US insurance giant MetLife is looking to expand its UK division just months after launching in this country.

The company is "exploring all opportunities to grow" after acquiring Citigroup's Travelers Life & Annuity and its international insurance businesses in July 2005.

MetLife UK, which offers creditor, personal accident and critical illness insurance through major banking partners in the UK and European Union, was originally launched in the UK in the early 1990s.

The insurer later sold the UK division of its business to Canada Life in 1997.

Christina Tso, director of MetLife International, said: "It is an important business for us and we are committed to growing it. MetLife is therefore exploring all opportunities to grow that."

The company declined to comment on any specific plans but reports suggested it was in talks with a number of marketing agencies about launching a direct offering.

Metlife is the number one life insurer in the US and provides cover for 13 million households and 70,000 businesses.