AXA Distribution Services announces The Finch Group as one of the Elevate consultative partners[

10 September 2008

Sept 10 2008: AXA Distribution Services reveals that The Finch Group is one of the consultative partners to have worked on the development of the Elevate wrap platform.

Throughout the development of Elevate, AXA Distribution Services has undertaken a phased and consultative approach to launch. A select group of six consultative adviser partners were the first to have access to the platform in December 2007, their role to feed back comments on functionality and service. Consultative partners were chosen to provide as broad a representation of the adviser market as possible, with each operating different advice models and back-office systems.

Paul Finch, Partner, The Finch Group, says: “I have been very impressed with the Elevate proposition from day one and we have been placing business on the platform since January 2008. I am delighted to waive confidentiality about our involvement as consultative partners as I am proud of the input we have had with the AXA Distribution Services team. I feel very strongly that we must all work together as an industry to create a better model. I have high hopes for Elevate and for the first time in a long while, I am excited about the prospects for the IFA sector, particularly if it reacts positively to the use of propositions like Elevate to develop client service and advice.”

Martin Jennings, Director of Marketing & Distribution, AXA Distribution Services, says: “Our consultative partners have all played a crucial role in helping us to develop Elevate as a platform that truly meets adviser’s requirements. Paul Finch and his team have provided invaluable, detailed feedback throughout this development. We are looking forward to delivering the next major development to them and above all, would like to thank Paul and his team for their clear and invaluable feedback - all of which we have used to ensure we deliver a better platform.”

Finch Financial Services LLP, the financial services side of The Finch Group has been providing independent financial advice for over 30 years to both corporate and private clients. Paul Finch and his business partner, Nigel Bull, have embraced a holistic financial advice model. This utilises the advances in market technology for a competitive edge and increased efficiency while allowing The Finch Group to deliver client services which assist in meeting the ‘Treating Customers Fairly’ requirements. The Finch Group principals believe that to flourish advisers have to embrace technology, like Elevate, to deliver the services and advice that clients will expect and demand in the future.

The next stage of Elevate functionality will include unbundled pricing, a pension wrapper, securities trading and upgraded investment tools. In addition, availability will be expanded to the wider market.

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Notes to Editors:

About AXA Distribution Services
Elevate, PO Box 476, Bristol BS34 8UY. Telephone: 0845 600 2399. AXA is a worldwide leader in financial protection and wealth management. In the UK, one of the AXA companies is AXA Portfolio Services Limited, which uses the Elevate trading style. AXA Portfolio Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. It is a company limited by shares, registered in England No. 1128611.Registered office: 5 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1AD. As part of our commitment to quality service, telephone calls may be recorded.

This press release has been approved by AXA Portfolio Services Ltd.

AXA Group is a worldwide leader in Financial Protection. AXA's operations are diverse geographically, with major operations in Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific area. Full year 2007 IFRS revenues amounted to Euro 94 billion and adjusted earnings to Euro 6,138 million. The AXA ordinary share is listed on compartment A of Euronext Paris under the ticker symbol CS (ISIN FR0000120628 – Bloomberg: CS FP – Reuters: AXAF.PA). The American Depository Share is also listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol AXA.

Please note that previous company performance is not a guide to future performance and that any opinions expressed in this media communication are made as at the date of publication but are subject to change without notice.

The Finch Group was established in 1971 and is based in Woodley, Reading, UK. It operates financial services and general insurance subsidiaries mainly dealing with businesses in the Thames Valley area. Total income is over £2.5m, and it has 42 staff.