AXA

(14/12/2006) Fears of global spending slowdown stoked by new AXA report

• The average working Briton is planning to cut their Christmas present budget by 12% compared to 2005 ¹
• Amount spent by individuals set to fall to £531 in 2006 from £600 ¹ in 2005
• BUT – Britain second only to the USA in global spending on presents ²
• Top ten spending nations all plan to reduce the amount spent on Christmas gifts this year ²

(08/12/2006) Many retired Brits cut back on heating bills to buy 'tasteless' Christmas presents

- AXA issues top tips to make the Christmas present sacrifices worthwhile

• Britain's retired population will spend an average of £346¹ each on Christmas presents this year - up 21%² since 2005
• Worryingly, over 900,000³ retirees cut back on heating or energy to pay for gifts
• 39%⁴ of family members think that Grandparents and older relatives buy presents that are "tasteless, impractical or a waste of money". 16% say they're just "not to my taste"
• 15%⁴ of retired people admit to cutting back on food treats for themselves to fund their Christmas present buying budget

(06/12/2006) Business crime increases by 15% in third quarter

• AXA Business Crime Index reports second consecutive quarterly increase in business crime
• Birmingham tops the city business crime table
• The average claim settlement amount is £3,524
• Over 50% of business crimes relate to theft, while arson claims highest payouts
• AXA warns businesses to be vigilant over the Christmas period

(29/11/2006) AXA reorganises to build a more customer focused organisation

AXA today announces changes to the organisational structure within its life and general insurance companies that will give both businesses a sharper market focus and closer alignment to customer needs.

(20/11/2006) Professional services industry most at risk from assault

AXA Insurance research¹ with 67 employees who have been injured whilst working in the professional services sector over the past five years has revealed that eleven of them (16%) had received their injuries as a result of physical assault. This is much higher than the 8% average across all industries covered in the study.

(20/11/2006) Financial advice improves annual pension income by £3,000

Face-to-face advice leads to greater understanding and encourages long-term savings

(16/11/2006) Britons pay £211,686 in lifetime indirect taxes - more than the cost of the average home

British households are paying a staggering £211,686 over their lifetimes in indirect taxes (expenditure-based taxes), according to new analysis conducted by AXA.

(10/11/2006) AXA successfully acquires control of Thinc Group 96.2% of shareholders having accepted its offer

• Offer unconditional in all respects

(07/11/2006) Edinburgh's bigmouthmedia scoops UK 'Business Oscar'

New media marketing agency bigmouthmedia proved itself a tartan tiger company tonight by topping a 10-strong field of finalists to win the AXA Small to Medium Size Business of the Year category at the UK's National Business Awards at glittering award ceremony at Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

(06/11/2006) UK business health & safety slip ups

• 27% of employees who have been injured at work say that their employers had not followed occupational health and safety procedures
• Over a quarter of employees who have been injured at work have not received any training from their employer on health and safety at work
• Almost 70% of employees injured at work were offered no support by employer
• Health & safety failures cost employers up to £6.5 billion² every year

(06/11/2006) AXA Sun Life Announces Update on Cost Reduction Programme

Bristol-based life, pensions and investments company AXA Sun Life has announced cost reduction measures in support of the company's profitable growth strategy. The company is building on positive revenue growth with a series of process improvements and cost reduction measures.

(23/10/2006) Poor health and safety in the leisure and hospitality sector

AXA Insurance research with 130 employees who have been injured whilst working in the leisure and hospitality sector over the past five years has revealed poor levels of health and safety in the workplace.

(23/10/2006) AXA UK launches offer to acquire Thinc Destini

Acquisition aims to strengthen AXA's position in provision of financial advice within the UK market place

(19/10/2006) AXA Insurance rating upgrade

AXA Insurance UK is pleased to announce that Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its long ratings from ‘A+’ to ’AA-‘.

