AMP Limited's (AMP) share price has plunged to a record low on news the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) is blocking the proposed A$3.3 billion sale of its New Zealand and Australian life insurance business.
AMP on Monday morning announced the sale of AMP Life to the Bermuda-based company, Resolution Life, was “highly unlikely to proceed on the current terms”.
It said the RBNZ wanted Resolution Life to agree to ringfence its assets held in New Zealand for the benefit of New Zealand policyholders.
Under its licence, AMP Life isn't required to have separate assets held in New Zealand. It's also exempted from a number of New Zealand legislative requirements.
The RBNZ isn't happy for Resolution Life, which specialises is buying insurers undergoing restructures, to operate in a similar way.
AMP said changing the terms of the sale agreement to the RBNZ's satisfaction would “adversely impact the commercial return of the sale for both AMP and Resolution Life”.
The company told shareholders it anticipated its interim dividend for the first half of 2019 wouldn't be paid.
The news saw AMP's share price fall from NZ$2.23 to NZ$1.93 [as at 3.50pm].
RBNZ: AMP didn't consider its requirements
RBNZ Deputy Governor and General Manager of Financial Stability, Geoff Bascand, said: "The RBNZ is maintaining its supervisory responsibilities as set out under the Insurance Prudential Supervision Act, and these have not changed since the terms of the contract were agreed in 2018.
“The reality is, the commercial terms of the contract can’t be met satisfactorily between AMP Life NZ and Resolution Life.
"The contract between the AMP Life NZ and Resolution Life was agreed without consideration of the RBNZ’s requirements.
"The RBNZ continues to constructively engage with both parties, and will continue to have full regard for its responsibilities as regulator.”
The RBNZ also said it had "maintained a clear focus on the interest of policyholders, while observing regulatory requirements".
'Exceptionally disappointing'
AMP explained that on July 13, Resolution Life told it that that due to the RBNZ’s position, it expected the RBNZ would decline its application to buy AMP Life.
It is now working with Resolution Life to find a new way forward.
“This will require negotiation of new terms and is not certain,” AMP said.
“If a revised transaction cannot be achieved on acceptable terms, and receive regulatory approval, AMP will retain AMP Life…
"Given the uncertainty around the AMP Life transaction, the AMP Board expects to continue its prudent approach to capital management and anticipates that an interim dividend will not be paid for 1H 19."
AMP said the situation was “exceptionally disappointing” as the sale of AMP Life was a “foundational element” of its strategy.
Its strategy includes floating its advice and wealth management (including KiwiSaver) business on the stock exchange in 2019, creating a standalone New Zealand business.
AMP is currently dual-listed on the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges.
For more on the proposed deal, see this story written when it was announced in October 2018.
Here is the full statement from AMP:
AMP Limited today advises that the transaction for the sale of AMP Life (the Australian and New Zealand wealth protection and mature businesses) to Resolution Life is highly unlikely to proceed on the current terms due to the challenges in meeting the condition precedent for Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) approval.
This condition requires RBNZ approval of a change of control for AMP Life in a form consistent with the current branch structure (which exempts AMP Life from a number of New Zealand legislative requirements).
On 13 July 2019, Resolution Life notified AMP that:
- RBNZ would not consider Resolution Life’s change of control application unless it agreed to have separate, ringfenced assets held in New Zealand for the benefit of New Zealand policyholders, which is inconsistent with the current branch structure; and
- as a result, Resolution Life does not expect RBNZ to approve an application that would satisfy the condition precedent.
AMP believes that this reflects RBNZ’s position and that addressing these requirements would adversely impact the commercial return of the sale for both AMP and Resolution Life.
The failure to meet this condition precedent is exceptionally disappointing as the sale of AMP Life is a foundational element of AMP’s strategy.
Recognising that the transaction is unlikely to proceed in its current form, AMP is now working with Resolution Life to determine whether there is a solution that addresses policyholder interests, regulatory requirements and provides certainty of execution. This will require negotiation of new terms and is not certain.
The interests of policyholders, both in New Zealand and Australia, have been and will continue to be paramount.
While the earnings impacts since 30 June 2018 from unwinding the risk sharing agreement in the current transaction are not substantial, the long-term valuation effect would have a more significant influence on any future price negotiation because of best estimate assumption changes since 30 June 2018 (reduction of approximately A$400m) and the impact of Protecting Your Super legislation (reduction of approximately A$300m).
There is a range of other factors, both positive and negative, that would be taken into consideration in any future sale price including the effects of the Putting Members’ Interests First Bill.
The AMP Limited Board will review any revised transaction to determine if it is in the best interests of policyholders, the company and its shareholders. If a revised transaction cannot be achieved on acceptable terms, and receive regulatory approval, AMP will retain AMP Life and manage it as a specialist life insurance and mature business with a focus on policyholder outcomes, cost and capital efficiency.
Capital position and interim dividend expectations
While the 1H 19 accounts are yet to be finalised, AMP expects to report a Level 3 eligible capital surplus above minimum regulatory requirements and in line with Board limits for target capital surplus.
Given the uncertainty around the AMP Life transaction, the AMP Board expects to continue its prudent approach to capital management and anticipates that an interim dividend will not be paid for 1H 19.
A further update will be provided at our 1H 19 Results on 8 August 2019.
9 Comments
I wonder if the RBNZ wants to look "tough" after the CBL debacle? I am unsure of the legal basis for their decision and I would not surprised if this gets challenged.
Despite what some have suggested above a well function and competitive insurance market is in our interests and not a protectionist or government run business.
Not sure what your point is, you're being rather obtuse. Two insurers disappeared... one tiny one and AMI... which was split in to Southern Response to manage the claims and the current AMI which is now owned by IAG. There is a pretty well functioning and competitive market for insurance in NZ - no signs of anything otherwise that I've seen.
Im not opposed to the stance the RBNZ has taken on this but do find it a little odd. Insisting the assets of the NZ entity can be ringfenced for the protection of NZers is not a new stance (that was why Westpac had to become locally registered) however I think it is a new requirement in the insurance space.
If this is the position of the RBNZ... is the same stance being applied to IAG (NZI and State's parent) or indeed to AMP in its current form?
I think the fact that this will become a "runoff" only book is the distinction. Not many precedents, but Southern Response is probably the closest analogy in the general insurance market.
I do agree with you though - there should be stiffer requirements for the likes of Suncorp/Vero and IAG regarding how capital and reinsurance is managed across their cross-Tasman Groups.
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