February 2006/4

The future of PXRE remains clouded, as the troubled reinsurer reported fourth quarter 2005 net losses of $447mn on the back of deepening hurricane losses, and admitted that it could lose 75 percent of its clients as a result of downgrade triggers.

Munich Re chief executive Nikolaus von Bomhard has said the industry will not end the problems over its reputation while brokers and carriers continue to own significant stakes in each other. Dr von Bomhard said brokers could not say they were...

Lloyd’s chairman Lord Peter Levene branded the US reinsurance collateral system “protectionism” as senior European reinsurance leaders hit out at inaction over scrapping the requirement for so-called “alien” reinsurers to fully collateralise US...

Giant broker Aon has today revealed plans to leave the City for Docklands, with talks ongoing for a new London office at Canary Wharf. The firm said it was in exclusive negotiations with Canary Wharf Group plc, and is seeking around...

The future of Bermuda’s PXRE is in doubt after the hurricane-decimated reinsurer admitted that it would “explore strategic alternatives” after losing its crucial A- (Excellent) AM Best financial strength rating.

German giant Hannover Re has completed a EUR100mn securitisation with a transfer of life insurance risks into the international financial markets. The transaction, known as the L6 securitisation, covers individual unit-linked policies from Germany...

Swiss reinsurer Converium is the latest company to report on the January renewal season, pronouncing itself “very satisfied” despite a 3 percent decline in non-life premium volume. During the January renewal season the company wrote...

Swiss giant Zurich Financial Services (ZFS) reported a strident set of 2005 figures last Thursday (16 February), delivering record operating profit of $3.95bn – a 32 percent rise on 2004. Net income also increased considerably, by 30 percent to $3.2bn.

Arab Insurance Group (ARIG) reported an 82 percent rise in net profits last year to a record of $48.2mn, up from $26.5mn in 2004. The record profit represents a 19.5 percent return on average shareholders’ equity, with the board of directors...

US insurer WR Berkley Corp reported full-year net income of $545mn, or $4.08 per share, a 24 percent increase from $438mn, or $3.31 cents per share, for 2004. Results for the final quarter of 2005 were even more impressive, with a...

Chicago-based insurer CNA Financial posted a fourth quarter net loss of $217mn, or 92 cents per share, down from a net profit of $303mn, or $1.11 per share, in 2004. The company was hit by $223mn in commuted reinsurance contracts and...

Transatlantic Holdings, the parent of Transatlantic Re, has announced 2005 net profits of $37.9mn, down from $254.6mn in 2004 after booking a fourth quarter net profit of $13.5mn, compared to $98.9mn in the prior-year period. Like many of its peers...