News
Friedman Fleischer & Lowe and Hellman & Friedman Complete Acquisition of CATRisk Operation of St. Paul Travelers; Business to Operate as GeoVera Holdings

SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--Nov. 2, 2005--

Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, LLC ("FFL") and Hellman & Friedman LLC ("H&F"), leading San Francisco-based private equity firms, today announced that investment affiliates of the firms have completed their previously announced acquisition of the CATRisk operation of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: STA).

Going forward, CATRisk will operate under the name GeoVera Holdings, Inc. ("GeoVera"). Based in Fairfield, California, GeoVera is a specialty property and casualty insurance operation that provides non-admitted homeowners insurance in Florida and Texas, among other states, and admitted residential earthquake insurance in California and Washington. Products are offered through three specialty insurance companies: residential earthquake insurers GeoVera Insurance Company and Pacific Select Property Insurance Company, and surplus lines carrier USF&G Specialty Insurance Company.

GeoVera's management team, which has led the CATRisk operation since its inception in 1993, will continue to lead the business under FFL and H&F's ownership. Kevin Nish will serve as Chief Executive Officer and Karen Padovese will serve as Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Nish said, "We are excited to begin a new chapter as an independent company, with outstanding new partners in FFL and H&F and a new name that has strong brand equity. Following the recent hurricanes, GeoVera remains well capitalized and positioned to expand product and service offerings. We look forward to capitalizing on this financial strength to pursue the many growth opportunities available to our business."

About Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, LLC

Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, LLC is a San Francisco-based private equity firm with $1.2 billion under management focused on investing in U.S. middle-market companies. Formed in 1998, FFL's strategy is to invest in companies where the substantial strategic and operating expertise of FFL's principals can help management improve margins, make acquisitions and grow earnings. FFL's targeted sectors include financial services, outsourced business services, consumer products, education, healthcare and marketing and media. Previous investments in the financial services sector include Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd. (MRH), CapitalSource, Inc. (CSE) and Wilton Re Holdings Limited. Other significant investments include Tempur-Pedic International (TPX), Korn/Ferry International (KFY) and Chief Manufacturing. For more information on Friedman Fleischer & Lowe, visit www.fflpartners.com .


About Hellman & Friedman LLC


Hellman & Friedman LLC is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with additional offices in New York and London. Since its founding in 1984, the Firm has raised and managed over $8 billion of committed capital and invested in approximately 50 companies. The Firm's strategy is to invest in superior business franchises and to be a value-added partner to management in select industries including financial services, media, professional services, energy and information services. The Firm has pursued investments in the insurance sector for over a decade, which include Arch Capital Group Limited (ACGL), Mitchell International, Inc., and Vertafore, Inc. Other investments in the financial services sector also include the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (NDAQ) and Mondrian Investment Partners. For more information on Hellman & Friedman, visit www.hf.com .