Industry Analysis Case Study

Consolidation in the European Insurance Industry: AXA as an Example

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Abstract:
The 1990s were the 'golden era' for the European insurance industry with major insurance groups clocking average growth rates of up to 30%. One of the salient features of this decade was its consolidation at both intra company and inter company levels. One of the most notable players was AXA Group of France, which metamorphosed from a local insurer into a global financial service giant.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To discuss the reasons behind the consolidation wave in the European insurance industry
• To discuss the strategies of AXA to grow through acquisitions.

Keywords : AXA, Claude Bebear, Mergers and acquisitions, Equitable, Union des Assurances de Paris (UAP), Consolidation in European insurance,Government and Business Environment Case Study, Third insurance directives, European Union, Market value of European insurance companies, 10 largest insurance mergers and acquisitions, Royale Belge, Business Environment Case Study, Guardian Royal Exchange, Mutual of New York (MONY), AXA Financial, Henri De Castries