Solid operating performance, Solvency II ratio at 226%

Operating result ongoing business EUR 508 million, up 25.6% from 2Q17, reflecting an improved underwriting performance at Netherlands Non-life, private equity dividends at Netherlands Life and lower expenses
Net result EUR 463 million, up 92.7% from 2Q17, reflecting the higher operating result and higher capital gains, while 2Q17 included a provision related to ING Australia Holdings
Further cost reductions of EUR 62 million in 2Q18, bringing total cost reductions achieved to date to EUR 236 million
Total new sales (APE) of EUR 357 million, down 7.5% from 2Q17 at constant currencies. VNB for 6M18 up 20.2% to EUR 205 million, driven by Japan Life and Insurance Europe
Solvency II ratio of 226% up from 213% at the end of 1Q18, reflecting operating capital generation, positive market impacts and the deduction of the 2018 interim dividend
Holding company cash capital was EUR 1,799 million, including EUR 536 million dividends received from subsidiaries
2018 Interim dividend of EUR 0.66 per ordinary share or approximately EUR 222 million
Statement of Lard Friese, CEO

'Today, we are reporting a solid result for the second quarter of 2018. The operating results of most segments improved compared with the second quarter of last year, supported by an improved P&C underwriting performance at Netherlands Non-life. The cost base of the units in scope of the integration was further reduced by EUR 62 million this quarter, bringing total cost reductions to EUR 236 million compared with the 2016 full-year administrative expense base. This means we are well on our way to achieving our cost reduction target of EUR 400 million by the end of 2020.

Our profitable commercial momentum continued with the value of new business increasing at both Insurance Europe and Japan Life. The measures implemented to improve performance at Netherlands Non-life are starting to bear fruit. The combined ratio improved to 97.9% in the second quarter. While this is encouraging, work remains to be done to structurally improve the combined ratio to 97% or below.

Further steps have been taken with regard to the integration. The application for including the Delta Lloyd entities in the Partial Internal Model has been submitted, we have completed the integration of the asset management businesses as well as the head offices, and we have decommissioned several IT systems. Most Delta Lloyd products have been rebranded to NN. During the migration phase, our efforts have been focused on ensuring the least possible disruption for our customers and business partners, and we are pleased to see that customer satisfaction levels remain high.

We again took steps to further integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations into our investment processes, which was also substantiated by our support for the International Corporate Social Responsibility covenant for the insurance sector. Together with our Dutch peers, several NGOs, the largest Dutch union and the government, we aim to ensure that insurance companies identify, and take into consideration, ESG issues in their investment decisions.

Our cash capital position was EUR 1,799 million at the end of the second quarter. Our Solvency II ratio was 226% after the deduction of the interim dividend of EUR 0.66 per ordinary share to be paid in September.

In addition to our second quarter results, we today disclosed that we have reached an agreement to acquire Aegon's Life Insurance business in the Czech Republic and its Life Insurance and Pension businesses in Slovakia. In line with our strategy, we consider this a good opportunity to increase our presence in two attractive markets.

Furthermore, we announced today a new composition of our Management Board. With this team, we are ready for the next phase of our company's journey, and will remain focused on our key priorities; to successfully integrate Delta Lloyd, further improve performance, accelerate the transformation of the business model, and continue to allocate capital rationally.'

NN Group key figures
In EUR million
2Q18 2Q17 Change 6M18 6M17 Change
Operating result ongoing business1) 508 404 25.6% 821 810 1.3%
Net result 463 240 92.7% 862 676 27.6%

2Q18 1Q18 2Q17
Solvency II ratio2) 226% 213% 196%

Note: All footnotes are included on page 26

Strategy and priorities

Our businesses are built on a strong foundation of purpose, values and brand, which, combined with a strong focus on our strategic priorities, enables us to create long-term value. This is how we deliver on our ambition to be a respected company that truly matters in the lives of our stakeholders.

Netherlands

The integration of NN and Delta Lloyd is progressing well. As of 1 July, the Nationale-Nederlanden PPI (Premie Pensioen Instelling) and online pension administrator BeFrank joined forces. The combined company, operating under the name BeFrank, has approximately 170,000 participants and EUR 2.5 billion in assets under management, making it the leader in the PPI market.

