Articles by Swetha Gopinath and Pamela Barbaglia

Bain-Backed Esure Eyes UK Growth After £200 Million Revamp

UK home and motor insurance firm Esure Group Plc sees further growth in the country after a £200 million ($258 million) revamp program, according to its Chief Executive Officer David McMillan. The company, backed by private equity firm Bain Capital, …

Aviva CEO Amanda Blanc Conquers Detractors and Direct Line

Amanda Blanc is determined to steer Aviva Plc to one of the biggest takeovers in its history, a highlight in a storied insurance career where she’s stood up to challenges including activist shareholders and sexist barbs. If her £3.6 billion …

Aviva Reaches Initial £3.6 Billion Deal to Buy Direct Line

Aviva Plc reached a preliminary agreement to buy Direct Line Insurance Group Plc for £3.6 billion ($4.6 billion) in a deal that would create the UK’s largest motor insurer. London-listed Aviva sweetened its bid in the latest negotiations with Direct …

Cevian’s Baloise Move Triggers European Insurers to Study Deal

Baloise Holding AG has become one of the most-discussed takeover candidates in the European financial sector, after agitation by an activist investor triggered top industry players to take fresh looks at the Swiss insurer. Zurich Insurance Group AG, AXA SA …

Generali Said to Weigh Deal for Credit Investment Firm MGG

Assicurazioni Generali SpA is considering a deal to acquire New York-based credit investment firm MGG Investment Group, people familiar with the matter said, as the Italian insurer looks to expand in the private asset business. Generali has held early talks …

Bain-Backed Motor Insurer Esure Draws Interest from Aviva, Allianz

Aviva Plc and Allianz SE are among potential bidders for Britain’s home and motor insurance firm Esure Group Plc, according to people familiar with the matter. Sampo Oyj, which owns British general insurer Hastings Group, and Belgium-based Ageas have also …

Generali Is Seeking Buyers for Turkey, Philippines Units: Sources

Assicurazioni Generali SpA is seeking to sell its units in Turkey and the Philippines, people with knowledge of the matter said. The Italian insurer has kicked off separate processes to dispose of its small Istanbul-based Generali Sigorta AS subsidiary and …

BNP Paribas Considers Buying Fosun’s Ageas Stake

BNP Paribas SA is considering a potential acquisition of Fosun International Ltd.’s stake in Belgian insurer Ageas, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The French lender has been holding discussions on a possible purchase of Fosun’s holding in …

Direct Line Rejects ‘Unattractive’ £3.1 Billion Bid From Ageas

Direct Line Insurance Group Plc said its board unanimously rejected a bid from Ageas, describing the offer as “uncertain” and “unattractive.” The Belgian insurer said in a regulatory filing Wednesday that “it is in the preliminary stages of considering a …

Rebel Generali Investor Could Mount Legal Challenge if Bid to Remake Board Fails

A rebel investor in Generali could mount a legal challenge if his bid to appoint new top executives at Italy’s largest insurer loses by a narrow margin in a shareholder vote this month, a candidate for the chairman’s role said. …