All articles by Verdict Staff

French life sector remains stable despite effects of the eurozone debt crisis

Tough economic conditions from 2008 to 2012 stunted growth massively, but strong French life segment still managed moderate growth, according to the Life Insurance in France report, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2017, available on the Insurance Intelligence Center

Is the balance of power shifting back to sellers?

A combination of insurers indicating an increased appetite for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and fewer companies planning to divest over the next three years potentially signals the re-emergence of a sellers’ market in European insurance, says Fergal O’Shea.

LII 291, January 2014

Recent growth in Iranian Life sector suggests underdeveloped sector is set to boom

The Iranian life insurance segment only represents 9.9% of the overall industry, but 46.6% growth in 2012 and low penetration rates indicates great potential, according to the Life Insurance in Iran report, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2017, available on the Insurance Intelligence Center.

Highly regulated Austrian life sector suffers slight decline

Substantial falls in single-premium life insurance products and the global financial crisis result caused the Austrian life insurance industry to contract, according to the Life Insurance in Austria report, Key Trends and Opportunities to 2017, available on the Insurance Intelligence Center.

ING divests South Korean insurance business to MBK Partners

Netherlands-based financial conglomerate ING has concluded the sale of its South Korean insurance business ING Life Korea to Seoul-based private equity firm MBK Partners for EUR1.27bn ($1.7bn).

Atlantic American closes acquisition of DLIC

Atlantic American has completed the acquisition of Direct Life Insurance Company (DLIC), formerly a non-active subsidiary of Direct General Insurance Company.

Metlife to buy stakes in AmLife and AmTakaful for $249m

MetLife, a US-based life insurer, has signed an agreement to purchase 51% stake in AmLife Insurance Berhad and 49% stake in AmFamily Takaful Berhad from Malaysia-based AMMB Holdings for RM812m ($249m).

CHOICE introduces Smart Monthly Income Plan

Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance (CHOICE) has unveiled a new traditional participating product, Smart Monthly Income Plan, designed to provide life cover and guaranteed extra income to meet the rising cost of living.

Future Retail receives regulatory approval to divest 22.5% stake in life insurance JV

Future Retail has been granted permission by the concerned government and regulatory agencies to sell a 22.5% stake in the life insurance joint venture (JV) Future Generali India Life Insurance to Industrial Investment Trust Ltd (IITL).