The future of the global marine insurance sector remains uncertain against a risk landscape marred by the ongoing US-China trade conflicts, hostilities in the Middle East, rising levels of debt and political insecurity in many areas.
Swiss Re has finally agreed to sell its closed life business ReAssure Group valued at GBP3.25bn ($4.28bn) to Phoenix Group. The deal will offer Swiss Re a cash payment of GBP1.2bn, shares in Phoenix representing a 13% to 17% stake and entitlement to a seat on its board of directors. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2020 subject to approvals by Phoenix's shareholders, regulators and anti-trust authorities.
"The P&I system is doing a fantastic job of providing affordable insurance to ship owners," said BW Group chairman Andreas Sohmen-Pao at the International Group of P&I clubs inaugural VIP briefing in Singapore yesterday.
The International Group of P&I clubs (IG) chairman Paul Jennings, speaking at its inaugural VIP briefing in Singapore yesterday, noted that the choice of Singapore as the launch pad for the event was a testament to "the importance of Asia to the future of protection and indemnity (P&I)."
Japan's Daiichi Life Insurance is investing in a five-year Sustainable Development Bond issued by the World Bank to highlight the vital role of the world's freshwater and marine resources and the importance of addressing water and ocean pollution, including plastic waste in oceans.
Global reinsurers are stepping up warnings to their life insurer clients about the potential risks of vaping, putting pressure on underwriters to charge certain vapers higher rates than smokers, or even exclude them altogether, reported Reuters.
Bermuda-based Catalina has reached an in-principle agreement to acquire Singapore-headquartered reinsurer Asia Capital Re (ACR). The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2020, subject to regulatory and all other approvals.
SCOR has announced the launch of a new three-year contingent capital facility which takes the form of a contingent equity line, providing the Group with EUR300m ($332m) coverage in case of extreme natural catastrophe or life events impacting mortality. The facility enables the Group to protect its solvency in case of catastrophe events and is consistent with the "Quantum Leap" strategic plan.
Aviva has appointed Ms Amanda Blanc as an independent non-executive director of the company with effect from 2 January 2020. Ms Blanc, an experienced insurance professional, was previously AXA UK and Ireland CEO as well as Zurich Insurance Group EMEA and global banking partnerships CEO. She was also the first woman to be appointed as chair of the Association of British Insurers in 2018.
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI), a self-regulatory body for insurers, is urging the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants to consider postponing the effective date of IFRS17 for local insurers to 1 January 2023.