Latest Europe Headlines

All the headlines from our Europe Topic Page, ordered by recency.

South to Head Marsh’s Combined Asia-Pacific; Piccolomini Continental Europe

Nov 29 2012 // Marsh has embarked on a major reordering of its regional activities, which it said is “in order to align the delivery of its global capabilities more closely to the needs of clients around the world.” Marsh has...

Climate is ‘Changing before our Eyes’ Says World Meteorological Organization

Nov 29 2012 // The fact that Arctic sea ice has melted this year to its lowest recorded level shows, along with other weather extremes, that “climate change is taking place before our eyes,” the World Meteorological...

Swiss Re to Invest $500 Million in Europe Infrastructure Debt through Macquarie

Nov 28 2012 // Swiss Re announced that it will engage in long-term financing of infrastructure businesses and assets, and has committed an initial US$500 million for investments in senior secured debt of infrastructure businesses and...

Euro Zone, IMF Secure Deal on Cutting Greek Debt

Nov 27 2012 // Euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund clinched agreement on reducing Greece’s debt on Monday in a breakthrough to release urgently needed loans to keep the near-bankrupt economy...

EU’s Debt Crisis Saps its Ability to Lead Climate Change Debate

Nov 26 2012 // The EU’s debt crisis has sapped its ability to lead the way in global climate talks, which began in Doha on Monday, and to build on a fragile victory it clinched a year ago. The European Union is one of the few...

Allied World Europe Expands Primary Professional Liability Product Suite

Nov 20 2012 // Allied World Europe has enhanced its suite of professional liability products to include primary capabilities. The new offering, Allied World Secure, consists of five products which cover a range of primary and excess...

ING in New Deal with EU over State Aid, Punishment

Nov 20 2012 // The Netherland’s based ING Groep NV has agreed to a deal with European regulators on when it will repay the remaining €3 billion ($3.84 billion) it still owes in state aid. The bank, which fell afoul of EU laws...

World Economic Climate Continues to Decline: ICC/Ifo Survey

Nov 19 2012 // The health of the world’s economy continues to deteriorate as insufficient demand, unemployment and the on-going debt crisis in Europe undermine recovery efforts, according to the latest findings from the ICC-Ifo...

Best Affirms Torus Group Ratings; Outlook Stable

Nov 19 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Ratings Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of Torus Insurance (Bermuda) Limited, Torus...

Best Revises ICR Outlook to Negative for QBE Group and Subs; Affirms Ratings

Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of UK-based QBE Insurance (Europe)...

Best Affirms Aspen UK, Bermuda and Subs Ratings; Outlook Stable

Nov 16 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Ratings Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Aspen Insurance UK Limited (AIUK) and Aspen...

Iran Oil Liability Fears Grow as Insurance Ban Bites

Nov 15 2012 // A ban on European Union insurers covering Iranian oil exports has forced ship owners to fall back on new, untested insurance providers, raising fears that governments may have to pay in the event of an oil spill. The July...

Best Affirms Markel International, Lloyd’s Syndicate Ratings; Outlook Stable

Nov 14 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a+” of UK-based Markel International Insurance Company...

EU Fails to Fill Cash Gap as Climate Talks Loom

Nov 14 2012 // EU finance ministers have failed to deliver firm promises of cash to help poor nations deal with climate change, threatening progress at international talks to tackle global warming later this month. Talks on Tuesday in...

EU, IMF Clash over Greece Revives Debt Crisis Fears

Nov 13 2012 // A public clash between Greece’s international lenders over how Athens can bring its debts down to a sustainable level has reignited fears that the crisis could flare up anew. Euro zone finance ministers suggested...

Insurer ING US Files for IPO

Nov 12 2012 // ING U.S. Inc, a unit of Dutch financial services group ING Groep NV, filed to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering as its parent complies with a European Union mandate to split its businesses. ING Groep...

IMF Urges Permanent Fix to U.S. ‘Fiscal Cliff’

Nov 9 2012 // The International Monetary Fund on Thursday urged the United States to quickly reach an agreement on a permanent fix to avoid automatic tax hikes and spending cuts early next year, saying a stop-gap solution could be...

Risk Managers’ Top 3 Concerns: Interest Rates, Currency Markets, Regulations

Nov 9 2012 // Interest rates, volatile currency markets and changing regulations are the top three things keeping risk managers from their sleep. Those are the conclusions summarized in an article on the Lloyd’s web site that...

Canopius’ Chief Inga Beale Stresses ‘Client Focus’ for European Success

Nov 8 2012 // Lloyd’s has a good reputation in Europe, but managing agents need to become more client focused to be successful on the continent, explained Inga Beale, Group Chief Executive at Canopius Group Ltd. in an article on...

U.S. ‘Fiscal Cliff,’ Europe’s Debt Woes Worry G20

Nov 5 2012 // Leading world economies pressed the United States on Sunday to act decisively to avert a rush of spending cuts and tax hikes, warning that the so-called fiscal cliff is the biggest short-term threat to global...