Retail News CRM

Tag: allianz

  • Geely Farizon Expands European Van Network with Six Partners

    Geely Farizon Expands European Van Network with Six Partners

    Geely commercial vehicle brand Farizon presented partnerships with AMF-Bruns, Allianz Partners, BNP Paribas, CATL, Bosch, and ZF at the IAA Transportation in Hanover to expand operations across Europe.

    The agreements underpin European sales for the Chinese group’s Farizon SV electric van, priced from 44,900 euros net, and the smaller V7E model starting at 32,600 euros.

    Farizon, officially represented in Germany since May 2026, announced plans to establish dedicated subsidiaries in Germany and France alongside a European headquarters.

    Component supply and vehicle engineering remain anchored by long-running ties with battery manufacturer CATL, chassis specialist ZF and tier-one supplier Bosch. Farizon already operates a central spare parts distribution warehouse in Germany, which works alongside a dedicated European engineering division formed earlier in 2026 to handle local homologation and fleet customization.

    Expanding Direct Operations in Germany and France

    Farizon plans to incorporate wholly owned operational subsidiaries in Germany and France to anchor its European business. The company is currently selecting a site for its regional European headquarters as it expands beyond early distribution channels in Britain, Spain, Serbia and the Benelux region.

    Fleet operators in Germany can order the SV van with either a 67 kilowatt-hour or 83 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery pack sourced from CATL. The larger battery pack delivers a driving range of up to 376 kilometers under WLTP testing standards. For inner-city delivery routes, the smaller V7E transporter comes fitted with 50 kilowatt-hour or 67 kilowatt-hour batteries, yielding a maximum driving range of 328 kilometers between charges.

    Platform Applications and Autonomous Production

    The SV platform also serves as the structural base for specialized autonomous transport. Chinese autonomous driving developer WeRide placed an order for 2,000 units of its GXR robotaxi, built directly on the Farizon SV architecture.

    Production for the WeRide GXR run is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2026. At the Hanover exhibition, Farizon also presented the Homtruck, a heavy-duty battery-electric tractor unit developed for regional freight and long-distance hauling routes.

    Commercial Fleet Pressures and Chinese Expansion

    For European logistics operators, Farizon offers an alternative to legacy European van makers at a lower acquisition cost, but the real test lies in parts availability and residual values. Fleet buyers cannot tolerate stranded vehicles waiting weeks for imported Chinese components. Establishing local financing and insurance through BNP Paribas and Allianz directly addresses fleet credit and residual risk, removing two primary barriers that have slowed Chinese commercial vehicles in the European market.

    European manufacturers such as Stellantis and Renault face intensified price competition in the light commercial sector as Chinese electric platforms scale up. Farizon uses the manufacturing scale and battery supply chains of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to price its mid-size electric delivery vans well below comparable European rivals. The main operational hurdle remains long-term resale value, where unproven Chinese commercial nameplates still face steeper depreciation curves than established brands.

    Preceding European Entry and Next Steps

    Farizon formally entered the German market in May 2026 after completing initial safety and homologation testing for the SV and V7E. The SV van secured a five-star Euro NCAP commercial safety rating and finished as a runner-up in the International Van of the Year 2026 evaluations, giving the platform regulatory validation before commercial deployment.

    Engineering teams are preparing an updated version of the Farizon SV featuring an all-wheel-drive powertrain, revised electric motors and higher-capacity battery options tailored for winter driving and unpaved terrain. Farizon has not yet disclosed technical specifications or pricing for the four-wheel-drive model, which will roll out as European legal entities in Germany and France complete their formal incorporation.

  • Taiwan Non-Life Insurers Pivot to Commercial Lines as Market Expands to $19B

    Taiwan Non-Life Insurers Pivot to Commercial Lines as Market Expands to $19B

    Taiwan property and casualty premiums will reach $19 billion by 2036, expanding at an annual rate of 4.8 per cent as non-life business outpaces the mature life sector.

