MIB Life Index Shows Stable North American Life Insurance Industry in the First Half of 2004

(Westwood, Mass. � July 15, 2004) North American applications for life insurance were off slightly in June, down -2.1% on a year-over-year basis. However, the six-month trend characterizes a stable North American industry when it comes to individually underwritten life insurance. Year-to-date, application activity for the first half of 2004 was off slightly at -1.2% compared to 2003 levels; Q2 2004 results remained statistically flat at -0.7% versus the same quarter last year.

The MIB Life Indexsm shows June’s application activity in the U.S. off -3.1% year-over-year. Q1 and Q2 2004 activity was off slightly at -2.0% and -0.9% respectively compared to the same periods last year. Consequently, YTD 2004 figures reflect this trend, lagging first half 2003 application volumes by only -1.4%. June’s application activity in the age 60+ demographic was off -7.3%, marking a significant change from June 2003 levels when activity was up +14.2% over June 2002. Year-to-date, this age group ran +4.0% ahead of the same six-month period last year.

In Canada, June application activity rose +5.3% year-over-year; Q2 2004 results were +1% above Q2 2003 levels. YTD, activity remained flat at +0.3% versus same period 2003. YTD activity in the 45-59 age group was up +2.2% with the 60+ age group up +7.8% compared to the same period, prior year.

  Monthly Percent Change vs 2003
US Canada Total
June 2004 -3.1 +5.3 -2.1
May 2004 +0.5 -1.8% +0.2%
YTD 2004 -1.4% +0.3% -1.2%
Q2 2004 -0.9% +1.0% -0.7%


  Monthly Percent Change vs Previous Month
US Canada Total
June 2004 -0.2% -5.4% -0.9%

About MIB Group, Inc.

MIB Group, Inc., headquartered in Westwood, Massachusetts, is the leading provider of database and information management tools to the global risk management community, and is a leading facilitator of electronic insurance commerce via dedicated networks and Internet-based systems. MIB member companies underwrite more than 95 percent of the premium dollars of individual life insurance written in the United States and Canada. More information about MIB Group, Inc. is available at www.mib.com

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