Hong Kong News

Ratings: NIPPONKOA, Russian Re, Lemma, Lakeside Re, Inter Hanover

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a” of Hong Kong-based NIPPONKOA Insurance Company (Asia) Limited, both with stable outlooks for both ratings is stable. “The ratings reflect NIPPONKOA …

Marsh to Acquire HSBC Insurance Brokers; Enters ‘Strategic Partnership’

Marsh announced that it has concluded an agreement to acquire HSBC Insurance Brokers Ltd (HIBL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the HSBC Banking Group. The total consideration is valued at £135 million ($218 million), to be paid with a “mixture …

Aon Risk Services Names Malik as New CEO for Asia

Aon Risk Services (ARS), the risk management and insurance brokerage business of Aon Corp., announced the appointment of Sandeep Malik as chief executive officer of Asia Aon Risk Services, effective February 1, 2010. He will be based in Hong Kong …

Somali Pirates Demonstrate Long-range Menace

Anti-piracy measures off Somalia appear to be forcing pirates to extend their range to strike deep into the Indian Ocean, shifting the menace even further from the protection of international naval forces. Gunmen on Monday launched their longest range hijack …

Greenberg: Story Line Shifts to His Private Company, C.V. Starr

When Maurice “Hank” Greenberg has been in the news during the past five years, the story usually has been about American International Group (AIG), the company he built into an insurance conglomerate and headed until his ouster in 2005. Now, …

France’s AXA Eyes Asia Growth with Takeover Bid

AXA Asia Pacific rejected a $10.3 billion bid from parent AXA SA and Australian rival AMP Ltd on Monday, an initial hurdle for the French insurer’s bold ambitions to expand in Asia. AXA SA, Europe’s second-largest insurer it would raise …

Business Moves

AmTrust, American Capital, GMAC AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. is making an investment in American Capital Acquisition Corp. in connection with the acquisition by ACAC of GMAC’s U.S. consumer property/ casualty insurance business. AmTrust said it will initially invest approximately $42.5 …

ACE Names Talbott Executive Vice President – International Property

The ACE Group of insurance and reinsurance companies has announced the appointment of Derek Talbott as Executive Vice President, International Property. He will be responsible for the management and performance of ACE’s international property insurance business in Europe, the Middle …

AIG Sells Taiwan Life Insurance Unit for $2.15 Billion

American International Group is to sell its Taiwan life insurance unit for $2.15 billion, marking the largest disposal since a U.S. government bailout saved the insurer from collapse last year. The sale of Nan Shan Life on Tuesday was another …

London: International Insurance Center

Systems Changes, Technology, Talent Pool Position London Market for the Future London’s insurance market comprises general carriers, specialty carriers, reinsurers, brokers, underwriters, claims handlers, lawyers, accountants and their adjuncts, who work together to sell “The City’s” – London’s financial and …