Dutch financial services company Fortis will float its US operation next year as it moves to concentrate on its (there’s that term again) “core business” in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Fortis CEO Anton van Rossum said the company will continue to operate in the US under the name Assurant Inc, concentrating on various global banking businesses such as global markets, asset management, information banking and selective banking businesses.

Fortis sold its Australian business to CGU in July 2001. Its Australian businesses included VACC Insurance, AIM Insurance and AMEV Insurance. Prior to the acquisition, Fortis’ Australian business was the 10th-largest Australian general insurer.