Furthermore, NN Life launched a new pension proposition 'Persoonlijke pensioenuitkering' which combines the best product features of Delta Lloyd and NN. It offers user friendly online administration services, competitive pricing and optimal investment flexibility. This product anticipates the need for more flexibility after retirement. It is currently the only product in the Netherlands which allows customers to change their investment profile after the pension payments have started.

Former Delta Lloyd P&C products have been rebranded, and the retail products are available in the 'mijn.nn' customer portal and NN app. All 220,000 healthcare customers have received new NN branded passes. In addition, over 80,000 Delta Lloyd and OHRA internet savings accounts have been successfully migrated to an NN internet savings account.

In the second quarter, NN Non-life entered into an agreement with Van Ameyde to insource its claims handling activities as of 1 July 2018. This will create further efficiencies and strengthen the NN Non-life organisation, underpinned by an excellent customer experience, clear pricing and underwriting, and digital services.

NN Bank issued its second EUR 500 million benchmark covered bond in June at an attractive rate. The issuance was well received in the market, underlining the reliable nature of this funding instrument for NN Bank.

In order to continuously serve our customers' needs, Nationale-Nederlanden has introduced its first chatbot on www.nn.nl. This new automated dialogue function will help customers find answers and navigate through our website. In addition, subject-specific chatbots are being developed, for example to assist in calculating a premium for travel insurance and displaying the telephone number and waiting times of the customer contact centre.

International Insurance

International insurance continues to innovate and enhance the customer experience by launching new products and improving services. NN Romania's Sparklab launched 'NN Bike', the country's first bike insurance for urban riders. NN Bike is an accident insurance that covers cyclists' medical expenses for injuries and hospitalisation caused by an accident.

NN in Hungary launched a new product, 'protect.me'. This innovative product is a pay-as-you-go life and accident insurance available through a mobile app. The on-demand solution can be easily activated or deactivated in just a few seconds, offering a user-friendly opportunity for customers who have an active lifestyle and only want insurance cover for a few hours.

Due to the growing popularity of group insurances in Poland, Nationale-Nederlanden Poland is offering its corporate clients the opportunity to broaden their contracts with additional medical benefits. Customers who choose to sign a supplemental agreement will gain access to cashless services such as rehabilitation, medical tests, and examinations in over 3,000 clinics throughout the country.

COLI sales through Sumitomo Life accounted for 13% of NN Life Japan's total sales in the second quarter. Sumitomo Life agents started offering NN Life Japan's Accelerated Living Disability Benefit and Increasing Term products from the beginning of April 2017, and Critical Illness insurance from April 2018.

In line with the NN brand promise 'You matter', various initiatives in several countries are specifically focused on what is important in life. NN Pensions in Czech Republic was awarded a silver medal in the 2018 Czech PR Awards category 'Financial Market and Financial Services' for its Value of Life project. The project seeks to trigger public debate on topics of wide social relevance, such as attitudes towards old age from the perspective of different generations, pension dreams, financial security and planning, as well as related health and social aspects connected to the different stages of life.

Asset Management

The integration of Delta Lloyd Asset Management (DLAM) into NN IP was completed in the second quarter. The DLAM and NN IP Dutch funds have been merged and rebranded and the majority of the former DLAM systems have been decommissioned.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed in April with China's leading asset manager, China Asset Management Co., Ltd. (ChinaAMC). The MoU will provide a platform for NN IP and ChinaAMC to explore joint product development opportunities and consequently leverage each other's capabilities in European and Chinese capital markets. In particular, the MoU is expected to strengthen NN IP's and ChinaAMC's environmental, social and governance (ESG) offerings.

The collaboration between NN IP and FMO Investment Management, which aims to support companies in developing countries to achieve sustainable growth, entered a new phase. The joint NN-FMO Emerging Markets Loans Fund saw strong Dutch and international institutional demand at a first close of USD 250 million.

Other events
NN continues to look for investment opportunities and potential partnerships with fintech companies to accelerate its innovation and transformation efforts. For example, NN recently invested in the InsureTech Fund of MTech Capital, which focuses on investments in technology companies with the potential to transform various components of the insurance industry.

Following the latest annual index review, NN Group retained its place in the FTSE4Good Index Series. The FTSE4Good Index Series measures the performance of companies demonstrating strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices.

