Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires Majority Stake in Brokers’ House

PR Newswire

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Aug. 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced that it has purchased a majority stake in Turkish specialty broker Brokers’ House (BH Sigorta ve Reasürans Brokerligi A.S.). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Istanbul, Brokers’ House is a commercial insurance and facultative reinsurance broker offering clients a broad range of commercial and specialty coverages, including property, financial lines, energy, engineering and marine cargo. Brokers’ House has been a Gallagher Global Network partner since 2014. The current leadership team of Gündüz Tezel and Levent Özbilen will remain with the business.

“This is a unique opportunity for Gallagher to directly enter the Turkish specialty broking market with a team that is already well known to us,” said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. “We look forward to working more closely with Gündüz, Levent and their colleagues to expand their client product and service offerings.”

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 57 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors:  Ray Iardella

Media:  Linda J. Collins   

VP – Investor Relations

VP – Corporate Communications

630-285-3661/ [email protected]

630-285-4009/ [email protected]

 

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arthur-j-gallagher–co-acquires-majority-stake-in-brokers-house-301353070.html

SOURCE Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Altera Infrastructure GP L.L.C. Announces Extension of Early Participation Deadline for Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation

ABERDEEN, United Kingdom, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altera Infrastructure GP L.L.C., the general partner of Altera Infrastructure L.P. (“Altera” or the “Partnership”), today announced that it is extending the Early Tender Time (as defined in the Offering Memorandum (as defined below)) to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 16, 2021, for the offer (the “Exchange Offer”) by Altera Infrastructure Holdings L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“Holdings”), to exchange the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Old Notes”) issued by the Partnership and Altera Infrastructure Finance Corp. for newly issued 8.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 or 11.50% Senior Secured PIK Notes due 2026 issued by Holdings. The withdrawal deadline has expired and will not be extended.

The Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on August 25, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated by Holdings in its sole discretion. The Exchange Offer remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions as described in the confidential offering memorandum and consent solicitation statement, dated July 29, 2021 (the “Offering Memorandum”).

Pursuant to the terms of the previously announced Exchange and Support Agreement (as defined in the Offering Memorandum), Altera is proceeding to complete the Brookfield Exchanges (as defined in the Offering Memorandum) on the Settlement Date regardless of the amount of Old Notes tendered in the Exchange Offer or whether the Exchange Offer is completed.

The Exchange Offer is being made, and the New Notes are being offered and issued, only to holders of Old Notes who are either (a) reasonably believed to be “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), or (b) non-U.S. persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act, and if located or resident in a jurisdiction in Canada, (x) an “accredited investor” as defined in National Instrument 45-106 – Prospectus Exemptions (“NI 45-106”) or section 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (if located or resident in Ontario), as applicable, that either would acquire the New Notes for its own account or would be deemed to be acquiring the New Notes as principal by applicable law, and (y) a “permitted client” as defined in National Instrument 31-103 – Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations (“NI 31-103”). Additional eligibility criteria may apply to holders of Old Notes located in certain other jurisdictions. The holders of Old Notes who are eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the foregoing conditions are referred to as “Eligible Holders.” Eligible Holders of the Old Notes who desire to obtain and complete an eligibility form should contact the information agent and exchange agent, D.F. King & Co., Inc., at (888) 605-1958 (toll-free) or (212) 269-5550 (for banks and brokers), email [email protected] or access the website at www.dfking.com/altera.

Eligible Holders of the Old Notes are urged to carefully read the Offering Memorandum before making any decision with respect to the Exchange Offer. None of Holdings, the Old Notes Issuers, the dealer managers, the information agent and exchange agent, the trustee with respect to the Old Notes, the trustees and collateral trustee for the New Notes, or any affiliate of any of them makes any recommendation as to whether Eligible Holders of the Old Notes should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of their Old Notes for New Notes in the Exchange Offer. No one has been authorized by any of them to make such a recommendation. Eligible Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer and, if so, the principal amount of Old Notes to tender.

The New Notes and the Exchange Offer have not been and will not be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act, or any state or foreign securities laws. The New Notes may not be offered or sold in the United States or for the account or benefit of any U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Exchange Offer is not being made to Eligible Holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About the Partnership

The Partnership is a leading global energy infrastructure services partnership primarily focused on the ownership and operation of critical infrastructure assets in the offshore oil regions of the North Sea, Brazil and the East Coast of Canada. The Partnership has consolidated assets of approximately $4.3 billion, comprised of 47 vessels, including floating production, storage and offloading units, shuttle tankers (including one newbuilding), floating storage and offtake units, long-distance towing and offshore installation vessels and a unit for maintenance and safety. The majority of Altera’s fleet is employed on medium-term, stable contracts.

The Partnership’s 7.25% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units, 8.50% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Units and 8.875% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “ALIN PR A” “ALIN PR B” and “ALIN PR E,” respectively.

Forward Looking Statements and Other Legal Disclosure

This press release contains forward-looking statements (as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), which reflect management’s current views with respect to certain future events and performance, including, among others: the Partnership’s review of potential strategic initiatives, including any related asset sales, joint ventures, capital raises or other transactions; and the timing of vessel deliveries, the commencement of charter contracts and the employment of newbuilding vessels. The following factors are among those that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, and that should be considered in evaluating any such statement: expectations regarding the ability to consummate the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation; the timing of closing of the Exchange Offer and Consent Solicitation; alternatives and conditions to implement any strategic initiatives; delays in vessel deliveries or the commencement of charter contracts or changes in expected employment of newbuilding vessels; and other factors discussed in the Partnership’s filings from time to time with the SEC, including its Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The Partnership expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Partnership’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

For Investor Relations enquires contact:

Jan Rune Steinsland,
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +47 97 05 25 33
E-mail: [email protected]



Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: Results for the Quarter ended June 30, 2021

ST HELIER, Jersey, Aug. 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc (NYSE AMERICAN: CMCL; AIM: CMCL) (“Caledonia” or the “Company”) announces its operating and financial results for the quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2021 (the “Quarter” and “First Half” respectively). Further information on the financial and operating results for the Quarter and First Half can be found in the management discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) and the un-audited financial statements which are available on the Company’s website, and which have been filed on SEDAR.   

 Financial Highlights for the Quarter

  • Gross revenues of $30.0 million, a 31 per cent increase on the $22.9 million achieved in the second quarter of 2020 (“Q2 2020”).
  • Gross profit of $13.9 million, a 51 per cent increase on the $9.2 million in Q2 2020.
  • EBITDA (excluding asset impairments, net foreign exchange gains and losses and export incentives) of $14.0 million, a 103 per cent increase on the $6.9 million in Q2 2020.
  • On-mine cost of $715 per ounce (Q2 2020, $811 per ounce).
  • All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”)1 excluding export incentives of $933 per ounce (Q2 2020, $1,075 per ounce).
  • Basic IFRS earnings per share (“EPS”) of 21.1 cents (Q2 2020, 43.1 cents).
  • Adjusted EPS of 62.6 cents (Q2 2020, 36.8 cents).
  • Net cash from operating activities of $12.7 million (Q2 2020, $4.0 million).
  • Net cash and cash equivalents of $16.7 million (Q2 2020, $11.6 million).
  • Total dividend paid in the Quarter of 12 cents per share in April; a further dividend at the increased rate of 13 cents per share was paid in July. 

 Operating Highlights

  • 16,710 ounces of gold produced in the Quarter, 24 per cent higher than the 13,499 ounces produced in Q2 2020 and a new production record for a second quarter.
  • 29,907 ounces produced in the First Half, eight per cent higher than the 27,732 ounces produced in the first half of 2020.
  • Over 165,000 tonnes of ore were mined and milled in the Quarter which is a new production record for any quarter and reflects the contribution of the Central Shaft which was commissioned at the end of March 2021 and the build-up towards the target of 80,000 ounces per annum from 2022 onwards2.

Outlook

  • Production in July was 5,995 ounces, which is a further increase in average monthly production and demonstrates that Blanket is on-track to achieve its production guidance of 61,000 – 67,000 ounces for 2021.
  • On-mine cost guidance for 2021 is in the range of $740 to $815 per ounce; guidance for AISC is $985 to $1,080 per ounce.
  • Further to the Company’s announcement on 11 December 2020 that it had acquired an option over the Glen Hume property, Caledonia has decided not to exercise this option over the Glen Hume property due to disappointing exploration results. Caledonia will conduct exploration at Connemara North, the other optioned property in Zimbabwe as announced on 17 December 2020. Caledonia will consider further investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and elsewhere.   

Caledonia will host an online presentation and Q&A session open to all investors on 12 of August 2021 at 16:30 GMT (17:30 British Summer Time; 13.30 New York; 18:30 European)

The Zoom details for this call are set out below:

Details:

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://caledoniamining.zoom.us/j/92437639930?pwd=QnhuRE5FTDZYUWl0a05nSmFRREt0dz09
Passcode: 717117

Or Telephone:
Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 312 626 6799 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 301 715 8592
Webinar ID: 924 3763 9930
Passcode: 717117

International numbers available: https://caledoniamining.zoom.us/u/adZFCW31rd 


Commenting on the announcement, Steve Curtis, Chief Executive Officer, said:

“Over 165,000 tonnes were milled in the Quarter which is a new record for Blanket and reflects the contribution of Central Shaft which is now operational.

“Higher production, lower costs and a higher gold price resulted in a significant increase in the underlying profitability of our business with gross profit increasing by 51 per cent compared to the comparable quarter in 2020. Net profit was adversely affected by the impairment of the Glen Hume exploration asset following the Board’s decision not to proceed further with this project because the property does not meet Caledonia’s strategic requirements in terms of size, grade and width. EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange gains and losses, export incentives and asset impairments, increased over 100 per cent from $6.9 million in Q2 2020 to $14.0 million in the Quarter.

“The increased production meant that cash generated by operations was almost $15.0 million for the Quarter, compared to $2.5 million in the preceding quarter and $5.4 million in the comparable quarter.

  
“Excellent production was achieved without compromising on safety. During the Quarter Blanket passed the milestone of achieving two million fatality-free shifts.
  
“Production in July was slightly less than 6,000 ounces of gold, which demonstrates that Blanket continues to ramp-up production towards the target rate of 6,700 ounces per month that is required to achieve the production target of 80,000 ounces per annum from 2022.

“Although COVID-19 had no discernible effect on production in the Quarter, management has re-introduced strict access controls to the mine and the mine village to limit the rate of transmission of the virus. Blanket is also in the process of vaccinating its workforce and their families.

“The solar project, which is expected to provide approximately 27 per cent of Blanket’s average daily electricity usage is now in the procurement phase and project completion is expected in April 2022.

“In April, the Company paid a further increased quarterly dividend of 12 cents per share, then in July declared a quarterly dividend of 13 cents per share, paid at the end of July. This was the sixth increased quarterly dividend and an 89 per cent increase from 6.875 cents paid in October 2019.

“This has been a strong Quarter and these results have left us well placed to achieve our guidance of between 61,000-67,000 ounces for the year. Our immediate strategic focus continues to be to increase production to 80,000 ounces in 2022, while undertaking further exploration and development with the objective of extending the life of mine beyond 2034 thereby safeguarding and enhancing Blanket’s long-term future. Caledonia will also evaluate further investment opportunities in Zimbabwe and elsewhere.”

____________________

1
Non-IFRS measures such as “On-mine cost per ounce”, “All-in sustaining cost per ounce” and “adjusted EPS” are used throughout this document. Refer to section 10 of the MD&A for a discussion of non-IFRS measures.

2
Refer to the technical report entitled “Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe” dated May 17,
2021
prepared by
Minxcon
(Pty) Ltd and filed by the Company on SEDAR on May 26, 2021.
Mr
Dana Roets (B
Eng
(Min.), MBA,
Pr.Eng
., FSAIMM, AMMSA), Chief Operating Officer, is the Company’s qualified person as defined by Canada’s National Instrument 43-101 and has approved any scientific or technical information contained in this news release.

