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In the life insurance business, the present value of new business premiums increased to €859 million and operating profit grew by 104% to €30 million

Aviva Ireland sees profits increase by 7% in H1, 2019

Profit across Aviva Ireland increased by 7% to €61 million in the first half of the year, as a result of material growth in life operating profits.

Business • 08 Aug 19

Aviva announced its intention to acquire Friends First Life Assurance Company from Dutch insurer Achmea last November.

Aviva deal for Friends First now complete

Aviva Ireland said it has completed the deal to buy life insurer Friends First after the Central Bank gave its approval last week.

Business • 01 Jun 18

Friends First research shows that 44% of adults personally hold a private pension

56% of people expect to be mortgage free on retirement

New research shows that only 56% of people surveyed expect to be mortgage free when they retire, with 9% saying they would be mortgage free about five years after they retire.

Business • 22 Sep 17

On the fallout from Brexit, Mr Power said the 'most obvious challenges that are presented to Ireland are for indigenous Irish exporters and tourism'

Economy faces 'immense risks' in 2017 - study

The Irish economy has performed strongly this year, but faces "immense risks" next year from Brexit, wage pressures, and US economic policies, according to the latest Economic Outlook from Friends First.

Business • 07 Dec 16

Friends First Chief Economist Jim Power (L) and Brian O’Neill

Economic recovery steady, but Brexit fears persist

Irish economic recovery is continuing at a steady pace but further growth is under threat from the fallout from Brexit and currency volatility, according to the latest outlook from Friends First.

Business • 25 Aug 16

Friends First sees GDP growth of 4.5% this year

Biggest threat to economy now political - Power

The biggest threats to the country's economic recovery are now political - both local and European - according to Friends First economist Jim Power.

Business • 03 Jun 15

Friends First had initially owned 34% of the shopping centre

Friends First buys Blackrock Shopping Centre

Life assurance company Friends First has bought Blackrock Shopping Centre, in south Dublin.

Business • 19 Sep 14

The economic recovery has been felt primarily in the Dublin area and a policy shift is needed to ensure the benefits are spread nationally

'Policy shift needed' to spread wealth nationally

There needs to be a policy shift at a national level if the economic recovery is to spread beyond the capital, according to the chief economist at Friends First, Jim Power.

Business • 27 May 14

Jim Power said the rise in Dublin house prices should not be taken as sign of a broader recovery

Gradual recovery possible despite risks - report

Issues around credit availability and the frailty of the euro zone banking system are the biggest threats to an external economic recovery in Ireland, according to the latest Friends First Economic Outlook.

Business • 12 Nov 13

The majority of respondents said they planned to rely on the State pension when they retired

71% of Irish employees have pensions - survey

More than 70% of Irish employees have a pension, according to a survey by Friends First, 4% higher than last year and 8% above the 2011 figure.

Business • 10 Sep 13

Call on Government to consider ending austerity

The greatest stimulus the Government could give the economy would be to signal an easing of fiscal austerity, according to a new economic report from Friends First.

Business • 28 May 13

Friends First