Douglas Shillito
This week, Prudential headlined with its intention to demerge the UK & Europe business (M&G Prudential) from Prudential plc (Asia and US), and to sell a £12bn annuity portfolio to Rothesay Life. Meanwhile, Phoenix Group, following the announcement of its deal with Standard Life Aberdeen, reported a good 2017 and said it was in exclusive talks on its first bulk purchase annuity transaction. Old Mutual, another group in break up mode, also announced a good year all round, and Generali reported a record operating result thanks to its life segment, the investments, asset & wealth management business, and a cost reduction target reached ahead of schedule. In the US, Prosperity Life signed an agreement to sell to an investment partnership.
PwC’s 21st Global CEO Survey highlighted that insurance CEOs are more concerned about the pace of technological change (85%) than leaders in any other industry, whilst GlobalData looked at potential alternative providers in the US healthcare market. An Aviva investigation revealed a high level of auto repair fraud in Canada, and a Willis Towers Watson CLIPS Survey reported that US commercial insurance prices had inched upwards in the 4th quarter.
China is to merge insurance and banking regulators handing more responsibility to the People’s Bank of China. The Joint Committee of the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) published its final report on Big Data. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said that the average cost of motor insurance claims was at its highest level, and also its research indicated that 82% of UK insurers are now offering apprenticeship schemes. RSA celebrated the success of its Broker Leader Programme.
BMS launched its Innovation Lab, and Earnix announced the introduction of its Integrated Machine Learning technology as an enhancement to its existing insurance software suite. Duck Creek’s Suite solution was chosen by First American. Lloyd’s coverholders are now eligible to access ACORD Delegated Authority Standards, information, training and other resources, whilst Marsh joined the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA), the world’s largest open source blockchain initiative. Sequel’s Eclipse Underwriting offering was selected by Agora Underwriting, and Charles Taylor emphasized its investment in growth of its existing businesses including InsurTech.
Munich Re raised profit guidance for 2018 and announced a further share buy-back-Swiss Re is also to propose a new public share buy-back programme. Argo acquired Italian specialty insurer Ariscom, and Beach announced the formation of a new specialty and wholesale platform with senior appointments-its acquisition by Acrisure was also completed. Markel International ceased to write London open market property business, and Hannover Re produced a “pleasing” result in a challenging full year. There were senior appointments at Canopius, D. L. Dale, EY, and Liberty Mutual Specialty Markets.
Full articles on the above topics may be found on the Insurance Newslink and Financial Newslink global trends database services at www.onlystrategic.com.