For further information please contact:

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc

Mark Learmonth
Camilla Horsfall

Tel: +44 1534 679 802
Tel: +44 7817 841793
   
WH Ireland

Adrian Hadden/James Sinclair-Ford

Tel: +44 20 7220 1751
   
Blytheweigh

Tim Blythe/Megan Ray

Tel: +44 207 138 3204
   
3PPB

Patrick Chidley
Paul Durham

Tel: +1 917 991 7701
Tel: +1 203 940 2538

Note: This announcement contains inside information which is disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014
(“
MAR
”)
as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the Company’s obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information

Information and statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties relating, but not limited, to Caledonia’s current expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “goal”, “plan”, “target”, “intend”, “estimate”, “could”, “should”, “may” and “will” or the negative of these terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include: production guidance, estimates of future/targeted production rates, and our plans and timing regarding further exploration and drilling and development. This forward-looking information is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: failure to establish estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, success of future exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling, sampling and assay data, assumptions regarding the representativeness of mineralization being inaccurate, success of planned metallurgical test-work, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and other factors.

Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price, risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; political risk; risks related to natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest, public health concerns (including health epidemics or outbreaks of communicable diseases such as the coronavirus (COVID-19)); availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining or maintaining necessary licenses and permits, diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as mining occurs; global financial condition, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes to conclusions of economic evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with unanticipated economic or other factors, risks of increased capital and operating costs, environmental, safety or regulatory risks, expropriation, the Company’s title to properties including ownership thereof, increased competition in the mining industry for properties, equipment, qualified personnel and their costs, risks relating to the uncertainty of timing of events including targeted production rate increase and currency fluctuations. Security holders, potential security holders and other prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. Caledonia undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

This news release is not an offer of the shares of Caledonia for sale in the United States or elsewhere. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the shares of Caledonia, in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such province, state or jurisdiction.

Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income
($’000’s) 3 months ended

June 30


6 months ended
June 30



  2020   2021   2020   2021  
Revenue 22,913   29,977   46,515   55,697  
Royalty (1,146 ) (1,503 ) (2,328 ) (2,792 )
Production costs (11,451 ) (12,362 ) (22,138 ) (25,219 )
Depreciation (1,141 ) (2,199 ) (2,314 ) (3,392 )
Gross profit 9,175   13,913   19,735   24,294  
Other income 2,791   7   4,709   30  
Other expenses (1,314 ) (3,883 ) (1,522 ) (4,141 )
Administrative expenses (1,275 ) (1,745 ) (2,822 ) (3,355 )
Net foreign exchange gain (loss) 1,486   (345 ) 3,709   (72 )
Cash-settled share-based payment (762 ) (31 ) (946 ) (183 )
Fair value losses on derivative assets (113 ) 7   (148 ) (107 )
Results from operating activities 9,988   7,923   22,715   16,466  
Net finance costs (129 ) (223 ) (267 ) (341 )
Profit before tax 9,859   7,700   22,448   16,125  
Tax expense (3,507 ) (3,893 ) (6,417 ) (6,895 )
Profit for the period 6,352   3,807   16,031   9,230  
         
Other comprehensive income        

Items that are or may be reclassified to profit or loss
       
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 293   383   (1,058 ) 181  
Profit attributable to: 6,645   4,190   14,973   9,411  
Shareholders of the Company 5,134   2,694   13,374   7,244  
Non-controlling interests 1,218   1,113   2,657   1,986  
Profit for the period 6,352   3,807   16,031   9,230  
Total comprehensive income attributable to:        
Shareholders of the Company 5,427   3,077   12,316   7,425  
Non-controlling interest 1,218   1,113   2,657   1,986  
Total comprehensive income for the period 6,645   4,190   14,973   9,411  
Earnings per share (cents)        
Basic 43.1   21.1   114.3   58.4  
Diluted 43.0   21.1   114.1   58.4  
Adjusted earnings per share (cents)        
Basic 36.8   62.6   93.5   114.2  
Dividends declared per share (cents) 16.0   12.0   23.5   23.0  

Summarised
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (unaudited)

($’000’s)

As at
Dec 31 Jun 30
    2020 2021
Total non-current assets   133,334 140,925
Inventories   16,798 15,625
Prepayments   1,974 4,827
Trade and other receivables   4,962 9,306
Income tax receivable   76 179
Cash and cash equivalents   19,092 16,669
Derivative financial assets   1,184
Assets held for sale   500 500
Total assets   177,920 188,031
Total non-current liabilities   9,913 11,781
Loans and borrowings – short term portion   408 178
Lease liabilities – short term portion   61 104
Trade and other payables   8,664 8,968
Income taxes payable   495 1,497
Cash-settled share-based payment – short term portion   336 1,555
Total liabilities   19,877 24,083
Total equity   158,043 163,948
Total equity and liabilities   177,920 188,039

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)


($’000’s)
  
  3 months ended
June 30
6 months ended
June 30
  2020   2021   2020   2021  
Cash flows from operating activities        
Cash generated from operations 5,413   14,987   16,371   17,537  
Net interest paid (123 ) (124 ) (263 ) (247 )
Tax paid (1,315 ) (2,134 ) (2,034 ) (2,598 )
Net cash from operating activities 3,975   12,729   14,074   14,692  
         
Cash flows used in investing activities        
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment (3,228 ) (7,425 ) (7,921 ) (13,769 )
Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets   (784 )   (974 )
(Acquisition)/Realisation of Gold ETF (1,058 ) 1,083   (1,058 ) 1,083  
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary     900   340  
Net cash used in investing activities (4,286 ) (7,126 ) (8,079 ) (13,320 )
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Dividends paid (1,012 ) (1,814 ) (1,981 ) (3,506 )
Repayment of term loan facility   (102 )   (206 )
Payment of lease liabilities (32 ) (33 ) (57 ) (65 )
Receipt from share options exercised 30     30    
Net cash used in financing activities (1,014 ) (1,949 ) (2,008 ) (3,777 )
         
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (1,325 ) 3,654   3,987   (2,404 )
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held (861 ) (12 ) (1,241 ) (18 )
Net cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 13,825   13,027   8,893   19,092  
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 11,639   16,669   11,639   16,669  



Travel and Ticketing Sectors Drive Growth of Global eCommerce Transactions by 15 Percent in First Half of 2021, According to New Data from ACI Worldwide

Travel and Ticketing Sectors Drive Growth of Global eCommerce Transactions by 15 Percent in First Half of 2021, According to New Data from ACI Worldwide

  • Travel and Ticketing Sectors show strong signs of recovery with 122 percent rise in transactions in Q2 2021
  • Payment methods such as BNPL, BOPIS, mobile in-app payments, eWallets and social media purchases continue to grow in popularity
  • Fraud attacks on new channels like Mobile and BOPIS are on the rise, report warns

MIAMI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
New benchmark data from ACI Worldwide (NASDAQ: ACIW), a leading global provider of real-time digital payment software and solutions, reveals that global eCommerce transactions continue to grow at a rapid pace. According to ACI’s eCommerce Fraud Index global eCommerce sales increased 15 percent during the first half of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was driven partly by a 122 percent rise in travel and ticketing sales, which showed strong signs of recovery in the second quarter of this year compared to Q2 2020. The digital entertainment and home improvement sectors also recorded strong sales as shoppers continue to invest in DIY projects and gamers find new ways to interact within their gaming communities.

“As travel restrictions begin to ease, more merchants are offering greater booking flexibility, allowing consumers to change dates and times as needed and giving them confidence in spending on travel,” said Debbie Guerra, executive vice president, ACI Worldwide. “As more people look to get away, we expect the travel and ticketing sector to continue this long-awaited boost in sales.”

ACI’s eCommerce Fraud Index also highlights that fraudsters have been adapting quickly to new customer buying and payment journeys as a result of the pandemic and are actively targeting new channels. According to the research, mobile fraud increased by 1.22 percent in the first half of 2020 and 1.32 percent in the first half of 2021. The increasingly popular BOPIS channel (Buy online & pick up in store) saw a 6.17 percent increase in fraud attempts in Q1 2021, with the average value rising by $4 versus Q1 2020. The gaming and telco sectors experienced the highest fraud attempt rates in the first half of 2021 while fraud attempt rates in other sectors have been declining this year.

“The global eCommerce market continues to grow at a rapid pace as customer buying journeys have changed permanently due to the pandemic,” Guerra continued. “However, the rise of eCommerce has also created a radically new fraud environment in which old ways of detecting and preventing fraud will no longer work. Merchants embracing payments innovation, to keep pace with digital demands, must also deal with the challenges of an evolving fraud landscape, or risk losing customers and ultimately revenues.”

The data also reveals that the average transaction value of fraudulent purchases dropped from $179 in Q1 2020 to $114 in Q1 2021; however, it rose back up to $139 in Q2 2021.

“Fraudsters have shifted from high-value travel purchases to low-value gaming purchases. Such low-value purchases are used by fraudsters to test whether a merchant will accept their fraudulent payment before moving to bigger ticket items. Moreover, we saw clear evidence of BOT attacks migrating to mobile toward the end of 2020 and into 2021. Merchants must pay close attention to very low-value purchases to keep fraudsters at bay,” Guerra concluded.

Key Findings ACI eCommerce Fraud Index

Global eCommerce Transactions

  • eCommerce purchases increased 15 percent in H1 of 2021 compared to H1 of 2020
  • Top performers in volume of transactions H1 2021 vs H1 2020

-Telco – 20 percent

-Ticketing – 20 percent

-Travel – 19 percent

-Gaming – 18 percent

  • Transactions in the travel and ticketing sector rose 122 percent in Q2 2021 compared to Q2 2020

Fraud Trends

  • Mobile fraud increased from 1.22 percent in H1 2020 to 1.32 percent in H1 2021
  • Non-mobile fraud rates increased by almost 2 percent (0.59 percent in H1 2020; 1.71 percent in H1 2021) driven primarily through gift cards and gaming purchases
  • Average transaction value of fraudulent purchases dropped from $179 in Q1 2020 to $114 in Q1 2021, it rose back up to $139 in Q2 2021

About ACI Worldwide

ACI Worldwide is a global software company that provides mission-critical real-time payment solutions to corporations. Customers use our proven, scalable and secure solutions to process and manage digital payments, enable omni-commerce payments, present and process bill payments, and manage fraud and risk. We combine our global footprint with local presence to drive the real-time digital transformation of payments and commerce.

© Copyright ACI Worldwide, Inc. 2021

ACI, ACI Worldwide, ACI Payments, Inc., ACI Pay, Speedpay and all ACI product/solution names are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACI Worldwide, Inc., or one of its subsidiaries, in the United States, other countries or both. Other parties’ trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

Dan Ring

[email protected]

781-370-3600

Katrin Boettger

[email protected]

0044 (0) 7776 147 910

Nidhi Alberti

[email protected]

781-370-3600

KEYWORDS: United States North America Florida

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Software Banking Mobile/Wireless Online Retail Professional Services Data Management Technology Security Retail Other Professional Services Finance Other Technology

MEDIA:

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Aegon reports second quarter 2021 results

Aegon reports second quarter 2021 results

THE HAGUE, Amsterdam–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Steady progress on strategic priorities and financial targets supports increase in dividend

  • Net result of EUR 849 million in the second quarter of 2021 reflects strong operating result and fair value gains on investments from favorable market movements
  • All segments contribute to the increase of the operating result by 62% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 562 million, driven by expense savings, increased fees due to higher equity markets, and a normalization of claims experience in the United States
  • Cash Capital at Holding increases to EUR 1.4 billion, and remains in the upper half of Aegon’s operating range. Capital ratios of all three main units are above their respective operating levels; Group Solvency II ratio increases by 14%-points to 208%
  • In the US variable annuity business, Aegon launched a lump-sum buy-out program and will be expanding its dynamic hedging program to release capital and increase the predictability of capital generation
  • Interim dividend increases by EUR 0.02 to EUR 0.08 per common share to reflect steady progress made on our strategic priorities and financial targets

Statement of Lard Friese, CEO

“I am encouraged by the steady progress we have made on our strategic and financial transformation in the second quarter of 2021. Economic recovery – aided by increased vaccination rates – supported our results.

Increased fees due to favorable equity markets, the normalization of claims experience in the United States, and expense savings contributed to a 62% increase in our operating result to EUR 562 million. We have made good progress on the implementation of our expense savings program, resulting in a EUR 220 million reduction of annual addressable expenses through the second quarter. This strengthens our confidence in our ability to deliver on the targeted EUR 400 million expense saving by 2023.

By introducing innovative new products, expanding distribution, and enhancing customer service we are driving growth in our Strategic Asset category. We achieved double digit sales growth in US Life, delivered another quarter of strong sales in US Middle-Market Retirement Plans, and almost doubled the net deposits in our UK Workplace business. We continued our strong growth momentum in the Netherlands, with record-high levels of both mortgages under administration, and assets under administration in our new-style defined contribution pension business.

