Westpac’s insurance income jumps
05 May 2014
Cross-selling and fewer disasters helped Westpac Bank lift general and lenders’ mortgage insurance net income by 33% to $112 million in the six months to March 31…
Corporate
Bell hopes to launch NZ comparator
05 May 2014
Earthquake Commission director and former Vero New Zealand CEO Roger Bell is developing a general insurance comparison website in the country…
Christchurch council switches to Marsh
05 May 2014
Christchurch City Council has terminated its long-standing contract with insurance broker Aon in favour of a new arrangement with Marsh…
Elders takes action over SMS
05 May 2014
Elders Insurance has taken “appropriate action” after it discovered an employee had asked a client to provide bank account details via text message…
Suncorp’s motor parts JV ‘to expand further’
28 April 2014
Suncorp has stared down growing criticism from motor trades associations, saying it expects further acquisitions from its joint venture in the automotive spare parts market as the business grows…
Austbrokers keeps pace with market changes
28 April 2014
Major intermediary group Austbrokers is strengthening its management group to capitalise on the rapid pace of change in the broker market, CEO Mark Searles says.…
Genworth forecasts strong performance as float nears
28 April 2014
Lenders’ mortgage insurer Genworth Australia expects the buoyant housing market to help it increase premium income and profit this financial year, but warns its ability…
Australia Direct predicts flat GWP
28 April 2014
IAG’s Australia Direct business expects to report relatively flat gross written premium and an improved underlying margin this fiscal year…
Ramsay resigns after 21 years with QBE
28 April 2014
QBE stalwart Duncan Ramsay has resigned as Group General Counsel and Company Secretary after 21 years with the insurer…
Fitch affirms Westpac LMI rating
28 April 2014
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Westpac Lenders Mortgage Insurance’s insurer financial strength rating at AA- with a stable outlook, noting its robust capital position…
Zurich reshuffles its management deck
14 April 2014
A number of changes have been made to the general insurance arm of Zurich Australia as it seeks ways to build on its success in the SME space…
QBE weighs up options on US mid-market business
14 April 2014
QBE has confirmed it is reviewing its US mid-market business, following UK reports the insurer may sell Winterthur and has begun talking to potential advisers on a sale…
Buying and selling dominates heavy motor sector
14 April 2014
The heavy motor insurance market is undergoing some big changes, with Sydney-based underwriting agency Savannah Insurance the latest to exit and Hollard set to buy 50% of Austruck Insurance…
Austagencies launches Sura Hospitality
14 April 2014
Austagencies is amalgamating four specialist underwriting agency brands into its new Sura Hospitality agency, as it moves to increase capacity for clients in the sector…
Gallagher sells shares to pay for Wesfarmers deal
14 April 2014
Arthur J Gallagher is offering up to 21.8 million shares of its common stock to cover the cost of buying the Wesfarmers’ broking businesses and associated premium funding companies…
Perth executives join Lockton regional board
14 April 2014
Global broker Lockton has named two Australians on a new seven-member regional board tasked with driving the next stage of its Asia-Pacific growth plan…
Calliden plans growth after agency move
14 April 2014
Calliden plans to introduce new distribution channels and look to increase business through joint venture agency investments…
Genworth to float Australian LMI business
14 April 2014
Genworth Financial has forecast a 5% increase in net profit to $231.1 million for its Australian lenders’ mortgage insurance business this year, as it prepares to sell up to 40% of Genworth LMI…
Stream makes strong stock market debut
14 April 2014
Claims manager Stream Group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday, opening at 24 cents…
Arthur J Gallagher swoops on Wesfarmers’ broking assets
07 April 2014
Wesfarmers was well advanced with plans to sell its insurance broking companies through a public listing when US-based global broker Arthur J Gallagher initiated…