It appears that Standard Life is about to appoint a number of people to review the business and consider a flotation on the stock market. This would obviously involve de-mutualisation.
Standard has also announced that it is postponing the launch of a new range of with profits funds.
Our View
The review is not just about flotation but more importantly about solvency. With more stringent regulations in place and only small stock market recoveries, all insurance companies and providers have had to review their solvency positions.
For Standard Life, flotation may be one of only a limited number of options.