Poland
Polish treasury wants $1.6bn in dividends from state-owned firms
Poland's treasury ministry plans to receive PLN5bn ($1.6bn) in dividends next year from companies under its control in order to help plug the budget gap, treasury Minister Mikolaj Budzanowski said on Friday.
Milliman and EagleEye target European insurers
Actuarial firm Milliman and insurance technology provider EagleEye Analytics are expanding to offer products for the European market.
Firms in emerging markets eye captives to manage risk
Organisations in central and eastern Europe and additional emerging markets are keen to take advantage of risk management and risk financing solutions such as captive insurance companies, according to Aon Global Risk Consulting.
Casualty insurers warned about recent legal deveopments
A ruling on pesticide manufacturers' liability, reforms to Spanish law on directors' and officers' cover and more stringent rules for Polish motor insurers, are among recent legislative changes with implications for European casualty insurers.
Axa France direct boss to head up UK arm
Axa UK has appointed Yves Masson as CEO of personal direct and partnerships.
Uniqa posts earnings up 43.2%
The Uniqa Group has posted first-half earnings before tax up 43.2% to €106.5m (2011: €74.4m).
13% growth in CEE helps VIG Group profit grow 7%
The Vienna Insurance Group has posted a 7% increase in profit for the first half of 2012 compared to 2011, helped by a 13% growth in profit from Central and Eastern Europe.
Munich Re posts €1.6bn profit for H1
Munich Re posted consolidated profit of €1.6bn for the first six months of 2012, €812m of which derived from the second quarter.
Aviva posts COR of 106% for H1 in Ireland
Aviva's general insurance and health business posted operating profit of £461m for the first six months of 2012, up from £455m in the first half of 2011, driven by strong UK performance.
Vienna Insurance completes merger of Polish insurers
Vienna Insurance Group has completed the merger of non-life insurers InterRisk and PZM, concentrating its market presence in the core Polish market.
Groupama to sell Polish arm to Generali JV
Groupama has agreed to sell its Polish operation Proama to Generali PPF Holding, a joint venture between Italy-based Generali and central European investment group PPF.
European Union liability trends raise 'supra-national' challenges
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has hinted that he wants to rein in Europe's legislative power. Ralph Savage looks at the effects it is having on European insurers.
Vienna Insurance on the lookout for east European SMEs
Vienna Insurance Group is eyeing acquisitions in eastern Europe, its main profit driver, and could make a record profit this year if there are no major natural catastrophes.
Broker boom as emerging Europe embraces intermediaries
The European market for commercial non-life insurance broking reached a value of €9.89bn in commissions and fees in 2011, according to financial services consultants Finaccord.
Analysis: Major events in the Russian insurance market in Q2 2012
Highlights for the Russian insurance market for Q2 include a number of important personnel reshuffles, several companies being sold and problems with a high roller. Paul Koshik reports.
Mandatory commission – an necessary evil?
Rumors of mandatory commission disclosure have plagued the market since the start of the year but as the European Commission confirms brokers fears Francesca Nyman assesses the impact on European brokers.
Talanx completes Warta aquisition
Talanx International AG has completed the acquisition of Polish insurance company TUiR Warta SA from KBC.
A mutual future?
Regulations like Solvency II will have a significant impact on mutuals across Europe. Francesca Nyman asks whether the model will survive.
Vienna Insurance adds Polish life insurer to CEE portfolio
Vienna Insurance Group AG has acquired a 92% share in Polish life insurance company Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie.
Europa to delist following acquisition
Talanx International AG and Japanese insurer Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company have successfully closed their joint acquisition of the Polish Europa Insurance Group.
Polish high court upholds Link4 judgment
Poland's highest court has upheld an earlier ruling that an advert for Polish motor insurer Link4 had caused offence to some parties but dismissed claims that it had misled customers.
Geyer steps down as Vienna Insurance president
Günter Geyer is resigning after 11 years as chief executive of Vienna Insurance Group, having presided over the most profitable period in the group's history.
Uniqa reports profits up 20% for Q1 2012
The Uniqa Group has reported profit up 20.2% in the quarter one of 2012 to €54.4m (Q1 2011: €45.2m).
Vienna Group posts 6% increase in pre-tax profits for Q1
Vienna Insurance group built on strong full year 2011 results with a 6% increase in pre-tax profits to €151.4m in the first quarter of 2012.