Latest Asia Headlines

All the headlines from our Asia Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Foreign Insurers Look at Potential Acquisitions in a Weakened U.S. and E.U.

Jun 16 2008 // Asian Insurers May Buy in U.S., E.U.; Bermuda Beefs Up Regulators; Zurich Favored for Acquisition Asian insurers may go on a buying spree. A number of companies, particularly China’s major players, are likely to...

Asian Insurers Expected to Seize on Credit Crunch as Opening to Buy in U.S. and Europe

Jun 3 2008 // Asian insurers, particularly China’s major players, are likely seize the credit crunch as an opportunity to snap up assets in Europe and the United States, senior insurance figures said on Tuesday. “Asian...

Chubb Establishes $1 Million Fund for Asia Disaster Relief

May 22 2008 // The Chubb Corp. said it has established a $1 million fund for disaster relief efforts related to the Myanmar cyclone and China earthquake. Chubb said it would contribute $500,000 directly to the American Red Cross for...

Catlin Reorganizes Asia-Pacific Management Team

May 20 2008 // The Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited has announced the following reorganization in the leadership of its Asia-Pacific operations: — With effect from May 1, Mark Newman joined Catlin as CEO of the Asia-Pacific...

Strong to Direct Jardine Lloyd Thompson Asia Pacific Risk Team

May 15 2008 // Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) has announced the appointment of Matthew Strong as Director, Capital Risks, Asia, which, JLT said reinforces its “long-standing commitment to the Asian market and underlines the...

UN IPCC Head Sees Possible Climate Change Deal in 2009

May 5 2008 // The world can reach a significant new climate change pact by the end of 2009 if current talks keep up their momentum, the head of the United Nations climate panel said on Sunday. The United Nations began negotiations on a...

Zurich Expands Singapore Branch

May 5 2008 // The Zurich Financial Services Group has opened the Zurich Insurance Company Singapore branch, which becomes operational today, May 5, 2008. It will provide a full scope of insurance services to corporate and commercial...

People

Apr 21 2008 // Novato, Calif.-based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co. named Michael LaRocco president and CEO. He will report to Chuck Kavitsky, president and CEO of Allianz of America, parent of Fireman’s Fund, and will also...

World’s Weather as a Deranged Pinball Machine?

Apr 21 2008 // The 10th edition of the European Insurance Forum (EIF), held at Dublin’s Four Seasons Hotel and sponsored by the Dublin Insurance & Management Association (DIMA) April 7-8, focused on some major issues of...

Willis Appoints Asia Marketing Officer; Outlines Strategy

Apr 4 2008 // Willis Group Holdings announced the appointment of Paul Ward as Regional Marketing Officer for Asia. He will work with carriers to identify growth opportunities and develop marketing strategies for large accounts. Willis...

Ratings Roundup: Int’l. General, Arab Credit, Tower, Asian Re

Mar 28 2008 // A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a-” to Bermuda’s International General Insurance Company Limited (IGI). Best has also...

Lloyd’s Analyzes Southeast Asia Terrorism Threat

Feb 22 2008 // Lloyd’s has warned that businesses operating in Southeast Asia “need to better understand that the Asian terrorism threat is unique, complex and specific to the region.” Lloyd’s and the...

Batchelor Returning to London to Head Marsh Europe/Mideast

Jan 16 2008 // Marsh announced from its London office that David Batchelor will succeed Alex Moczarski as CEO of Marsh’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He currently heads the Asia Pacific region for Marsh,...

Swiss Re to Acquire 25% Stake in Vietnam National Re

Jan 9 2008 // Swiss Re announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a 25 percent stake in Vietnam’s leading reinsurance provider, Vietnam National Reinsurance Corporation (VinaRe), for VND1.3 trillion (approximately...

Best Affirms Asia Capital Re Ratings

Dec 31 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a-” of Singapore-based Asia Capital Reinsurance Group Pte. Ltd. (ACR) with stable...

Zurich Establishes Asia-Pacific Corporate Business Unit

Dec 14 2007 // Zurich Financial Services Group announced that it will expand its services for corporate customers into the Asia-Pacific region with the creation of a new business unit, Global Corporate in Asia-Pacific (GCiAP). The new...

S&P Affirms AIG’s ‘AA’ Ratings; Asia Unit Upgraded to ‘AA+’; Outlook Stable

Dec 13 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services gave the American International Group a vote of confidence as it affirmed AIG’s ‘AA’ long-term counterparty rating and its ‘AA+’ counterparty...

Ratings Recap: Russian Re, KAMP RE, Arab Group, NIPPONKOA (Asia), Tapiola

Dec 12 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘B+’ (Good) and an issuer credit rating of “bbb-” to Russian Reinsurance Company with a stable outlook. “The ratings reflect Russian...

New Report Reveals Future Exposure to Coastal Flood in Key Cities

Dec 4 2007 // As many as 150 million people in the world’s major cities could be reliant on flood defenses by 2070 – more than three times the 40 million people today – as a result of climate change and urban...

Ratings Recap: Fortis (Asia), Cattolica, West England Ship Owners, Endurance

Nov 20 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a-” of Bermuda-based Fortis Insurance Company (Asia) Limited (FICA) with a stable...