The Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) share price has pushed higher on Friday afternoon following the release of an announcement in relation to its Japanese operations.
At the time of writing the annuities company's shares are up almost 2% to $6.70.
What was announced?
Late this morning Challenger announced that it has received all the necessary regulatory approvals and implemented all the operational requirements needed to commence the reinsurance of US dollar denominated annuities from July 1 2019.
This means that under its expanded strategic relationship with MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Challenger will now commence a quota share reinsurance of US dollar denominated annuities issued in the Japanese market by MS&AD's subsidiary Mitsui Sumitomo Primary Life Insurance Company.
Mitsui Sumitomo Primary Life Insurance will provide Challenger Life with an annual amount of reinsurance, across both Australian and US dollar annuities, of at least ¥50 billion (~A$670 million) per year for a minimum of five years.
Challenger's chief executive officer, Richard Howes, believes the expanded strategic relationship will be a driver of growth in the future.
He said: "The expanded alliance with MS&AD will leverage the strengths of both businesses to create opportunities for continued growth. Having now received all necessary approvals, the commencement of US dollar reinsurance will broaden our access to the Japanese market while providing product and distribution diversification."
This wasn't the only agreement that the two parties made in respect to their expanded strategic relationship.
In March MS&AD advised of its intention to increase its shareholding in Challenger to over 15% of the issued capital.
It also advised that once this shareholding has been achieved and the reinsurance of US dollar annuities with Mitsui Sumitomo Primary Life Insurance has commenced, it would nominate one non-executive director to join the Challenger board.
Earlier this month a substantial holder's change of interests notice revealed that MS&AD had increased its holding to 16.127% of the shares on issue, which means that it will now be able to push ahead with its non-executive director nomination.
Whilst at this stage it is purely speculation, some believe this is a sign that MS&AD could be interested in launching a takeover approach further down the line.
Elsewhere in the financial sector today, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) share price and the Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) share price are both on course to finish the week with a solid gain.
