QBE eyes American growth
12 October 2009
QBE CFO Neil Drabsch has confirmed the insurer is on the acquisition trail in North and South America following a record $1.02 billion first-half profit…
Corporate
Tower receives a ratings boost
12 October 2009
Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has lifted Tower Australia’s insurer financial strength and counterparty credit ratings from A- to A…
Remington stays at top of Insight
12 October 2009
The Insight Insurance Brokers Association has appointed four new directors to its expanded board…
Zurich pulls out of rural insurance
05 October 2009
Zurich Financial Services Australia is pulling out of the rural insurance market…
QBE completes Elders deal
05 October 2009
Elders has completed the sale of its insurance businesses to QBE and will use the $270 million to pay down debt…
Aviva completes sale of Australian arm
05 October 2009
British general insurance giant Aviva has completed the sale of its Australian life and pensions business and wealth management platform Aviva Australia…
Ausure makes a habit out of winning
05 October 2009
Ausure Insurance Brokers continues to dominate the financial services section of the Hunter region’s Fastest Growing Awards, taking out its third win in four years…
Dual opens in Brisbane
05 October 2009
Underwriting agency Dual Australia is opening a new Brisbane office today to cater for its 2000 Queensland clients…
QBE ratings affirmed in the US
05 October 2009
Credit ratings agency AM Best has affirmed the various financial strength ratings of QBE Americas, citing adequate capitalisation and a sound operating performance…
Ex-CGU chief goes to Guild
30 September 2009
Former CGU chief Mario Pirone has been appointed MD of the Guild Group, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s specialised insurance, financial, and professional services company…
ANZ shakes up life market with ING buyout
28 September 2009
ANZ Bank is set to become Australia’s third-largest life insurer after negotiating a $1.87 billion buyout of its joint venture with ING Group…
QBE on track for growth in Europe
28 September 2009
QBE’s profile in Europe continues to grow, with a lucrative new deal in France and reported plans to stay firmly on the acquisition trail…
Speculation mounts over IAG Chairman’s exit
28 September 2009
Speculation is rising that IAG Chairman James Strong is preparing to depart the business…
Wesfarmers goes carbon-neutral
28 September 2009
Wesfarmers Insurance is claiming a local industry “first” by making its businesses carbon-neutral…
Vero to roll over truck business to NTI
21 September 2009
Suncorp subsidiary Vero will hand its truck business over to its National Transport Insurance joint venture with CGU…
ANZIIF in Saudi Arabian education initiative
21 September 2009
The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance has teamed with a local provider to deliver broking and loss adjusting education in Saudi Arabia…
Centrepoint Alliance open for business
21 September 2009
Premium funder Centrepoint Alliance is using a “strong presence” at this week’s National Insurance Brokers Association Convention in Sydney to confirm it is open for business after a turbulent year…
NZ insurance scheme targets identity theft
21 September 2009
New Zealanders will be able to protect their identity against theft, with a credit agency and a local insurer joining forces in a regional first…
UK advisers to scrutinise Suncorp
14 September 2009
Suncorp isn’t yet prepared to name the four advisers being brought in from the UK to help new CEO Patrick Snowball get a handle on the group’s operations…
Car insurance market stagnant, says Virgin
14 September 2009
Competition in the increasingly congested car insurance market is becoming increasingly aggressive, with new entrant Virgin Money accusing its rivals of “taking Australian motorists for a ride”…