The High Court has blocked the £12bn transfer of Prudential's annuity book to Rothesay Life, citing the insurer's lack of "established reputation" and differing "capital management policies".
In a court judgment issued on Friday (16 August), Justice Snowden declined the request to approve a Part VII transfer, noting Rothesay Life was a "relatively new entrant" and "does not have the same capital management resources of the backing of a large group with the resources". While an independent expert had verified that policyholders would see no adverse effects and that the scheme would not "materially affect the interests of reasonable expectations of policyholders", Snowden said the transfer could result in a "material disadvantage". In his judgment, Snowden wrote: "[Rothesay ...
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