Protective Life Corporation (NYSE: PL) announced today that Edward M. Berko will join the Company on August 17 in a newly created position as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer. Mr. Berko will report to John D. Johns, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and will be a member of the company’s senior Operations Committee.

Mr. Johns commented as follows: “Ed Berko brings more than 25 years of experience in the field of enterprise risk management to this newly created position at Protective. He is a mature and seasoned business leader, and we are delighted to have him on our senior management team.”

ABOUT MR. BERKO

Mr. Berko most recently served as Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer for MetLife’s Investments Department. Prior to joining MetLife, Mr. Berko served in a variety of positions as a senior executive at a number of financial services, management consulting and technology companies that develop, implement, advise on and use risk management systems and solutions. Mr. Berko also served for nine years as a U.S. naval officer.

Mr. Berko received a BS in marine engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis and an MBA in finance from The Wharton School of Business at The University of Pennsylvania.

About Protective Life Corporation

Protective Life Corporation provides financial services through the production, distribution and administration of insurance and investment products throughout the United States. It has annual revenues of approximately $2.5 billion and as of December 31, 2008 had assets of approximately $39.6 billion.

Protective Life Corporation
Eva Robertson, Vice President, Investor Relations, 205-268-3912