IAG NZ acquisition gets competition sign-off
Insurance Australian Group (IAG) has now received competition regulatory sign-off in both Australia and New Zealand to acquire the New Zealand underwriting operations of Wesfarmers.
The two companies confirmed to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) today that the transaction had received the approval of the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC).
Wesfarmers managing director Richard Goyder described the NZCC clearance as an important step in completing the sale to IAG.
However he said that the transaction still remained subject to a number of other approvals including by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Federal Treasurer.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) signed off on the deal in March.
The Wesfarmers announcement said the company expected the transaction to be completed before the end of the second quarter of calendar 2014.
Recommended for you
Policy and advocacy specialist Benjamin Marshan has left the Council of Australian Life Insurers after less than a year, having joined in March from the Financial Planning Association of Australia.
The declining volume of risk advisers meant KPMG has found a rising lapse rate for insurance policies arranged by independent financial advisers, particularly in the TPD and death cover space.
The Life Insurance Code of Practice has transferred from the Financial Services Council to the Council of Australian Life Insurers.
The firm has announced it will no longer be writing new life insurance policies in the retail advised and corporate group insurance channels, citing a declining market and risk adviser numbers.