Standard Life snaps up Aegon UK for £2bn to create savings giant
I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.Standard Life has acquired Aegon UK for £2bn, creating the UK's largest retirement savings and income business with nearly 16 million customers and £480bn in assets. The deal is expected to boost annual profits by £160m and generate £400m in excess cash over five years. Funded through cash, debt, and shares, Aegon will become a strategic shareholder. CEO Andy Briggs stated the acquisition strengthens their financial position and accelerates a shift to a capital-light model.
Standard Life has snapped up the UK’s largest investment platform Aegon UK in a £2bn deal.
The FTSE 100 giant – previously known as Phoenix Group – said the deal would create the UK’s top retirement savings and income business with near 16m customers and £480bn in assets under administration.
Standard Life expects an annual £160m profit boost from the deal, as well as it to deliver around £400m in excess cash over the next five years following integration.
It will also move the blue-chip giant from a smaller retail provider to the UK’s second largest retail pensions and savings platform.
The deal will be funded by a combination of cash, debt and shares in Standard Life, with Aegon set to become a strategic shareholder.
Andy Briggs, Standard Life chief executive, said: “The transaction accelerates our shift to capital-light whilst strengthening our cash, capital and earnings position to create increased value for shareholders.”
Following the firm’s full-year results in March, Briggs hinted to City AM that M&A would be on the table with the coming financial year marking the final year of Standard Life prioritising debt repayment, which the firm expects to leave over £500m in extra cash.
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