(19/10/2006) Entrepreneurial Mums Generate on Average £5,614 a Year from Home Working

More than a third (34%) of new and expectant mums look to set up their own business from home to combine child care and income generation

(12/10/2006) Business crime insurance claims on the increase

• AXA Business Crime Index reports 3% increase in number of crime related business insurance claims
• Arson is fastest growing crime related business insurance claim
• Derby tops the city business crime table

(04/10/2006) AXA Insurance is to provide new insurance products for the John Lewis partnership

AXA today announces that it has reached agreement with the John Lewis Partnership to provide a range of insurance products for its customers. These products will be sold through Greenbee, the new direct services company from the John Lewis Partnership.

(02/10/2006) AXA launches electrical inspection survey for SMEs

AXA, in partnership, with The National Electrical Certification & Training Alliance Ltd (NECTA), an independent electrical safety specialist, have introduced an innovative and bespoke electrical inspection service for small to medium-sized businesses in the UK.

(02/10/2006) AXA announces with profits bonus rates

AXA has announced new with profits bonus rates for customers investing in the AXA Sun Life (ASL) With Profits Fund and the Sun Life Assurance Society (SLAS) With Profits Fund.

(01/10/2006) AXA research shows small business not concerned by EU expansion

Asia represents a bigger competitive concern

(16/09/2006) New report on climate change threat to UK small businesses reveals 70% in high risk areas are unconcerned about flooding and 90% fail to insure adequately against climate risks.

Opposition parties welcome report and agree it highlights need for urgent Government and business action

(14/09/2006) AXA announces plans for a new approach in the UK to be implemented following completion of the Winterthur acquisition

On June 13, 2006 AXA announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Winterthur Group. Since that time, AXA UK has been reviewing the possibilities for the UK market with a view to planning a smooth and efficient integration of AXA's and Winterthur's businesses following receipt of all required regulatory approvals and completion of the transaction.

(14/09/2006) State pension won't see us through the weekend

UK adults overspent state pension allowance by 158% ... and that was while trying to budget!

(01/09/2006) AXA UK announces it is in acquisition talks with Thinc Destini

Acquisition would strengthen AXA's position in provision of financial advice within the UK market place

(30/08/2006) One in ten employees injured at work

• Eight per cent of workplace injuries are caused by physical assaults
• Employees in large companies almost twice as likely to suffer an injury at work
• Employees in the professional services sector almost twice as likely to be a victim of physical assault
• Most common accidents in the workplace are trips, slips and falls
• Employees aged over 50 are most likely to have a fall whilst doing their job (47%)

(25/08/2006) AXA appoints new marketing director to lead brand and communications in the UK

Olivier Mariée joins AXA UK on September 1st 2006 in the newly created role of group marketing director reporting directly to the chief executive of AXA UK, Nicolas Moreau. He also becomes a member of the AXA UK Executive Committee.

(17/08/2006) Small businesses live in fear of technology failure - IT tops AXA's Business Risk Survey

For the third year running, small businesses have told AXA that IT systems failure is the most feared threat to their ongoing health and profitability. 91% of respondents identify IT failure as a threat with 23% of these believing it to be significant. IT problems were also identified by a quarter of respondents as the most common cause of total business failure.

(14/08/2006) Same sex couples should consider financial implications of divorce

Around 7,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot since civil partnerships were introduced in Britain in December 2005. The number of couples saying “I do” continues to grow daily, with Will Young being the latest celebrity to admit that he would like to follow in Elton John’s footsteps and get married to his partner

(03/08/2006) AXA UK reports strong (32%) growth in underlying earnings - to £156 million for H1 2006 from £118 million in H1 2005

• Excellent growth in UK General Insurance revenues. Underwriting discipline being maintained despite increased competition in a number of business classes
• Continued strong growth in Life & Savings APE¹ : IFA sales increased by 26% (H1 2006 compared to H1 2005)
• Improvement in Health Revenues maintained - up by 8% in H1 2006 with increased volumes seen across business sectors

