www.generali.com/media/press-releases/all
The Net Promoter Score programme of Generali was recognized as the world’s best one by Medallia during the Experience Europe 2017 event held in London. The programme enables to listen to client feedback in real time and act on that feedback in order to resolve issues and improve services. It covers retail and corporate customers as well as distributors.
Sale completed of the entire shareholding in Generali Nederland N.V. (and its subsidiaries). Generali remains active in the Netherlands through Europ Assistance and its Global Business Lines, continuing to provide insurance services to its international customers.
During the Board of Directors’ meeting on 21 February, Generali approved its climate change strategy including actions in its core activities, i.e. investments and underwriting.
Launch of Generali Global Infrastructure (GGI), a cornerstone of the Group’s multi-boutique asset management strategy. It is a platform that employs internal know-how and also creates partnerships to invest in infrastructure debt across a wide geographical and sectorial investment scope and develop a range of products and solutions for investors.
The investment selection approach is rigorous both from a credit quality and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors perspective.
Sale completed of operations both in Panama and Colombia, countries where Generali is still present through Europ Assistance and its Global Business Lines.
On 19 April, the Shareholders’ Meeting of Assicurazioni Generali approved the 2017 financial statements, the remuneration policy, the 2018 Group Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) and the amendments to the Articles of Association. It also approved the proposal to delegate the Board of Directors to increase the share capital with free issues in one or several transactions, for the purposes of the 2018 LTIP. For the first time, Generali transmitted via streaming the initial speeches, thus confirming its focus on digital development and the integration of technology into the business.
In execution of the 2015 Long Term Incentive Plan the share capital of Assicurazioni Generali increased to € 1,565,165,364.
Geographical presence pushed forward in the Central and Eastern European countries acquiring control of Concordia Capital SA e Concordia Polska TUW, Polish Life and P&C companies respectively, as well as acquiring the entire capital of Adriatic Slovenica and its subsidiaries providing a full suite of P&C, health, life and pension products. The former transaction was approved in November and the latter was completed in February 2019
Revolving credit facilities renewed, initially signed in 2013 and last renewed in 2015, increasing their overall amount and adopting innovative sustainable and green features: their cost is linked both to targets on green investments and to progress made on sustainability initiatives.
Generali CEE Holding B.V. and UniCredit signed a bancassurance agreement for the distribution of insurance solutions in Central and Eastern Europe.
Sale completed of the entire shareholding in Generali PanEurope. Generali remains active in Ireland through its Global Business Lines.
Sale launched of 89.9% of Generali Leben and transaction signed with Viridium Gruppe, with which Generali established a broader industrial partnership in the German insurance market. The transaction is subject to the approval by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and to the clearance by the competent German antitrust authorities.
Announcement of the Group’s new organizational structure, which will boost the Group’s capacity to face the significant challenges of the 2019- 2021 strategic plan. Amongst the other organizational modifications in force as of 1 September, the position of General Manager was created, reporting directly to the Group CEO, assigned to Frédéric de Courtois, and Cristiano Borean was appointed to the position of Group CFO and joined the Group Management Committee (GMC). Luigi Lubelli resigned from the Group at the end of the year.
Corporate Governance and Share Ownership Report 2018
Generali included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI), the most prestigious international index that identifies leading businesses based on their sustainability performance. Generali is the only Italian insurance company in this index.
A new innovative asset management company headquartered in New York launched with Aperture Investors, aligning client and manager interests through an innovative performancelinked fee model.
New function dedicated to Cyber Insurance launched along with a start-up to satisfy client needs in the field of cyber risks. The new function will combine broad-scale insurance offerings in the IT realm with the support of a tech start-up, GeneraliCyberSecurTech, wholly owned by the Group and created to offer clients innovative cyber risk assessment methods.
Challenges and opportunities of the external context
Option of early redemption announced on all perpetual subordinated notes outstanding belonging to ISIN XS0399861326 exercised in November. The exercise of this option was authorized by the Italian insurance regulatory agency (IVASS) and will take place with respect to all notes outstanding, in compliance with the respective terms and conditions. Another early redemption relating to notes belonging to ISIN XS0406159623 was exercised in December.
Agreement signed for the acquisition of 100% of the Polish asset management company Union Investments TFI S.A., that will significantly strengthen Generali’s position in asset management in central and eastern Europe. The transaction is subject to the approval of the regulatory authorities.
Moody’s confirmed the IFS rating of Assicurazioni Generali at Baa1 and of the notes issued or guaranteed by Generali (Baa2 senior debt; Baa3 senior subordinated debt; Ba1(hyb) junior subordinated debt). The outlook is stable.
Launch of Generali Global Pension, a new business unit capable of offering innovative long-term asset management and environmental, social and governance (ESG) skills, funds for multi-boutique platforms, cross-border services and a new generation of defined contribution plans and selective risk transfer.
The Generali Group’s new strategy presented to investors, in line with the Group’s desire to become a life-time partner for its customers, offering innovative and customized solutions relying on its unequalled distribution network; and to be a leader in the European insurance market for private individuals, professionals and SMEs, while also creating a global and focused asset management platform and pursuing opportunities in high-potential markets.
The Italian insurance regulatory agency (IVASS) authorized the extension of the scope of application of the Group’s internal model to Austria and Switzerland as of December 2018.
100% of CM Investment Solutions Limited acquired. This transaction represents an acceleration of Generali’s multi-boutique strategy, strengthening its capacity to reach sophisticated clients and distribution partners in Europe and worldwide.
Completion of the process of transferring the P&C portfolio of the UK branch announced after the Italian insurance regulatory agency (IVASS) expressed its favourable opinion.
Generali was amongst the main investors in the project for the construction of the new Trieste Convention Centre, the multifunctional centre which aims to become a hub of innovation and knowledge amongst research and training entities and businesses in Central and Eastern Europe as well as the Balkans.
Share held in the Indian insurance joint ventures with Future Group increased to 49%. Through this transaction Generali will accelerate the leverage of the far-reaching distribution network of Future Group to offer insurance protection solutions in the Indian market with a focus on digital.