BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan. 4, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- At the time of the initial public offering of Assurant in February 2004, Fortis stated its intention to dispose of its remaining stake over time. Today, at the request of Fortis pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into at the time of the IPO, Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ), has filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed public offering of up to 27.2 million Assurant common shares, all of which will be sold by Fortis Insurance N.V.
The offering will be led by Morgan Stanley, as book-running lead manager.
Any offering will be made only by means of a written prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Copies of the written prospectus may be obtained from Morgan Stanley, Prospectus Department, 1585 Broadway, New York, New York.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.
Fortis is an integrated financial services provider active in the fields of banking and insurance. With a market capitalization of EUR 26.4 billion (31/12/2004) and around 52,000 employees, Fortis ranks in the top 20 European financial institutions. In its home market, the Benelux countries, Fortis occupies a leading position which it aims to develop and bolster. Fortis is drawing on the expertise it has acquired in its home market to realize its European ambitions via growth platforms. Fortis also operates successfully worldwide in selected activities. In specific countries in Europe and Asia it effectively exploits its know-how and experience in bancassurance. Fortis is listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg and has a sponsored ADR programme in the United States. More information is available on www.fortis.com