(26/07/2006) AXA gets tough on organised insurance fraud

• Criminal gangs can earn up to £4 million a week from insurance fraud¹
• In 2005 insurers managed to detect fraudulent claims worth more than £400 million¹
• Bogus insurance claims cost over £1.5 billion a year¹
• Fraud adds 5% to the premiums paid by honest customers.¹

(24/07/2006) 2.24 million adventure holidaymakers ignore travel insurance

New research from insurance provider AXA reveals that over 2 million people taking part in adventure holidays such as scuba diving and horse riding on their holidays this year will not have travel insurance.

(17/07/2006) Employers and workers call for compulsory inclusion of pensions and other benefits in job adverts

• 67% of British workers call for the compulsory inclusion of all employee benefits and pensions in job adverts, highlighting those companies providing full packages and those offering basic salary¹
• 42% of senior managers also back compulsory inclusion of benefits and pensions within job adverts¹

(14/07/2006) Coveted AXA Wales and West Country 'Business Oscar' awarded to Eatonfield Group of Companies, Mold

AXA today announced that Eatonfield Group of Companies, Mold ( www.eatonfield.co.uk ) has won the title of Wales and West Country AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'. The company is a property development group operating in the industrial, commercial, retail, leisure and residential property sectors as well as in the business financial services sector.

(14/07/2006) Coveted AXA South East 'Business Oscar' awarded to Telinet Solutions Ltd of Southwark

AXA today announced that Telinet Solutions Ltd, Southwark ( www.telinet.co.uk ) has won the title of South East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'. The company is a network service provider offering a complete range of telephony and data network services.

(12/07/2006) Coveted AXA North West 'Business Oscar' awarded for second year in a row to Farmhouse Fare Ltd

AXA today announced that Farmhouse Fare Ltd, Clitheroe ( www.farmhousefare.co.uk ) has won the title of North West AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'. The company is a specialist manufacturer of premium chilled desserts supplying to major UK supermarkets and biscuits and traybakes to Waitrose coffee shops and it retains the title for the second year in a row.

(12/07/2006) Coveted AXA North East 'Business Oscar' awarded to Martek Marine Ltd of Rotherham

AXA today announced that Martek Marine Ltd, Rotherham ( www.martek-marine.com ) has won the title of North East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of safety and environmental monitoring equipment to the global marine industry.

(07/07/2006) Coveted AXA Midlands and East of England 'Business Oscar' awarded for second year in a row to Tyrrells Potato Chips Ltd of Leominster

AXA today announced that Tyrrells Potato Chips Ltd, Leominster (www.tyrrellspotatochips.co.uk) has won the title of Midlands and East of England AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'. The company is a producer of gourmet snacks to over 5000 independent retailers in the UK and it retains the title for the second year in a row.

(06/07/2006) AXA Insurance announces changes to its commercial distribution network

AXA Insurance has today announced changes to its distribution network in the light of AXA's global ambition to become the preferred company for our customers and distributors.

(05/07/2006) AXA Investment and Offshore Bonds Obtain 5 Star Defaqto Rating

AXA's Investment Bond and AXA Isle of Man's Offshore Bond, Evolution, have both been awarded 5 Stars, the highest rating, by the independent financial research company, Defaqto. AXA Isle of Man Estate Planning Bond was also ranked in 1st place in the category of Estate Planning Packaged Products.

(22/06/2006) Cost of individual cases of business crime up 6%

• However, total number and value of crime related business insurance claims falls
• Arson accounts for just 3.77% of business crime related insurance claims but 38% of settlements
• Birmingham tops the city business crime table

(20/06/2006) AXA Opens its Doors to Whole of Market for Protection Account

AXA is making its innovative protection proposition, the AXA Protection Account, available to the whole of the market following a successful phased launch over the past 18 months.

