Europe

Little-known changes to the way provider tax is calculated under Solvency II will push up premiums with no added benefit to customers, LV='s head of protection says.

Solvency II will spur a wave of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity among insurers, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) predicts.

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in European financial services, excluding government-led deals, sunk to its lowest levels for six years in 2009, according to figures from PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The British Insurance Brokers' Association (BIBA) has hit out at the industry's regulators for imposing what it calls ‘disproportionate' fee hikes and one-off levies on its members.

SLI head of global strategy Andrew Milligan delves into the 2010 maze of inflation, interest rates and political influences.

Investment funds across the EU can expect refunds of millions of euros from taxes levied on dividends following a ruling in Norway.

The FSA plans to extend the scope of the Significant Influence Function (SIF) regime and introduce a more detailed framework on effective governance standards within firms.

Henderson New Star will launch its European Special Situations fund for Richard Pease on 1 October.

Allianz Global Investors is set to launch a Ucits III version of its Discovery Europe fund in October.

Global X Management Company has released the Global X FTSE Nordic 30 ETF, providing exposure to Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway.