Swiss Re Capital Markets Successfully Places USD 270 million of North American Earthquake Risk on Behalf of Zurich Insurance Group

New York, - Swiss Re Capital Markets has successfully structured and placed USD 270 million of notes issued by Lakeside Re III Ltd., covering North American earthquake risk on behalf of Zurich Insurance Group ("Zurich").

Lakeside Re III Ltd. is a Bermudian special purpose reinsurer which provides Zurich three years of excess of loss reinsurance protection on an annual aggregate basis for earthquake losses in specific territories in North America.

"We are delighted to continue our support of Zurich's risk management objectives. The transaction demonstrates Swiss Re's strong commitment to serve our clients in transferring natural catastrophe risks to the capital markets and underlines our strong market position in developing innovative and efficient catastrophe bond products", said Jean-Louis Monnier, Head of ILS Europe at Swiss Re Capital Markets.

Swiss Re was the sole bookrunner and joint lead structuring agent for the offering.

Standard & Poor's has published a B+ (sf) rating for the Lakeside Re III notes.

The Lakeside Re III notes were sold in a private placement pursuant to Rule 144A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the 'Securities Act') and have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws; they may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Notes to editors

Swiss Re Capital Markets

In the U.S., securities products and services are offered through Swiss Re Capital Markets Corporation, a registered broker dealer and a member of FINRA and SIPC. Swiss Re Capital Markets Limited is authorized and regulated in the U.K. by the Financial Services Authority. Both Swiss Re Capital Markets Corporation and Swiss Re Capital Markets Limited, together Swiss Re Capital Markets, are wholly owned subsidiaries of Swiss Re Ltd.

Swiss Re

The Swiss Re Group is a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance, insurance and other insurance-based forms of risk transfer. Dealing direct and working through brokers, its global client base consists of insurance companies, mid-to-large-sized corporations and public sector clients. From standard products to tailor-made coverage across all lines of business, Swiss Re deploys its capital strength, expertise and innovation power to enable the risk-taking upon which enterprise and progress in society depend. Founded in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1863, Swiss Re serves clients through a network of over 60 offices globally and is rated "AA-" by Standard & Poor's, "A1" by Moody's and "A+" by A.M. Best. Registered shares in the Swiss Re Group holding company, Swiss Re Ltd, are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and trade under the symbol SREN. For more information about Swiss Re Group, please visit: www.swissre.com or follow us on Twitter @SwissRe.

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-further instability affecting the global financial system and developments related thereto, including as a result of concerns over, or adverse developments relating to, sovereign debt of euro area countries;
-further deterioration in global economic conditions;
-Swiss Re's ability to maintain sufficient liquidity and access to capital markets, including sufficient liquidity to cover potential recapture of reinsurance agreements, early calls of debt or debt-like arrangements and collateral calls due to actual or perceived deterioration of Swiss Re's financial strength or otherwise;
-the effect of market conditions, including the global equity and credit markets, and the level and volatility of equity prices, interest rates, credit spreads, currency values and other market indices, on Swiss Re's investment assets;
-changes in Swiss Re's investment result as a result of changes in its investment policy or the changed composition of its investment assets, and the impact of the timing of any such changes relative to changes in market conditions;
-uncertainties in valuing credit default swaps and other credit-related instruments;
-possible inability to realise amounts on sales of securities on Swiss Re's balance sheet equivalent to their mark-to-market values recorded for accounting purposes;
-the outcome of tax audits, the ability to realise tax loss carryforwards and the ability to realise deferred tax assets (including by reason of the mix of earnings in a jurisdiction or deemed change of control), which could negatively impact future earnings;
-the possibility that Swiss Re's hedging arrangements may not be effective;
the lowering or loss of one of the financial strength or other ratings of one or more Swiss Re companies, and developments adversely affecting Swiss Re's ability to achieve improved ratings;
-the cyclicality of the reinsurance industry;
-uncertainties in estimating reserves;
-uncertainties in estimating future claims for purposes of financial reporting, particularly with respect to large natural catastrophes, as significant uncertainties may be involved in estimating losses from such events and preliminary estimates may be subject to change as new information becomes available;
-the frequency, severity and development of insured claim events;
-acts of terrorism and acts of war;
-mortality, morbidity and longevity experience;
-policy renewal and lapse rates;
-extraordinary events affecting Swiss Re's clients and other counterparties, such as bankruptcies, liquidations and other credit-related events;
-current, pending and future legislation and regulation affecting Swiss Re or its ceding companies, and the interpretations of legislation or regulations by regulators;
-legal actions or regulatory investigations or actions, including those in respect of industry requirements or business conduct rules of general applicability;
-changes in accounting standards;
-significant investments, acquisitions or dispositions, and any delays, unexpected costs or other issues experienced in connection with any such transactions;
-changing levels of competition; and
-operational factors, including the efficacy of risk management and other internal procedures in managing the foregoing risks.

These factors are not exhaustive. Swiss Re operates in a continually changing environment and new risks emerge continually. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Swiss Re undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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