    Health insurance premiums will match that pace with 4.8 per cent annual growth to $25.1 billion, while life premiums expand at a slower 4.3 per cent clip from $65.1 billion in 2025 to $103.5 billion, according to data from Allianz Research.

    Manufacturing and Energy Drive Commercial Demand

    Commercial lines are absorbing capital from high-technology factory construction, offshore wind projects, and state-backed infrastructure upgrades. AM Best noted in a September sector review that consistent premium expansion across retail and commercial lines will support earnings, provided carriers maintain underwriting discipline.

    Motor insurance still generates the bulk of non-life revenue on the island. Premium growth in the category slowed through early 2026 as buyers postponed vehicle purchases during debates over import tariff adjustments.

    In commercial lines, growth could increasingly come from moving beyond traditional risk transfer toward more holistic solutions combining risk assessment, loss prevention, and insurance coverage.

    Regulatory Shifts Boost Reported Capital

    Underwriting profits also benefited from calm weather patterns across 2025 and the first half of 2026, which kept natural catastrophe payouts low. At the same time, carriers completed major balance sheet realignments under new capital and accounting frameworks.

    The adoption of IFRS 17 lifted sector-wide shareholders’ equity by approximately 10 per cent at the end of 2025 compared with older accounting metrics. The local Taiwan Insurance Solvency standard increased the weighting of market risk in required reserves without reducing overall capital buffers.

    For institutional investors and bank-backed financial holding groups in Taipei, the shift in premium momentum creates an operational problem. Life units long provided massive investment floats, but slower volume means management teams must extract higher fee income and tighter loss ratios from general insurance operations.

    Rival domestic insurers are targeting mid-sized commercial clients rather than relying exclusively on large electronics fabricators. Writing modular liability, business interruption, and property coverage for suppliers reduces balance sheet concentration while defending margins against commoditised pricing.

    Pressure Mounts on Underwriting Margins

    The regulatory transition began years earlier as Taiwan’s Insurance Bureau aligned domestic solvency calculations with international standards to prepare carriers for equity market volatility. Insurers spent that period building capital reserves and trimming exposure to high-guarantee savings products.

    Underwriting teams now face the next hurdle: pricing commercial property contracts accurately as extreme climate events become less predictable across East Asia. The next round of statutory solvency filings will show whether smaller non-life carriers can maintain target capital ratios without raising rates on corporate accounts.

  • Allianz Singapore Secures Three Awards for Consumer Insurance Offerings

    Allianz Singapore Secures Three Awards for Consumer Insurance Offerings

    Allianz Insurance Singapore has earned three awards at the Asia Consumer Insurance Awards 2026. The recognition reflects the company’s focus on creating insurance solutions designed to protect Singaporeans from new and changing risks.

    The company received awards for its health and wellness offerings, its critical illness solutions, and its advancements in digital transformation within the insurance sector. These accolades collectively underscore Allianz’s efforts in adapting its product portfolio and service delivery to meet contemporary consumer needs in Singapore.

    Recognizing Industry Leadership

    The awards included ‘Health Insurance Product of the Year’ for Allianz’s health and wellness propositions. Its comprehensive critical illness coverage was named ‘Critical Illness Product of the Year’. Also, the insurer received the ‘Digital Transformation Initiative of the Year’ award, acknowledging its progress in integrating technology to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

    These wins indicate a strong market position and product relevance in Singapore’s competitive insurance landscape. The focus on health, critical illness, and digital services aligns with broader industry trends where consumers increasingly seek robust protection and convenient digital interactions. This trend is visible across Asia-Pacific as insurers and financial service providers invest in digital platforms to reach a wider customer base and streamline processes.

    Commitment To Evolving Risks

    The company stated that these awards validate its strategy to address the dynamic risk environment faced by consumers in Singapore. This involves continuous product development and the adoption of new technologies to deliver accessible and effective insurance solutions. The recognition particularly highlights the importance of anticipating future challenges, such as new health threats or economic uncertainties, and building products that offer relevant coverage.

