Countrywide Assured

Article Abstract:

Countrywide Assured is a real estate agent specialising in residential properties, and a life assurer. The company has performed better than expected in all divisions. Customers from the estate agent business can then be sold other Countrywide products. The perception of the company has been that it is vulnerable to a possible downturn in the housing market, yet many customers do not buy houses and simply purchase financial packages. The company has benefited from product innovation, and its financial services activity should help by providing stability.

Real Estate, Real Estate and Rental and Leasing, Real estate industry, Countrywide Assured PLC

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Firmer foundations for the favoured few

Article Abstract:

The financial services industry is restructuring in Sweden and alliances are being set up between banks and insurers as competition increases and the single European currency approaches.The Swedish government had to rescue the banking industry at the start of the 1990s and the industry has since shown an improvement in loan losses and balance sheets. The restructuring started in 1996 when Svenska Handelsbank succeeded in acquiring Stadshypotek, a mortgage lender, against competition from Skandia.

Economic aspects, Sweden

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ING Group

Article Abstract:

ING Group was set up in 1991 with the merger of NMB Postbank and Nationale-Nederland. The company is involved in bancassurance and has also acquired parts of Barings following the collapse of that investment bank. The company has grown healthily and steadily since 1991 and profits from capital markets have helped ING Group in 1996. Barings has yet to contribute to profits. Large Dutch banks have tended to avoid earnings shocks which some banks have reported elsewhere in Europe.

Company Profile, ING Groep N.V.

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