Early payout provides rollover opportunity

Zurich has written to over 4000 investors and their financial advisers informing them of their options when the first Zurich Guaranteed Account matures early, later this month.

Launched in May 2003, the Zurich Guaranteed Account is a bank deposit account with 100% capital guarantee and interest payments linked to the performance of the FTSE 100 Index.

The account featured an early payout giving clients 30% gross interest if the FTSE 100 Index is at least 30% higher when it closes on 23 May 2006 than it was on 23 May 2003. It's currently comfortably on track to achieve this growth and customers are therefore expected to receive the 30% gross interest. (An original investment made in 2003 of £10,000 would then be worth £13,000).

Zurich anticipates that a large proportion of investors will reinvest the money in the new Guaranteed Capital Account (number 4) which gives the same money-back guarantee as the original Zurich Guaranteed Account plus 115% of any growth in the FTSE 100 Index over five years.  For those customers who wish to reinvest in the new product, Zurich will offer a streamlined reinvestment process.

Other options open to investors are:
· Move the money into a Dunbar Bank Instant Access Account where it will earn a very appealing rate of interest that is guaranteed to track the base rate (currently 4% gross).*1
· Have the money paid into another account.

Commenting, Paul Wright, Zurich's Investment Management Director said:
"Our previous Guaranteed Accounts have proved extremely popular.  Clients appreciate the benefits of an investment that offers both security and the potential to receive better returns than a traditional bank or building society can offer.  Early indications suggest that our new Zurich Guaranteed Capital Account will continue this trend."

Attached:
Zurich Guaranteed Capital Account product details

Media information:
Nicola Bryson, Senior Media Relations Consultant - Life
Tel : 01793 503354/07734 336281

Notes to editors:

• *1 Interest on the Dunbar Bank Instant Access Account is correct as at 4 April and is calculated as the Base Rate minus 0.5%
• Initial commission: 2.5%
• No initial or annual charges
• Minimum investment of £2,500
• Maximum investment of £325,000

Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is an insurance-based financial services provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in North America and Europe as well as in Asia Pacific, Latin America and other markets. Founded in 1872, the Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It employs approximately 55,000 people serving customers in more than 120 countries