  • HSBC’s $2B Singapore Insurance Unit Sale to Allianz: A Strategic Boost for Both Giants

    HSBC’s $2B Singapore Insurance Unit Sale to Allianz: A Strategic Boost for Both Giants

    HSBC has announced that it will sell its life and health insurance division in Singapore to Germany’s Allianz. The deal, which values the unit at SGD2.7 billion (US$2.09 billion), is expected to produce a pre-tax gain of US$1.8 billion for HSBC and potentially enhance the HSBC Group’s common equity tier 1 ratio by up to 15 basis points.

    Simplifying Operations and Boosting Capital Returns

    This sale signifies another move in HSBC CEO Georges Elhedery’s strategy to streamline operations at Europe’s largest bank and reinvest capital into sectors and markets that promise better yields. Simultaneously, he aims to maintain Singapore’s position as a vital hub for wealth and wholesale banking.

    The deal presents Allianz with a unique chance to expand in Singapore, a wealthy, strictly regulated market where distribution networks and bank-insurance partnerships carry high value. Anusha Thavarajah, Allianz’s Asia Pacific Regional CEO, states that the transaction underscores her company’s confidence in Singapore and recognizes HSBC Life Singapore’s fast-growing business, local expertise, and solid reputation among customers and partners.

    The planned divestment, set to occur in early 2027, will lead HSBC to enter a 15-year bank-insurance distribution agreement with Allianz. This agreement involves selling insurance products in Singapore, supported by an upfront payment of SGD200 million.

    Expanding Insurance Business

    The deal arrives in the wake of HSBC’s broader expansion in the insurance sector. Despite the bank’s ongoing effort to reshape its global footprint and focus on core Asian wealth and corporate banking markets, insurance income has seen a 16% year-on-year rise in the first quarter. This trend has contributed to an 18% boost in quarterly wealth revenue.

    Past investment interests include HSBC Holdings’ acquisition of French insurer Axa’s Singapore assets for US$529 million in 2022. However, the bank is also known for trimming smaller or less scalable retail and insurance operations in parts of Asia, while fiercely vying for affluent clients in the region.

    This sale follows Singapore’s Overseas-Chinese Banking Corp’s announcement in May of its Indonesian unit’s acquisition of certain HSBC wealth and premier banking portfolio assets and liabilities. HSBC is currently also reviewing its retail operations in Turkey, Australia, and Egypt.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the value of the deal between HSBC and Allianz?
    The deal values HSBC’s Singapore life and health insurance unit at SGD2.7 billion (US$2.09 billion).

    What will be HSBC’s strategy after the planned divestment in 2027?
    HSBC plans to enter into a 15-year bancassurance distribution agreement with Allianz to sell insurance products in Singapore.

    What has been the trend in HSBC’s insurance income?
    HSBC’s insurance income has seen a 16% year-on-year rise in the first quarter.

  • Allianz GI Sets Eyes on Asias Potential: The Future of Asset Management in Rising Eastern Economies

    Allianz GI Sets Eyes on Asias Potential: The Future of Asset Management in Rising Eastern Economies

    The Asia-Pacific region is becoming a major focus for Allianz Global Investors (Allianz GI) as global growth trends shift eastward. The firm’s CEO, Tobias C. Pross, asserts that Asia remains one of the few regions where structural growth opportunities are still present despite geopolitical challenges and the slowing growth of Western economies.

    Allianz GI’s Growing Presence in Asia

    Allianz GI has been continually expanding its footprint across the Asia-Pacific region, as the firm sees the area’s growth dynamics moving away from conventional Western markets. Pross highlights that whenever growth is discussed in an inflationary context, the Asia-Pacific region stands out prominently.

    The firm has seen a promising start to 2026, reporting approximately €8 billion in net inflows during the first quarter, which has pushed the assets under its management above €600 billion for the first time.

    The company’s recent initiatives include investments in China, Indonesia, and Taiwan, launching new active ETF capabilities, and inaugurating a new office in South Korea. Julie Koo, former Citi executive, has been brought onboard as the Head of Asia Pacific to further strengthen Allianz’s leadership team in the region.

