Exclusive: Protective in lead for AXA US insurance assets: sources

Insurer Protective Life Insurance is the leading candidate to buy some of AXA SA's U.S. life insurance assets in a deal that could be valued at around $1 billion, according to two people familiar with the situation.

An AXA spokeswoman declined to comment. Birmingham, Alabama-based Protective Life, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting By Jessica Toonkel; Editing by Gerald E. McCormick)