Industry News - December, 2008

Insurance companies should look to expand in 2009 despite the economic downturn - along as they can afford it, according to consultants Watson Wyatt.

The firm said that companies which have a healthy balance sheet should think about conducting insurance marketing to new territories and markets, along with marketing new products.

Philip Brook, the company's global head of... more...

Aberdeen Asset Management is attempting to expand in Europe, Asia and Australasia by taking on Credit Suisse's fund management division.

The financial services firm acquired the business in a deal worth some £250 million which sees Credit Suisse take a 24.97 per cent stake in Aberdeen.

If the agreement is completed, Aberdeen will have roughly £150 billion of assets under i... more...

Independent financial advisers (IFAs) have been warned that they must adapt in 2009 in order to attract clients.

Philip Calvert, the founder of financial services social networking site IFA Life, explained that the current economic downturn meant that there "is no time for complacency".

He suggested that firms follow a number of steps in their more...

A legal firm in Bury got into the Christmas spirit recently by donating a large number of gifts to children in the care of the local council.

Woodcocks provided gifts as well as legal services this festive season, boosting its image as a 'family firm', reports This is Lancashire.

Father Christmas was also on hand to dish out some of the presents to children at a party hel... more...

Adviser Matrix has predicted that networks will be a big part of the future for independent financial advisers (IFAs) and mortgage advisers.

The firm expects networks to be a large part of financial services marketing in the future, following research it conducted which found that one in five advisers thought about signing up to a network during this year.

With t... more...

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) may go back on plans to sell its insurance arms, according to a report.

RBS owns both Churchill and Direct Line and had aimed to sell off its insurance services, putting them on the market in March.

However, much has changed since then, with the financial crisis and the government's bailout meaning the taxpayer is the majority shareholder... more...

Health insurance websites have been outperformed in ForeSee Results customer satisfaction index.

Health insurance online portals received a score of 65 - six points below the average score of 71 and nine points below the aggregate score of hospital websites.

Foresee Results' healthcare benchmark is comprised of satisfaction scores for consumers who browse on more than 25 different types of healthcare websites such as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

Online portals su... more...

Ringo Starr is set to appear in major new insurance marketing campaign Norwich Union, which is changing its name to Aviva.

The former Beatle will star alongside Bruce Willis, Elle Macpherson and Alice Cooper in the £10 million television advertising campaign which launches on Boxing Day.

Featuring famous faces who have changed their birth names, the ads centre on th... more...