    Investment Opportunities and Market Expansion

    Allianz GI perceives Asia as a long-term source of investment opportunities and client growth, rather than just a distribution market. While some global investors have started to tread cautiously in the China market, Pross affirms that Allianz GI is still dedicated to China, seeing periods of geopolitical uncertainty as opportunities for active managers.

    Allianz GI is also expanding its private markets platform to offer access to infrastructure, private credit, and private equity strategies to a broader range of investors. Pross noted that demand is growing across Asia, as private banks, insurers, and wealthy individuals explore alternative income sources and diversification.

    Furthermore, Allianz GI views artificial intelligence as a significant investment area. The company is developing a global data platform and proprietary large language models to enhance investment research and portfolio management.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Allianz GI’s growth strategy for the Asia-Pacific region?
    Allianz GI aims to expand its presence by investing in key markets such as China, Taiwan, and Indonesia, and by launching new active ETF capabilities. The firm also plans to strengthen its leadership team in the region.

    How does Allianz GI view the China market?
    Despite some investors’ growing caution, Allianz GI remains committed to the China market. The firm believes that periods of geopolitical uncertainty often create opportunities for active managers.

    What role does artificial intelligence play in Allianz GI’s strategy?
    Allianz GI is significantly investing in artificial intelligence. The firm is developing a global data platform and proprietary large language models to enhance its investment research and portfolio management.

  • Allianz Achieves Unprecedented Financial Success with Record-Breaking Results

    Allianz Achieves Unprecedented Financial Success with Record-Breaking Results

    Allianz has kicked off 2025 with an impressive bang, announcing record results for the first quarter. The insurance giant posted an operating profit of €4.2 billion, despite facing a one-off negative tax impact related to the expected sale of its holdings in India. This remarkable achievement marks a 6.3 percent increase compared to the €4.0 billion recorded in Q1 2024, as growth dollars flowed in from all segments.

    Strong Results Across All Segments

    The numbers tell a compelling story of resilience and expansive growth. In the Property and Casualty Insurance sector, Allianz achieved an operating profit of €2.17 billion, up by 5 percent. Notably, the company also improved its combined ratio to 91.8 percent, well below its target of 93 percent. Meanwhile, the Life and Health Insurance segment reported an operating profit of €1.43 billion, rising 8 percent, with the value of new business soaring by 13.6 percent to €1.44 billion. In Asset Management, Allianz saw an operating profit of €811 million, marking a solid 4.8 percent rise, coupled with net inflows of €28.7 billion and steady third-party assets under management at €1.91 trillion.

    Sharing the Wealth

    Looking ahead, Allianz is optimistic about the financial year 2025, maintaining its outlook with a target operating profit of €16 billion, give or take €1 billion. In a bid to reward shareholders, the company initiated a share buyback program, repurchasing its own shares worth €0.1 billion out of a total planned investment of €2 billion.

    With these promising figures and a confident stance for the future, Allianz seems poised to steer through challenges and emerge as a formidable player in the financial landscape. Who knew the world of insurance could appear so vibrant?

    Questions & Answers

    What was Allianz’s operating profit in the first quarter of 2025? Allianz reported an operating profit of €4.2 billion for the first quarter of 2025.

    How did Allianz’s operating profit in Q1 2025 compare to Q1 2024? The operating profit in Q1 2025 marked a 6.3 percent increase from €4.0 billion in Q1 2024.

    What are Allianz’s plans for shareholder returns in 2025? Allianz has initiated a share buyback program targeting up to €2 billion, with €0.1 billion already repurchased in the first quarter.

  • Deutsche Bank Backs Nomination of Ex-Aegon Chief as Chairman

    Deutsche Bank Backs Nomination of Ex-Aegon Chief as Chairman

    Deutsche Bank’s supervisory board committee supported the nomination of a new chairman, formerly from Dutch insurance firm Aegon.

    The supervisory board committee fully backed the nomination of Alexander Wynaendts as the German lender’s new chairman and he now awaits the appointment to be confirmed by shareholder votes in May, according to a report citing an internal memo.

    If successful, Wynaendts will succeed current chairman Paul Achleitner, another former insurance executive from Allianz.