Aegon Asset Management also extended its growth track record of positive third-party net deposits, as strong demand for our solutions – both in our wholly-owned business and in our Chinese joint venture – continues. In our ESG portfolio, Aegon Asset Management and its partners have helped to fund investments in affordable and workforce housing units in the United States to better serve our local communities.

In July, we launched a program that offers certain variable annuity customers a lump-sum payment in return for surrendering their policies. The buyout program will reduce Transamerica’s financial market exposure, with the remaining legacy variable annuities portfolio to be dynamically hedged for equity and interest rate risk. This creates value by releasing capital at terms we believe are favorable compared to other alternatives, and increases the predictability of the capital that the business generates.

The progress we are making on our strategic priorities and financial targets provides us with the confidence to accelerate the increase in dividends, on our path to pay around 25 eurocents per common share by 2023. Therefore, we are announcing today an increase in our interim dividend by EUR 0.02 to EUR 0.08 per common share. Furthermore, the strength of our balance sheet also allows us to take another step towards achieving our deleveraging target by announcing the redemption of USD 250 million perpetual capital securities this year.

I would like to thank our 22,000 employees who, in the face of an ongoing pandemic and change, followed through on our strategic and operational plans in the second quarter.”

Strategic highlights

Aegon N.V.

unaudited

Strategic highlights – Focus. Execute. Deliver.

Key performance indicators

2Q 2021

2Q 2020

%

1Q 2021

%

YTD 2021

YTD 2020

%

Addressable expenses *

2,813

3,061

(8)

2,855

(1)

n/a

n/a

 

Change compared to FY 2019

(245)

3

n.m.

(203)

(21)

n/a

n/a

Strategic Assets

Americas Individual Solutions – Life, US

New business strain (USD million)

71

82

(13)

73

(3)

145

157

(8)

New life sales (USD million)

95

76

24

83

14

178

142

25

MCVNB (USD million) **

73

50

45

52

41

124

87

43

Americas Workplace Solutions – Retirement Plans Middle-Market

Net deposits (USD million)

324

340

(5)

194

67

518

277

87

Written sales (USD million)

1,114

576

93

1,124

(1)

2,237

1,463

53

The Netherlands

Mortgage origination (EUR million)

2,897

3,044

(5)

3,031

(4)

5,928

5,584

6

Workplace Solutions net deposits (EUR million)

198

165

20

173

15

371

317

17

Net growth Knab customers (‘000s of customers)

5.6

9.5

(41)

10.4

(46)

16.1

14.7

9

United Kingdom

Platform expenses / AuA

21 bps

26 bps

22 bps

21 bps

26 bps

Annualized revenues gained/(lost) on net deposits (GBP million)

(1)

n.m.

(2)

35

(3)

(2)

(31)

Workplace net deposits (GBP million)

1,060

587

81

295

n.m.

1,355

997

36

Retail net deposits (GBP million)

(78)

(103)

24

(42)

(85)

(119)

(365)

67

Growth Markets (Spain & Portugal, China, Brazil)

New life sales (EUR million)

53

42

26

65

(19)

117

112

5

MCVNB (Life) (EUR million)

17

16

6

32

(46)

49

42

15

New premium production (P&C and A&H) (EUR million)

28

11

167

29

(1)

57

30

88

Asset Management – Global Platforms

Operating margin (%)

13.6%

11.7%

16

12.8%

6

13.2%

10.2%

29

Net deposits (EUR million)

1,512

2,494

(39)

(3,572)

n.m.

(2,061)

5,797

n.m.

of which Third-party (EUR million)

2,100

(454)

n.m.

138

n.m.

2,239

(2,125)

n.m.

Annualized revenues gained/(lost) (EUR million)

4

5

(26)

n.m.

3

5

(33)

Financial Assets

Americas – Variable Annuities

Capital generation (USD million)

302

840

(64)

79

n.m.

381

(809)

n.m.

Dynamic hedge effectiveness ratio (%) ***

99%

97%

(1)

99%

99%

96%

(1)

Americas – Long-Term Care

Capital generation (USD million)

138

4

n.m.

76

80

214

28

n.m.

Actual to expected claim ratio (%) (IFRS)

52%

87%

(41)

43%

21

47%

86%

(45)

NPV of rate increases approved since end-2020 (USD million)

176

n/a

112

176

n/a

The Netherlands – NL Life

Operating capital generation (EUR million)

67

32

112

27

148

95

77

22

Remittances to Aegon NL (EUR million)

25

n.m.

25

116

50

121

(59)

Solvency II ratio (%)

172%

174%

(1)

149%

16

172%

174%

(1)

* Trailing four quarters in constant currency, EUR million.

** MCVNB 1Q 2021 restated for methodology change for Indexed universal life (IUL) pricing model.

*** Updated definition of hedge effectiveness which now reflects the effectiveness per individual hedged risks, instead of the total.

Aegon’s strategy

Aegon is taking significant steps to transform the company in order to improve its performance and create value for its customers and shareholders. To ensure delivery against these objectives, a rigorous and granular operating plan has been developed across the Group. Aegon focuses on three core markets (the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom), three growth markets (Spain & Portugal, China, and Brazil) and one global asset manager. Aegon’s businesses within its core markets have been separated into Financial Assets and Strategic Assets. The aim is to release capital from Financial Assets and from businesses outside its core and growth markets, and re-allocate capital to growth opportunities in Strategic Assets, growth markets and Asset Management. Throughout this transformation, the company aims to maintain a solid capital position in the business units and at the Holding. Through proactive risk management actions, Aegon is improving its risk profile and reducing the volatility of its capital ratios.

Operational improvement plan

Aegon has an ambitious plan comprised of more than 1,100 detailed initiatives designed to improve the operating performance of its business by reducing costs, expanding margins and growing profitably. A total of 528 initiatives have been executed between the launch of the operational improvement plan and the end of the second quarter 2021, of which 421 are related to expense savings.

Aegon is implementing an expense savings program aimed at reducing addressable expenses by EUR 400 million in 2023 compared with the base year 2019. Aegon has delivered on its ambition to achieve half of its expense reduction target by the end of 2021. In the trailing four quarters, Aegon has reduced addressable expenses by EUR 245 million compared with the base year 2019. Of this expense reduction, EUR 220 million was driven by expense savings initiatives. The remaining reduction in annual addressable expenses reflects expense benefits related to reduced activity in a COVID-19 environment net of expenses made for growth initiatives, which are aimed at improving customer service, enhancing user experience and developing new products. These growth initiatives contributed EUR 26 million to the operating result in the second quarter of 2021. The company will continue to execute the expense and growth initiatives at pace.

Strategic Assets

Strategic Assets are businesses with a greater potential for an attractive return on capital, and where Aegon is well positioned for growth. In these businesses, Aegon will invest in profitable growth by expanding its customer base and increasing its margins.

Americas

In the US Individual Solutions business, Transamerica’s aim is to achieve a top-5 position in Term Life, Whole Life Final Expense, and Indexed Universal Life through profitable sales growth. New life sales in the second quarter of 2021 amounted to USD 95 million, which represents an increase of 24% compared with the same period last year. This was mainly driven by an increase in new sales of Indexed Universal Life. Transamerica is benefiting from an increase in licensed agents at World Financial Group (WFG) and a higher market share in this distribution channel from the addition of a funeral planning benefit to Indexed Universal Life products for qualifying policyholders. Transamerica developed this new benefit to provide grieving beneficiaries valuable resources to help the insured person’s family plan end-of-life services. Furthermore, Whole Life Final Expense sales increased following enhancements made both to the product and the application process. In the second quarter of 2021, the market consistent value of new business for Life increased by 45% compared with the same period last year to USD 73 million. This was largely driven by higher sales, lower underwriting expenses, and a more favorable product mix.

In the US Workplace Solutions business, Transamerica aims to compete as a top-5 player in new sales in the Middle‑Market segment of Retirement Plans. Momentum is building here with four consecutive quarters of written sales of over USD 1 billion. Written sales were supported by Pooled Plan Arrangement contract wins. These multi-employer pension schemes are a strategic growth driver. Net deposits for the Middle-Market were positive at USD 324 million.

The Netherlands

Aegon is the largest third-party mortgage originator in the Netherlands, benefiting from its scale, high service levels to intermediaries and customers, and diversified funding. In the second quarter of 2021, the company originated EUR 2.9 billion of residential mortgages – of which two thirds were fee-based mortgages originated for third-party investors – and mortgages under administration reached a record EUR 58 billion. Aegon expects mortgage origination volumes to decrease in the second half of 2021, as spreads on mortgages have come down year-to-date.

Net deposits for the Workplace Solutions defined contribution products (PPI) in the Netherlands increased by 20% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 198 million. PPI assets under management surpassed the EUR 5 billion mark for the first time, underscoring Aegon’s leading position in this market.

Aegon is further developing its online bank Knab into a digital gateway for individual retirement solutions. In the second quarter of 2021, the online bank grew its customer base by over 5,000. To accelerate its strategy, Aegon has stopped offering savings products to customers of its original savings bank. These customers are being encouraged to either convert their accounts to Knab accounts or transfer their funds to another bank. Knab customers receive access to products, services and features that provide insight into daily banking matters and to products that help them accumulate wealth.

United Kingdom

Aegon’s assets under administration in the United Kingdom reached GBP 200 billion for the first time, as it continues to increase scale in the UK pension and savings market. The growth in assets reflects strong markets, and benefits from a number of ongoing investments in the business. Aegon’s platform business in the United Kingdom – excluding the low-margin Institutional business – doubled its net deposits compared with the same quarter last year to GBP 1.0 billion, driven by the Workplace segment. This reflects Aegon’s ability to serve the needs of both middle-market employers and large corporates. This quarter’s net deposits in the United Kingdom included a significant Master Trust contract win, which underscores that Aegon is well positioned in this fast-growing market of multi-employer pension schemes. Aegon continues to invest in the overall Workplace proposition to give the business a distinctive position in the key area of member engagement. An example thereof is the acquisition of Pension Geeks, an award-winning business that specializes in connecting people with their finances through innovative engagement techniques, communication and events. This acquisition is expected to further improve the customer experience, make communications more personalized, and drive growth.

By profitably growing its platform business, and by reducing expenses, Aegon UK aims to mitigate the impact from the gradual run-off of its traditional product portfolio. The traditional product portfolio is the main driver behind annualized revenue lost on net deposits for the second quarter. Expense initiatives, as well as the favorable impact from market movements on assets have contributed to an improvement in efficiency, with platform expenses as a percentage of assets under administration decreasing by 5 basis points compared with the second quarter of last year to 21 basis points.

Financial Assets

Financial Assets are blocks of business which have closed for new sales, and which are capital intensive with relatively low returns on capital employed. Aegon has established dedicated teams to manage these businesses, who are responsible for maximizing their value through disciplined risk management and capital management actions. To achieve this, Aegon is initially focusing on unilateral and bilateral actions before any third-party solutions would be taken into consideration. Unilateral actions are those that can be executed fully under Aegon’s control, while bilateral actions require the interaction and consideration of other stakeholders.

Americas

An example of such a bilateral action, is the lump-sum buy-out program that Transamerica launched in July 2021 for policyholders of Variable Annuities with guaranteed minimum income benefit (GMIB) riders, whose financial objectives may have changed since the issuance of their policies. Under the program, policyholders are being offered a lump-sum payment – exceeding the account value – in return for surrendering their Variable Annuity policy with GMIB riders, subject to certain conditions. The program will reduce hedge costs for the remaining Variable Annuities portfolio going forward and will reduce Transamerica’s economic exposure at a price that is more favorable than the price that Aegon believes would be possible to achieve in a transaction with a third party.

Aegon expects to expand the dynamic hedging program, covering the equity and interest rate risks of its US Variable Annuities block with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB), to the entire Variable Annuities portfolio once the take-up rate of the lump-sum buy-out program becomes more clear. This expanded hedging program will include policies with guaranteed minimum death benefit riders (GMDB) and the remaining policies with GMIB riders, as of the start of the fourth quarter of 2021. This builds on the effective dynamic hedging program of the GMWB portfolio where the hedge effectiveness for the targeted risks was consistently above 95% over the last six quarters. Dynamic hedging stabilizes cash flows on an economic basis and reduces sensitivities to equity and interest rate risks. The operational preparations for the expansion of the dynamic hedge program were completed in the second quarter of 2021, and the existing macro hedges will be adjusted during the third quarter to smoothen the transition to dynamic hedging.

