2016 M&A News

A.M. Best Upgrades Aviabel’s Ratings After AXIS Acquisition

A.M. Best has removed from under review with positive implications and upgraded the Financial Strength Rating to A (Excellent) from A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating to “a” from “a-” of Compagnie Belge d’Assurances Aviation S.A. (Aviabel). The …

AIG Completes Sale of Japanese Life Unit to FWD Group

American International Group announced it has successfully completed the sale of AIG Fuji Life Insurance Co. Ltd. (AFLI) to FWD Group, the insurance arm of Pacific Century Group. The terms of the deal, which was originally announced in November 2016, …

Allianz Officially Launches Its Moroccan Subsidiary

The Allianz Group has officially launched its Moroccan subsidiary, Allianz Maroc, which has has been a part of the Allianz Group since Nov. 3, 2016, following the acquisition of 98.9 percent of Zurich Assurances Maroc. After obtaining the relevant regulatory …

Reinsurance Capacity Still Outpaces Demand Growth: Aon Benfield

Capacity continues to outpace the growth of reinsurance demand despite insurers’ continued efforts to optimize their view of reinsurance as capital and expand into growing lines of business and innovation, according to a report published by Aon Benfield. The report …

Economical Completes Purchase of Canada’s Largest Pet Insurer

Economical Mutual Insurance Co., the Waterloo, Ontario-based property and casualty insurance company, announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of Western Financial Insurance Co. (WFIC) and its flagship brand Petsecure from Desjardins Group. Concurrent with the acquisition, WFIC changed …

24 Independent Insurance, Benefits Agencies Form National Brokerage, Alera Group

There is a new national independent insurance brokerage and wealth management firm that opens its doors with more than 20,00 clients, $158 million in annual revenues and 750 employees in 40 offices across 15 states. The new firm is called …

AIG Completes Sale of Mortgage Unit to Arch Capital for $3.4 Billion

American International Group said it has completed the $3.4 billion sale of its mortgage guaranty unit to Arch Capital Group. The deal to sell United Guaranty Corp. (UGC), first announced in August 2016, closed on Dec. 31. “With this transaction, …

Reinsurers Can Expect Another Difficult Year, Seeking Price Stabilization: Willis Re

Despite a 50 percent increase in insured losses from natural catastrophes during 2016, the global reinsurance industry achieved profitable results for the third quarter and remains on track to close out another profitable full year, according to a report published …

New Mexico’s Mountain States Mutual to Merge with Donegal Mutual

New Mexico’s Mountain States Mutual Casualty Co. is merging into Pennsylvania-based Donegal Mutual Insurance Co., the insurers announced. Donegal Mutual will be the surviving company in the merger, and Mountain States’ insurance subsidiaries, Mountain States Indemnity Co. and Mountain States …

Guidewire to Acquire Insurance Cloud Software Firm ISCS for $160 Million

Guidewire Software, which serves property/casualty insurers, has agreed to acquire another insurance software firm, San Jose, California-based ISCS, for $160 million in cash. The deal gives Guidewire entry into the small carrier market and additional expertise in cloud-based products. The …