Reuters

Dutch insurer Aegon NV  has applied for more than $1 billion in U.S. government support and may buy a small U.S. thrift company to be eligible for the funds, it said on Tuesday.

'This is part of our strategy to ensure Aegon has the strongest capital position possible,' said Aegon spokesman Greg Tucker, adding that the support would equate to about 1 percent of Aegon's $125 billion of U.S. assets.

Aegon, which received 3 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in capital support from the Dutch government last month, was not experiencing liquidity problems, and would use the U.S. money for its U.S. operations, Tucker said.

Aegon, which owns U.S. life insurer Transamerica and generates three-quarters of its operating profit in the United States, may buy a thrift company -- possibly Maryland-based Suburban Federal Savings Bank  -- to be eligible for the support, Tucker said.

Aegon's plans are similar to those of Hartford a life and property insurer that has been hit by investment losses, and peers Genworth Financial  Inc and Lincoln National  Corp, who are all planning to buy small savings and loans companies and apply for federal support.

Aegon expected a decision from the U.S. authorities before the end of the year, and any deal to buy a U.S. thrift company would also be concluded within that period, Tucker said.

A deal to buy a thrift might take the form of a capital injection and the company concerned would not be a major institution, said Tucker. Suburban had about $300 million in assets, he said. (Reporting by Gilbert Kreijger; editing by John Stonestreet)