Sumitomo And Mitsui Finalize Merger Conditions

Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance Co. and Mitsui Marine & Fire Insurance Co. on Tuesday announced terms under which they will merge next October, creating Japan's largest non-life insurer with assets of 5.7 trillion yen ($51.6 billion).

In a joint statement, the companies said 1.09 Mitsui Marine shares will be allocated for one Sumitomo Marine share.

The merged entity will be named Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co. with Mitsui Marine president Takeo Iguchi and Sumitomo Marine president Hiroyuki Uemura serving as co-chief executive officers. Mitsui Marine, currently Japan's third-largest casualty insurer, and fourth-ranked Sumitomo Marine agreed to merge in March.

The merged entity will surpass is size current Japanese casualty insurance industry leader Tokyo Marine & Fire Insurance, which has assets of 5.37 trillion yen.

Sumitomo Marine's shares on Tuesday closed down 18 yen or 2.44 percent at 721, and Mitsui Marine's closed down eight yen or 1.22 percent at 646. The merger terms were announced after the close of trading.