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6 December 2021
In the AFICA group transaction, Sanlam will pay R200 million for Alexander Forbes’ Individual Client Administration business, which will become part of Glacier by Sanlam (Glacier), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sanlam. Under the EB transaction, Sanlam will sell its large stand-alone retirement fund administration operations (excluding the administration of its commercial umbrella fund and large industry umbrella funds), to Alexander Forbes for R154 million.
The proposed transactions will enhance Sanlam’s competitiveness through increased scale and present Alexander Forbes’ individual clients with a modernised customer experience, enhanced administration, and user functionality, enabled by Glacier’s technological capabilities. In addition, Alexander Forbes’ comprehensive set of individual client products covering both retirement and savings will be administered on the Glacier platform.
Sanlam has made the strategic decision to sell its operations in large stand-alone retirement fund administration to focus on areas it considers key to its future positioning. These areas include umbrella fund administration, group risk underwriting, investment management, life investments, consulting services, and health solutions.
Sanlam identified Alexander Forbes as the most suitable buyer for the EB stand-alone administration operations due to its expertise in fund administration as well as its scale, which is required to compete in this segment into the future. Alexander Forbes understands the value proposition that Sanlam has delivered to its clients and employees and will ensure the continuity and enhancement of this proposition into the future.
Sanlam Group CEO, Mr Paul Hanratty, said: “These transactions support Sanlam’s strategy to strengthen our position in South Africa. They will build on the acquisition of Alexander Forbes’ Group Risk business announced earlier this year and allow Sanlam to focus on providing sound advice and excellent products for customers backed by the strongest possible balance sheet. At the same time, our administration clients can continue to look forward to excellent service from Alexander Forbes, whom Sanlam regards as market leaders in this area.
Dawie de Villiers, CEO of Alexander Forbes, says: “Our Board and executive are excited by the opportunities that will be unlocked through the modernised digital capabilities now available to our financial advisers coupled with our larger retirement fund membership base. The Proposed Transactions accelerate our transformation towards becoming the most impactful provider of financial advice to retirement fund members in South Africa.”
The effective date of the transactions will depend on the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur during the first half of 2022.