Established in London in 1848, Prudential plc is one of the world’s leading retail financial services groups providing life insurance, financial services and asset management products across the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia. Prudential has been writing life insurance in the United Kingdom for 160 years. Today, Prudential has over 20 million customers worldwide and over US$530 (£267) billion of funds under management.

Prudential plc's strong mix of businesses around the world positions us well to benefit from the growth in customer demand for asset accumulation and income in retirement. Our international reach and diversity of earnings by geographic region and product will continue to give us significant advantage.

Under the Prudential Group are a number of well-respected brands including :

• In the UK, Prudential is a leading life and pensions provider offering a range of retail financial products.

• M&G is Prudential's UK and European Fund Manager with over US$330 (£167) billion of funds under management.

• Jackson National Life, acquired by Prudential in 1986, is one of the largest life insurance companies providing long-term savings and retirement products to retail and institutional customers throughout the United States.

• Prudential Corporation Asia is the leading European-based life insurer in Asia with life insurance and fund management operations in 13 markets.

(as at 31 December 2007)

Prudential has a rich and extensive history in Asia for over eighty years. Prudential now has life operations in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Japan and Korea.

Prudential is also one of the largest asset management companies in terms of overall assets sourced in Asia ex Japan. Its fund management business has expanded into a total of ten markets: Hong Kong, India, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, China, Vietnam and United Arab Emirates.

Within a decade of vigorous, sustained growth, Prudential has become the region's leading European-based life insurer in terms of market coverage and number of top 5 market positions, as well as a major player in the Asian fund management sector. It has also built a powerful brand that is well-known and highly regarded across the region's diverse geographies and cultures.

In addition to its around 430,000 staff and agents, Prudential has forged distribution partnerships with some of Asia's leading banks such as Standard Chartered Bank, enabling customers to access its products and services through a wider variety of channels, while also extending its reach across the region.

Prudential Corporation Asia has formed successful joint venture partnerships and strategic alliances in Asia:

• ICICI Bank for life and mutual funds businesses in India

• BOCI (Bank of China International) for Mandatory Provident Fund and mutual funds in Hong Kong

• CITIC Group (China International Trust & Investment Corporation) for life insurance and funds management in China

With its significant portfolio of businesses, multi-channel distribution capabilities, strong strategic partners, customer-centric products and services, and considerable brand equity, Prudential remains in a strong position for continued growth in Asia.