A year in a review 2014

Dec 23, 2014

A year in review 2014

A crash test with a Christmas tree and two new Allianz stadiums. Click through the photos and discover this year’s highlights from an Allianz perspective.

"Tsunami Evacuation" sign in Phuket, Thailand (Photo: Oleg Golovnev / Shutterstock.com)

Dec 23, 2014

Tsunami 2004: “We changed the hotel just before we embarked on our trip”

Tileman Fischer, former CEO of Allianz Reinsurance Asia Pacific in Singapore (ARAP) was in Sri Lanka at the time of the tsunami on December 26, 2004. He recalls his personal experience and the aid work that he supported directly after the tsunami.

Baby, it’s over now: The last US baby boomer turns 50

Dec 22, 2014

Baby, it’s over now: The last US baby boomer turns 50

On December 31 of this year we will pass a demographic milestone as the last US baby boomer turns 50. Globally, the transition of the baby boomer generations into retirement, on account of its sheer size also known as the "Silver Tsunami", is taking place. This will challenge the pension systems over the coming decades to an ever increasing extent.

Look out for sovereign-bond volatility

Dec 19, 2014

Look out for sovereign-bond volatility

Sovereign bonds have been full of surprises this year: From the U.S. to Spain, yields are declining further after confounding investors' expectations by staying low for most of 2014. It's a trend that could be setting markets up for greater volatility in 2015.

Tsunami prevention: fewer victims but greater physical damage expected

Dec 19, 2014

Tsunami prevention: fewer victims but greater physical damage expected

Matthias Hackl, geophysicist and earthquake specialist at Allianz Re, explains why tsunami prevention is so complex and what progress has been made since the terrible natural catastrophe that claimed 250,000 lives in Asia 10 years ago.

Sergio Balbinot will be responsible for Allianz’s insurance business in western and southern Europe.

Dec 18, 2014

The quiet diplomat

A small sensation went somewhat unnoticed amid the changes announced at the helm of the Allianz Board of Management: Sergio Balbinot, responsible for the global insurance activities of the Generali Group and president of Generali Italy, is taking over responsibility for Allianz's insurance business in western and southern Europe, with effect from January 1, 2015.

Axel Theis joined Allianz in 1986

Dec 11, 2014

A thorough view

There are probably only a few managers at Allianz who have achieved so much, with such success, yet in such a calm and collected way. Now the Allianz SE Supervisory Board has called on Axel Theis to join the Board of Management, starting January 1, 2015.

“100 percent security doesn’t exist”

Dec 10, 2014

“100 percent security doesn’t exist”

Cyber attacks are increasing, both in number and sophistication. Damages for companies are reaching multimillions of euros. Christopher Lohmann, CEO Germany and Central Europe at Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty (AGCS), explains why more and more companies consider cyber insurance to be a core element of their IT risk management.

Good, bad and ugly of lower oil prices

Dec 04, 2014

Good, bad and ugly of lower oil prices

The net overall impact of this year’s 28 percent plunge in oil prices is positive for the global economy. But it isn’t universal, and it comes with negative dimensions that need to be well understood, lest they end up reversing the benefits.

66 releases in total