Alibaba News

Asia’s Ride-Hailing Firms Compete with Banks – and Ultimately Insurers: Opinion

In Southeast Asia, mobile banking is taking on a whole new meaning. Last week, Grab, one of the region’s top ride-hailing companies, announced that users of its app can start sending credits — used to pay for rides — to …

Group Led by Yunfeng Financial to Buy MassMutual’s Asia Unit for $1.7B

A group led by Yunfeng Financial Group Ltd., the company backed by billionaire Jack Ma, agreed to buy an Asian unit from Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. to add insurance products to the array of financial services it offers to …

AXA, Alibaba and Ant Financial Services Form Global Strategic Partnership

AXA, Alibaba and Ant Financial Services have formed a global strategic partnership to explore opportunities to distribute AXA’s insurance products and services through Alibaba’s global e-commerce platforms. The companies plan to work together to develop products and services, while developing …

Alibaba’s Finance Arm Plans $188 Million Investment in Cathay Insurance

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s finance arm is strengthening its foothold in the insurance business with plans to invest about 1.2 billion yuan ($188 million) in a Chinese unit of Cathay Financial Holding Co. Zhejiang Ant Small & Micro Financial Services …

Alibaba-Backed Insurer Raises $934M From Investors Including Morgan Stanley

Zhong An Online Property & Casualty Insurance Co., a Chinese online insurer part owned by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., said it raised 5.8 billion yuan ($934 million) from investors including Morgan Stanley. The Shanghai-based company now has a market value …

Alibaba’s Ma vs. Berkshire’s Buffett; Lottery vs. Insurance: Saft

Jack Ma and Warren Buffett embody two great and contrasting businesses in finance. One sells lottery tickets and the other sells insurance. Ma pulled off the largest-ever IPO last week when he floated Alibaba in what might be called the …

Alibaba’s Grand Vision for E-Commerce Empire Includes Insurance

Alibaba, the world’s biggest e-commerce company, changed how China shops. Now the man driving its blockbuster U.S. stock sale wants to transform the rest of the country’s services industry, adding new users to the giant’s 300 million customers. Joe Tsai, …