LONDON, September 23 /PRNewswire/ --     FIS Software, a leading global provider of package-based software
solutions for life and pensions companies, is delighted to announce the
successful integration of Bright Grey's ground breaking new expert
underwriting capability into ALIS.

Against a background of increasing pressure on price and profit margins
many financial services products are now delivered through the internet. The
traditional underwriting processes, which can take weeks to provide customers
with protection cover, can prove insufficient to meet the demands of a rapid,
responsive business model. To circumvent the bottleneck and allow IFAs to
take a greater level of control in their own underwriting Bright Grey
developed advanced expert underwriting capabilities which FIS has integrated
into ALIS.

Rather than taking one of the specialist systems supplied by reinsurers
Bright Grey decided its needs would be better served with its own bespoke
system. Bright Grey developed a new system that allows intermediaries to
submit applications online in a more intuitive way than ever before. FIS
integrated the new expert underwriting capabilities within ALIS as part of
Bright Grey's whole new infrastructure. The new system also improves pass
rates so that more customers get cover more quickly. This new system makes
Bright Grey the first financial services company in the UK running its own
'expert underwriting' system.

The new user-friendly system is powered by an extensive database of more
than 20,000 illnesses, risks, hazardous pursuits, synonyms and misspellings.
With context sensitive additional questions triggered automatically the
in-built rules engine drives the system to generate immediate decisions. The
system also maintains detailed internal statistics on performance that allow
'fine tuning' to give even more comprehensive decisions.

The system is already exceeding the targets set out in the business case
by reducing servicing and underwriting costs significantly ahead of
expectations. The high pass rates also mean reduced evidence costs, reduced
workload and a higher proportion of applications ending up in a successful
sale.

Overall, the new technology has improved efficiency by automating
existing manual business processes.

Bright Grey's Neil Cameron said "We now have a versatile platform, which
will allow us to develop and strengthen our proposition through initiatives
such as a telephone-based application service."

Commenting on the reaction of the intermediaries he added, "The take up
rate on the new service has been excellent. It means that the system is now
the preferred path to purchase for all Bright Grey business."

Shay Alon, CEO of FIS said "We are delighted with the new functionality
we have developed on ALIS in conjunction with Bright Grey. By transferring
power to the IFA, business is speeded up, the customer gets better service,
costs are cut and everybody gets a better experience."

FIS Software is dedicated to developing and delivering packaged-based
global insurance solutions that enable life insurance, pensions and
investment companies to run their businesses more efficiently, and respond to
territorial legislation and regulations.

Our software solutions are based on ALIS, a single packaged,
parameter-driven platform which manages the entire policy lifecycle of all
life insurance, pensions and investment products, throughout the global
insurance market.

For further information visit http://www.fis-software.com

Royal London Group, is a specialist financial service provider. Its
businesses focus on those sectors of the market which value premium
propositions, operating through a number of brands:

- Scottish Life - UK pensions market
    - Bright Grey - UK protection market
    - Scottish Life International - offshore investment markets
    - RLAM - fund management
    - RLAS - life and pensions administration
    - Fundsdirect / Ascentric - funds supermarket; Wrap Platform



Royal London is one of the stronger life and pension companies in the UK,
and has a strong track record for with-profits performance.

Royal London is the largest mutual life and pensions company in the UK
with Group funds under management of GBP33.1 billion. Group businesses serve
around three million customers and employ 2,620 people (figures quoted are as
at 31 December 2007).

Contact details for FIS: 

    Graham Newman
    Global Marketing Director
    +44(0)7816-857279
    gnewman@fis-software.com

    Contact details for Bright Grey: 

    neil.cameron@brightgrey.com 
    tel: +44(0)131-247-1677