Fitch Places AmerUs' Ratings on Rating Watch Positive.

NEW YORK -- Fitch today placed the ratings of AmerUs Group Co. (NYSE:AMH) on Rating Watch Positive, following today's announcement by Aviva plc (Aviva) that it has reached an agreement to acquire AMH.

The rating action reflects that upon the closing of the transaction, AMH will become part of a higher rated entity (IDR rated 'A+') with substantial resources and financial flexibility. Strengthened product diversification and distribution opportunities are expected to result from the combination of the U.S. operations of Aviva and AMH. Fitch expects to review financing and integration plans and progress before resolving the Rating Watch, but expects all of AMH's ratings to be raised one notch.

AMH, an insurance holding company, is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, and reported total assets of $24.7 billion and stockholders' equity of $1.7 billion at March 31, 2006.

Aviva writes both life and non-life business and has operations worldwide. Within its key markets, it holds top five positions. At year-end 2005, Aviva plc had $556 billion in assets under management and $15 billion in shareholders equity.

The following ratings were placed on Rating Watch Positive by Fitch:

AmerUs Group Co.

--Issuer default rating (IDR) at 'BBB+';

--6.583% senior notes due May 16, 2011 at 'BBB';

--5.95% senior notes due August 15, 2015 at 'BBB';

--Prides at 'BBB';

--Perpetual preferred stock at 'BBB-'.

AmerUs Capital I

--Trust preferred at 'BBB-'.

AmerUs Life Insurance Co.

--Insurer financial strength at 'A'.

Indianapolis Life Insurance Company

--Issuer default rating (IDR) at 'A-';

--Surplus notes at 'BBB+';

--Insurer financial strength at 'A'.

American Investors Life Insurance Co.

--Insurer financial strength at 'A'.

Bankers Life Insurance Co. of New York

--Insurer financial strength at 'A'.

Fitch's rating definitions and the terms of use of such ratings are available on the agency's public site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are available from this site, at all times. Fitch's code of conduct, confidentiality, conflicts of interest, affiliate firewall, compliance and other relevant policies and procedures are also available from the 'Code of Conduct' section of this site.