Rel Life mulls stake sale to raise Rs 1,500 cr

Anil Ambani-promoted Reliance Life Insurance is understood to be in talks with global insurance players, including Swiss Re, to raise an estimated Rs 1,500 crore by selling 10-15 per cent stake.

“Reliance Life Insurance is looking to offload 10-15 per cent stake to raise an estimated Rs 1,500 crore and is talking to various players, including Swiss Re,” investment banking sources in know of the development said.

As per the current rules, a foreign entity can hold up to 26 per cent stake in an Indian insurance firm. Reliance Capital wholly owns Reliance Life, a business it acquired from AMP Sanmar in 2005.

A Reliance Life spokesperson could not be contacted, while KwokChoi Wong Director Communications Swiss Re (Asia Division) said “Swiss Re does not comment on market rumours”.

For nearly a year, Reliance Capital has been planning either an intial public offering or strategic sale of its life insurance business to unlock value for shareholders.