The combination of extending the dynamic hedge to the full portfolio of Variable Annuities together with the execution of the lump-sum buy-out program is expected to have up to 5%-points negative impact on the RBC ratio based on current market conditions. Dynamic hedging decreases available capital as a result of reflecting the hedge costs in the calculation of the reserves, which is largely offset by lower required capital as a result of holding higher reserves. On an ongoing basis, the expansion of the dynamic hedging program is expected to reduce operating capital generation by around USD 50 million per year. At the same time, Transamerica’s reduced exposure to equity and interest rate risks leads to more predictable capital generation over the lifetime of the variable annuity business, and increases the certainty of remittances. Expanding the Variable Annuity dynamic hedging program and executing the lump-sum buy-out program is expected to result in a USD 0.5 to 0.7 billion pre-tax, one-time loss to be reported in Other charges in the third quarter of 2021. This is mostly driven by a non-cash write-off of deferred acquisition costs.

After the full implementation of both programs in the second half of 2021, Aegon will consider further unilateral and bilateral actions to maximize the value of the variable annuity business. Aegon will also allocate internal resources to investigate its options regarding potential third‑party solutions. Aegon will update the market on its progress in the first half of 2022.

The primary management action regarding Transamerica’s Long-Term Care block is a multi-year rate increase program that has a value of USD 300 million. In the second quarter of 2021, the company obtained regulatory approvals for additional rate increases worth USD 64 million, bringing the value of approvals achieved year-to-date to USD 176 million. Furthermore, claims experience developed favorably for the Long-Term Care business with an actual-to-expected ratio of 52% for the second quarter of 2021 as a result of elevated claims terminations due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a one-time reserve release. Adjusted for this reserve release, the actual-to-expected claims ratio amounted to 81%.

The Netherlands

The dedicated team responsible for the Dutch Life business is actively managing risks and the capital position to enhance the consistency of remittances to the Group. The main legal entity of the Dutch Life business – Aegon Levensverzekering N.V. – implemented a quarterly remittance policy in the fourth quarter of 2020, and again remitted EUR 25 million in the second quarter of 2021. Its Solvency II ratio increased from 149% to 172% during the second quarter of 2021, which is above the operating level of 150%. The increase includes benefits from management actions, model updates and favorable market movements.

Growth Markets and Asset Management

In its growth markets – Brazil, Spain & Portugal and China – Aegon will continue to invest in profitable growth.

To align the organization to its strategy, Aegon’s Brazilian joint venture Mongeral Aegon Group (MAG) will become part of Aegon International, and will be reported as part of this segment from 2022 onwards. As a result, Aegon International will include all three growth markets. This will sharpen the focus on growth, and offer the necessary support to these important markets.

The market consistent value of new business (MCVNB) from life products in Aegon’s growth markets increased by 6% to EUR 17 million, mainly driven by higher new life sales in Brazil and Spain & Portugal. New premium production for property & casualty and accident & health insurance increased by 167% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 28 million as a result of new products launched in Spain & Portugal. Sales through Aegon’s bancassurance partners are benefitting from the redesign of the digital sales channels to accelerate the digital transformation in insurance distribution. The redesign includes easier customer access to these sales channels by upgrading websites, enhanced data analytics to better understand customer behavior and needs, and the introduction of monthly online sales campaigns. These actions supported a doubling of sales through the digital channels to over 15% of total production in June.

Aegon Asset Management aims to significantly increase the operating margin of its Global Platforms by improving efficiency and driving growth. Third-party net deposits on the Global Platforms were EUR 2.1 billion in the second quarter of 2021, driven by significant net deposits in various investment strategies on the Fixed Income platform. This builds on Aegon’s track record of positive third-party net deposits. Annualized revenues gained for the Global Platforms amounted to EUR 4 million for the quarter and reflect strong net deposits. The operating margin of the Global Platforms increased by 2 percentage points compared with the second quarter of 2020 to 13.6% as a result of higher revenues from net deposits, favorable market movements and origination fees in Aegon’s Real Assets business associated with responsible investment mandates in Workforce housing and Affordable housing. Aegon Asset Management is transitioning to a global operating platform to improve efficiency and customer experience. This will also significantly reduce technical complexity by bringing several different solutions to a single enterprise solution. As an important first step in this process, all front office and risk teams now have access to a shared risk management module Aladdin provided by BlackRock.

Smaller, niche or sub-scale businesses

In small markets or markets where Aegon has sub-scale or niche positions, capital will be managed tightly with a bias to exit.

Aegon has taken the decision to combine its programs for purchasing corporate insurance – such as management liability risks – and centralize all retained risks into one existing US-based carrier to achieve cost and capital efficiencies. As part of this process, Aegon will wind down its Irish corporate insurance entity. Over time, this is expected to result in a release of EUR 40 million of capital invested in this entity.

On April 27, 2021, Transamerica closed the sale of its portfolio of fintech and insurtech companies to a fund managed and advised by Swiss-based private equity firm Montana Capital Partners. The transaction had a positive impact of EUR 40 million on Cash Capital at the Holding in the second quarter of 2021.

Strengthening the balance sheet

Aegon aims to continue strengthening its balance sheet, and is taking proactive management actions to improve its risk profile and reduce the volatility of its capital ratios.

At the Capital Markets Day on December 10, 2020, Aegon announced its plans to reduce its economic interest rate exposure in the United States by one third to one half in order to reduce its dependency on financial markets and improve its risk profile. At the end of the second quarter of 2021, Aegon had already executed over two thirds of this plan through management actions, primarily by lengthening the duration of its asset portfolio and extending its forward starting swap program.

Today, Aegon announced that it is exercising its right to redeem the USD 250 million floating rate perpetual capital securities with a minimum coupon of 4% issued in 2005. The redemption is in line with Aegon’s target to reduce leverage. The redemption of these grandfathered Tier 1 securities will be effective September 15, 2021, when the principal amount will be repaid together with any accrued and unpaid interest. After the redemption, Aegon will have reduced its gross financial leverage by approximately EUR 700 million since the third quarter of 2020 to EUR 5.9 billion. Aegon targets to reduce its gross financial leverage to between EUR 5.0 to 5.5 billion by 2023.

Financial highlights

Financial overview

unaudited

 

EUR millions

Notes

2Q 2021

2Q 2020

%

1Q 2021

%

YTD 2021

YTD 2020

%

 

Americas

282

133

112

163

73

445

262

70

The Netherlands

185

166

11

184

370

321

15

United Kingdom

44

37

19

39

12

84

81

3

International

34

33

1

28

20

62

82

(25)

Asset Management

71

33

115

75

(5)

146

71

106

Holding and other activities

(54)

(56)

4

(59)

8

(112)

(112)

(1)

Operating result

1

562

347

62

431

30

993

705

41

Fair value items

468

(698)

n.m.

3

n.m.

471

679

(31)

Realized gains / (losses) on investments

162

1

n.m.

31

n.m.

193

16

n.m.

Net impairments

15

(135)

n.m.

16

(6)

31

(194)

n.m.

Non-operating items

644

(832)

n.m.

50

n.m.

694

501

39

Other income / (charges)

(153)

(909)

83

1

n.m.

(152)

(1,071)

86

Result before tax

1,053

(1,394)

n.m.

482

117

1,536

135

n.m.

Income tax

(205)

326

n.m.

(96)

(114)

(301)

68

n.m.

Net result

849

(1,068)

n.m.

386

118

1,235

202

n.m.

 

Net result attributable to:

Owners of Aegon N.V.

842

(1,069)

n.m.

383

118

1,226

202

n.m.

Non-controlling interests

6

1

n.m.

3

103

9

1

n.m.

 

Operating result after tax

454

284

60

357

27

812

594

37

 

Return on equity

4

10.4%

6.1%

71

8.8%

19

9.7%

6.6%

46

 

Operating expenses

961

994

(3)

954

1

1,916

1,985

(3)

of which addressable expenses

8

706

782

(10)

691

2

1,398

1,571

(15)

 

Americas

7,930

10,082

(21)

11,013

(28)

18,943

22,485

(16)

The Netherlands

5,131

3,852

33

4,488

14

9,619

7,580

27

United Kingdom

5,207

4,301

21

4,061

28

9,268

7,295

27

International

4

76

(95)

11

(65)

15

163

(91)

Asset Management (Third-party and Strategic Partnerships only)

36,931

32,337

5

39,778

(15)

76,709

65,043

13

Total gross deposits

9

55,204

50,649

3

59,351

(12)

114,554

102,566

9

 

Americas

(3,626)

(756)

n.m.

(3,609)

(7,234)

(2,270)

n.m.

The Netherlands

241

572

(58)

204

18

445

691

(36)

United Kingdom

1,783

2,271

(21)

686

160

2,469

2,054

20

International

(2)

44

n.m.

6

n.m.

4

82

(95)

Asset Management (Third-party and Strategic Partnerships only)

2,915

(218)

n.m.

3,119

(7)

6,034

395

n.m.

Total net deposits / (outflows)

9

1,311

1,912

(31)

407

n.m.

1,718

952

80

 

Americas

114

97

18

98

17

212

185

15

The Netherlands

16

21

(24)

21

(24)

37

47

(22)

United Kingdom

7

7

7

8

(9)

15

19

(20)

International

35

50

(31)

54

(36)

89

131

(32)

New life sales (recurring plus 1/10 single)

2,9

172

175

(2)

181

(5)

353

383

(8)

 

New premium production accident & health insurance

29

47

(37)

55

(47)

84

121

(30)

New premium production property & casualty insurance

26

23

16

25

4

52

59

(12)

 

Market consistent value of new business

 

124

8

n.m.

153

(19)

276

107

n.m.

Note: For 2020 a reclass has been made between operating and non-operating results for the US and TLB related to US macro hedges, periodic intangibles unlocking and run off businesses.

Aegon N.V.

unaudited

 

Leverage

 

2Q

2Q

1Q

 

2021

2020

2021

 

Gross financial leverage (EUR millions)

6,070

6,611

6,080

 

Gross financial leverage ratio (%)

25.8%

28.4%

26.7%

 

 
 

Aegon N.V.

unaudited

Cash Capital at Holding

2Q

2Q

1Q

EUR millions

2021

2020

2021

Beginning of period

1,191

1,379

1,149

 

Americas

176

407

17

The Netherlands

25

25

United Kingdom

49

International

34

4

24

Asset Management

40

Holding and other activities

25

Gross remittances

275

436

115

 

Funding and operating expenses

(100)

(107)

(41)

Free cash flow

175

330

75

 

Divestitures

40

21

Capital injections

(17)

(5)

(50)

Capital flows from / (to) shareholders

Net change in gross financial leverage

Other

(4)

2

(4)

 

End of period

1,386

1,706

1,191

Aegon N.V.

unaudited

Capital ratios

2Q

2Q

1Q

EUR millions

Notes

2021

2020

2021

US RBC ratio

444%

407%

428%

NL Life Solvency II ratio

172%

174%

149%

Scottish Equitable plc (UK) Solvency II ratio

163%

145%

158%

 

Eligible Own Funds

19,436

17,463

18,810

Consolidated Group SCR

9,353

8,933

9,676

Aegon N.V. Solvency II ratio

10,11

208%

195%

194%

 

Eligible Own Funds to meet MCR

8,509

7,239

7,869

Minimum Capital Requirement (MCR)

2,286

2,262

2,274

Aegon N.V. MCR ratio

372%

320%

346%

Aegon N.V.

Capital generation

unaudited

Q2

Q2

Q1

 

EUR millions

2021

2020

%

2021

%

 

 

 

Earnings on in-force*

362

77

n.m.

218

66

Release of required

175

294

(40)

239

(27)

New business strain

(161)

(217)

(26)

(234)

(31)

Operating capital generation*

376

155

143

223

69

One-time items*

606

507

20

107

n.m.

Market impacts

488

(1,911)

(126)

(358)

n.m.

Capital generation*

1,470

(1,249)

n.m.

(28)

n.m.

* Capital generation (earnings on in-force, operating capital generation and one-time items) for 2020 has been restated to smoothen the impact of UFR and Holding funding costs.
 

Aegon N.V.

Operating capital generation per segment

unaudited

Q2

Q2

Q1

 

EUR millions

2021

2020

%

2021

%

 

 

 

Americas

225

55

n.m.

