EX-99.2 3 e28361exv99w2.txt PRESS RELEASE Exhibit 99.2 Public Relations MetLife, Inc. News One MetLife Plaza For Immediate Release 27-01 Queens Plaza North Long Island City, NY 11101 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MetLife(R) [Snoopy GRAPHIC] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Contacts: For Media: John Calagna (212) 578-6252 For Investors: Tracey Dedrick (212) 578-5140 METLIFE RESOLVES INVESTIGATION BY NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL NEW YORK, December 29, 2006 - MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife), resolved a previously disclosed investigation by the New York Attorney General's Office (NYAG). The NYAG's investigation related to payments to intermediaries in the marketing and sale of group life and disability, group long-term care and group accidental death and dismemberment insurance and related matters. In the settlement, MetLife does not admit liability as to any issue of fact or law. Among other things, MetLife has agreed to certain business reforms relating to compensation of producers of group insurance, compensation disclosures to group insurance clients and the adoption of related standards of conduct, some of which it had implemented following the commencement of the NYAG's investigation. MetLife will also pay a fine and make a payment to a restitution fund. MetLife cooperated fully with the NYAG's office throughout the pendency of the matter. MetLife believes that resolving this matter is in the best interests of its shareholders, customers and policyholders. MetLife does not expect that the settlement will adversely affect its business. MetLife, Inc. is a leading provider of insurance and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its domestic and international subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance, reinsurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com. 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. # # #