Jamie Shepherdson to Lead AXA Equitable Wholesale Life and Annuity Distribution

NEW YORK, April 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AXA Financial, Inc., the parent of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, announced today that its life insurance wholesaling operations will report to Jamie Shepherdson, Executive Vice President and a member of the company's Executive Management Committee. Mr. Shepherdson also oversees the company's wholesale distribution of annuity products to brokerage firms, banks, independent financial planners and the company's retail organization. The announcement was made today by Christopher M. "Kip" Condron, President and Chief Executive Officer of AXA Financial, Inc.

"This realignment under Jamie Shepherdson's dynamic leadership enables us to build on the successes of our annuity and life insurance wholesale channels and leverage the strong client relationships both organizations have developed," said Mr. Condron.

AXA Equitable's proprietary life insurance products are sold on a wholesale basis primarily to brokerage general agents (BGAs). These products include Athena Universal Life and Athena Survivorship Life, Incentive Life (IL) Series, including IL Legacy and IL Survivorship and the AXA Equitable Level Term Series. Life insurance wholesale operations are headquartered in Farmington, CT. "We've built a strong operation in Farmington. Our innovative products, underwriting, Advanced Markets team, and expanded wholesaling force offer a unique value proposition to the BGA market," said Mr. Shepherdson.

AXA Equitable entered the life insurance wholesaling business after the acquisition of MONY Life Insurance Company in July 2004. AXA Equitable's total life sales in 2006 increased 37%, compared to an industry rate of 7%. AXA Equitable now ranks #8 in total life sales and #4 in universal life product sales. Its total life sales through the wholesale channel were up 70% for 2006, resulting in improved market share of 4.5% and a national rank of #9.*

"AXA Equitable has made a significant investment in its life insurance wholesale distribution and our gain in market share reflects that," said Mr. Shepherdson. "In my new role overseeing this operation, I look forward to continuing our momentum and AXA Equitable becoming the recognized leader in the wholesale distribution of life insurance products."

About AXA Equitable

AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company, New York, N.Y., provides life insurance and annuity products and services for the financial services market, co-distributed by AXA Advisors, LLC, and AXA Distributors, LLC. AXA Equitable is one of the premier U.S. organizations providing financial protection and wealth management. Its parent company, AXA Financial, Inc. had $795 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2006. AXA Financial is a member of the global AXA Group, which had $1.73 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2006. All guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company.

AXA Equitable is a sponsor of the Variable Annuities Knowledge Center (http://www.variableannuityfacts.org/), an online resource aimed at helping consumers understand the facts surrounding variable annuities. The Variable Annuities Knowledge Center is operated by a standalone non-profit organization and is overseen by an independent advisory board.

* Source: LIMRA International