Furthermore, NN Group has been included in the regional Euronext-Vigeo Eiris 120 index as from June 2018 as a result of its improved overall performance. This index comprises the 120 most sustainable listed companies in the Eurozone.


Dorothee van Vredenburch to leave NN Group, new Management Board members appointed

NN Group announces a new composition of the Management Board, focused on driving the long-term strategy of the company. Tjeerd Bosklopper, Dailah Nihot, Fabian Rupprecht and Janet Stuijt, will be appointed to the Management Board as of 1 September 2018. Dailah Nihot will succeed Dorothee van Vredenburch, who will leave NN Group as of 1 October 2018 to pursue her career outside of the company. Fabian Rupprecht succeeds Robin Spencer who stepped down as Chief Executive Officer International Insurance and member of the Management Board of NN Group as of 1 June 2018.

Lard Friese, CEO of NN Group: 'First of all I would like to thank Dorothee for her dedication and leadership throughout her career at NN Group. Dorothee significantly contributed to the success and repositioning of NN as a standalone company, and she played an important role in the acquisition and integration of Delta Lloyd. As our Chief Change and Organisation, Dorothee has been the personification of our brand promise 'You Matter'. It has been a privilege to work with her, and we wish her all the best for the future.



I am very pleased that we have found strong successors for both Dorothee and Robin. The new composition of our Management Board is aimed to equip us with the skills to further shape our company's journey, with a strong focus on transformation, innovation and our role in society. We are proud to promote three experienced professionals from within NN Group, as well as having a new colleague joining us from outside of our company. We strongly believe in developing and promoting talent, and with these appointments we are further strengthening our diverse and international business culture.'



Dailah Nihot (1973, Dutch) joined NN Group in 2013 as Managing Director of Corporate Relations. She has more than 18 years of experience in the financial services industry, and held various international leadership positions, both at NN and ING Group, focusing predominantly on strategic communications, stakeholder relations, business ethics, and organisational identity. As Chief Organisation & Corporate Relations, Dailah will be responsible for NN Group's overall corporate relations, sustainability, branding, human resources and facility management functions, with a specific focus on the company's role in society.



Fabian Rupprecht (1969, German and Swiss) was CEO Middle East and Africa, regional CFO and Member of the Regional Executive Committee at AXA Emerging markets (EMEA- LATAM) until January this year. Fabian has almost 25 years of extensive international leadership experience and business know-how in insurance and finance, covering Life, Health and P&C. Amongst others, he was CEO Global Life at AXA, and responsible for the global business lines Life and Health, from 2010 until 2013. As a senior executive he has been focused on strategy, transformation and restructuring activities. In his new role as CEO International Insurance of NN Group, he will be responsible for NN's Insurance Europe, Japan Life and Japan Closed Block VA businesses.



Janet Stuijt (1969, Dutch) is NN Group's General Counsel and Head of Compliance, and Company Secretary. Janet joined NN Group in 2011, and has almost 25 years of experience in an international business environment. She held various senior management positions within ABN AMRO, ING Bank and NN Group, in legal, regulatory, compliance, and governance areas. In her new role, Janet Stuijt will continue to be responsible for NN Group's Legal and Compliance function, which emphasises the importance of embedding compliance and legal aspects in the company's strategic decision making processes.



Tjeerd Bosklopper (1975, Dutch) is Head of Integration of NN Netherlands & Belgium, responsible for the integration of the Delta Lloyd and NN businesses. He joined NN Group in 2006 and held various management roles within sales and marketing, product and project management and IT. Tjeerd was Chief Information and Technology of NN Benelux, CEO of NN in Poland, and Head of Individual Life Services of NN Life, and he held various international management positions at ING in Hong Kong, Indonesia and South Korea. Tjeerd brings more than 18 years of experience in the insurance industry. As Chief Transformation Officer, Tjeerd Bosklopper will focus on the acceleration of the transformation of NN, in close cooperation with the business units.

With these appointments, the Management Board of NN Group consists of nine members, including the members of the Executive Board, Lard Friese (CEO) and Delfin Rueda (CFO). The positions of Management Board members David Knibbe (CEO Netherlands), Jan-Hendrik Erasmus (CRO), and Satish Bapat (CEO NN Investment Partners) remain unchanged.

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NN Groep EUR 37,60 +1,31 vol. 253.028