Press Release: Shift in Nationale Suisse's shareholding structure: Helvetia acquires 5.27 % of the shares

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   December 20, 2013 01:01 ET (06:01 GMT)- - 01 01 AM EST 12-20-13

-2 of 2- 20 Dec 2013 06:01:00 UTC  Press Release: Shift in Nationale Suisse's shareholding structure: Helvetia acquires 5.27 % of the shares

Nationale Suisse / Shift in Nationale Suisse's shareholding structure: Helvetia acquires 5.27 % of the shares . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Helvetia Beteiligungen AG has acquired a 5.27 % shareholding in Nationale Suisse from Gebäudeversicherung Bern (GVB) and therefore now owns 12.70 % of the share capital of the insurance group. In conjunction with Patria Genossenschaft, which holds a further 5.00 %, the Helvetia Group therefore now owns 17.70 % of the share capital. Nationale Suisse envisages a potential for development in operational collaboration with Helvetia.

Gebäudeversicherung Bern (GVB) has sold its 5.27 % shareholding in Nationale Suisse to Helvetia. Gebäudeversicherung Bern (GVB) is therefore no longer a major shareholder in the internationally operating insurance group. Helvetia Beteiligungen AG (Helvetia) now holds 2 800 468 registered shares in Swiss National Insurance Company Ltd (Nationale Suisse), corresponding to 12.70 % of the share capital registered in the Commercial Register. In conjunction with Patria Genossenschaft, which holds a further 5.00 %, the Helvetia Group therefore now owns 17.70 % of the share capital.

Helvetia has been a core shareholder in Nationale Suisse since August 2012. The two companies have shared the IT services in their Italian subsidiaries for many years. "We are open to the idea of expanding our operational collaboration to the advantage of both sides", says Hans Künzle, CEO of Nationale Suisse. "The fact that other Swiss insurers clearly see us as an attractive business seems to us yet further proof that we know what we are doing. Regardless of the changes amongst our shareholders, we are convinced that Nationale Suisse can look forward to a successful future as an independent company."

Nationale Suisse has a broad shareholder base and with all its core shareholders it strives to exploit the potential arising from the close connection with mutually attractive cooperation ventures. "Even if the structure of our shareholders has changed, all the options for collaboration with all our core shareholders are still open", emphasises Hans Künzle. Nationale Suisse is maintaining its 5.0 % restriction on voting rights for shareholders.

Brief profile

Nationale Suisse is an innovative, international and independent Swiss insurance group providing first-rate risk and pension solutions in non-life and life business as well as a growing number of tailored specialty lines products. Consolidated gross premiums came to CHF 1.51 billion in 2012. The Group comprises the parent company and about 20 subsidiaries and branch offices for focused product lines in Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Latin America and Turkey. The headquarters of Swiss National Insurance Company Ltd are in Basel. Nationale Suisse is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (NATN). On 30 June 2013, the Group employed 1 889 staff (full-time equivalents).

Information Remo Meier Nationale Suisse Investor Relations Steinengraben 41 Phone +41 61 275 22 45 4003 Basel Fax +41 61 275 22 21 Switzerland remo.meier@nationalesuisse.com www.nationalesuisse.com/invest or-relations

Christina Hartmann Nationale Suisse Media Relations Steinengraben 41 Phone +41 61 275 23 40 4003 Basel Fax +41 61 275 22 21 Switzerland christina.hartmann@nationalesuisse.com www.nationalesuisse.com/media- relations

Key dates Publication of the annual report 2013 26.03.2014 Media conference to announce financial results 26.03.2014 at Widder Hotel, Zurich Financial analysts' conference at Widder 26.03.2014 Hotel, Zurich Annual General Meeting, Basel 19.05.2014

Disclaimer and exclusion of liability

The purpose of this press release is to inform the public about certain events or developments arising from the company's business. The information published in this article is not an advertisement, offer or recommendation to engage in transactions involving securities or other products of Nationale Suisse or any other type of transaction. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Even if these forward-looking statements reflect the opinion and expectations of Nationale Suisse, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors may lead to actual developments and results differing strongly from the expectations of Nationale Suisse. It is pointed out expressly that the statements and projections contained in this press release are selective in nature. Nationale Suisse provides no guarantee, either explicitly or implicitly, regarding the accuracy and completeness of the statements and forecasts published in this press release. Neither Nationale Suisse nor its executive bodies or senior managers accept any liability for any damage or losses arising directly or indirectly from the use of this press release. Unless otherwise provided by applicable binding law Nationale Suisse is under no obligation to update or amend the statements contained in this press release, be it in response to new information, future events or any other reasons.

Updated post-publication information is available on our website www.nationalesuisse.com. You may find further details and forecasts about the business of Nationale Suisse there.

Press release: http://hugin.info/100296/R/1751248/590346.pdf

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The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Nationale Suisse via Globenewswire

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Nationale Suisse

Steinengraben 41 Basel

WKN: 1081197;ISIN: CH0010811971;

http://www.nationalesuisse.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   December 20, 2013 01:01 ET (06:01 GMT)- - 01 01 AM EST 12-20-13