The Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price is gaining today after the bank announced the sale of its life insurance business.
The bank advised Westpac Life Insurance Services Limited will go to TAL. This is a subsidiary of global life insurance services provider Dai-ichi Life Group.
TAL will pay $900 million for the business. It will also enter a strategic alliance to provide Westpac’s Australian customers with the service for another 20 years.
Right now, the Westpac share price is trading at $25.44. That’s 1.27% higher than its previous closing price.
Let’s take a closer look at today’s news from Westpac.
Westpac opts out of life insurance
Today’s positive Westpac share price movement may be responding to the bank’s confirmation of the life insurance service sale.
According to Westpac, the divestment “releases significant capital”.
Westpac has lost a total of $1.3 billion (post-tax) on the sale. However, it will add around 12 basis points to Westpac’s Level 2 common equity Tier 1 capital ratio.
The big bank will record a post-tax loss of $300 million for the life insurance business in its financial year 2021 results. The immediate loss mainly relates to transaction and separation costs.
The remaining loss will the noted when the sale is completed, which is expected to be in late 2022.
Rumours of the sale have been swirling for months now, with TAL tipped as an interested party in June.
Commentary from management
Westpac’s group chief executive specialist businesses and group strategy Jason Yetton welcomed the news, saying:
This transaction is another step in simplifying the bank while continuing to help customers with their life insurance needs by partnering with TAL.
Life insurance is an important product for many Australians and this sale provides certainty for customers and new opportunities for our people with TAL.
TAL already offers insurance products to more than 4.5 million Australians and is well placed to help Westpac’s customers protect the people they love.
Westpac share price snapshot
The Westpac share price has had a good run lately.
It is currently 29% higher than it was at the start of 2021. It has also gained 47% since this time last year.
The post The Westpac (ASX:WBC) share price is higher today after sale update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Should you invest $1,000 in Westpac Banking Corp right now?
Before you consider Westpac Banking Corp, you’ll want to hear this.
Motley Fool Investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Westpac Banking Corp wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for nearly a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.* And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that are better buys.
*Returns as of May 24th 2021
More reading
- How does the Westpac (ASX:WBC) share price perform after lockdowns?
- ASX 200 Weekly Wrap: Blockbuster Afterpay deal turbocharges ASX to new record highs
- 2 ASX dividend shares named as buys
- 2 ASX 200 bank shares rated as buys
- Afterpay (ASX:APT) share price surges as Square hits record highs
Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.
from The Motley Fool Australia https://ift.tt/3Aun53H
Leave a Reply