UK-life insurer Prudential has revealed a 46% surge in sales to £2.8bn for 2001, driven by the success of its UK and Asian businesses.
Sales rose to £2.8bn on an annual premium equivalent basis - the standard measure of insurance sales - from £1.9bn in 2000.
The company made no mention of its UK personal lines general insurance business which was transferred to Winterthur Insurance in November 2001.
The transaction included the formation of a strategic alliance to offer Prudential-branded general insurance products in the UK.
Chief executive Jonathan Bloomer said the 2001 figures fully endorsed the success of the group's international expansion strategy.
"This focused strategy is designed to exploit sustainable growth in key markets around the world where we have leading market positions and excellent customer access and reach," he said.
Total insurance and investment sales at the group jumped 54% to £21.5bn in 2001.
The group again credited the leap to its strategy of expanding overseas, with 68% of sales now coming from international markets.
In Asia, total new business for the year rose by 264% to £10bn as Prudential entered new markets including Japan and Korea and introduced new products.
Products sold through intermediaries increased by nearly a third in the UK, on an APE basis, boosted by strong sales of with-profit bonds and annuities.
The increase helped offset the 13% decline in sales through Prudential's direct sales channel following the group's decision to disband its door-to-door sales force in the second quarter.
