ANZ pushes ahead with divestment plans

ANZ has made another divestment as part of wider efforts to simplify its business, selling its New Zealand insurance business for $NZ700 million.

ANZ is progressing with its divestment plans, offloading a New Zealand insurance business to specialist insurance group Cigna for for $NZ700 million ($A644.8 million).

ANZ New Zealand chief executive David Hisco said the sale of OnePath Life NZ includes a 20-year strategic alliance for Cigna to provide insurance advice to ANZ customers, and is consistent with ANZ's strategy to simplify its business.

The major banks have been selling assets as they refocus their attention on traditional retail banking services following a string of financial advice scandals.

ANZ sold its Australian OnePath Life business and some financial planning operations to financial services group IOOF for $975 million in October 2017.

It recently sold its 55 per cent stake in Cambodian joint venture ANZ Royal Bank for an undisclosed sum, and in 2016 sold its retail and wealth business in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Indonesia.

ANZ still holds minority stakes in three Asian banks to offload as part of its divestment plans.

The bank said it expects to generate a gain on the sale of OnePath Life NZ of around $NZ50 million ($A46 million).

OnePath Life policyholders in New Zealand will continue to receive the cover they hold under the terms of their policies, and staff will be offered similar roles with ANZ or Cigna.

The sale of OnePath Life NZ requires regulatory approval and is expected to be wrapped up in ANZ's 2018/19 fiscal year.


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Source: AAP


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ANZ pushes ahead with divestment plans | SBS News