15th Oct 2007 16:29
Standard Life plc15 October 2007 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO ORFROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THERELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION 15 October 2007 Swiss Reinsurance Company ("Swiss Re") Following the announcement today by Swiss Reinsurance Company ("Swiss Re"),Standard Life plc ("Standard Life") confirms that it is holding discussions withSwiss Re, one of the world's largest reinsurers, concerning a possible offer byStandard Life for Resolution PLC ("Resolution"). Swiss Re would purchase asubstantial proportion of Resolution's closed-book assets for cash. The Board of Standard Life believes there are attractive potential synergies tobe generated from a combination of Resolution's assets with its own operations.It further believes that such a transaction would enable Standard Life toaccelerate the rate of its own organic growth by expanding the group's productrange, accessing additional capital at attractive terms, adding valuablecustomers and broadening the group's distribution. Any offer by Standard Life would consist mainly of cash with the balance in newshares of Standard Life. An offer would only be made if the Board of Standard Life considered that it wasfinancially attractive and would enhance value for Standard Life shareholdersover both the short and long term. The Standard Life Board looks forward to holding constructive discussions onthese matters with the Board of Resolution. There can be no certainty that any offer will be made. A further announcementwill be made when appropriate. Enquiries Neil Bennett, Maitland, 0207 379 5151 / 07900 000 777 Dealing disclosure requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the "Code"), if anyperson is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more ofany class of "relevant securities" of Standard Life or Resolution all "dealings"in any "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option inrespect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") mustbe publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time) on the Londonbusiness day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirementwill continue until the date on which any offer becomes, or is declared,unconditional as to acceptances (or, if implemented by a scheme of arrangement,such scheme becomes effective), lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the"offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant toan agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an "interest" in "relevant securities" of Standard Life or Resolution, they will bedeemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevantsecurities" of Resolution by Standard Life or of Standard Life by Resolution, orby any of their respective "associates", must be disclosed by no later than12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of therelevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies inwhose "relevant securities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number ofsuch securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. "Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economicexposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price ofsecurities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" byvirtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option inrespect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on theTakeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you arerequired to disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the TakeoverPanel. END This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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