Global insurer and asset manager Generali has acquired the majority stakes in the AXA-Affin joint ventures in Malaysia.
Generali has acquired a 70% stake in the AXA Affin Life Insurance joint venture (49% from AXA and 21% from Affin) and an approximate 53% stake in the AXA Affin General Insurance joint venture (49.99% from AXA and 3% from Affin).
The Group has also increased its current 49% stake in MPI Generali Insurans Berhad to 100%, acquiring the shares held by its Malaysian joint venture partner, Multi-Purpose Capital Holdings Berhad (MPHB Capital).
Further still, Generali said it plans to integrate the businesses of MPI Generali and AXA Affin Generali Insurance and on completion will hold 70% of the combined business. Affin Bank will hold 30% of both the Life and General Insurance businesses.
All entities will continue to operate under their current brands until the single unified brand “Generali Malaysia†is launched in early 2023.
The acquisition, Generali said, position it as one of the leading insurers in the Malaysian market and will allow the company to access the country’s life insurance segment.
HSBC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Generali on the transactions. The law firm Wong & Partners was the legal advisor.
Jaime AnchuÌstegui Melgarejo, CEO International of Generali, said, “The transactions are fully aligned with Generali’s ‘Lifetime Partner 24: Driving Growth’ strategy to strengthen our leadership position in high potential markets. We are now one of the largest General Insurance players in Malaysia – a country with strong potential for further growth thanks to economic development and its current low-insurance penetration.â€
Rob Leonardi, regional officer, Generali Asia, added “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our people we are excited to move onto the next phase of consolidating our position in Malaysia, a high potential market for Generali in Asia. This is a unique opportunity to combine our talents and resources to create a unified brand that will have the scale, breadth, and capabilities to compete more effectively and profitably in the Malaysian insurance market, and provide greater value for our customers.â€
Earlier this year, Generali partnered with The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop insurance and risk finance solutions to enhance the resilience of communities and local businesses.
Copyright © 2022 FinTech Global
