Intact Financial Corporation, together with Tryg, to acquire RSA Insurance Group Plc - Insurance-Canada.ca

Building a Leading P&C Insurer: Intact Financial Corporation, together with Tryg, to acquire international P&C insurer RSA Insurance Group Plc. for £7.2 billion (C$12.3 billion)

Intact to acquire RSA’s Canada, UK and International operations
Intact to pay $5.1 billion (£3.0 billion) representing 0.9x book value
Expands our leadership position in Canada
Bolsters our leading specialty lines platform and adds international expertise
Entry into the UK and Ireland at scale
Increases investment in our core capabilities to strengthen our outperformance
High single digit NOIPS accretion in the first year, increasing to upper teens within 36 months
Maintaining mid-teens OROE target and BVPS increasing in excess of 25% at closing
Total capital margin over $1.5 billion at closing

Toronto, ON (Nov. 18, 2020) – Intact Financial Corporation has announced that, together with Tryg A/S, it has reached an agreement with RSA on the terms of a recommended all-cash acquisition for the entire issued and to be issued share capital of RSA at a price of 685 pence per common share, representing a total consideration of approximately £7.2 billion ($12.3 billion). Intact will pay $5.1 billion (£3.0 billion) of the total consideration payable and Tryg will pay $7.2 billion (£4.2 billion). In addition to the cash consideration payable, RSA shareholders will also be entitled to the previously announced but unpaid interim dividend of 8 pence per share.

Pursuant to the Transaction, Intact will retain RSA’s Canadian, UK and International (“UK&I”) entities, Tryg will retain RSA’s Swedish and Norwegian businesses, and Intact and Tryg will co-own RSA’s Danish business.

The agreement to announce the Transaction has been recommended unanimously by the boards of directors of all three companies. The Transaction is subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals.

“This acquisition is highly strategic for Intact. It expands our leadership position in Canada, builds on our strong track record in specialty lines, and puts us in a solid position to strengthen RSA’s UK and Ireland operations. We have strong capabilities in data, risk-selection and claims management, which we plan to leverage across the business,” said Intact CEO, Charles Brindamour. “I look forward to welcoming RSA’s employees into our company and leveraging their deep expertise across the business. Together, we are stronger and more resilient.”

Highly Strategic

With the acquisition of RSA, Intact is taking a significant step to accelerate its strategy and leadership. The acquisition will expand Intact’s leadership position in Canada, create a leading specialty lines platform with international expertise, and provide entry into the UK and Ireland market at scale. The acquisition will strengthen Intact’s outperformance with increased investment in its core capabilities of data, risk selection, claims and supply chain management.

Expands leadership position in Canada

The acquisition expands Intact’s leadership position in Canada, with annual premiums written expected to increase by approximately 30% from $10 billion to $13 billion. The deal will boost Intact’s position in a competitive industry, where operational excellence is imperative for outperformance. As well, the acquisition enhances its commercial lines business, and both direct and broker channels simultaneously. Intact increases its ability to further invest in innovation to develop and accelerate new customer experiences, while leveraging its best-in-class expertise in pricing, segmentation, risk selection, claims and supply chain management, and digital platforms to enhance RSA’s operations. Canada is expected to account for approximately 75% of the entire value creation, in a region where Intact has a strong track record of integration.

Creates a leading specialty lines platform

The acquisition bolsters Intact’s North American specialty lines and adds international expertise in Europe. The combined specialty lines business is projected to grow by approximately 30% and represent over $4 billion in annual premiums. The business will benefit from an expanded product offering with strong global franchises in lines such as Marine, Specialty Property, and E&O/D&O. The specialty lines platform will also benefit from a broader distribution footprint, providing existing specialty franchises with access to new regions.

Entry into the UK & Ireland market at scale

Intact sees an attractive opportunity to build on RSA’s UK and Ireland franchises, which have leading industry positions, teams and brands. Intact will contribute its competencies in risk selection and claims management to improve underwriting performance. In commercial lines, where RSA has an attractive small-to-medium sized enterprise portfolio, there is a strong opportunity to share Intact’s successful operating model to improve performance. Further, in personal lines, Intact will apply its customer driven and digital expertise to this business.

As well, Intact will co-own a top 3 player in the Danish non-life segment, Codan, and retain strong partnerships in the Middle East with attractive profitability.

Significant Shareholder Value Creation

“Combining RSA’s business with ours will create significant shareholder value. Most of the value is expected to come from Canada, where our integration track record is proven,” said Intact CFO, Louis Marcotte.

