Storms hurt, but Zurich soars 76%
10 May 2010
Hail and storm damage in Australia over recent months have been nominated by global insurer Zurich Financial Services as one of the factors for a first-quarter combined ratio fall…
Corporate
CGU appoints new head of retail
10 May 2010
CGU has appointed a high-ranking UK industry marketing executive to replace GM Retail John Evans when he retires early next year…
G4S boosts northern exposure
10 May 2010
Leading investigations company G4S has entered a strategic partnership with Townsville-based Weston & Associates to provide a more comprehensive service to insurers in North Queensland…
MLC interim results ‘robust’
10 May 2010
National Australia Bank’s wealth management subsidiary MLC has recorded what the bank describes as “robust results” in the six months to March this year, with average in-force premium…
Zurich expands product lines
10 May 2010
Zurich Australia has launched two financial insurance products amid an increased focus on managing risk in the banking, credit union and building society sectors…
Premium funder to diversify via merger
03 May 2010
Premium funding specialist Centrepoint Alliance has announced a merger with Professional Investment Holdings (PIH), an independently owned network of financial advisers and accountants…
QBE outlines catastrophe exposure
03 May 2010
QBE’s catastrophe losses remain well within budget for the year, despite the insurer’s exposure to a bevy of global storms, earthquakes and man-made disasters…
ANZIIF records $627,000 surplus
03 May 2010
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance has booked an annual surplus of $627,000 as the industry’s peak training body prepares to expand further…
Wilkins muses on Chinese JV
03 May 2010
China is being pursued as the next expansion region for insurer IAG…
CBA records quarterly premium growth
03 May 2010
Growth across the Commonwealth Bank of Australia insurance portfolio has driven inforce premium 3.1% higher during the March quarter to $1.55 billion…
Lumley sets up corporate division
03 May 2010
Lumley Insurance now has a dedicated Corporate Solutions business unit focused on meeting the general insurance needs of leading ASX-listed, private and government organisations…
Ibbotson promoted to global role at QBE
27 April 2010
QBE CEO Australian Operations Terry Ibbotson will step up to a new global intermediary role as the insurer seeks to capitalise on emerging international opportunities in the sector…
New marine underwriting agency for Great Lakes Australia
27 April 2010
A former Associated Marine MD has been appointed to lead a new marine underwriting agency that will focus primarily on the large corporate sector…
Suncorp directors retire
27 April 2010
Two Suncorp non-executive directors have retired from the board following the company’s decision in November to relax its Queensland residency rules…
Life highlight of local Axa growth
27 April 2010
Financial protection products were the standout performer for local Axa Asia Pacific operations during the first quarter with a 12% rise in Australian new business…
QBE makes another US acquisition
19 April 2010
QBE Group has advanced its product diversification drive with an agreement to acquire US specialist insurer NAU Country Insurance…
Calliden ‘extremely pleased’ by legal win
19 April 2010
Calliden Group’s legal stoush with Australian Unity ended last week with a court finding Australian Unity breached the terms of a sale agreement between the companies…
MacBank banks on cheap AIG jets
19 April 2010
After being forced to relinquish many of its most prized business assets, fallen US insurer AIG has added its more expensive toys to its multi-billion dollar garage sale…
Perth company succeeds with NZ listing
19 April 2010
Broking and underwriting agency Australian Consolidated Insurance Ltd has succeeded in its plan to “reverse list” on the New Zealand Stock Exchange…
Wesfarmers’ long-term rating upgraded
19 April 2010
The long-term credit rating of diversified conglomerate Wesfarmers has been upgraded to positive on an improved operating performance, future-focused approach…