Articles by Francesca Nyman
PZU targets 5bn PLN in five years from health insurance
Polish insurer PZU is hoping that legislative reform will allow it to expand its Polish healthcare portfolio.
Markel opens second Malaysian office
Specialist insurer, Markel International, has opened a marketing office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in response to increased demand for specialist products from the Asian market.
Prudential departure would be "severe blow", says Tory MEP
The market has been responding to the news that The Prudential, one of the UK's oldest insurance companies, may re-domicile abroad, due to a lack of clarity over how Solvency II will affect its business.
Protection needed for consumers to embrace 'mobile wallets'
Consumer interest in mobile transactions would be "exponentially higher" if secure protection products were an option, according to a survey on mobile trends by specialty insurer Assurant Solutions.
India considers guarantees for Iranian oil
India's shipping secretary K Mohandas said on Tuesday that the country is considering sovereign guarantees for shipping and buying Iranian oil on a delivered basis, when EU sanctions on Iran come in to effect, according to Reuters India.
Sri Lanka's GI market grew 21% in 2011
Sri Lanka's general insurance market grew by 21% in 2011, a record for the industry since its privitisation, according to Sri Lankan business paper the Daily News.
Japan questions EU over impact of Iran sanctions
Japan's government is seeking clarification from the European Union about the implications of its sanctions against Iran for non-EU states, amid fears Japanese ship owners could see cover for voyages to Iran slashed.
RSA IFS and counterparty credit ratings upgraded to 'A+'
General insurer RSA's core operating entities have been upgraded to 'A+' in recognition of the group's strong capitalisation.
Eurozone crisis biggest challenge for life insurers
Continued eurozone crisis will affect insurers in 2012, but it is difficult to quantify how severely, according to Fitch senior director Federico Faccio.
Chartis relaunches K&R in Middle East
Property and casualty insurer Chartis is increasing its focus on kidnap and ransom as it relaunches the specialist product for the Middle East market.
Talent deficit could scupper financial services firms' growth plans
A serious talent shortage could derail the growth plans of financial services companies globally, according to PwC's latest CEO survey.
Mapfre and CEA join forces to target French travel market
Mapfre Asistencia has signed a strategic agreement with French firm Compagnie Européenne d'Assurances for joint operations in the French travel insurance sector.
Thai regulator raises foreign share cap to 49%
Thailand's insurance regulator, The Office of the Insurance Commission, has agreed to raise the foreign shareholding limit in the country's insurance companies from 25% to 49% in a bid to liberalise the market.
Generali reports 5.5% fall in premiums
Italy-based insurer Generali reported a 5.5% reduction in premiums for the full year 2011, despite the solid performance of the non-life segment.
Swiss Re reports $2.6bn profit despite nat cats hitting P&C combined ratio
Global reinsurer Swiss Re exceeded analyst expectations to report net income of $2.6bn for the full year 2011.
Life insurers need derivatives to hedge risks, says IRDA chairman
The chairman of India's insurance regulator has indicated that it may relax the ban on life insurance companies investing in derivatives, in a speech at the 14th Global Conference of Actuaries in Mumbai.
Allianz revenues down 2.7% to €103.6bn
German general insurer Allianz reported a 2.7% reduction in revenues for the full year 2011, down to €103.6bn from €106.5bn in 2010.
Lancashire secures $75m additional capital for Japan renewals
Lancashire Holdings has said it will be able to deploy $75m additional capital for the 1 April Japanese market renewals after securing the extra capital from its Accordian sidecar investors.
Increased demand for credit policies from Malaysian SMEs
The Malaysian market is seeing an increased demand for trade credit insurance from exporters and SMEs amid the uncertain global economic environment.
Santalucía adopts SAS Risk Management for Solvency II
Spanish insurer Santalucía is to use SAS Risk Management for Insurance to help meet Solvency II, Pillar I requirements to manage risks and calculate metrics.
RSA reports 58% increase in underwriting result to £375m
General insurer RSA reported a 58% increase in the underwriting result to £375m for the full year 2011, attributed partly to the successful growth of overseas operations.
Zurich appoints Bouchard head of government and industry affairs
Zurich Financial Services Group has appointed Francis Bouchard as the group head of government and industry affairs, with effect from 1 April 2012.
DLA Piper recruits William Marcoux from Dewey & LeBoeuf
Law firm DLA Piper has hired former Dewey & LeBoeuf executive committee member William Marcoux as partner and head of its insurance sector transactions and regulation practice.
First Insurance reports 25% premium growth
Jordan-based takaful provider First Insurance Cpany reported premium growth of 25% in its full year results for 2011.