Asia
AIA acquisition includes Thai bond risk
Prudential will take on $7.37bn of Thai sovereign debt in a deal to buy AIG’s Asian unit, according to a regulatory filing.
Bowring Marsh opens Tokyo office
Bowring Marsh, the specialist international placement broker at Marsh, has expanded its footprint in Asia with the opening in Tokyo of its eighth office.
E&Y warning over emerging markets
Emerging markets continue to offer growth but insurers need to keep this in perspective according to a panel at Ernst and Young's global insurance conference in Paris.
Risk presentation key, claims international broker survey
According to new research commissioned by Bowring Marsh, the quality of the presentation of risk information is crucial to insureds obtaining the most competitive terms from insurers.
Prudential starts $21bn delayed offering
Rights' offer to fund the purchase of AIG’s Asian unit, AIA, after a 12-day delay has fuelled speculation that the deal will fail.
European GI CEO Annette Court out in Zurich reshuffle
Zurich Financial Services today announced a streamlined management structure and related senior management appointments. The changes come into effect on 1 July.
Ageas records loss in quarter one
Ageas today reported a 20% increase in premium over the first quarter of 2010 to EUR 5bn when compared with Q1 2009.
Goldman nears deal for AXA's $1bn Taikang stake
An investing arm of Goldman Sachs is in the final stages of an agreement to buy AXA's $1.05bn stake in Chinese Taikang Life, according to newswire Reuters.
Pru and AIG in talks on restructuring AIA sale
AIG and Prudential are in advanced talks to restructure the $35.5bn sale of AIA, the AIG’s Asian unit, in a move that would cut the cash consideration by about $2bn but could answer UK regulators’ last-minute objections to the deal according to the…
Samsung Life rises after record IPO
Samsung Life Insurance rose on its first day of trading in Seoul after raising $4.3bn in South Korea’s biggest initial public offering.
William Russell expands global sales team
International expatriate insurance specialist William Russell has restructured and expanded its global sales team with the appointment of six new sales professionals.
Oil spill costs Catlin $40m
Catlin has estimated its exposure to the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster is approximately $40m (£27m) net of reinsurance and reinstatements.
Mondial reports €56m profit for 2009
Mondial Assistance has reported €1.673bn turnover in 2009 (+4.8% or +5.4% at a constant exchange rate) and a return of €56m. Its combined ratio was 95.9 %.
Prudential takeover of AIA given go ahead by FSA
Prudential saved its takeover of AIG’s main Asian unit after reaching an agreement with the UK regulator, the Sunday Times has reported.
Cunningham Lindsey sets up global power group
The loss adjuster announces formation of global initiative to handle major operation loss involving a variety of power related risks.
Guy Carpenter predicts slow pacific cyclone season
Risk management and reinsurance firm Guy Carpenter has predicted a that tropical cyclone activity in the Western North Pacific will be below normal levels for the remainder of the year.
Bowring Marsh names global business development boss
International placement broker Bowring Marsh has named George Jones as its first ever global head of business development.
Willis international arm hit by "weak" UK and Ireland
Willis has reported net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2010 was $204m, compared with $192m in the same period a year ago.
India life insurance market grows 25%
According to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority in India, life insurers in the country have posted 25% growth in new premium income for the financial year ended 31 March.
Prudential sees Asian listings in May
Prudential has revealed it plans to list in Hong Kong in May, and also announced a secondary listing in Singapore as it prepares to fund its $35.5bn takeover of AIG’s Asian arm, AIA.
Singapore Re in Q1 results jump
Singapore Reinsurance has posted an 80% jump for its first quarter net profit to S$3.6m.
Waterland to buy MetLife Taiwan for $112.5m
Waterland Financial Holdings to pay cash for the Taiwan business of the US life insurer as more insurers exit the country.
Axa reacts as watchdog blocks deal
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has today decided to oppose National Australia Bank's proposed acquisition of Axa Asia Pacific Holdings, and not to oppose AMP's proposed acquisition.
CSR - microinsurance: Small wonder
Traditional insurance has typically focused on affluent markets, mainly in Western industrialised countries, but insurers willing to go off the beaten track could find microinsurance a rewarding addition to their business, writes Ana Paula Nacif.