The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has denied making a formal merger approach to the Australasian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters (AICLA).

AICLA President Ian McWalter told members in a newsletter that “we have had an approach from ANZIIF to integrate/merge with them”.

“We would become, for want of a better term, a subset or special unit within their existing structure.”

Mr McWalter told insuranceNEWS.com.au he believes ANZIIF is “trying to create special interest groups or niche areas”, and says AICLA would canvass its 850 members prior to a final decision.

“We want to find out what our members think,” he said. “This is not something where you simply decide it’s a great idea and go for it. It demands due consideration.”

But ANZIIF GM Marketing and Communications Cameron Skews moved to quell speculation a merger was imminent.

“No formal offer of a merger has been made by ANZIIF,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au this morning.

He says ANZIIF has discussed “the contracting of the industry landscape and the growing concern for the survival of smaller industry sector associations” with many organisations, including AICLA.

“However, these remain discussions only,” he said. “We were surprised to see the statement from Ian McWalter in the latest AICLA newsletter.”

Mr Skews says ANZIIF welcomed the possibility of exploring closer relationships with AICLA in the future. More than half of AICLA members are affiliated with ANZIIF. The institute already provides training facilities to AICLA, while the two organisations jointly host the annual industry Claims Convention.