115

95

The Netherlands*

89

43

106

37

139

United Kingdom

57

30

92

44

29

International

39

62

(38)

42

(8)

Asset Management

25

38

(33)

49

(49)

Holding and other activities*

(59)

(73)

(19)

(66)

(10)

Operating capital generation*

376

155

143

223

69

* Capital generation (earnings on in-force, operating capital generation and one-time items) for 2020 has been restated to smoothen the impact of UFR and Holding funding costs.
 

Operating result

Aegon’s operating result increased by 62% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 562 million with higher earnings across all segments. This was mainly driven by better claims experience in the Americas, expense savings, and increased fees due to higher equity markets. This more than offset the reclassification of the result of Central & Eastern Europe from operating result to Other income following the announced divestment of the business. Adjusted for this reclassification and on a constant currency basis, Aegon’s operating result increased by 74% compared with the second quarter of 2020.

The operating result from the Americas more than doubled compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 282 million, driven by better claims experience related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfavorable mortality claims experience improved from EUR 88 million in the second quarter of last year to EUR 27 million in this quarter. Favorable morbidity claims experience – including a one-time reserve release – contributed EUR 55 million in this quarter compared with EUR 48 million in the second quarter of 2020. The operating result also benefited from increased fees due to favorable equity market performance – especially in Variable Annuities, Retirement Plans, and Mutual Funds – as well as a higher investment margin in Life, and lower addressable expenses.

Aegon’s operating result in the Netherlands increased by 11% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 185 million. This was mainly driven by a higher investment margin in the Life business, growth in Mortgages, and the benefit of expense savings initiatives.

The operating result from the United Kingdom increased by 19% compared with the second quarter of 2020, or 15% on a constant currency basis to EUR 44 million. Higher fee revenues from the growth of the platform business and favorable equity markets, along with lower expenses, more than offset the impacts from the loss of earnings due to the sale of Stonebridge and the gradual run-off of the traditional product portfolio. Lower expenses were in part driven by expense savings initiatives, as well as favorable timing with respect to incurring costs.

The operating result from International increased by EUR 1 million to EUR 34 million in the second quarter of 2021, as better results at TLB and in Spain & Portugal were only partly offset by the reclassification of the result of Central & Eastern Europe from operating result to Other income following the announced divestment of the business. Adjusting for this impact and on a constant currency basis, the operating result increased by 60% driven by improved claims experience, as well as business growth in Spain & Portugal.

The operating result from Aegon Asset Management more than doubled compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 71 million. The increase was mostly driven by higher management fees and performance fees in Aegon’s Chinese asset management joint venture, Aegon Industrial Fund Management Company (AIFMC). The operating result from Global Platforms also increased, mainly because of higher revenues resulting from net deposits and favorable market movements.

The operating result from the Holding improved by EUR 2 million to a loss of EUR 54 million, mainly driven by funding expenses.

Non-operating items

The result from non-operating items amounted to EUR 644 million in the second quarter of 2021, mainly resulting from fair value items and realized gains on investments.

Fair value items

The gains from fair value items amounted to EUR 468 million in the second quarter of 2021. A positive result on fair value investments was largely driven by private equity and real estate revaluations in the Americas and the Netherlands. In addition, the macro hedge programs in the Americas delivered a gain because of the interest rate hedge paying off as interest rates declined.

Realized gains on investments

Realized gains on investments amounted to EUR 162 million, mainly due to gains on debt securities which were sold to fund investments in long-duration assets as part of the interest rate risk management plan.

Net recoveries

Net recoveries amounted to EUR 15 million, as recoveries on investments – including the unsecured loan portfolio in the Netherlands, and corporate credits and mortgage-backed securities in the Americas – more than offset gross impairments.

Other charges

Other charges amounted to EUR 153 million and were mainly the result of assumption updates for Variable Annuities surrender rates to reflect portfolio and industry experience. One-time investments related to the operational improvement plan, along with charges related to settlements of litigation in the Americas, were almost fully offset by the release of a technical provision in the Netherlands following a settlement related to a co‑insurance contract.

Net result

The income tax expense amounted to EUR 205 million, while the profit before tax was EUR 1,053 million, resulting in a net result of EUR 849 million. The effective tax rate of 19% is below the nominal tax rate, which is mainly due to tax-exempt income and tax credits in the Americas. Moreover, there was a one-time tax benefit in the United Kingdom due to an increase in the corporate income tax rate from 19% to 25%, effective from April 2023, that was enacted in May 2021. This led to an increase in the value of deferred tax assets.

Expenses

Addressable expenses decreased by 10% compared with the second quarter of 2020, or 6% on a constant currency basis, to EUR 706 million. This was mainly driven by expense savings initiatives as part of the operational improvement plan. Furthermore, expenses benefited from lower travel, marketing, and sales activities due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressable expenses in both the second quarter of 2020 and 2021 exclude expenses related to Central & Eastern Europe following the announced divestment of the business.

Operating expenses decreased by 3% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 961 million. The decline in addressable expenses, lower IFRS 9 / 17 project costs, and favorable currency movements were partly offset by higher one-time investments, which included EUR 94 million related to the operational improvement plan in the second quarter of 2021.

Sales

Net deposits for the Group amounted to EUR 1.3 billion in the second quarter of 2021. This was mainly the result of EUR 2.9 billion third-party net deposits in Asset Management, from both the Global Platforms and AIFMC. Furthermore, the United Kingdom contributed EUR 1.8 billion net deposits driven by the platform business, and the Netherlands contributed EUR 0.2 billion as a result of continued demand for defined contribution products (PPI). These were partly offset by EUR 3.6 billion net outflows in the Americas, which were mainly attributable to outflows in the large market segment of Retirement Plans and Variable Annuities. The latter reflects Aegon’s decision to stop the sale of Variable Annuities with significant interest rate sensitive living benefit riders and increased surrenders in part of the book.

New life sales declined by 2% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 172 million. This was mainly driven by exclusion of new life sales from Central & Eastern Europe following the announced divestment of the business. Adjusting for this impact and on a constant currency basis, new life sales were up 16% compared with the second quarter of 2020. This was mostly driven by higher sales in the Americas, where Indexed Universal Life sales benefited from a 13% increase in licensed agents at World Financial Group, and a higher market share in this distribution channel. This was partly offset by lower sales in the Netherlands following the decision to classify the Dutch Life business as a Financial Asset and, over time close most products for new sales. In International, higher sales in Spain & Portugal from initiatives to grow the bancassurance channel more than offset lower sales in China.

New premium production for accident & health insurance decreased by 37% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 29 million due to lower sales in the Americas. This was mainly due to last year’s decision to exit the individual Medicare supplement segment, and the fact that last year’s second quarter included sales of three, larger contracts in Workplace Solutions that did not repeat this year.

New premium production for property & casualty increased by 16% compared with the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 26 million, as a result of higher sales in Spain & Portugal. This was partially offset by the exclusion of sales from Central & Eastern Europe following the announced divestment of the business. Adjusting for this impact, property & casualty sales almost tripled.

Market consistent value of new business

Market consistent value of new business (MCVNB) increased from EUR 8 million in the second quarter of 2020 to EUR 124 million in the second quarter of 2021. This was mainly driven by an increase in MCVNB in the Americas resulting from higher volumes and margins in Indexed Universal Life, and a lower production of Variable Annuities following the decision to stop selling Variable Annuities with significant interest rate sensitive riders. In addition, MCVNB in the United Kingdom benefited from higher premium increments by existing customers, which led to higher volumes and margins.

Shareholders’ equity

Shareholders’ equity excluding revaluation reserves increased by EUR 0.8 billion during the second quarter of 2021, to EUR 17.5 billion – or EUR 8.38 per common share – on June 30, 2021, driven by retained earnings.

Gross financial leverage

Gross financial leverage remained stable at EUR 6.1 billion in the second quarter of 2021. The gross financial leverage ratio improved from 26.7% on March 31, 2021, to 25.8% on June 30, 2021, as a result of the increase in shareholders’ equity excluding revaluation reserves.

Today, Aegon announced that it is exercising its right to redeem the USD 250 million floating rate perpetual capital securities with a minimum coupon of 4% issued in 2005. The redemption is in line with Aegon’s target to reduce leverage. The redemption of these grandfathered Tier 1 securities will be effective September 15, 2021, when the principal amount will be repaid together with any accrued and unpaid interest. After the redemption, Aegon will have reduced its gross financial leverage by approximately EUR 700 million since the third quarter of 2020 to EUR 5.9 billion. Aegon targets to reduce its gross financial leverage to between EUR 5.0 to 5.5 billion by 2023.

Cash Capital at Holding and free cash flow

Aegon’s Cash Capital at the Holding increased from EUR 1,191 million to EUR 1,386 million during the second quarter of 2021, which is in the upper half of the operating range of EUR 0.5 billion to EUR 1.5 billion. Free cash flow to the Holding of EUR 175 million resulted from EUR 275 million gross remittances from the units and EUR 100 million holding funding and operating expenses. In addition, EUR 40 million proceeds were received by the Holding in the second quarter from the divestment of Transamerica’s portfolio of fintech and insurtech companies. These cash inflows were partly offset by EUR 17 million capital injections, mainly due to adverse claims experience in India, and EUR 4 million of other items.

In the third quarter of 2021, Aegon expects to inject approximately EUR 40 million in its joint venture in Brazil in light of adverse mortality experience attributable to COVID-19, and to strengthen the balance sheet to support its growth.

Capital ratios

Aegon’s Group Solvency II ratio increased from 194% to 208% during the second quarter of 2021, with the capital ratios of its three main units above their respective operating levels at the end of the quarter. Capital generation after holding expenses amounted to EUR 1,470 million for the second quarter of 2021. The benefit from market movements totaled EUR 488 million and was mainly driven by favorable equity market movements in the United States, and private equity and real estate revaluations in the United States and the Netherlands. One-time items amounted to EUR 606 million, mainly from management actions and model changes in the Netherlands, and a forthcoming increase in the corporate income tax rate in the United Kingdom, which led to a reduction in required capital. Operating capital generation amounted to EUR 376 million, and reflects net favorable claims experience from morbidity and mortality in the United States, and strong new business margins in the United Kingdom.

The estimated RBC ratio in the United States increased from 428% on March 31, 2021, to 444% on June 30, 2021, and remained above the operating level of 400%. The RBC ratio was positively impacted by higher equity markets, and by private equity and real estate revaluations. Furthermore, management actions had a favorable impact, and included the sale of an alternative asset portfolio. This more than offset settlements of litigation related to monthly deduction rate adjustments on certain universal life policies. Assumption updates contributed positively, mostly because of an expense assumption update to reflect expected benefits from expense savings initiatives. This more than offset the impact from changing the surrender assumptions to reflect portfolio and industry experience. Strong operating capital generation, reflecting favorable experience from morbidity and expenses, contributed favorably and broadly offset dividend payments to the intermediate holding company.

The estimated Solvency II ratio of NL Life increased from 149% on March 31, 2021, to 172% on June 30, 2021, which is above the operating level of 150%. The increase includes benefits from management actions, model updates and favorable market movements. The main management action was a settlement related to a co-insurance contract. Model updates relate to refinements and were mostly driven by more granular asset and expense modeling. Furthermore, market movements had a favorable impact, mainly driven by positive real estate revaluations following a strong Dutch housing market and flattening of the interest rate curve at the longer end. The latter impact reflects the fact that Aegon hedges on an economic basis. Operating capital generation had a positive impact, which more than offset the EUR 25 million dividend payment to Group in the second quarter.

The estimated Solvency II ratio for Scottish Equitable Plc increased from 158% on March 31, 2021 to 163% on June 30, 2021, and remained above the operating level of 150%. The increase was primarily driven by a forthcoming increase in the corporate income tax rate, which led to a reduction in required capital. In addition, operating capital generation had a positive impact.

2021 interim dividend

Aegon aims to pay out a sustainable dividend to allow equity investors to participate in the company’s performance, which can grow over time if Aegon’s performance so allows. Aegon targets a dividend per common share of around EUR 0.25 over 2023. At its Capital Markets Day, Aegon guided for muted near-term dividend growth. Since then, Aegon has made steady progress on its strategic priorities and financial targets. As a result, Aegon announces today an interim dividend for 2021 of EUR 0.08 per common share, which represents an increase of EUR 0.02 compared with the interim dividend for 2020.

The interim dividend will be paid in cash or in stock at the election of the shareholder. The value of the dividend to be paid in shares will be approximately equal to the dividend to be paid in cash. Aegon intends to neutralize the dilutive effect of the 2021 interim dividend to be paid in shares in the fourth quarter of this year.

