Great-West Lifeco performed very well in the first quarter, reporting strong results with net income to common shareholders of $441 million compared to $326 million in first quarter 2009.
These results reflect the strength of our organizations, including the conservative nature of our products and investment portfolio, our diversified businesses, and our focus on operational efficiency.
· Our operating companies in Canada, the United States and Europe had exceptional sales results, with an increase in sales of 43% compared with the same period a year ago.
· Great-West Lifeco’s capital position remains very strong. Its Canadian operating subsidiary, Great-West Life, reported a Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus (MCCSR) ratio of 202% at March 31, 2010. In addition, Lifeco held approximately $1.0 billion in liquid assets at the holding company level, potentially available for deployment to its operating companies.
· Great-West Lifeco achieved a 15% return on common shareholders’ equity (ROE), consistent with its long-term objective.
· Great-West Lifeco declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.3075 per common share, unchanged from the previous quarter.
· Consolidated assets under administration at March 31, 2010 were $463.2 billion, up $4.6 billion from December 31, 2009.
· The strengthening of the Canadian dollar against the US dollar, the British pound and the euro had a negative impact on Lifeco’s net income of $31 million when compared to the same period in 2009.

In Canada
Our first quarter results in Canada for 2010 reflect our strong and growing operations. Highlights include:
· Our total sales in Canada for the first quarter of 2010 were $2.7 billion compared to $1.8 billion for the same period in 2009; an increase of 50%. This performance reflects strong organic growth in sales across all channels and brands.
· Overall life insurance sales were 40% higher than the first quarter 2009. This result reflects strong growth in all product categories with non-participating life product sales increasing by 41% and participating whole life insurance sales increasing by 38%.
· Living Benefits sales were $10 million, an increase of 11% over the same period in 2009.
· Total Individual Retirement and Investment Services sales were $1.9 billion, an increase of 50% over the first quarter of 2009, reflecting strong segregated fund and mutual fund sales performance.
· Group Retirement Services sales grew to $437 million, 47% higher than the first quarter of 2009.
· Group Insurance sales of $204 million were 62% higher than the first quarter of 2009, with exceptional growth in refund and Administrative Services Only segments.
The suspension on withdrawals and transfers-out of the Real Estate segregated funds of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life remained in effect at the end of the first quarter, 2010. However, we recently announced plans to process an initial payment from the Great-West Life and Canada Life Real Estate Funds in mid summer of this year to meet redemption demand. This, along with the initial payment from the London Life Real Estate Fund in the fourth quarter of 2009, illustrates excellent progress towards a permanent re-opening of the Funds.