    Wynaendts has experience in the fields that always made Deutsche Bank stand out: strong expertise in retail, corporate, and capital markets business as well as in asset management – and a global network, said Deutsche Bank chief executive Christian Sewing in the memo.

    Wynaendts has over 30 years of experience in the financial sector, serving as CEO and chairman of Aegon from 2008 to 2020 after first joining the Hague-headquartered insurer in 1997.

    At Aegon, Wynaendts led the insurer through a 3 billion euro ($3.39 billion) state bailout and restructuring in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis.

    He began his financial services career with ABN AMRO in 1984, working in the Dutch lenders’ private banking and investment banking operations in Amsterdam and London.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Allianz Asia Pacific Appoints CEO

    Allianz Asia Pacific Appoints CEO

    The Asia Pacific unit of Allianz has named a new chief executive officer to succeed Solman Altin, who has decided to leave the firm after first joining 13 years ago.

    Anusha Thavarajah has been named regional CEO of Allianz Asia Pacific, according to a statement.

    In her new role, Thavarajah has been tasked with delivering long-term growth and driving ongoing transformation efforts.

    Thavarajah has over 30 years of financial services experience and is currently Allianz Asia Pacific’s regional CEO of life and health after joining the business in December 2019 from AIA Malaysia.

    «Having joined our Asia senior leadership team since 2019, [Thavarajah] is also no stranger to our management philosophy and will bring valuable experience and insights, built over a long and illustrious career in insurance,» said Sergio Balbinot, member of the management board of Allianz SE.

  • Allianz Global Investors to Grow Indonesia Presence

    Allianz Global Investors to Grow Indonesia Presence

    The firm has signed an agreement to acquire an Indonesia-based asset manager, where it aims to create an on-the-ground, market-leading setup to grow its footprint.

    Allianz Global Investors (Allianz GI) has announced plans to acquire Indonesia’s RHB Asset Management from shareholders RHB Banking Group and RHB Sekuritas Indonesia, according to a statement on Monday.

    RHBAM had $480 million in assets under management, as of 31 December 2020. With the deal, it will gain access to AllianzGI’s investment expertise and solutions, allowing it to being in new perspectives to the Indonesia asset management market, the statement said.

    The transaction is expected to be completed in 4Q 2021 and is subject to various conditions precedent, including the approval by the Indonesian Financial Services Authority.

    Allianz GI said that strengthening its franchise in Southeast Asia has long been a focus for the firm.

    We see Southeast Asia as the next growth engine besides China; backed by the solid presence of Allianz SE in Indonesia, the proposed acquisition is a confident stride to accelerate our entry into this fast-growing market, Tobias Pross, AllianzGI chief executive officer, said in the statement.

    The firm employs 690 investment professionals in 23 offices worldwide and manages €598 billion in assets for individuals, families and institutions, as of 31 March 2021.

    Lees ook:

  • Allianz Partners Hong Kong Fintech Expansion

    Allianz Partners Hong Kong Fintech Expansion

    The investment will be used to finance WeLab’s further expansion and, in particular, enable the ongoing development of its technological platform.

    Allianz X, the digital investment unit of Allianz, has joined the Series C funding round for WeLab, with a $75 million investment, it announced in a statement this week.

    The investment aims to enable business expansion and tech platform development, as WeLab has close to 50 million private and business clients in Hong Kong and China, which are key growth markets for Allianz.

    The German insurance and asset management firm will cooperate with the unicorn on insurance and investment products, including digital wealth management solutions in Hong Kong. An expansion of the partnership is planned for the Greater Bay Area, and to Indonesia and Southeast Asia at a later stage, the announcement said.

    Asia is home to some of the most dynamic wealth management and banking markets of the world. Hong Kong, in particular, is a significant market for us, Desmond Ng, Allianz Global Investors head of Asia Pacific, said in the statement.

    Allianz X has already made several other investments in the region, including telemedicine company Halodoc, digital real estate brokerage 99.co, ride-hailing and lifestyle services platform GoJek, and BIMA, which provides digital insurance in emerging and developing markets.