Aegon’s shares will be quoted ex-dividend on August 20, 2021. The record date is August 23, 2021. The election

period for shareholders will run from August 25 up to and including September 10, 2021. The stock fraction will be

based on the average share price on Euronext Amsterdam, using the high and low of each of the five trading days

from September 6 through September 10, 2021. The stock dividend ratio will be announced on Aegon’s website on September 10, 2021 after business hours. The dividend will be payable as of September 17, 2021.

Full version press release

Use this link for the full version of the press release

Additional information

Presentation

The conference call presentation is available on aegon.com as of 7.30 a.m. CET.

Supplements

Aegon’s 2Q 2021 Financial Supplement and other supplementary documents are available on aegon.com.

Conference call including Q&A

The conference call starts at 9:00 a.m. CET, with an audio webcast on aegon.com. Two hours after the conference call, a replay will be available on aegon.com.

Click to join conference call

With ‘click to join’, there is no need to dial-in for the conference call. Simply click the link below, enter your information and you will be called back to directly join the conference. The link becomes active 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Click here to connect. Should you wish not to use the ‘click to join’ function, dial-in numbers are also available.

Dial-in numbers for conference call

United States: +1 720 543 0206

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The Netherlands: +31 (0) 20 703 8211

Passcode: 7326631

Financial calendar 2021

Ex-dividend date interim dividend 2021 – August 20

Publication stock fraction interim dividend 2021 – September 10

Payment date interim dividend 2021 – September 17

Third quarter 2021 results – November 11

All references to the payment of (interim) dividends are subject to any relevant board or shareholders’ resolution to distribute such (interim) dividend and barring unforeseen circumstances.

About Aegon

Aegon’s roots go back more than 175 years – to the first half of the nineteenth century. Since then, Aegon has grown into an international company, with businesses in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Today, Aegon is one of the world’s leading financial services organizations, providing life insurance, pensions and asset management. Aegon’s purpose is to help people achieve a lifetime of financial security. More information on aegon.com.

Notes (1 of 2)

  1. For segment reporting purposes operating result, operating result after tax, operating expenses, addressable expenses, income tax (including joint ventures (jv’s) and associated companies), result before tax (including jv’s and associated companies) and market consistent value of new business are calculated by consolidating on a proportionate basis the revenues and expenses of Aegon’s joint ventures and Aegon’s associates. Aegon believes that these non-IFRS measures provide meaningful information about the underlying results of Aegon’s business, including insight into the financial measures that Aegon’s senior management uses in managing the business. Among other things, Aegon’s senior management is compensated based in part on Aegon’s results against targets using the non-IFRS measures presented here. While other insurers in Aegon’s peer group present substantially similar non-IFRS measures, the non-IFRS measures presented in this document may nevertheless differ from the non-IFRS measures presented by other insurers. There is no standardized meaning to these measures under IFRS or any other recognized set of accounting standards. Readers are cautioned to consider carefully the different ways in which Aegon and its peers present similar information before comparing them.

    Aegon believes the non-IFRS measures shown herein, when read together with Aegon’s reported IFRS financial statements, provide meaningful supplemental information for the investing public to evaluate Aegon’s business after eliminating the impact of current IFRS accounting policies for financial instruments and insurance contracts, which embed a number of accounting policy alternatives that companies may select in presenting their results (i.e. companies can use different local GAAPs to measure the insurance contract liability) and that can make the comparability from period to period difficult.

    Aegon segment reporting is based on the businesses as presented in internal reports that are regularly reviewed by the Executive Board which is regarded as the chief operating decision maker.

Segment information

unaudited

Second quarter 2021

Second quarter 2020

EUR millions

Segment total

Joint ventures and associates eliminations

Consolidated

Segment total

Joint ventures and associates eliminations

Consolidated

 
 

Operating result after tax

454

30

485

284

11

295

Tax on operating result

(108)

20

(88)

(62)

9

(53)

Operating result

562

10

572

347

2

348

Fair value items

468

(38)

430

(698)

(10)

(708)

Realized gains / (losses) on investments

162

(2)

160

1

(1)

1

Net impairments

15

15

(135)

(135)

Non-operating items

644

(40)

605

(832)

(11)

(843)

Other income / (charges)

(153)

10

(143)

(909)

(909)

Result before tax

1,053

(20)

1,034

(1,394)

(9)

(1,403)

Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

20

(20)

9

(9)

Income tax (expense) / benefit

(205)

20

(185)

326

9

335

Of which income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

(20)

20

(9)

9

Net result

849

849

(1,068)

(1,068)

 

Segment information

unaudited

First quarter 2021

EUR millions

Segment total

Joint ventures and associates eliminations

Consolidated

 
 

Operating result after tax

357

(19)

338

Tax on operating result

(74)

24

(50)

Operating result

431

(43)

388

Fair value items

3

19

22

Realized gains / (losses) on investments

31

(3)

28

Net impairments

16

16

Non-operating items

50

16

66

Other income / (charges)

1

3

4

Result before tax

482

(24)

458

Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

24

(24)

Income tax (expense) / benefit

(96)

24

(72)

Of which income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

(24)

24

Net result

386

386

 

Segment information

unaudited

Second quarter 2021 YTD

Second quarter 2020 YTD

EUR millions

Segment total

Joint ventures and associates eliminations

Consolidated

Segment total

Joint ventures and associates eliminations

Consolidated

 
 

Operating result after tax

812

11

823

594

33

628

Tax on operating result

(182)

44

(138)

(110)

24

(87)

Operating result

993

(33)

960

705

10

714

Fair value items

471

(18)

452

679

(30)

649

Realized gains / (losses) on investments

193

(5)

188

16

(5)

11

Net impairments

31

31

(193)

(193)

Non-operating items

694

(23)

671

501

(35)

467

Other income / (charges)

(152)

12

(140)

(1,071)

1

(1,070)

Result before tax

1,536

(44)

1,492

135

(24)

111

Income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

44

(44)

24

(24)

Income tax (expense) / benefit

(301)

44

(257)

68

24

92

Of which income tax from certain proportionately consolidated joint ventures and associates included in income before tax

(44)

44

(24)

24

Net result

1,235

1,235

202

202

Notes (2 of 2)

2)

 

New life sales is defined as new recurring premiums plus 1/10 of single premiums.

3)

 

The present value, at point of sale, of all cashflows for new business written during the reporting period, calculated using approximate point of sale economics assumptions. Market consistent value of new business is calculated using a risk neutral approach, ignoring the investment returns expected to be earned in the future in excess of risk-free rates (swap curves), with the exception of an allowance for liquidity premium. The Swap curve is extrapolated beyond the last liquid point to an ultimate forward rate. The market consistent value of new business is calculated on a post-tax basis, after allowing for the time value financial options and guarantees, a market value margin for non-hedgeable non-financial risks and the costs of non-hedgeable stranded capital.

4)

 

Return on equity is a ratio calculated by dividing the operating result after cost of leverage by the average shareholders’ equity excluding the revaluation reserve.

5)

 

Included in Other income/(charges) are income/(charges) made to policyholders with respect to income tax in the United Kingdom.

6)

 

Includes production on investment contracts without a discretionary participation feature of which the proceeds are not recognized as revenues but are directly added to Aegon’s investment contract liabilities for UK.

7)

 

APE = recurring premium + 1/10 single premium.

8)

 

Reconciliation of operating expenses, used for segment reporting, to Aegon’s IFRS based operating expenses.

 

unaudited

Q2

Q2

YTD Q2

YTD Q2

2021

2020

2021

2020

 

Employee expenses

477

517

967

1,038

Administrative expenses

411

418

786

822

Operating expenses for IFRS reporting

887

935

1,753

1,860

Operating expenses related to jv’s and associates

74

60

162

126

Operating expenses in earnings release

961

994

1,916

1,985

9)

 

New life sales, gross deposits and net deposits data include results from Aegon’s joint ventures and Aegon’s associates consolidated on a

proportionate basis.

10)

 

The calculation of the Solvency II capital surplus and ratio are based on Solvency II requirements. For insurance entities in Solvency II equivalent regimes (United States, Bermuda and Brazil) local regulatory solvency measurements are used. Specifically, required capital for the regulated entities in the US is calculated as one and a half times (150%) the upper end of the Company Action Level range (200% of Authorized Control Level) as applied by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in the US, while the own funds is calculated by applying a haircut to available capital under the local regulatory solvency measurement of one time (100%) the upper end of the Company Action Level range. For entities in financial sectors other than the insurance sector, the solvency requirements of the appropriate regulatory framework are taken into account in the group ratio. The group ratio does include Aegon Bank N.V. As the UK With-Profit funds is ring fenced, no surplus is taken into account regarding the UK With-Profit funds for Aegon UK and Group numbers.

11)

 

The Solvency II capital ratio reflects Aegon’s interpretation of Solvency II requirements and are not final until filed with the regulators. The Solvency II capital calculation is subject to supervisory review on an ongoing basis.

12)

 

The numbers in this release are unaudited.

 

Cautionary note regarding non-IFRS-EU measures

This document includes the following non-IFRS-EU financial measures: operating result, income tax, result before tax, market consistent value of new business, return on equity and addressable expenses. These non-IFRS-EU measures, except for addressable expenses, are calculated by consolidating on a proportionate basis Aegon’s joint ventures and associated companies. The reconciliation of these measures, except for market consistent value of new business and return on equity, to the most comparable IFRS-EU measure is provided in the notes to this press release. Market consistent value of new business is not based on IFRS-EU, which are used to report Aegon’s primary financial statements and should not be viewed as a substitute for IFRS-EU financial measures. Aegon may define and calculate market consistent value of new business differently than other companies. Return on equity is a ratio using a non-IFRS-EU measure and is calculated by dividing the operating result after tax less cost of leverage by the average shareholders’ equity excluding the revaluation reserve. Operating expenses are all expenses associated with selling and administrative activities (excluding commissions) after reallocation of claim handling expenses to benefits paid. This includes certain expenses recorded in Other charges, including restructuring charges. Addressable expenses are expenses reflected in the operating result, excluding deferrable acquisition expenses, expenses in joint ventures and associates and expenses related to operations in CEE countries. Aegon believes that these non-IFRS-EU measures, together with the IFRS-EU information, provide meaningful supplemental information about the operating results of Aegon’s business including insight into the financial measures that senior management uses in managing the business.

Local currencies and constant currency exchange rates

This document contains certain information about Aegon’s results, financial condition and revenue generating investments presented in USD for the Americas and in GBP for the United Kingdom, because those businesses operate and are managed primarily in those currencies. Certain comparative information presented on a constant currency basis eliminates the effects of changes in currency exchange rates. None of this information is a substitute for or superior to financial information about Aegon presented in EUR, which is the currency of Aegon’s primary financial statements.

Forward-looking statements

The statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:

  • Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom;
  • Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to:

    • The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in Aegon’s fixed income investment portfolios;
    • The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of equity and debt securities Aegon holds; and
    • The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that Aegon holds;
  • Changes in the performance of Aegon’s investment portfolio and decline in ratings of Aegon’s counterparties;
  • Lowering of one or more of Aegon’s debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on Aegon’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;
  • Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of Aegon’s insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium, policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries;
  • The effect of the European Union’s Solvency II requirements and other regulations in other jurisdictions affecting the capital Aegon is required to maintain;
  • Changes affecting interest rate levels and continuing low or rapidly changing interest rate levels;
  • Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates;
  • Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness;
  • Increasing levels of competition in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and emerging markets;
  • Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt Aegon’s business;
  • The frequency and severity of insured loss events;
  • Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of Aegon’s insurance products;
  • Aegon’s projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results;
  • Reinsurers to whom Aegon has ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations;
  • Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products Aegon sells, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations;
  • Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels;
  • As Aegon’s operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which we do business may disrupt Aegon’s business, damage its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
  • The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including Aegon’s ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions;
  • Aegon’s failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies, as well as other management initiatives related to cost savings, cash capital at Holding, gross financial leverage and free cash flow;
  • Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments;
  • Litigation or regulatory action that could require Aegon to pay significant damages or change the way Aegon does business;
  • Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for Aegon’s products;
  • Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European monetary union in whole or in part, or the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential consequences if other European Union countries leave the European Union;
  • Changes in laws and regulations, particularly those affecting Aegon’s operations’ ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of Aegon companies, the products Aegon sells, and the attractiveness of certain products to its consumers;
  • Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, and insurance industries in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates;
  • Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors or changes to such standards that may have an impact on regional (such as EU), national or US federal or state level financial regulation or the application thereof to Aegon, including the designation of Aegon by the Financial Stability Board as a Global Systemically Important Insurer (G-SII); and
  • Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by Aegon in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect Aegon’s reported results, shareholders’ equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels.