(14/06/2006) Earning gap curbs women's saving

• British men save £733 more than women PER SECOND

(14/06/2006) Scottish businesses shortlisted for AXA 'Business Oscars'

AXA today announced the five Scottish businesses that have been shortlisted in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious National Business Awards programme for Scotland 2006 - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.

(08/06/2006) AXA wins RSPCA pet insurance account

AXA has announced today that it has secured the contract to underwrite the RSPCA's Pet insurance from 1 June 2006, following a competitive tender. The new policy is a competitively priced product with 20% percent of the premium paid going towards supporting the work of the RSPCA.

(08/06/2006) Over 200,000 Brits could be injured on activity holidays

• Over 13 million people will go on an activity holiday this year
• Risk of injury could increase as almost a third of people opt for activity holidays
• Trekking, cycling, water sports/diving holidays most popular
• One in five 18 to 24 year olds have sustained some kind of injury whilst on an activity holiday

(08/06/2006) AXA's Steve Folkard Appointed Chair of ABI Pensions Savings Strategy Committee

AXA has announced that Steve Folkard, its Head of Pensions and Savings Policy has been invited to chair the Association of British Insurers Pensions Savings Strategy Committee.

(10/05/2006) “Jekyll and Hyde” savings disorder exposed.

• AXA Avenue report highlights 12.2 million Brits in savings dilemma
• Debt servicing costs five times the money earned on savings

(04/05/2006) AXA and Acturis create unique shop package solution

AXA is pleased to announce that, in conjunction with Acturis, it has developed a unique new tool that will enable brokers to place Shop Package business in a competitive and efficient way. Aside from still allowing brokers to obtain auto-rated quotations for shops from AXA through the Acturis system, the new solution will also make it possible to refer new enquiries to an underwriter if the broker wishes, or if the case does not meet every acceptance criteria.

(13/04/2006) UK SMEs cite severe weather patterns as a bigger threat to their businesses than poor management or competition

New findings from AXA's Business Risk Monitor survey have revealed that UK SME directors believe that Environmental Disasters - such as flooding and hurricanes are a more common reason for business failure than poor management or competition.

(06/04/2006) Midlands and East of England businesses shortlisted for AXA 'Business Oscars'

AXA today announced that four Midlands and East of England businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further three highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.

(06/04/2006) North East businesses shortlisted for AXA 'Business Oscars'

AXA today announced that four North East businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further two highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.

(06/04/2006) North West businesses shortlisted for AXA 'Business Oscars'

AXA today announced that four North West businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further four highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.

(06/04/2006) South East businesses shortlisted for AXA 'Business Oscars'

AXA today announced that four South East businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further four highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.

(06/04/2006) Wales and West Country businesses shortlisted for AXA 'Business Oscars'

AXA today announced that four Wales and West Country businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and one has been highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious National Business Awards - dubbed by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.

(05/04/2006) Weight of Government legislation is stifling UK productivity

SMEs are finding dealing with red tape to be a huge burden on their businesses and it is stifling productivity, according to new research by AXA. 85% of businesses surveyed believe that the weight of Government legislation has increased in the last twelve months and 54% state that the effect of more legislation will reduce productivity.

(30/03/2006) AXA Targets Mortgage Market With Protection Proposition

AXA has announced that it is to launch a marketing campaign to raise awareness of its portfolio of Protection products across the mortgage broker market.

(27/03/2006) Money worries cause two million Brits to lose sex drive

As many as two million British adults admit that worrying about their finances has made them lose their sex drive, according to a new study by insurance giant AXA. The company says that around 1.3 million women and around 732,000 men have lost their libido - and sorting out their finances is the only way to rediscover it.

(24/03/2006) Nicolas Moreau is appointed Group Chief Executive of AXA UK on the retirement of Dennis Holt at the end of June 2006.

The Board of AXA UK, the holding company of AXA Group's insurance operations in Great Britain and Ireland, announces the decision of Dennis Holt to retire from his executive role as Group chief executive of AXA UK as of June 30, 2006.