    Established in 2013, WeLab provides digital banking services and loans for private customers, a digital lending platform to connect lenders and borrowers, as well as a number of technology-driven services. It has close to 50 million retail customers and 600 corporate customers in China, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

    In July 2020, WeLab Bank became the third of eight licensed virtual banks to launch in Hong Kong

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Allianz Opens Insurance Holding in China

    Allianz Opens Insurance Holding in China

    Based in Shanghai, the China holding company will support the German insurer’s growth ambitions in the country as it aims to play a larger role in China’s insurance sector and grow with the market.

    Global insurer Allianz has opened China’s first fully foreign-owned insurance holding company, the firm announced in a statement on Thursday.

    Allianz (China) Insurance Holding Company will be led by chairman Sergio Balbinot and CEO Solmaz Altin. The firm said it hopes the establishment of the company will support Allianz’s growth ambitions in China by enhancing its strategic and financial flexibility to capture business opportunities, further increase Allianz’s investment and drive long-term success in the market.

    Allianz received the approval from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) to commence operations in November 2019. The launch follows a series of measures recently announced by the Chinese government to further open up and encourage investment in China by foreign financial insurance institutions.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Allianz Completes Strategic Partnership Deal in Thailand

    Allianz Completes Strategic Partnership Deal in Thailand

    Firm expands partnership with Sri Ayudhya Capital to enhance local market presence and accelerate growth in Thailand. Allianz has acquired a 19.21-percent stake in Thailand’s Sri Ayudhya Capital (AUYD) to become its largest shareholder, the German insurer and asset manager announced in a press release.

    As part of the deal, Allianz General Insurance will be renamed Allianz Ayudhya Capital and its subsidiary Sri Ayudhya General Insurance will be renamed Allianz Ayudhya General Insurance. The merger will ensure a stronger insurance franchise focused on meeting the diverse and growing protection needs of local customers and enhancing the Allianz proposition in the region the press release said.

    Today represents an important milestone for Allianz’s growth ambitions in Thailand and the wider region.  The closer relationship between both businesses will increase collaboration and expertise, and deliver an improved customer proposition in the country.  These moves reflect the strategic efforts we are making across Asia and we look ahead with confidence, Allianz Asia Pacific deputy regional CEO Solmaz Altin said.

    Thailand is an important and strategic market for Allianz Asia, with strong potential due to its low insurance penetration as well as robust macroeconomic prospects, Allianz said. Allianz and AYUD’s partnership goes back almost 20 years and currently serves more than 1 million customers across the country.

    Veraphan Teepsuwan remains as Chairman of Allianz Ayudhya Capital, while Bryan Smith, President & CEO of Allianz Ayudhya Assurance (the life insurance business), has assumed the role of President & CEO, Allianz Ayudhya Capital and the newly created position of Country Manager, Allianz Thailand. Lars Heibutzki was appointed President & CEO of Allianz Ayudhya General Insurance.

    Allianz made a tender offer to buy 56.93 million AYUD shares at 53.32 baht ($1.66) each, totaling 3.04 billion baht ($95 million).

  • Allianz Real Estate aims to raise China investment in new economy, logistics

    Allianz Real Estate aims to raise China investment in new economy, logistics

    The property investment arm of German financial services giant Allianz expects China to soon account for up to half of its Asia-Pacific fund allocation, up from the current 40 per cent, with a focus on the new economy and logistics sectors.

    Rushabh Desai, its Asia-Pacific chief executive, revealed on Monday the insurer and asset manager has just bought an office tower in a Beijing software park, already fully leased out to Chinese tech firms.

    It expects to complete another purchase in a Shanghai business park “within a couple of weeks”, he added.

    “We want to be aligned to the new economy and contribute toward China’s growth in the sector; we’re investing based on that thesis,” Desai said. By new economy he refers to non-traditional industries such as biopharmaceuticals and online retail.

    Allianz Real Estate is just one of a number of foreign investment firms betting on growth in the commercial property markets of China’s top-tier cities, driven by high demand from small start-ups to large companies.