This document contains information that qualifies, or may qualify, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Note: All comparisons in this release are against 2Q 2020, unless stated otherwise. See page 8 of this press release for a full financial overview.

Media relations

Dick Schiethart

+31 (0) 70 344 8821

[email protected]

Investor relations

Jan Willem Weidema

+31 (0) 70 344 8028

[email protected]

Conference call including Q&A (9:00 a.m. CET)

Audio webcast on aegon.com

United States: +1 720 543 0206

United Kingdom: +44 330 336 9125

The Netherlands: +31 20 703 8211

Passcode: 7326631

KEYWORDS: Netherlands Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Insurance Finance

MEDIA:

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FREYR Battery, Finnish Minerals Group and the City of Vaasa to Explore Industrial Scaling of Battery Cell Technology and Production in Finland

FREYR Battery, Finnish Minerals Group and the City of Vaasa to Explore Industrial Scaling of Battery Cell Technology and Production in Finland

LUXEMBOURG–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
FREYR Battery (“FREYR”), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, has entered into two non-binding memoranda of understanding (“MoU”) with Finnish Minerals Group and the City of Vaasa, respectively, for strategic collaborations on potential development of industrial scale battery cell technology and production in Finland.

The Nordic region offers competitive advantages for sustainable, low-carbon battery cell production at scale through low-cost renewable energy, local supply of battery raw materials and highly skilled employees.

FREYR plans to develop up to 43 GWh of battery cell production capacity by 2025 with an ambition of up to 83 GWh in total capacity by 2028 to position the company as one of Europe’s largest battery cell suppliers.

Finnish Minerals Group acts as a holding company in Finnish mining and chemical industry providing low-carbon materials to the battery industry and is supportive of establishing local Nordic and European battery technology supply chains. The MoU with the City of Vaasa provides FREYR with the exclusive right to a 90-hectare (900,000 square meters) site for a potential battery cell plant and states that the parties will explore opportunities for joint site-development to accelerate supply of low-carbon and low-cost batteries in Finland.

“Developing strong regional value chains for the supply of sustainable, low-carbon battery materials to our planned factories in Norway and potential factories in the Nordic region with short-travelled materials is a key element of FREYR’s ambition of providing battery cells produced with the industry’s lowest CO2-footprint and high ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) standards to all our customers,” said Torstein Dale Sjøtveit, the Founder and Executive Chairman of FREYR. “We look forward to exploring a potential industrial scaling of battery cell technology including development of both traditional and next-generation production capacity together with Finnish Minerals Group.”

“Vaasa offers an attractive location for a Gigafactory inside the EU with access to local, short-travelled raw materials, abundant renewable power and cooling water, plus an existing cluster of leading suppliers for the battery value chain,” said Tom Einar Jensen, the CEO of FREYR. “The natural advantages offered by the area combined with the Vaasa region’s forward-thinking leadership, planning and actions to take a pole position within the EU and sustainable battery cell manufacturing, provides a strong foundation for a potential long-term cooperation.”

Finnish Minerals Group manages the Finnish State’s mining industry shareholdings and is working actively to develop a local lithium-ion battery value chain and engaged in long-term technology development of the mining and battery industry. Finland is the largest nickel producer in the EU, and the only EU member state with industrial scale cobalt production. Production of lithium is also expected to commence in Finland over the next few years.

“One of Finnish Minerals Group’s strategic objectives is to create a sustainable battery value chain in Finland. As part of this, our objective of introducing precursor and cathode active material production investments is already well progressed. Now our disclosed strategic partnership with FREYR marks the next logical step in our work to put Finland on the map of European cell plant projects. FREYR has the right ambitions of speed and scale, and we share the same commitment to ESG as fundamental value drivers, “ says Matti Hietanen, CEO of Finnish Minerals Group.

In 2017, the City of Vaasa started developing an area 12 km southeast of the city centre to create a cluster focused on the entire battery value chain, known as the GigaVaasa area. The ambition was to create an innovative and sustainable environment for developing green batteries by enabling a vertically integrated production of battery materials and cells to meet rapidly growing demand from electrical vehicles and the European electrical and work machine industry, and to support the electrification and transformation of the Finnish energy technology industry. FREYR holds an exclusive right up until 22 of July 2022 to the selected 90-hectares subject to certain conditions related to the progress of the project being met. The site is adjacent to a battery cathode material production facility planned by Johnson Matthey in strategic partnership with Finnish Minerals Group.

“We are proud to welcome FREYR to our City as a potential partner in our work to facilitate the next stage of development of modern, sustainable export industry in the Vaasa region. We are confident that a modern production plant for low-carbon battery cells supported by a qualified workforce and sustainable natural resources will benefit our local area and Finland as well as make a great fit to the EnergyVaasa ecosystem,” said Tomas Häyry, the Mayor of Vaasa. “We believe the FREYR management team’s extensive project experience and focus on safely and rapidly scaling industrial battery cell production make the company a strong potential partner for us. Furthermore, we share a strong Nordic approach and commitment to environmental, social and governance topics.”

With these planned joint efforts, FREYR Battery, Finnish Minerals Group and the City of Vaasa intend to make an important step towards the development of sustainable battery cell production at scale in Finland, building on the natural competitive advantages of this already zoned location in Vaasa. Potential GWh capacity, technology platform and investment levels, are all parameters which will be decided as part of the future process. FREYR has initiated preparations for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with the ambition to start production of battery cells in 2025, subject to entering into definitive agreements, obtaining necessary permits and bringing the project to final investment decision. The potential battery cell production is expected to create a large number of attractive jobs and positive multiplier effects, the exact number, however, is too early to quantify at this stage.

About FREYR Battery

FREYR plans to develop up to 43 GWh of battery cell production capacity by 2025 with an ambition of up to 83 GWh in total capacity by 2028 to position the company as one of Europe’s largest battery cell suppliers. Five of the facilities will be located in the Mo i Rana industrial complex in Northern Norway, leveraging Norway’s highly skilled workforce and abundant, low-cost renewable energy sources from hydro and wind in a crisp, clear and energized environment. FREYR will supply safe, high energy density and cost competitive clean battery cells to the rapidly growing global markets for electric vehicles, energy storage, and marine applications. FREYR is committed to supporting cluster-based R&D initiatives and the development of an international ecosystem of scientific, commercial, and financial stakeholders to support the expansion of the battery value chain in our region. For more information, please visit www.freyrbattery.com.

About Finnish Minerals Group

The mission of Finnish Minerals Group is to responsibly maximise the value of Finnish minerals. We manage the State’s mining industry shareholdings and strive to develop the Finnish value chain of lithium-ion batteries. In addition, we are engaged in long-term technology development of the mining and battery industry. Through our work, we contribute to Europe moving towards electric transport and a more sustainable future. www.mineralsgroup.fi

About Vaasa

The Nordic Energy Capital Vaasa is a unique combination of modern internationalism, young enthusiasm, innovative know-how as well as peace and tranquillity of the sea and the unique nature. In Vaasa, energy is a positive force that is not only visible in business, but also in people’s everyday lives and the development of the city. Technologies are being developed in the Vaasa region for a cleaner, more sustainable and more energy efficient world. The region’s industry produces more than 30% of Finland’s energy technology exports, a significant part of which is renewable energy technologies. The largest energy cluster in the Nordics is located in the Vaasa region. Our work is about new energy technologies, and our passion is to save the world.

Forward-looking Statements

The information in this press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, including, without limitation, regarding the development, timeline, capacity and other usefulness of FREYR’s Customer Qualification Plant and planned Gigafactories, including any potential Gigafactory in Finland, the development and commercialization of 24M SemiSolid technology, FREYR’s manufacturing capacity relative to other market participants, and the development of customer and supplier relationships are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside FREYR’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to the following: (i) FREYR faces significant barriers in its attempts to scale and commercialize the SemiSolid lithium-ion battery platform cell technology and related manufacturing processes, which may not be successful, (ii) FREYR may encounter substantial delays in the development, manufacture, regulatory approval, and launch of FREYR’s battery cells and building out of the CQP or other planned plants, which could prevent FREYR from commercializing products on a timely basis, if at all, (iii) FREYR’s licensing strategy relies heavily on 24M’s process and technology, and any disagreements with 24M may impede FREYR’s ability to maximize the benefits of its licensing strategy, and (iv) FREYR may not be able to engage target customers successfully and convert such contacts into meaningful orders in the future. FREYR cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information about factors that could materially affect FREYR is set forth under the “Risk Factors” section in FREYR’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2021, as amended, and available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, FREYR disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and projections could different materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

Source: FREYR Battery

FREYR Battery contact information

For investor inquiries, please contact:

Jeffrey Spittel, Vice President, Investor Relations

[email protected]

Tel: (+1) 281-222-0161

Harald Bjørland, Investor Relations

[email protected]

Tel: (+47) 908 58 221

For media inquiries, please contact:

Hege Norheim, EVP, Human Resources, Sustainability and Communication

[email protected]

Tel: (+47) 457 06 427

Finnish Minerals Group contact information

Matti Hietanen, CEO

[email protected]

Tel: +358 40 823 8806

The City of Vaasa contact information

Tomas Häyry, Mayor, City of Vaasa, Mayor

Email [email protected]

Tel: +358 40 540 5412

KEYWORDS: North America United States Finland Europe Luxembourg

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Energy Environment Alternative Energy Energy Packaging Other Transport Transport Manufacturing

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Aegon calls USD 250 million in perpetual capital securities

Aegon calls USD 250 million in perpetual capital securities

THE HAGUE, Netherlands–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aegon today announces that it is exercising its right to redeem the USD 250 million floating rate perpetual capital securities with a minimum coupon of 4% issued in 2005. The redemption is in line with Aegon’s target to reduce leverage.

The redemption of these grandfathered Tier 1 securities will be effective September 15, 2021, when the principal amount – of USD 25.00 per security – will be repaid together with any accrued and unpaid interest. After the redemption, Aegon will have reduced its gross financial leverage by approximately EUR 700 million since the third quarter of 2020 to EUR 5.9 billion. Aegon targets to reduce its gross financial leverage to between EUR 5.0 to 5.5 billion by 2023.

The securities (ISIN code: NL0000062438, CUSIP code: 7924509) are currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange with symbol AEB. This listing will be terminated following the redemption of the securities.

A notice of redemption will be sent to all currently registered holders of the perpetual capital securities by the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon. The Paying Agent is Citibank N.A., 480 Washington Boulevard, 30th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310. This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption of the perpetual capital securities.

About Aegon

Aegon’s roots go back more than 175 years – to the first half of the nineteenth century. Since then, Aegon has grown into an international company, with businesses in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Today, Aegon is one of the world’s leading financial services organizations, providing life insurance, pensions and asset management. Aegon’s purpose is to help people achieve a lifetime of financial security. More information on aegon.com.

