Diamond in advanced talks to buy Hartford VA unit

Bob Diamond's investment fund Atlas Merchant is in advanced
talks to buy The Hartford's long-for-sale variable annuity
run-off book for around $3.5bn, according to reports.
The Insurance Insiderreported yesterday that Atlas Merchant was among the two
likeliest acquirers of the under-auction business, along with
Resolution, havingrevealed in March this year that it was among the bidders.
Reuters reported last night that the former Barclays CEO has
prevailed in the sales process, with a deal poten