Latest Europe Headlines
All the headlines from our Europe Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Europe Deepens Union with ECB as Chief Bank Watchdog
Dec 13 2012 // Europe clinched a deal on Thursday to give the European Central Bank new powers to supervise euro zone banks from 2014, embarking on the first step in a new phase of closer integration to help underpin the euro. After more...
Despair after Climate Conference Inaction, but UN Still Offers Hope
Dec 10 2012 // At the end of another lavishly-funded U.N. conference that yielded no progress on curbing greenhouse emissions, many of those most concerned about climate change are close to despair. As thousands of delegates checked out...
Ratings Recap: Grain, Chartis (Europe), Boubyan Takaful
Dec 6 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a” of Grain Insurance and Guarantee Company, which is domiciled in Manitoba, Canada, and has...
APC Underwriting Agency Expands into Continental Europe with Holland Office
Dec 6 2012 // Commercial insurance underwriting agency, APC, announced that it has begun its expansion drive into Continental Europe by launching APC Holland, based in The Hague. APC said the “independent MGA will provide a range...
Willis International Announces European Leadership Appointments
Dec 4 2012 // Willis Group Holdings has announced a series of senior leadership appointments in its Willis International business unit, “focusing on its UK and wider European operations.” Willis also explained that the new...
FERMA Opposes EU Fund for Industrial Accident Environmental Liabilities, Losses
Dec 3 2012 // The Federation of European Risk Management Associations [FERMA), which represents risk managers in 20 European countries, has told the European Commission that it is opposed to the creation of a fund to cover environmental...
South to Head Marsh’s Combined Asia-Pacific; Piccolomini Continental Europe
Nov 29 2012 // Marsh has embarked on a major reordering of its regional activities, which it said is “in order to align the delivery of its global capabilities more closely to the needs of clients around the world.” Marsh has...
Climate is ‘Changing before our Eyes’ Says World Meteorological Organization
Nov 29 2012 // The fact that Arctic sea ice has melted this year to its lowest recorded level shows, along with other weather extremes, that “climate change is taking place before our eyes,” the World Meteorological...
Swiss Re to Invest $500 Million in Europe Infrastructure Debt through Macquarie
Nov 28 2012 // Swiss Re announced that it will engage in long-term financing of infrastructure businesses and assets, and has committed an initial US$500 million for investments in senior secured debt of infrastructure businesses and...
Euro Zone, IMF Secure Deal on Cutting Greek Debt
Nov 27 2012 // Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund clinched agreement on reducing Greece’s debt on Monday in a breakthrough to release urgently needed loans to keep the near-bankrupt economy...
EU’s Debt Crisis Saps its Ability to Lead Climate Change Debate
Nov 26 2012 // The EU’s debt crisis has sapped its ability to lead the way in global climate talks, which began in Doha on Monday, and to build on a fragile victory it clinched a year ago. The European Union is one of the few...
Allied World Europe Expands Primary Professional Liability Product Suite
Nov 20 2012 // Allied World Europe has enhanced its suite of professional liability products to include primary capabilities. The new offering, Allied World Secure, consists of five products which cover a range of primary and excess...
ING in New Deal with EU over State Aid, Punishment
Nov 20 2012 // The Netherland’s based ING Groep NV has agreed to a deal with European regulators on when it will repay the remaining €3 billion ($3.84 billion) it still owes in state aid. The bank, which fell afoul of EU laws...
World Economic Climate Continues to Decline: ICC/Ifo Survey
Nov 19 2012 // The health of the world’s economy continues to deteriorate as insufficient demand, unemployment and the on-going debt crisis in Europe undermine recovery efforts, according to the latest findings from the ICC-Ifo...
Best Affirms Torus Group Ratings; Outlook Stable
Nov 19 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Ratings Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of Torus Insurance (Bermuda) Limited, Torus...
Best Revises ICR Outlook to Negative for QBE Group and Subs; Affirms Ratings
Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of UK-based QBE Insurance (Europe)...
Best Affirms Aspen UK, Bermuda and Subs Ratings; Outlook Stable
Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Ratings Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Aspen Insurance UK Limited (AIUK) and Aspen...
Iran Oil Liability Fears Grow as Insurance Ban Bites
Nov 15 2012 // A ban on European Union insurers covering Iranian oil exports has forced ship owners to fall back on new, untested insurance providers, raising fears that governments may have to pay in the event of an oil spill. The July...
Best Affirms Markel International, Lloyd’s Syndicate Ratings; Outlook Stable
Nov 14 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a+” of UK-based Markel International Insurance Company...
EU Fails to Fill Cash Gap as Climate Talks Loom
Nov 14 2012 // EU finance ministers have failed to deliver firm promises of cash to help poor nations deal with climate change, threatening progress at international talks to tackle global warming later this month. Talks on Tuesday in...
