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UK Friends Provident May Spin Off Wealth Manager - Report

Tom Burroughes

18 June 2008

UK-based financial services firm Friends Provident is set to announce the sale of UK independent financial advisor Pantheon for around £30 million ($64.4 million) to an unnamed bidder within days, according to Citywire, citing comments from analysts at stockbroker Panmure Gordon.

Pantheon, an IFA catering to affluent investors, was purchased by Friends Provident in May 2007 for £33 million, with £16.8 million paid upfront and the balance subject to the wealth management firm meeting its targets.

But after abandoning plans to develop its wrap platform in a review of its business lines earlier this year, Friends Provident decided that wealth management no longer fitted in with its future plans, Citywire said.

Other businesses that were put up for sale following the review in February were Lombard, Friends Provident’s European wealth management business, and F&C Asset Management.