METLIFE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES SPONSORSHIP OF MULTIPLIERS OF PROSPERITY FOR A THIRD YEAR

Global campaign continues to advance work on promoting financial inclusion in Asia NEW YORK, April 4, 2017 - MetLife Foundation today proudly announces its third year as sponsor of Multipliers of Prosperity, an award winning custom content hub led by WSJ. Custom Studios that helps raise awareness about the challenges and opportunities in the realm of financial inclusion.

According to the World Bank's Global Findex*, there are over two billion people globally, one third of whom are based in Asia, who lack access to basic financial tools such as bank accounts, credit and insurance. Low income people who lack financial services often resort to using informal methods which are significantly more expensive, less secure and less likely to assist low income households build better lives for themselves.

Multipliers of Prosperity provides an in-depth look at the world of financial inclusion and introduces the reader to innovative organizations who are making breakthroughs and are making a positive difference. The hub shares insights and chronicles the triumphs of people who have taken steps towards financial stability and the providers who have helped them reach their goals.

Improving the financial health of low and moderate income individuals so they can secure a better financial future is a key component of the Foundation's work, said Chris Townsend, President, Asia, MetLife, Inc., and MetLife Foundation Board Member. The steady rise of fintech solutions that address the needs of this underserved population is encouraging.

Dennis White, President & CEO of MetLife Foundation, added, MetLife Foundation is partnering with a number of organizations around the world to provide individuals and communities with the tools they need to achieve sustainable financial well-being. Multipliers of Prosperity is an excellent way to put a spotlight on financial inclusion, and to share the ongoing work being done by our partners.

Over the next five months, Multipliers of Prosperity will feature a mix of videos, articles, original photography and interactive storytelling. This includes a four-part video series showcasing organizations making a significant impact on individuals and communities in Asia and around the world, including Bankable Frontiers Associates and Sajida in Bangladesh who are creating mobile phone based solutions to suit their busy clients' needs, and Common Cents Lab, a financial research lab, in the United States which is using a deep understanding of behavioral economics to design products and services that facilitate use and encourage success.

In 2016, Multipliers of Prosperity added Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language options to the content hub. The hub received over 430,000 page views and had over 500,000 unique viewers on SnapChat with the video content viewed over 1.5 million times. The short film, a Dispatch from India which highlighted the work of Ujjivan, a microfinance institution and partner of MetLife Foundation in India, won three Telly Awards. To date, the campaign has promoted a significant increase in public awareness on the topic of financial inclusion delivering more than 20 million digital and print impressions.

MetLife Foundation is also the sponsor of The Financial Inclusion Challenge 2017 for the third year. The competition is led and managed by The Wall Street Journal and runs through to March 15, 2017. Finalists will be invited to attend a live event on June 7 in Hong Kong where the winner will be selected. Finalists will be considered for grant funding from MetLife Foundation.

To learn more about and how to participate in The Financial Inclusion Challenge 2017, please visit: http://financingthefuture.wsj.com/financialinclusion.html

About MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was created in 1976 to continue MetLife's long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. Since its creation, MetLife Foundation has provided more than $744 million in grants and $70 million in program-related investments to organizations addressing issues that have a positive impact in their communities. Today, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing financial inclusion, committing $200 million to accelerate progress globally.

Together with our partners, we have now helped 1.5 million people in 30 countries gain access to financial products, services, and institutions that they need to build better and more secure lives.

To learn more about MetLife Foundation and financial inclusion visit multipliersofprosperity.com.

*World Bank Findex 2014

LINK:	https://www.metlife.com/about/press-room/us-press-releases/2016/index....
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