Intact’s acquisition offers a unique opportunity to create significant value for its shareholders, with an anticipated internal rate of return (IRR) above the Company’s 15% threshold.

The acquisition is expected to generate high single digit NOIPS accretion in the first year, increasing to upper teens within 36 months.

Operating ROE is expected to be maintained at a mid teens level in the medium term. BVPS is expected to increase in excess of 25% on completion of the acquisition.

Attractive Valuation and Synergy Opportunities

Intact will be acquiring RSA’s Canadian and UK&I operations and co-owning the Denmark business for $5.1(£3.0) billion which represents an estimated 0.9x price to book value multiple based on balance sheet data as at June 30, 2020.

The acquisition is expected to generate significant value through growth, loss ratio and expense ratio improvements across the operations. Over $250 million of pre-tax annual run-rate synergies are expected within 36 months, before risk selection improvements. The acquisition of RSA’s Canadian operations is expected to drive approximately 75% of the value creation, with UK&I operations accounting for approximately 20% and specialty lines accounting for approximately 5%. Intact intends to apply its best-in-class digital, data and AI platforms, pricing and risk selection, claims management and investment, and capital management policies to RSA’s platform to drive strong growth and profitability.

Intact to Maintain Strong Capital Positions Post Acquisition

Intact will maintain a strong capital position on completion, with an estimated capital margin above $1.5 billion and an MCT ratio above 194% in Canada, a Solvency II coverage ratio above 160% in the UK and an RBC ratio above 400% in the US.

Intact’s debt-to-capital ratio pro forma at completion of the Transaction is expected to be approximately 26%, and is expected to fall to 20% within 36 months. Intact does not anticipate the Transaction and its planned financing structure to lead to a change in its current credit ratings.

Integration costs associated with the Transaction are expected to be between 1.5x to 1.7x of annual run rate synergies, expected within 36 months of closing.

Acquisition Financing

Intact intends to finance the $5.1 billion acquisition and $0.7 billion of additional related transaction costs for RSA’s Canadian, UK and International operations, and Intact’s share of RSA’s Danish operations with:

$4.45 billion of private placement subscription receipts as previously announced on November 12, 2020;
$0.6 billion bank term loan facility entered into on announcement; and
a bond bridge facility that Intact intends to refinance with $0.8 billion of medium term notes and preferred share issuances.

As part of the acquisition, Intact also intends to assume the full amount of RSA’s outstanding issued debt and hybrid securities which total £0.8 billion ($1.3 billion) and £0.4 billion ($0.7 billion), respectively.

Tryg intends to provide $7.2 billion (£4.2 billion) for its purchase of RSA’s Norway and Sweden operations, and Tryg’s share of RSA’s Danish operations, using proceeds of a fully underwritten rights issue to be launched before acquisition closing.

The total funds of $12.3 billion (£7.2 billion) for the acquisition of RSA have been structured to ensure compliance with the “certain funds” requirements of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.

Closing and Approvals

The Acquisition is currently expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2021, subject to receipt of the relevant approvals or clearances from RSA Shareholders and the relevant regulatory and antitrust authorities and the satisfaction (or where capable of waiver) the waiver of the other conditions.

Advisors

Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its Investment Bank, is acting as lead financial adviser to Intact. Clifford Chance LLP is acting as English law legal adviser, Blake, Cassels & Graydon and Torys are acting as Canadian law legal advisers, and Gorrissen Federspiel Advokatpartnerelskab is acting as Danish law legal adviser. CIBC Capital Markets is also acting as financial adviser to Intact.

Conference Call

A replay of the conference call to discuss this tzansaction will be available until midnight on November 24^th 2020. To listen to the replay, call 1 (416) 849-0833 or 1 (855) 859-2056 (toll-free in North America), passcode 3568117.

A transcript of the call and link to the audio webcast will also be made available on Intact’s website at www.intactfc.com under “Investors”.

Rule 2.7 of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers

In accordance with Rule 2.7 of the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, a formal announcement (“Announcement”) has been published and is accessible on Intact’s website at www.intactfc.com. This news release should be read in conjunction with, and is subject to, the full text of the Announcement (including its appendices). The offer will be subject to the conditions and certain further terms set out in the Announcement and to the full terms and conditions to be set out in the offer document.

About Intact Financial Corporation

Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) is the largest provider of property and casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada and a leading provider of specialty insurance in North America, with over $11 billion in total annual premiums. The Company has approximately 16,000 employees who serve more than five million personal, business and public sector clients through offices in Canada and the U.S.

