EX-99.1 2 y23353exv99w1.txt PRESS RELEASE [METLIFE COMPANY LOGO] PUBLIC RELATIONS For Immediate Release NEWS METLIFE, INC. ONE METLIFE PLAZA 27-01 QUEENS PLAZA NORTH LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101 Contacts: For Media: John Calagna (212) 578-6252 For Investors: Tracey Dedrick (212) 578-5140 METLIFE EVALUATING OPTIONS FOR PETER COOPER VILLAGE AND STUYVESANT TOWN NEW YORK, July 18, 2006 - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today that it is evaluating options with respect to its Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town properties, including the possibility of marketing the assets for sale. "We believe current market conditions are very favorable, and we have decided to test the market to gauge buyer interest in these properties," said Robert Merck, head of real estate investments for MetLife. MetLife believes there is a lot of capital seeking high-quality real estate of this caliber and anticipates that it will see excellent market pricing for these properties. Merck further stated, "With its premier location and distinct character, these true trophy-quality assets should be well-received by the marketplace." Nevertheless, Merck concluded, "should market pricing not reflect our expectations, we will not sell the properties at this time." The Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town properties together make up the largest apartment complex in Manhattan, totaling over 11,200 units, spread over 80 contiguous acres. The properties are bounded on the west by First Avenue, to the east by the FDR Drive and the East River, to the north by 23rd Street and to the south by 14th Street. The properties are owned by the MetLife affiliate Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company. MetLife, Inc. is a leading provider of insurance and other financial services to millions of individual and institutional customers throughout the United States. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. offers life insurance, annuities, automobile and homeowner's insurance and retail banking services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement and savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. Outside the U.S., the MetLife companies have direct insurance operations in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com. - more - This release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to trends in the operations and financial results and the business and the products of the company and its subsidiaries, as well as other statements including words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following: (i) changes in general economic conditions, including the performance of financial markets and interest rates; (ii) heightened competition, including with respect to pricing, entry of new competitors and the development of new products by new and existing competitors; (iii) unanticipated changes in industry trends; (iv) the company's primary reliance, as a holding company, on dividends from its subsidiaries to meet debt payment obligations and the applicable regulatory restrictions on the ability of the subsidiaries to pay such dividends; (v) deterioration in the experience of the "closed block" established in connection with the reorganization of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; (vi) catastrophe losses; (vii) adverse results or other consequences from litigation, arbitration or regulatory investigations; (viii) regulatory, accounting or tax changes that may affect the cost of, or demand for, the company's products or services; (ix) downgrades in the company's and its affiliates' claims paying ability, financial strength or credit ratings; (x) changes in rating agency policies or practices; (xi) discrepancies between actual claims experience and assumptions used in setting prices for the company's products and establishing the liabilities for the company's obligations for future policy benefits and claims; (xii) discrepancies between actual experience and assumptions used in establishing liabilities related to other contingencies or obligations; (xiii) the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to terrorism or other hostilities; (xiv) the company's ability to identify and consummate on successful terms any future acquisitions, and to successfully integrate acquired businesses with minimal disruption; and (xv) other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its S-1 and S-3 registration statements. The company specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. # # #