(16/03/2006) Business crime cost £721 million in 2005

• Crime related business claims increased by a massive 27% in Q4 2005
• Theft and malicious damage account for 95% of all crime claims settled
• Arson accounts for 5% of crime claims but 42% of settlement costs

(14/03/2006) AXA Sun Life announces cost reduction measures as part of profitable growth strategy

Bristol-based life, pensions and investments company AXA Sun Life has announced cost reduction measures in support of the company's profitable growth strategy. The company is building on revenue growth with a series of process improvements and cost reduction measures.

(08/03/2006) AXA Risk Monitor survey discovers:

• Businesses at risk from new Employment Act regulations
• - companies need to act now to reduce the risk of litigation -

(06/03/2006) Indecision and sentimental attachment lead some to hold on to shares - new research from AXA

Many of Britain's small investors are retaining shareholdings based on emotional rather than rational criteria, despite the FTSE showing strong 2005 growth of 16%, according to a new study by AXA.

(01/03/2006) AXA announces with profits bonus rates

AXA has announced new with profits bonus rates, awarding £268 million in bonuses on approximately 1.4m with profits policies. The bonus rates announced today apply to customers investing in either the AXA Sun Life (ASL) With Profits Fund or the Sun Life Assurance Society (SLAS) With Profits Fund.

(28/02/2006) AXA UK reports 23% growth in underlying earnings in 2005

• Underlying earnings increased by 23% against 2004 to £266 million
• Adjusted earnings increased by 63% against 2004 to £319 million
• In General and Health Insurance, underwriting discipline contributed to revenues being maintained around 2004 level with a further improvement in combined ratio (by 1pt at 96.3%)
• In Life and Savings business, APE increased by 16% driven by significant growth in the IFA channel (up 21%)

(17/02/2006) Are you the best business in the South East?

South East businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'

(17/02/2006) Are you the best business in Scotland?

Scottish businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'

(17/02/2006) Are you the best business in the North West?

North West businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'

(17/02/2006) Are you the best business in the North East?

North East businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'

(17/02/2006) Are you the best business in the Midlands & the East of England?

Midlands & the East of England businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'

(17/02/2006) Are you the best business in Wales & the West Country?

Wales & the West Country businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'

(13/02/2006) It's official - you're not old until you're 71!

• Brits believe old age doesn't start until 71, while for Americans it's not until 75!
• Retired Brits are just as happy as Australians and happier than the Spanish
• Globetrotting is a favoured pastime of the post-work population

(08/02/2006) Say hello to the 'YELLOW' Generation - Young, Employed & Longing for Life Out of Work

• Now old age officially doesn't start until we're 71 - we've become a nation of 'retiree wannabes'
• We aspire to retire in our fifties - earlier than any of our European counterparts
• Life is great for the UK's current golden oldies - our retirees are happier than any other country in Europe …
• …but people working now need to wake up to seven year retirement reality gap

(06/02/2006) Brits lead the way in Europe for retirement planning

• AXA demonstrates that Brits are planning for retirement early in comparison to the rest of Europe
• 28 is the average age people start planning for their retirement
• But nine out of ten favour modest returns over risk when it comes to pension options

(27/01/2006) Experiment shows that Brits could shave £29.7 billion off UK personal debt in just three months

UK's first financial social experiment unveils Q1 results

(24/01/2006) SME's need to listen out for new regulations

Up to 2.3 million employees potentially affected by introduction of new legislation

(20/01/2006) Money Sickness Syndrome could affect almost half the UK population

It's official, money really does worry us sick

(10/01/2006) Fear hinders UK entrepreneuralism

65% of UK employees say that they find the idea of working from home and running their own business from home appealing, according to new research* from AXA. But despite the apparent attraction it seems that fear and uncertainty are holding back many wannabe entrepreneurs when it comes to realising their dreams.