QBE pulls out of Burma
16 March 2009
QBE has decided to cut its ties with dictator-led Burma’s insurance market...
Corporate
Spotlight stays on Suncorp
09 March 2009
Suncorp is the subject of renewed curiosity following spirited trading in its shares late last week and a rating downgrade by Moody’s...
Two more foreign insurers get the tick from APRA
09 March 2009
Two direct offshore foreign insurers have been granted authority by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority to conduct new or renewal insurance business in Australia...
Zurich calls for better risk management
09 March 2009
Zurich Financial Services claims the credit crisis highlights the need for greatly improved risk management, and says firms must better prepare for extreme events...
JLT: Global economy may limit hardening market
09 March 2009
The Australasian retail businesses of international broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson have shown a rise of 13.6% to achieve a profit of $40.7 million...
Centrepoint Alliance focuses on premium funding
09 March 2009
Finance company Centrepoint Alliance intends to concentrate on premium funding after blaming an interim loss of $565,000 on unprofitable commercial finance units dragging the overall result...
QBE profits down but still remarkable: O’Halloran
02 March 2009
QBE has exceeded market expectations to post a 3.5% drop in its annual net profit of $1.86 billion. But CEO Frank O’Halloran – while signalling he’s still on the acquisition trail – predicts a tougher year ahead...
IAG on course despite slim pickings: Wilkins
02 March 2009
IAG CEO Mike Wilkins says the group’s corporate restructuring has “laid the platform for future success” after he reported slim first-half takings last week...
Nothing wrong with our model, says Suncorp chairman
02 March 2009
Suncorp Chairman John Story has reaffirmed the group’s faith in its insurance/banking/wealth management allfinanz model but stopped short of ruling out a demerger...
Austbrokers profit climbs 14%
02 March 2009
The buoyant broker market was well illustrated last week when Austbrokers announced a $6.7 million half-year net profit – up 14% thanks to organic growth and the contribution of new acquisitions...
Calliden profit up by 600%
02 March 2009
Calliden Group is flexing new muscles with a 600% boost in net profit for 2008, strong growth in gross written premium and a mission to take on the big boys...
Tough times prompt conservative measures at IAG
23 February 2009
The word “sensible” set the tone for a media briefing by IAG CEO Michael Wilkins about the group’s first-half performance forecast and capital-raising...
Assetinsure replaces Babcock & Brown’s 50%
23 February 2009
Commercial insurance underwriter Assetinsure has severed ties with troubled investment firm Babcock & Brown which has sold its 50% stake in the insurer...
Top Suncorp man jumps ship to join Lumley
23 February 2009
Suncorp’s EGM Corporate Portfolio, Commercial Insurance John Nagle will join Lumley as COO Intermediary Partners, starting in May...
Elders’ insurance profits slump
23 February 2009
Low interest rates and natural disasters have affected the results of Elders Insurance...
Senior staff quit Lumley Marine
16 February 2009
Lumley Marine & Logistics has lost two of its most senior marine insurance managers with the resignation of Robert Hammersley and Neil Hiller...
GAB Robins name set to vanish in local market
16 February 2009
Leading loss adjuster GAB Robins Australia will be absorbed into the global Cunningham Lindsey group as part of a buy-up of GAB Robins businesses outside the US...
Revenue up, profitability down at Wesfarmers Insurance
16 February 2009
Improved revenues from the Wesfarmers Insurance division have contributed to a 46% increase in parent company half-year net profit of $879 million...
Premium funding jobs safe amid GE corporate shake-up
16 February 2009
GE Capital has confirmed that no Pacific Premium Funding employee will lose their job as the company completes a divisional merger...
Suncorp continues raising capital
16 February 2009
Suncorp intends to put more capital into its reserves with a $502 million 1-for-5 rights issue announced on Friday...