Europe
Torus receives $185m capital injection
$150m of the additional financing to be provided by private equity firm Corsair Capital
Allianz will not renew business in Iran
Hannover Re also says that it conducts reinsurance treaty business in the region but will only continue to do so if it complies strictly with United Nations and European Union sanctions
Q&A - Ralf Geck of Ecclesia Group
In the first of a regular focus on managers of European insurance companies and brokers, Insurance Insight talks to Ralf Geck of German-based broker Ecclesia Group.
Allianz in Dublin recruitment drive
Allianz Worldwide Care adds 30 new jobs at its headquarters in Park West Business Campus, Nangor Road, Dublin 12.
Italian insurer sees 7.5% jump in motor business
Vittoria Assicurazioni reported that it wrote € 671.3m (+6.4%) of premiums in 2009, of which €541.5m (+5.0%) was non life.
Aviva sells GI stake to French bank
French bank Societe Generale has agreed terms with Aviva to buy the UK insurer's 35% stake in non-life insurer Sogessur.
Aviva France recruits new director
Laurence Mitrovic becomes director of legal affairs and compliance.
European bancassurance remains viable claims Fitch
However, in its latest study is added there is limited benefit in running a conglomerate bank-insurance organization, where there are typically few operational links between a bank and an insurer.
Allianz claims industry first in partnership with Air France
The online safe deposit service for travellers combines secure storage of documents with assistance services.
Troubled Belgium financial services giant linked with train crash payout
Belgium banking and insurance group Ethias is understood to be the lead liability insurer of the state owned railway company NMBS SNCB involved in Monday's tragic train accident.
Ace raids RBSI for travel boss
Ace European Group has appointed Chris Price to its newly created role of regional director of travel for Europe, Middle East and Africa from RBS Insurance.
Axa UK GI earnings dip 63% after £157m fire and weather losses.
Globally, Axa Group reported underlying earnings down 6% to €3854m versus 2008, adjusted earnings down 8% to €3468m and net income up 283% to €3606m (on a comparable basis).
Swiss Re says capital position "fully restored"
Swiss Re said that it has excess capital of 9bn CHF at 'AA' ratings level, and added that its capital position is 'fully restored'.
Former UN diplomat joins Munich Re board
The Local Court Munich has appointed Dr Ferrero-Waldner to succeed Supervisory Board member Karel Van Miert, who passed away in 2009.
Groupama outlines float and buy plan
Jean Azéma, Groupama CEO, details his ideas for the group in interview.
Groupama CEO outlines IPO plan to become top 10 European player
Jean Azéma makes the pledge as it saw its operating income fall 36.2% to 358m euros.
Marsh to provide EMEA Construction Consulting Practice
Marsh has launched a specialist construction consulting practice to provide dispute resolution, risk advisory, and audit services to the construction and engineering industries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Belgium train crash firm broked locally
The company which owned the two trains involved in a head-on collision on Monday at Halle, south-west of Brussels, is understood to have placed its insurance with a local broker.
European regulation to boost insurance M&A
According to Pricewaterhouse Coopers merger and acquisition activity in the sector is considerably brighter, as the move to Solvency II is likely to attract fresh interest in the insurance industry from a wider range of capital providers.
Marsh sees trade credit rates increase up to 50% across Europe
Increases in financial institutions' insurance ranged from more than 40% to 50% in Turkey, to 10% in Switzerland and South Africa. In the UK and Ireland, increases ranged from 10% to 30%.
Allianz in board shake up
It follows the announcement Dr Gerhard Rupprecht is to retire at the end of the year.
European insurers must rebuild capital
As insurance companies wait for the world economy to slowly recover, they must work to rebuild capital, reassess risk management, integrate changing regulations and aggressively seize opportunities for growth, both via acquisition and new product…
Blog-re: Buzztacular
As part of a series of guest blogs from reinsurance personalities, following yesterday's announcement of the launch of social media platform Goggle Buzz to rival Twitter and Facebook, Peter Dunkley of Total Objects explains how the reinsurance market can…
Allianz Global enters D&O market
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty is expanding into commercial directors' and officers' following its market entry into professional indemnity in 2009.