Western Europe is the home of Allianz. Established as Allianz Versicherungs-AG in Berlin in 1890, Allianz expanded three years later by opening its first overseas office in London. Today, Allianz also operates in the following Western European countries: France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Austria, United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece. Allianz, a renowned financial services provider, is not only ranked number one by customers in Germany but is ranked highly throughout Western Europe. Asset Management is covered by Allianz Global Investors, which is among the world's most successful investment management groups. In Germany, Allianz Global Investors operates as one of the largest investment companies for mutual funds and institutional asset management. Together with its banking arm of Dresdner Bank, Allianz has developed into a highly successful business model unparalleled in the German market.