In Canada, Intact distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through a wide network of brokers, including its wholly-owned subsidiary BrokerLink, and directly to consumers through belairdirect. Frank Cowan Company, a leading MGA, distributes public entity insurance programs including risk and claims management services in Canada.

In the U.S., Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions provides a range of specialty insurance products and services through independent agencies, regional and national brokers, wholesalers and managing general agencies. Products are underwritten by the insurance company subsidiaries of Intact Insurance Group USA, LLC.

For more information, visit www.intact.ca.

About RSA

RSA (LSE: RSA) is a focused international insurance group, with strong positions in the large general insurance markets of the UK, Scandinavia and Canada, together with supporting international business in Ireland, Continental Europe and the Middle East.

RSA is well balanced between personal and business customers, and across product lines and distribution channels. RSA’s net written premiums in 2019 were £6.4 billion. RSA is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

In Canada, RSA operates across all provinces, offering a range of personal and commercial lines products. In personal lines, which in 2019 accounted for around 72% of Canadian business, RSA operates under the leading brand Johnson, as well as the RSA brand via brokers. RSA Canadian commercial lines business operates through brokers.

In the UK, RSA operates across both personal and commercial lines. Personal insurance (49% of business in 2019) is offered to customers through MORE TH>N and affinity partners, which include major retailers and large banks. RSA has a strong presence in the UK motor, home and pet markets. In 2019, 51% of RSA UK business was in commercial lines.

In Scandinavia, RSA operates as Trygg-Hansa in Sweden and Codan in Denmark and Norway. In 2019, approximately 60% of RSA’s Scandinavian Business was personal lines and 40% was commercial lines. RSA distributes mainly direct to customers in Scandinavia, but also leverages strong agency relationships.

For more information, visit www.rsagroup.ca.

About Tryg

Tryg (CPH: TRYG) is one of the leading non-life insurance companies in the Nordic region with activities in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Tryg had total premiums of DKK 21.7 billion (approx. EUR 3 billion) at year end 2019 and is active in the Private, Commercial and Corporate segment across the Nordic region. Tryg provides coverage to 4 million customers on a daily basis. Tryg is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.

Forward-looking statements

Certain of the statements included in this press release about the acquisition of RSA (the “Acquisition”) or any other future events or developments constitute forward-looking statements. The words “may”, “will”, “would”, “should”, “could”, “expects”, “plans”, “intends”, “trends”, “indications”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “likely”, “potential” or the negative or other variations of these words or other similar or comparable words or phrases, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Unless otherwise indicated, all forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of November 18, 2020, and are subject to change after that date.

Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management based on management’s experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition to other estimates and assumptions which may be identified herein, estimates and assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the receipt of all requisite approvals in a timely manner and on terms acceptable to the Company, the realization of the expected strategic, financial and other benefits of the Acquisition, and economic and political environments and industry conditions. However, the completion of the Acquisition is expected to be subject to customary closing conditions, termination rights and other risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, regulatory approvals, and there can be no assurance that the Acquisition will be completed. There can also be no assurance that if the Acquisition is completed, the strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the Acquisition will be realized. Many factors could cause the Company’s actual results, financial performance or condition, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements herein, including, without limitation, the following factors: expected regulatory processes and outcomes in connection with the Company’s business; the Company’s ability to implement its strategy or operate its business as management currently expects; the Company’s ability to accurately assess the risks associated with the insurance policies it writes; unfavourable capital market developments or other factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic conditions, which may affect the Company’s investments, floating rate securities and funding obligations under its pension plans; the cyclical nature of the P&C insurance industry; management’s ability to accurately predict future claims frequency and severity, including in the high net worth and personal auto lines of business; government regulations designed to protect policyholders and creditors rather than investors; litigation and regulatory actions, including with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic; periodic negative publicity regarding the insurance industry; intense competition; the Company’s reliance on brokers and third parties to sell its products to clients and provide services to the Company and the impact of COVID-19 and related economic conditions on such brokers and third parties; the Company’s ability to successfully pursue its acquisition strategy; the Company’s ability to execute its business strategy; the uncertainty of obtaining in a timely manner, or at all, the regulatory approvals required to complete the Acquisition, the issuance of the subscription receipts and the issuance of the common shares issuable pursuant to the subscription agreements; unfavourable capital markets developments or other factors that may adversely affect the Company’s ability to finance the Acquisition; the Company’s ability to improve its combined ratio, retain business and achieve synergies and maintain market position arising from successful integration plans relating to the Acquisition, as well as management’s estimates and expectations in relation to future economic and business conditions and other factors in relation to the Acquisition and resulting impact on growth and accretion in various financial metrics; its ability to otherwise complete the integration of the business acquired within anticipated time periods and at expected cost levels; the Company’s dependence on key employees and its ability to attract and retain key employees in connection with the Acquisition; the Company’s ability to achieve synergies arising from successful integration plans relating to acquisitions generally; the Company’s profitability and ability to improve its combined ratio in the United States; the Company’s ability to retain and attract new business in connection with the Acquisition; the Company’s participation in the Facility Association (a mandatory pooling arrangement among all industry participants) and similar mandated risk-sharing pools; terrorist attacks and ensuing events; the occurrence and frequency of catastrophe events, including a major earthquake; catastrophe losses caused by severe weather and other weather-related losses, as well as the impact of climate change; the occurrence of and response to public health crises including epidemics, pandemics or outbreaks of new infectious diseases, including most recently, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and ensuing events; the Company’s ability to maintain its financial strength and issuer credit ratings; the Company’s access to debt and equity financing; the Company’s ability to compete for large commercial business; the Company’s ability to alleviate risk through reinsurance; the Company’s ability to successfully manage credit risk (including credit risk related to the financial health of reinsurers); the Company’s ability to contain fraud and/or abuse; the Company’s reliance on information technology and telecommunications systems and potential failure of or disruption to those systems, including in the context of the impact on the ability of our workforce to perform necessary business functions remotely, as well as in the context of evolving cybersecurity risk; the impact of developments in technology and use of data on the Company’s products and distribution; changes in laws or regulations, including those adopted in response to COVID-19 that would, for example, require insurers to cover business interruption claims irrespective of terms after policies have been issued, and could result in an unexpected increase in the number of claims and have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results; COVID-19 related coverage issues and claims, including certain class actions and related defence costs could negatively impact our claims reserves; general economic, financial and political conditions; the Company’s dependence on the results of operations of its subsidiaries and the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to pay dividends; the volatility of the stock market and other factors affecting the trading prices of the Company’s securities, including in the context of the COVID-19 crisis; the Company’s ability to hedge exposures to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; future sales of a substantial number of the Company’s common shares; and changes in applicable tax laws, tax treaties or tax regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof.

All of the forward-looking statements included in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in the section entitled Risk Management (Sections 22-27) of our MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2019 (“Annual MD&A”), the section entitled Risk Management (sections 17-18) of our MD&A for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 and elsewhere in this press release. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company. These factors should, however, be considered carefully. Although the forward-looking statements are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements to make decisions, and investors should ensure the preceding information is carefully considered when reviewing forward-looking statements contained herein. The Company and management have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Disclaimer

This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer for sale or solicitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for any securities nor shall it or any part of it form the basis of or be relied on in connection with, or act as any inducement to enter into, any contract or commitment whatsoever.

The information contained in this press release concerning the Company does not purport to be all-inclusive or to contain all the information that an investor may desire to have in evaluating whether or not to make an investment in the Company. The information is qualified entirely by reference to the Company’s publicly disclosed information and the cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements included in this press release.

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of the Company or any of its the directors, officers or employees as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this press release and no responsibility or liability is accepted by any person for such information or opinions. In furnishing this press release, the Company does not undertake or agree to any obligation to provide investors with access to any additional information or to update this press release or to correct any inaccuracies in, or omissions from, this press release that may become apparent. The information and opinions contained in this press release are provided as at the date of this press release. The contents of this press release are not to be construed as legal, financial or tax advice. Each investor should contact his, her or its own legal adviser, independent financial adviser or tax adviser for legal, financial or tax advice.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company uses both International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and certain non-IFRS measures to assess performance. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are unlikely to be comparable to any similar measures presented by other companies. Management analyzes performance based on underwriting ratios such as combined, expense, loss and claims ratios, MCT, RBC and debt-to-total capital, as well as other non-IFRS financial measures, namely DPW, change or growth in constant currency, underlying current year loss ratio, underwriting income (loss), underwriting expenses, NEP, NOI, NOIPS, OROE, ROE, AROE, non-operating results, net distribution income, adjusted net income, AEPS, total net claims, and total capital margin. See section 31 of the Annual MD&A, which is posted under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, for the definition and historical reconciliation to the most comparable IFRS measure, where such a measure exists.

