Articles by Francesca Nyman
Haircut on bonds could be absorbed by European insurers
A 50% haircut on Greek, Irish and Portuguese sovereign bonds could be absorbed into European insurers’ existing capital resources, according to Swiss Re’s senior economist.
Sciemus recruits former Aon Group chairman
Modelling company, Sciemus, has appointed insurance industry veteran Dennis Mahoney as its new chairman.
Arag chooses Barrie & Hibbert for Solvency II internal model
German insurer, Arag, has selected financial services firm Barrie & Hibbert for its internal model for market risk and for quantifying strategic asset allocation opportunities in a Solvency II environment.
Vienna Group’s Kooperativa is best Czech financial services company
Vienna Insurance Group’s Czech subsidiary Kooperativa, was ranked the fourth best Czech businesses in the country's recently announced "Top 100” rankings.
Hiscox has 'A' issuer credit rating affirmed
Hiscox has had its ‘A’ (excellent) issuer credit rating and ‘A’ (excellent) financial strength rating affirmed, along with its core subsidiaries.
Bahrain Kuwait Insurance assigned 'A-' ratings
Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company has had a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “A-” assigned by AM Best.
Spanish and French SMEs rank lowest in their understanding of insurance
Spanish and French SME’s rank the lowest when it comes understanding their insurance options, according to a recent study by Hiscox.
Sovereign debt crisis is worsening, says HiFX foreign exchange dealer
Germany's failed bid to auction off $6bn of government debt has fuelled concerns that the sovereign debt crisis is worsening.
China may be location of next big supply chain disaster, says AM Best
A webinar by ratings service firm AM Best is questioning whether China is the next supply chain disaster in the making, given the high level of supply chain exposure in the East Asian country.
Aviva to close all Irish branches by June 2012
Aviva Insurance plans to close all 26 branches in its Irish network by June 2012 with the loss of up to 1,250 jobs, according to reports in the Irish press.
AM Best assigns “A-“ ratings to Garant Versicherungs
Ratings service AM Best has assigned a financial strength rating of “A-“ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “A-” to Garant Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft.
Aviva appoints new Ireland CEO to oversee structural overhaul
Aviva has appointed Seán Egan to the role of chief executive officer, Aviva Ireland, subject to regulatory and board approval.
Eurozone turbulence threatens insurers’ balance sheets
Ongoing market turbulence within the region and recessionary pressures threaten to undermine the strength of eurozone insurers’ balance sheets, according to a report by AM Best.
Anglo Irish to challenge Quinn bankruptcy
The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, formerly the Anglo Irish Bank, is set to challenge Sean Quinn’s insolvency proceedings in Northern Ireland, according to the Irish Independent.
Generali and its main subsidiaries placed on negative watch
Ratings service AM Best has placed the financial strength rating of “A+” (Superior) and issuer credit rating of “AA” of Assicurazioni Generali SpA and its main subsidiaries under review with negative implications.
EU and FEMA agree on risk reduction and disaster response
The European Union and the US Federal Emergency Management Agency have signed an agreement to cooperate on disaster management and emergency response.
Travel insurer offers 15% discount to skiers wearing helmets
A travel insurance company is trying to entice winter sports participants to wear helmets, by offering a 15% policy discount to skiers and snowboarders who commit to using head protection.
Insurance Insight Update - 18 November
Insurance Insight’s weekly update is live with an article on the importance of insurance policies keeping pace with the evolution of risk; and a View from the Top on how new players can take advantage of opportunities in the Swedish non-life market.
RFIB opens in Saudi Arabia
Lloyd’s broker RFIB has opened its office in Saudi Arabia, after being granted an intermediary license by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency to conduct insurance and reinsurance business earlier this year.
Catlin and China Re join forces to create special purpose syndicate
Lloyd’s reinsurer Catlin has formed a strategic partnership with China Reinsurance Corporation, the country's only state-owned reinsurance group.
Vienna Insurance reports 4% premium increase for first nine months
Austrian insurer Vienna Insurance Group reported consolidated written premiums of €6.8bn in the first nine months of 2011, a 4% increase year on year.
Eiopa president urges caution on counter-cyclical tools
Eiopa president Gabriel Bernardino used his key-note speech at its first annual conference to urge caution with regard to the use of counter-cyclical tools in insurance.
Allianz promotes aviation manager to head of broker development
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has promoted Zoe Layden to the role of senior broker development manager for the UK business.
Eiopa president urges caution on counter-cyclical tools
Eiopa president Gabriel Bernardino used his key-note speech at its first annual conference to urge caution with regard to the use of counter-cyclical tools in insurance.