Prudential loses appeal to shed gov't oversight

[September 20, 2013]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Prudential Financial has lost its appeal to shed greater government oversight, after regulators made a final decision that the insurer is one of a group of financial companies so big that they could threaten the financial system if they were to fail.

Prudential said Thursday that after a hearing and final vote, the Financial Stability Oversight Council maintains that the company is 'systemically important' and therefore subject to stricter scrutiny. That could include requirements to boost its cash cushion against losses, limit its use of borrowed money and submit to inspections by examiners. It also will be under Federal Reserve supervision.

In July, the council named Prudential among a group of non-banks -- including insurer American International Group Inc. and General Electric Co.'s finance arm GE Capital -- whose failure would represent too much risk to the financial markets. General Electric and AIG did not challenge that ruling, but Prudential asked for a hearing in the hopes of overturning the decision.

Prudential operates retirement and investment management businesses, as well as individual life and group insurance coverage, and has over $1 trillion in assets under management. For 2012, the Newark, N.J., company's financial services businesses reported net income of $428 million on revenue of $81.13 billion. It added The Hartford's individual life insurance business in January.

Prudential said Thursday that it has 30 days to consider its response. It said that it is reviewing its options and the rationale behind the council's move. Prudential declined to elaborate, but possible options may mean challenging it further in federal court.

Members of the FSOC, a group of top regulators, include Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew. The council was created by the 2010 financial overhaul law to help prevent another meltdown.

Shares of Prudential Financial Inc. closed earlier down $1.55, or 2 percent, at $78.69.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.