Des Moines-based annuity and life insurance company F&G reported total sales of $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2022, a 57% increase over first quarter 2021 and an increase of 18% from the fourth quarter of 2021. In an earnings release from its parent company, Fidelity National Financial Inc., the company said the increase “reflects successful execution of F&G’s diversified growth strategy and a disciplined approach to pricing.” Average assets under management by F&G were $37.5 billion for the first quarter, an increase of 29% from $29 billion in the first quarter of 2021, driven by net new business asset flows. F&G completed its largest pension risk transfer transaction to date in the first quarter, with more than $500 million of premium transferred.  Ending assets under management were $38.6 billion as of March 31. Net earnings attributable to common shareholders for F&G were $236 million for the first quarter, compared with $289 million for the first quarter of 2021. F&G’s CEO, Chris Blunt, said F&G is making progress toward a targeted closing later this year on the recently announced transaction to distribute 15% ownership of F&G to shareholders of its parent company, FNF, which will make F&G a publicly traded company. “Overall, we are well positioned for future growth opportunities and view the transition to being a publicly traded company as a vote of confidence for our business,” he said.