Aviva staff today spoke of their shock that the company was considering a possible merger with Friends Life.
It emerged last night that the Norwich-based firm is in 'advanced talks' about joining forces with Friends Life to create the UK's leading insurance, savings and asset management business.
The merger would be worth £5.6bn.
One staff member said the first he had heard about it was when he read the EDP this morning.
The employee, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: 'We hadn't been told about the merger news and it all came out of the blue today. The first I knew about it was when I read it in the EDP.
'Everyone will want to be reassured about what it means for Norwich after all the changes which have been made and all the upheaval we have had.'
Aviva - previously known as Norwich Union - has been in Norwich for generations and still employs about 5000 people in the city.
Friends Life said it was prepared to recommend the terms of Aviva's offer to its shareholders.
• Are you an Aviva employee, and what do you think about the potential merger between Aviva and Friends Life?
Post your comments below or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk
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