Source: Intact Financial Corporation

Backgrounder:

Intact to Acquire RSA’s Canada, UK and International Operations with CDPQ’s Support

Intact Financial Corporation will invest $1.5 billion in technology in Quebec over five years

Montreal, QC (Nov. 18, 2020) – Intact Financial Corporation has announced that, together with Tryg A/S (Tryg), it has reached an agreement for the acquisition of RSA Insurance Group plc (RSA). Pursuant to the transaction, IFC will, with the support of Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), acquire RSA Group’s Canada, UK and International operations and co-own RSA Group’s Danish business with Tryg. To support its customer driven digital strategy and the growth resulting from the acquisition and integration of these operations, IFC will invest $1.5 billion in technology in Quebec over the next five years. This acquisition will also significantly increase the role and influence of several strategic teams based in Quebec, consolidate IFC’s significant economic impact in the province, and increase that impact through these additional investments.

“Intact Financial Corporation has its roots in Quebec,” said Charles Brindamour, CEO of Intact Financial Corporation. “While our success now extends well beyond Quebec’s borders, we still run a significant portion of our North American operations there. With the support of CDPQ, our acquisition of RSA will create additional demands and opportunities for the teams supporting our global operations; coupled with our future tech investments, this will provide a significant and lasting boost to the expansion of our strategic teams based in Quebec.”

“We’ve been partners with Intact Financial Corporation for over 10 years,” said Charles Emond, President and CEO, CDPQ. “Our investment has yielded positive returns for our depositors, thanks to the company’s strong track record of successfully integrating the companies they have acquired. We’re delighted to support this new acquisition, which will provide new growth opportunities for IFC, strengthen its leading position in Canada, and have a significant impact in Quebec’s financial and technology sectors.”

Additional investments in cutting-edge tech sectors

IFC’s growth is based on a long tradition of innovation and investments in technology that will accelerate with the acquisition of RSA. IFC will invest $1.5 billion over the next five years to support and grow the work of its digital, tech and AI development labs and software engineering teams. These Quebec-based teams will expand their scope and responsibilities as a result of the company’s growth and international operations, and to do this they will be hiring new talent. Over the next five years, more than 1,500 Quebec experts in user experience, design, mobile and software engineering, cybermetrics, machine learning and AI will work on developing and improving the digital customer experience, in addition to using technology to improve the efficiency of the company’s global operations.

Quebec talent driving growth for Intact and the Quebec economy

A number of IFC’s core operations are based in and directed from Quebec. The company has major teams that not only serve Quebecers, but also the rest of Canada and divisions across North America. Most of these teams will see their operations expand as the company’s international growth creates additional demands.

This includes the Intact Investment Management team, which will lead the company’s global investment operations and see its assets under management grow from $20 billion to $40 billion.

These expanded responsibilities for the Quebec-based teams will also enable IFC to act as a talent accelerator by providing even more high-calibre job opportunities for the next generation of Quebec university graduates, particularly in the actuarial, finance, technology and AI sectors.

IFC: A major employer rooted in the local economy

Since its beginnings in Quebec in 1907 (for the legacy company of Intact Insurance) and 1955 (for belairdirect), IFC has continued to grow steadily across the province in terms of its number of employees, investment, market share and community engagement.

IFC in Quebec today:

Over 5,000 employees in its Montreal, Anjou, Québec and Saint-Hyacinthe offices
Nearly one in three Quebecers and nearly one in four companies are insured through our Intact Insurance and belairdirect banners
More than 530 property and casualty insurance broker partners of all sizes located across Quebec
$1.6 billion in claim payments to Quebec customers, contributing to the province’s economic vitality by mobilizing the home restoration and renovation and automotive repair industries
Collaboration with several major Quebec universities, including Université Laval, Polytechnique, Université de Sherbrooke, ETS and and the Institut de valorisation des données (IVADO), a collaboration between HEC Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal and Université de Montréal.

About Intact Financial Corporation

For more information, visit www.intact.ca.

About CDPQ

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and para-public pension and insurance plans. As at June 30, 2020, it held CA$333.0 billion in net assets. As one of Canada’s leading institutional fund managers, CDPQ invests globally in major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. For more information, visit www.cdpq.com.

Forward-looking statements

Certain of the statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. They include statements relating to, among other things, IFC’s offer to acquire RSA, its integration and growth plans, and its investment and hiring intentions in Quebec and in the digital, technology, AI development and software engineering sectors over the next five years. Forward looking statements often use words such as “believe”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “anticipate” and words of a similar meaning. Although the forward-looking statements are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, IFC cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements to make decisions, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties about IFC and are dependent on many factors, some of which are outside of IFC’s control. Investors should ensure the preceding information is carefully considered when reviewing forward-looking statements contained herein. The Company and management have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Source: Intact Financial Corporation

Tags: Acquisition, Intact, La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Québec, RSA, Strategic Investment, technology investment