Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
Black rain hits Hong Kong again
For the second time this year the Hong Kong Observatory has raised the black rain warning as thunderstorms hit the city on 8 and 9 May.
Munich Re's Q1 2014 profit falls 5%; April pricing weakens 8%
Profits fell 5% in the first quarter at global reinsurer Munich Re and April renewal prices declined 8%.
ING injects further €850m of capital ahead of listing
So far this year ING has provided €1.85bn of capital to its insurance arm the NN Group ahead of an expected listing in Amsterdam.
French adjuster hires Hong Kong claims manager from Marsh
French specialist loss adjuster GM Consultant has appointed Alex Lui as a senior manager in Hong Kong.
Multiple billion dollar natural disasters in April
Tornadoes and extensive crop damage led to multiple billion dollar natural disasters in April according to catastrophe modeler Impact Forecasting.
First insurer with foreign investment sets-up in Shanghai free trade zone
Insurer Sino-US MetLife has become the first Chinese insurer with foreign investment to set-up in Shanghai's fledgling free trade zone.
New Zealand regulator clears IAG's Wesfarmers deal
After several delays the New Zealand Commerce Commission has agreed to Insurance Australia Group's acquisition of Wesfarmers' Lumley insurance business.
Asia-Pacific rates declined in first quarter, says Marsh
According to international broker Marsh, insurance rates declined by as much as 25% in the first quarter of 2014 in the Asia-Pacific region.
17 injured in Tokyo quake
A magnitude six earthquake south of Tokyo disrupted transport and injured 17 people.
White House to warn climate change is already here
The National Climate Assessment, a report compiled by 300 leading scientists and experts, is set to reveal the US is already suffering from the affects of climate change.
DLA Piper appoints head of corporate, Asia
DLA Piper has appointed Paul Chen as head of corporate, Asia and will be based in Hong Kong.
ING offered €1.275bn of funding before insurance IPO
Dutch financial services firm ING Group has secured €1.275bn of funding in its European and Japanese insurance division NN Group from three Asian investors.
Poon moves to chairman at Hong Kong Federation of Insurers
Jimmy Poon, CEO of Dah Sing Insurance, has been appointed chairman of the Hong Kong Federation Insurers and a councillor of HKFI’s General Insurance Council for 2014/15.
Peak Re forms Australian partnership
Peak Re and Sydney-based reinsurance consultancy MacquarRe have signed a co-operation agreement.
New Zealand regulator delays IAG Wesfarmers decision
The New Zealand regulator has once again delayed a decision on approving Insurance Australia Group's acquisition of Wesfarmers' underwriting division.
FWD opens in the Philippines
Hong Kong-based life insurer FWD to set-up in the Philippines.
Chinese regulator examines intermediary market
The China Insurance Regulatory Commission is attempting to clean up the intermediary market in the country.
Ace completes Thai purchase
Ace has completed its acquisition of a 60.9% stake in the general insurance division of Siam Commercial Bank for $190m (4.5bn baht).
Crawford makes third party administrator Broadspire global
Loss adjuster Crawford claims it has introduced the first 'truly global' third party administration service.
Allianz reports top ten driving distractions
The Allianz Center for Technology has unveiled the top distraction for drivers is phone use at the wheel.
Magenta sells iprism stake
Growth investor Magenta Partners has sold its minority stake in underwriting agency iprism to UK private equity house Bowmark Capital.
Zurich offloads MCIS stake in Malaysia
Zurich is selling its 40% stake in Malaysian insurer MCIS Zurich for $93m (MYR 304m)after being required to sell it because of another acquisition.
JLT recruits from Ace for Indonesia CEO hire
JLT has appointed Rosmaylinda Nasution as the chief operating officer and chief executive of JLT Indonesia.
Singapore progressing on contract certainty; December deadline looms
Singapore reinsurance market on track to meet the December 2014 contract certainty deadline if more companies make an effort to engage.