The Ameritas Acacia Companies and The Union Central Life Insurance Company Merge Mutual Holding Companies and Establish UNIFI Mutual Holding Company

Business Wire, Jan 2, 2006

LINCOLN, Neb. -- On January 1, Ameritas Acacia Mutual Holding Company (The Ameritas Acacia Companies) and the newly formed Union Central Mutual Holding Company (Union Central) of Cincinnati, Ohio, merged and became UNIFI Mutual Holding Company (UNIFI Companies). By merging at the mutual holding company level, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., Acacia Life Insurance Company, The Union Central Life Insurance Company and their affiliated companies will retain their individual company identities; benefit from their combined financial strength; and realize new growth opportunities for policyholders, customers, producers and employees.

E[acute accent]Lawrence J. Arth is the UNIFI Companies chairman and chief executive officer. Arth previously served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ameritas Acacia Mutual Holding Company. John Jacobs assumes the positions of UNIFI Companies vice chairman, president and chief operating officer. Prior to the merger, Jacobs served as president, chairman and chief executive officer of The Union Central Life Insurance Company and continues to hold the titles of chairman and chief executive officer of Union Central. E[acute accent]"This merger is a big step forward for our companies. By merging, we're reaching new levels of scale, enhancing our financial strength and helping support our independent insurance ratings. This will enable us to create new avenues for expansion that would not have been possible before," said Arth. E[acute accent]As a diversified group of insurance and financial services businesses, UNIFI Companies--Ameritas Life, Acacia Life, Union Central Life and their affiliated companies--will offer life insurance and annuities, individual disability income products, group dental and eye care insurance, mutual funds, investments, retirement plans, banking, worksite benefits and public finance. E[acute accent]Presidents of the primary life insurance companies are: Ameritas Life: JoAnn M. Martin, president and chief executive officer; Acacia Life: Haluk Ariturk, president and chief executive officer; and Union Central Life: Gary T. Huffman, president and chief operating officer. E[acute accent]"Together, we can offer a more complementary and complete portfolio of products and services," said Jacobs. "This merger is a union of successful companies that are combining their resources and individual strengths to fulfill our vision of a dynamic future. Jacobs continued, "From day one, we will offer our products and services through the common vision, shared values and commitment to service that has been in place for decades. This combination of complementary products and a shared service philosophy will position us as a major force in our industry." E[acute accent]The three primary operating companies will continue to have a strong presence in their respective local communities. Ameritas Life is based in Lincoln, Neb., Acacia Life in the Washington, D.C. area, and Union Central Life in Cincinnati, Ohio. E[acute accent]"These communities have been critical success partners for over a century and we expect these partnerships to grow in the future," Arth said. "As the UNIFI Companies grow, support of our local communities will grow right along with it. "UNIFI Companies has more than 364,000 policyholders/members, over $25 billion in assets under management, approximately $15.8 billion in insurance assets, in excess of $1.6 billion in annual revenues and $1.9 billion in total equity. E[acute accent]For more information about UNIFI Companies, visit www.UNIFIcompanies.com, starting January 3.