Peter Smyth Joins MetLife's Asia Pacific Leadership Team

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) announced today a new appointment to its senior leadership team in Asia Pacific through the selection of Peter Smyth as regional managing director of Asia Pacific for MetLife's International business.  In this role, Mr. Smyth will have responsibility for MetLife's operations in Australia, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan as well as oversight for direct marketing, bank distribution partnerships and other distribution relationships in the Asia Pacific region.

"We are pleased to have Peter join our Asia Pacific management team," said Eugene Marks, executive vice president and head of the Asia Pacific region for MetLife's International business.  "Peter is bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Asia Pacific region to MetLife, which will be a great asset for the company as we continue to expand our leadership position in the region."

Mr. Smyth has over 30 years of international insurance experience and has held senior leadership positions at global insurance companies.  Prior to joining MetLife, Mr. Smyth was head of the International Business at The Hartford in the United States with responsibility for operations covering Japan, Europe (Ireland, UK, Germany), Brazil, Canada and Bermuda.  He also spent over 10 years with ING-Asia Pacific responsible for operating life, pensions, funds management and distribution businesses across Asia and Australia.

MetLife's International business is currently building a global MetLife brand, extending core products and competencies to those markets around the world where MetLife can gain a competitive advantage.  MetLife's International business plays a key role in the company's overall strategy; the business is expected to be an important growth engine for the enterprise as it leverages resources and capabilities to select markets globally.  MetLife's International business employs over 11,000 people in 15 markets and reaches a customer base of over 18 million.

MetLife, Inc. is a leading provider of insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife, Inc. reaches more than 70 million customers around the world and MetLife is the largest life insurer in the United States (based on life insurance in-force). The MetLife companies offer life insurance, annuities, auto and home insurance, retail banking and other financial services to individuals, as well as group insurance and retirement & savings products and services to corporations and other institutions. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

SOURCE MetLife