market by leveraging Standard Life Investments' leading global investment capabilities through global funds such as the Global Absolute Return Strategies fund and the US Monthly Income Fund," added Mr. Guay.
Standard Life Financial's primary operating subsidiary, The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada, reported a solvency ratio of 228% (December 2013: 261%) following the payment of a $345 million dividend in the quarter.
Premiums and deposits for individual wealth solutions increased by 52% to $707 million (2013: $466 million). The growth is mainly due to the success of the Ideal Segregated Funds. In the first quarter of 2014, sales were up 52% to $474 million (2013: $312 million), thanks to its flagship Ideal Segregated Funds Signature 2.0 solution, which continues to innovate by providing guarantees and features that meet client needs in today's volatile environment.
Mutual fund sales also contributed to the growth of individual wealth solutions. They gained 17% to $121 million (2013: $104 million), partly because of the new global funds introduced in 2013, including the US Monthly Income Fund.
Group savings and retirement premiums and deposits rose by 14% to $1 billion (2013: $892 million). Core defined contribution business was up by 7% to $780 million (2013: $727 million). The increase was driven in part by Standard Life's new solutions, such as the Financial Education Centre and the Group Retirement Centre, which assists pension plan members through all their life stages.
Group insurance and disability management premiums and deposits were stable at $180 million
(2013: $182 million).
Outlook
Standard Life is committed to helping Canadians look forward to their financial future with confidence and optimism. To do so, the company expects to continue to grow its business by maintaining its focus on the needs of customers in its core business segments:
- Group defined contribution retirement plans
- Health and wellness, including disability prevention and management services for employers
- Retail investment funds
Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements about certain of Standard Life's current plans, goals and expectations relating to future financial conditions, performance, results, strategy and objectives. Statements containing the words: 'believes', 'intends', 'expects', 'plans', 'seeks' and 'anticipates' and any other words of similar meaning are forward-looking. All forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances beyond Standard Life's control. As a result, Standard Life's actual financial condition, performance and results may differ materially from the plans, goals and expectations set out in the forward-looking statements. The company will not undertake any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this press release or any other forward-looking statements that it may make.
Notes to Editors
- Premiums and deposits is a non-IFRS measure. Standard Life includes in its calculation deposits from segregated and mutual funds, and premium equivalents of administrative services only (ASO). They also include those generated by individual life insurance products sold prior to 2012. The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada stopped selling individual life insurance and critical illness products in 2012, but continues to service the in-force block of business.
- Fee-based business includes segregated funds revenues from group savings and retirement and individual wealth and mutual funds revenues.
- As one of Canada's leading providers of saving and retirement plans to Canadian employers, Standard Life offers a suite of solutions that range from low-cost PRPP and VRSP as well as basic Express and Flexible Pension in a Box that meet the specific needs of small and medium-sized businesses, to fully customizable defined contribution plans.
- On December 3, 2013, the National Assembly of Quebec passed Bill 39 that aims at creating the Quebec pooled registered pension plan version for Quebec salaried and self-employed workers, which is the Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan (VRSP).The Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan Act will come into effect on July 1, 2014.
- In May 2013, Standard & Poor's reaffirmed the financial strength ratings of Standard Life's main operating company in Canada at 'A+.
- Standard Life plc (LSE: SL.L) published earlier today its 2014 Q1 Trading Results and Interim Management statement, which are available online.
- As per UK securities regulations, Standard Life plc issues trading results and interim management statements for the 3 months ending March 31, and the 9 months ending September 30. It reports full results for the 6 months ending June 30, and the 12 months ending December 31. Standard Life Financial Inc. follows the same schedule.
About Standard Life
Standard Life provides long-term savings, investment and insurance solutions to more than 1.4 million Canadians, including group retirement and insurance plan members. It has 2,000 employees, and the main operating subsidiaries in Canada are The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada and Standard Life Mutual Funds Ltd.
The Canadian operation of Standard Life plc, its parent company, is the largest outside the United Kingdom. Headquartered in Scotland, Standard Life plc has around six million customers worldwide and operates in the UK, Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Standard Life plc had $456 billion in assets under administration, including $50 billion in Canada, as at March 31, 2014.
SOURCE: Standard Life
Anne-Julie Gratton
514-499-7999, ext. 8150
[email protected]
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