Forward-looking statements

The statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following are words that identify such forward-looking statements: aim, believe, estimate, target, intend, may, expect, anticipate, predict, project, counting on, plan, continue, want, forecast, goal, should, would, could, is confident, will, and similar expressions as they relate to Aegon. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Aegon undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which merely reflect company expectations at the time of writing. Actual results may differ materially from expectations conveyed in forward-looking statements due to changes caused by various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:

  • Changes in general economic and/or governmental conditions, particularly in the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom;
  • Changes in the performance of financial markets, including emerging markets, such as with regard to:

– The frequency and severity of defaults by issuers in Aegon’s fixed income investment portfolios;

– The effects of corporate bankruptcies and/or accounting restatements on the financial markets and the resulting decline in the value of equity and debt securities Aegon holds; and

– The effects of declining creditworthiness of certain public sector securities and the resulting decline in the value of government exposure that Aegon holds;

  • Changes in the performance of Aegon’s investment portfolio and decline in ratings of Aegon’s counterparties;
  • Lowering of one or more of Aegon’s debt ratings issued by recognized rating organizations and the adverse impact such action may have on Aegon’s ability to raise capital and on its liquidity and financial condition;
  • Lowering of one or more of insurer financial strength ratings of Aegon’s insurance subsidiaries and the adverse impact such action may have on the written premium, policy retention, profitability and liquidity of its insurance subsidiaries;
  • The effect of the European Union’s Solvency II requirements and other regulations in other jurisdictions affecting the capital Aegon is required to maintain;
  • Changes affecting interest rate levels and continuing low or rapidly changing interest rate levels;
  • Changes affecting currency exchange rates, in particular the EUR/USD and EUR/GBP exchange rates;
  • Changes in the availability of, and costs associated with, liquidity sources such as bank and capital markets funding, as well as conditions in the credit markets in general such as changes in borrower and counterparty creditworthiness;
  • Increasing levels of competition in the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and emerging markets;
  • Catastrophic events, either manmade or by nature, including by way of example acts of God, acts of terrorism, acts of war and pandemics, could result in material losses and significantly interrupt Aegon’s business;
  • The frequency and severity of insured loss events;
  • Changes affecting longevity, mortality, morbidity, persistence and other factors that may impact the profitability of Aegon’s insurance products;
  • Aegon’s projected results are highly sensitive to complex mathematical models of financial markets, mortality, longevity, and other dynamic systems subject to shocks and unpredictable volatility. Should assumptions to these models later prove incorrect, or should errors in those models escape the controls in place to detect them, future performance will vary from projected results;
  • Reinsurers to whom Aegon has ceded significant underwriting risks may fail to meet their obligations;
  • Changes in customer behavior and public opinion in general related to, among other things, the type of products Aegon sells, including legal, regulatory or commercial necessity to meet changing customer expectations;
  • Customer responsiveness to both new products and distribution channels;
  • As Aegon’s operations support complex transactions and are highly dependent on the proper functioning of information technology, operational risks such as system disruptions or failures, security or data privacy breaches, cyberattacks, human error, failure to safeguard personally identifiable information, changes in operational practices or inadequate controls including with respect to third parties with which we do business may disrupt Aegon’s business, damage its reputation and adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
  • The impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, product withdrawals and other unusual items, including Aegon’s ability to integrate acquisitions and to obtain the anticipated results and synergies from acquisitions;
  • Aegon’s failure to achieve anticipated levels of earnings or operational efficiencies, as well as other management initiatives related to cost savings, cash capital at Holding, gross financial leverage and free cash flow;
  • Changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments;
  • Litigation or regulatory action that could require Aegon to pay significant damages or change the way Aegon does business;
  • Competitive, legal, regulatory, or tax changes that affect profitability, the distribution cost of or demand for Aegon’s products;
  • Consequences of an actual or potential break-up of the European monetary union in whole or in part, or the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union and potential consequences if other European Union countries leave the European Union;
  • Changes in laws and regulations, particularly those affecting Aegon’s operations’ ability to hire and retain key personnel, taxation of Aegon companies, the products Aegon sells, and the attractiveness of certain products to its consumers;
  • Regulatory changes relating to the pensions, investment, and insurance industries in the jurisdictions in which Aegon operates;
  • Standard setting initiatives of supranational standard setting bodies such as the Financial Stability Board and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors or changes to such standards that may have an impact on regional (such as EU), national or US federal or state level financial regulation or the application thereof to Aegon, including the designation of Aegon by the Financial Stability Board as a Global Systemically Important Insurer (G-SII); and
  • Changes in accounting regulations and policies or a change by Aegon in applying such regulations and policies, voluntarily or otherwise, which may affect Aegon’s reported results, shareholders’ equity or regulatory capital adequacy levels.

This document contains information that qualifies, or may qualify, as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting Aegon are described in its filings with the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Aegon expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Aegon’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Contacts

Media relations

Dick Schiethart

+31(0) 70 344 8821

[email protected]

Investor relations

Jan Willem Weidema

+31(0) 70 344 8028

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Netherlands Europe

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Insurance Finance

MEDIA:

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KnowBe4 Announces the Upsize and Pricing of Follow-On Offering

TAMPA BAY, Fla., Aug. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — KnowBe4, Inc. (NASDAQ: KNBE), provider of the leading security awareness training and simulated phishing platform, today announced the pricing of its previously announced underwritten public offering of 10,430,910 shares of its Class A common stock by certain selling stockholders at a price to the public of $20.75 per share. The offering was upsized from a previously announced offering size of 8,719,740 shares. In addition, the selling stockholders granted the underwriters of a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,564,636 shares of Class A common stock. The offering is expected to close on August 16, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. KnowBe4 will not receive any proceeds from any sales of shares by the selling stockholders.

Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, BofA Securities and KKR Capital Markets, LLC are acting as lead bookrunners for the offering. Citigroup is acting as an additional bookrunner for the offering. Canaccord Genuity, Cowen, Needham & Company, Piper Sandler and Truist Securities are acting as co-managers for the offering.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2021. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus related to the offering may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014; Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, telephone: 1-866-471-2526, facsimile: 212-902-9316 or by emailing [email protected]; or BofA Securities, Attention: Prospectus Department, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255-0001, or by email at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About KnowBe4

KnowBe4 is the leading provider of “new-school” security awareness training and simulated phishing platform. Our mission is to enable your employees to make smarter security decisions, every day. Through our subscription-based services, your organization will have access to the leading security awareness training platform.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made in this press release are forward looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among others, statements concerning the terms, timing, and expected closing of the public offering. Actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions related to the offering and the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally. There can be no assurance that KnowBe4 will be able to complete the offering on the anticipated terms, or at all. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events, which statements apply only as of the date of this press release. Additional risks and uncertainties relating to the offering, KnowBe4 and its business can be found under the heading “Risk Factors” in KnowBe4’s most recent most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the S-1 for this offering, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements represent KnowBe4’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. KnowBe4 expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required under applicable law.

Contacts

Investors:
Ken Talanian
[email protected]

Media:
Kathy Wattman
[email protected]



Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Selects AWS as Its Preferred Cloud Provider to Enhance Guest Experiences

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Selects AWS as Its Preferred Cloud Provider to Enhance Guest Experiences

Wyndham will use AWS’s comprehensive portfolio of cloud technologies to develop and deploy next-generation capabilities for travelers and franchisees across its 21 brands in nearly 95 countries

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Today, Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS), an Amazon.com, Inc. company (NASDAQ: AMZN), announced a global collaboration with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: WH), the world’s largest hotel franchising company, to upgrade its technology infrastructure and develop and deliver new guest services across its 21 hotel brands—including Days Inn, La Quinta, Microtel, Ramada, Super 8, and Wyndham. Moving to AWS enables Wyndham to enhance business performance, reinvest approximately 45% of reduced data center operating costs, and shut down additional physical datacenters, putting it on track to achieve its goal of running 90% of its infrastructure in the cloud. The announcement is part of Wyndham’s multiyear digital transformation and investment in technology that automates hotel reservations, supports its franchisees by helping simplify operations, and enhances the guest experience across Wyndham properties globally.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210811005880/en/

Wyndham began working with AWS in 2018 when it was spun off from Wyndham Worldwide and needed to quickly stand up its own IT infrastructure. The hotel company migrated its core reservation system, property management system, and data processing platform to AWS to more easily launch new services for franchisees and guests while also improving operational efficiency. Expanding its presence in the cloud will enable Wyndham to focus on growing its core hotel franchise business—seamlessly integrating new properties into its network—while leveraging AWS’s proven global infrastructure to help meet demand where it arises post-pandemic during the peak summer travel season.

For example, Wyndham will use AWS machine learning to help optimize over 90,000 daily rate changes across its approximately 9,000 hotels to help maximize occupancy rates that vary according to factors such as location, weather, and time of year. This will benefit Wyndham franchisees by helping them identify and offer the best rates, discounts, and stay rules appropriate for the geographic market, brand, and specific hotel. In addition, Wyndham will use AWS to develop new digital services for guests to automate check-in and leverage AWS partners to deliver customized offers during hotel stays, such as recommendations on local attractions, restaurants, and entertainment.

During COVID-19, Wyndham leveraged AWS technologies to provide flexibility for franchisees and guests, helping them navigate evolving safety protocols. For example, Wyndham was able to launch a housekeeping application in just a few weeks’ time to provide hotels with an updated checklist of protocols for cleaning staff. The app also gives franchisees the ability to run “last-rented” room reports to accommodate new guest requests to stay in rooms that have been vacant for more than 24 hours. Looking ahead, Wyndham will use AWS to remain agile and adapt to rapidly changing guest and market needs with plans to use AWS machine learning to drive demand with greater personalization and more timely and relevant guest offers.

“We are excited to expand our strategic relationship with AWS, the world’s leading and most comprehensive cloud provider, to create one-of-a-kind experiences for our guests and increase our operational efficiency on a global scale,” said Scott Strickland, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. “By moving the majority of our workloads to the cloud, Wyndham was able to rapidly respond to the changing business conditions brought on by COVID-19, and now we’re positioned to scale our operations as different parts of the world begin to reopen. The agility we have gained in moving to the cloud, thanks to AWS’s vast portfolio of cloud technologies, helps us expand our digital guest services and introduce new solutions and functionality for our franchisees in a matter of days rather than months.”

“The hotel industry has faced a series of rapid changes recently, yet by running on AWS Wyndham gains the insights and agility it needs to support its franchisees, transform its customer engagement, service, and business models, and remain an industry leader,” said Greg Pearson, Vice President, Worldwide Commercial Sales at Amazon Web Services, Inc. “Leveraging AWS’s proven operating experience, global infrastructure, and unparalleled portfolio of cloud capabilities, Wyndham has the ability to scale its operations to every corner of the globe and drive innovations across its digital channels. This collaboration is helping Wyndham to become an even more resilient organization that can meet customers’ ever-changing needs and build for what’s next.”

About Amazon Web Services

For over 15 years, Amazon Web Services has been the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud offering. AWS has been continually expanding its services to support virtually any cloud workload, and it now has more than 200 fully featured services for compute, storage, databases, networking, analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), mobile, security, hybrid, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), media, and application development, deployment, and management from 81 Availability Zones within 25 geographic regions, with announced plans for 21 more Availability Zones and seven more AWS Regions in Australia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. Millions of customers—including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies—trust AWS to power their infrastructure, become more agile, and lower costs. To learn more about AWS, visit aws.amazon.com.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with approximately 9,000 hotels across nearly 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 798,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 21 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 89 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

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CAE announces the final 2021 Annual Meeting Board of Directors election results

PR Newswire

MONTREAL, Aug. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – (NYSE: CAE) (TSX: CAE) CAE today announced the final director election results from its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The following 11 nominees were elected as Directors of CAE:  

Nominee

Votes for

For (%)

Votes
Withheld

Withheld
(%)

Margaret S. (Peg) Billson

216,831,556

94.20%

13,356,278

5.80%

Hon. Michael M. Fortier

218,364,247

94.86%

11,823,587

5.14%

Marianne Harrison

222,548,900

96.69%

7,629,194

3.31%

Alan N. MacGibbon

227,282,010

98.74%

2,904,677

1.26%

Mary Lou Maher

229,601,260

99.75%

586,574

0.25%

Hon. John P. Manley

223,876,188

97.26%

6,311,646

2.74%

François Olivier

224,900,474

97.70%

5,287,360

2.30%

Marc Parent

229,452,963

99.68%

735,032

0.32%

Gen. David G. Perkins, USA
(Ret.)

229,114,932

99.53%

1,071,755

0.47%

Michael E. Roach

225,643,636

98.03%

4,543,051

1.97%

Andrew J. Stevens

223,032,805

96.89%

7,153,882

3.11%

Final results on all matters voted on at the Annual Meeting are filed concurrently with the securities regulators.

About CAE
CAE is a high technology company, at the leading edge of digital immersion, providing solutions to make the world a safer place. Backed by a record of more than 70 years of industry firsts, we continue to reimagine the customer experience and revolutionize training and operational support solutions in civil aviation, defence and security, and healthcare. We are the partner of choice to customers worldwide who operate in complex, high-stakes and largely regulated environments, where successful outcomes are critical. As a testament to our customers’ ongoing needs for our solutions, over 60 percent of CAE’s revenue is recurring in nature. We have the broadest global presence in our industry, with more than 11,000 employees, 180 sites and training locations in over 35 countries. www.cae.com

Follow us on Twitter @CAE_Inc
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cae.inc 
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/cae

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cae-announces-the-final-2021-annual-meeting-board-of-directors-election-results-301353897.html

SOURCE CAE INC.