Switzerland
View from the Top: Beyond the bottom line
When the MDS team first heard about Swiss Re's planned involvement in a new food security initiative a few months ago, we were struck by the sense of responsibility and stewardship that the company's move represented.
Swiss Re's Q2 results hit by sale of Admin Re at a loss
Swiss Re has reported net profit of $83m for the second quarter of 2012 as the result of the sale of the Admin Re US business at a loss of $1bn.
Allianz, Generali and Munich Re dominate as European travel insurance market prospers
European markets for travel insurance and assistance continue to flourish with Allianz, Generali and Munich Re heading the market.
70% of insurers see Asia as a 'very important' area for growth
Most CEOs recognise the importance of Asia, but concerns remain about regulation and the macro-economic environment.
Swiss Re untroubled by immediate Eurozone crisis
Swiss Re faces no immediate threat from the Eurozone crisis and could withstand the orderly exit of multiple countries from the euro, its chairman was quoted as saying on Monday.
Zurich becomes a signatory of UN principles for investment
Zurich Insurance Group has become a signatory of the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment.
Cellerini takes over from Haugh as Zurich global corporate CEO
Zurich has appointed long-standing management figure Vinicio Cellerini to the position of UK global corporate chief executive.
Helvetia bidding for Groupama's French marine portfolio
Swiss Insurance Group Helvetia Group has confirmed it has entered into exclusive negotiations with Groupama to acquire its French marine insurance portfolio.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Axa moves to loans to diversify investment portfolio
Insurance group Axa will offer loans to mid-cap companies in France as the firm looks to diversify its investment portfolio.
International insurance think tank appoints Swiss Re's Fitzpatrick as MD
The Geneva Association has named John Fitzpatrick as secretary general and managing director.
Zurich appoints head of sales and distribution for global corporate
Zurich Insurance Group has appointed Valerie Butt as head of sales, distribution & marketing for global corporate, effective 1 July.
Solvency II: Equivalence versus non-equivalence
Solvency II has had more than its fair share of headlines recently but, as Fiona Le Poidevin explains, countries outside European Union jurisdiction or 'third countries' have to think carefully when considering whether or not to seek equivalence to the…
Helvetia grows occupational benefits premium in 2011
Helvetia Switzerland increased premium income in its occupational benefits business by 18.7% to CHF2.48bn in 2011.
ISE 2012: Portugal to follow Greece but sovereign defaults won't 'cripple' insurers
Kurt Karl, managing director, chief economist and head of economic research and consulting at Swiss Re, has predicted that Portugal will be the next nation to default, but that it will not cripple the insurance industry.
Swiss Re seeks approval for dividend increase to €2.48
The Swiss Re board of directors has proposed the approval of a dividend for 2011 of CHF3.00 (€2.48) per share and the election of Robert Henrikson to the board.
Swiss Helvetia profit down 15.4% due to non-life business
Swiss insurer Helvetia has posted a profit of CHF289m (€239m) and generated sales of more than CHF7bn for the first time.
Swiss Re targets European marine with two new teams
Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has expanded its marine insurance footprint in Continental Europe through the formation of two dedicated underwriting teams in Zurich and Genoa, which will be led by Patrizia Kern-Ferretti and Andrea Cupido, respectively.
Kiln launches into specialist property with appointment in Paris
Kiln has appointed a new underwriter in Paris to focus on a broad range of property facultative reinsurance risks across Europe.
European construction – back to good health?
Construction markets have suffered across the globe with the financial downturn biting hard. Edward Murray investigates whether there are any glimmers of hope for the European market in 2012.
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.
Perils expects €267m losses from Windstorm Andrea
Independent Zurich-based firm Perils has disclosed its initial loss estimate for windstorm Andrea as €267m.
Systemic risk poll result
Is it right not to label insurance companies as systemically risk institutions?
Zurich sees 19% drop in GI profits after US$1bn cat losses in 2011
Zurich recorded a general insurance business operating profit of US$2.3bn in 2011, a decrease of US$403m or by 15% in US dollar terms and 19% on a local currency basis.