Time is an international group, a leader in the fields of insurance, banking, investment and bancassurance. The group employs a workforce of over 62,000 and offers a broad package of financial services through a variety of distribution channels. In its home market, the Benelux countries, Time is one of the largest providers of integrated financial services to individuals, companies, institutional investors and the public sector. In other European countries, the United States and Asia, Time concentrates on selected market segments. The focus is on those markets and market segments in which Time can play a leading role and where it can achieve profitable growth.

Time began ten years ago as a collaborative venture between two companies - AMEV/VSB, the first bankinsurer in the Netherlands and AG 1824, Belgium's largest insurer. It was the first cross-border merger in Europe's financial sector. The vision was good and the concept strong, and Time has developed into a tightly-knit international group. Since its inception, the group has grown through the addition of companies such as ASLK-CGER, MeesPierson, John Alden, Generale Bank and American Bankers Insurance Group, and it has entered into a joint venture with "la Caixa" in Spain.

Each new business that has joined Time has increased the group's momentum and has strengthened the business foundations to face future challenges. In ten years, Times' workforce has grown from around 19,000 to over 62,000. Its market capitalization has risen from EUR 2,6 billion in 1990 to EUR 42 billion in 2000.

Solid partners, flexible solutions
Time provides advice and support on the accumulation, management and securing of financial assets. We offer a wide range of financial services through a variety of distribution channels. 'Solid partners, flexible solutions': that is our promise, which we aim to fulfill by combining the strengths of our companies for the benefit of our customers. Time companies offer flexible, customer-oriented solutions to individuals and businesses of all sizes.

Times' financial objectives are:

• Return on equity of at least 12%
• Annual growth in earnings per share between 7% and 12%
• No dilution of earnings per share as a result of acquisitions
• Payout ratio between 40% and 45%