    The firm has effectively bought the Beijing office tower – dubbed ZLink and valued at US$185-195 million – outright (98 per cent) in an all-cash deal from private equity firm KaiLong Group and Goldman Sachs, Desai said.

    The ability to pay for such deals without financing and close them in just eight weeks was vital in helping Allianz secure the purchase, Desai said, even though it might not have been the highest bidder as sellers prefer to avoid China’s lengthy financing periods.

    He said the firm is on the hunt for opportunities in Beijing and Shanghai office space, as well as in warehousing. Its portfolio already includes co-investing in two Shanghai office towers.

    Allianz Real Estate has a global portfolio growth target of over €1 billion (US$1.17 billion) by the end of 2018, from around 800 million to 900 million euros at present and is well on track to meeting that, he said.

    The property investment business also manages €56 billion worth of assets around the world, a tenth of which is in Asia-Pacific. Desai said the trade spat between the United States and China has had little impact on his firm’s investment decisions, and that post-deal asset management is more important.

    “We monitor political risk but we keep it out of our investment decisions and try to focus on asset level,” he said.

    “As an asset investor, we look at the quality of asset, their location and management. We look to outperform the market, so even if there’s a trade war or impact, we hope our investments will do better than our competition. That is all we try to do.”

    Lees ook:

  • Allianz Malaysia Q1 earnings rise 30% to RM87m

    Allianz Malaysia Q1 earnings rise 30% to RM87m

    Allianz Malaysia Bhd’s net profit for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018 jumped 29.9% to RM87.23 million from RM67.17 million a year ago, due mainly to higher contribution from both general and life insurance segments.

    Its revenue grew 5.2% to RM1.27 billion compared with RM1.21 billion in the previous year’s first quarter, thanks to higher gross earned premiums and investment income.

    Allianz said the general insurance industry will likely see some volatility in a fully liberalised environment, which can be expected to remain for up to two to three years, as seen in other markets where detariffication has taken place.

    Competition is likely to intensify in the run up to the anticipated next phase of liberalisation in 2019. The general insurance segment aims to maintain its market leadership in 2018 and will continue to drive initiatives to ensure a profitable portfolio and create value for its customers and distribution partners. It will also leverage on digital assets to enhance its processes and service proposition to customers.

    Meanwhile, the life insurance industry grew at a softer pace with total industry new business recorded a growth of 1.9% in 2017 and 3.1% in first quarter of 2018. The segment will continue to strengthen its agency force with a focus on increasing productivity.

    Allianz said the group will remain focused on delivering sustainable results of its insurance businesses to its shareholders in 2018.

  • Premier outlet malls to receive some financing

    Premier outlet malls to receive some financing

    A US$750 million fund to finance premier outlet malls in China has been set up by asset manager Allianz and realty investor TH Real Estate.

    The Eres APAC II – China Outlets fund will be established by the Allianz real-estate investment arm Allianz Real Estate. It aims initially to raise the target commitments ($750 million) to acquire two established outlet malls, Florentia Village Jingjin, between Beijing and Tianjin, and Florentia Village Shanghai.

    In fact, say the asset managers, the fund has identified a pipeline of targets.

    Allianz will be the anchor investor with a 30 per cent share, the balance to be held by institutional investors like TH Real Estate, which will also act as fund manager. RDM Asia, part of Italy’s Fingen Group, will be asset manager.

    It is not the first partnership for Allianz and TH Real Estate, but is their first bid to form an investment fund in China. In 2004, both parties invested in Europe Outlet Mall Fund followed in 2008 by the UK Outlet Mall Fund.

    Three months ago Allianz partnered with Singapore’s Keppel Group to buy Hongkou Soho in Shanghai for $525 million.

    “China is moving toward an economy led by services and domestic consumption,” says Allianz Real Estate Asia-Pacific CEO Rushabh Desai. “Alongside the traditional brick-and-mortar retail formats, outlet malls have been successful in attracting buyers looking for branded products at discounted prices. We look forward to replicating our European outlet mall performance in China.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: