November 14, 2008
Recession has struck much of Europe, data showed on Friday, confirming a widespread economic downturn that world leaders hope to tackle at a weekend summit in Washington. The worst financial crisis in 80 years has weakened the world’s major economies. …
November 11, 2008
For the first time in 90 years no surviving French soldier from the First World War participated in today’s memorial services. The last “Poilus,” as soldiers who fought in the war are known in France, died in April. Only five …
November 10, 2008
Allianz’s Dresdner Bank unit posted its biggest quarterly loss since the start of the financial crisis, the insurer said on Monday, pushing the group to a €2 billion ($2.58 billion) net loss. Allianz is selling Dresdner Bank, which had a …
November 5, 2008
Political leaders urged U.S. President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday to help forge a new economic order and lead the world out of its worst financial crisis since the 1930s. Excitement about the election of Democrat Obama as the first black …
October 31, 2008
Coface, the Paris-based business specialist, has issued a bulletin, which notes that the “credit crisis is spreading throughout Europe amid a deepening financial crisis, leading to a sudden squeeze in banking credit, plunging confidence levels, and a slowdown in activity.” …
October 20, 2008
One of Pat Oliphant’s more recent editorial cartoons shows presidential candidate John McCain held in the trunk of an enraged elephant labeled “The Economy.” “My friends,” says McCain to a bewildered Barack Obama and Sarah Palin, “kindly pay no attention …
October 16, 2008
Balance sheet pressures for insurance and reinsurance companies globally have become more severe as insurers experience greater unrealized market value losses, and take impairments, on their investment portfolios, says Fitch Ratings. As such, Fitch analysts expects a noteworthy ramp up …
October 13, 2008
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A+’ (Superior) from ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating to “aa-” from “a+” of New Zealand’s AMI Insurance Limited. Best also revised the outlook for both ratings to stable …
October 8, 2008
Allowing Lehman Brothers to fail last month was a major mistake for the equilibrium of the global financial system, French Economy Minister Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday, adding that France would not abandon its lenders. Seeking again to reassure the …
October 7, 2008
European governments struggled on Monday to shelter banks and bank depositors from a global financial crisis that is eroding confidence, endangering the economy and challenging their ability to respond as one. Germany promised blanket deposit protection for bank savers, prompting …