Munich Re Group Annual Report
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2000 Munich Re Group Annual Report SEEING THE WHOLE PICTURE >> M Münchener Rück Munich Re Group Munich Re Group Annual Report SEEING THE WHOLE PICTURE A new view of the whole picture: of an increasingly networked, ever-smaller world, in which bigger and bigger challenges are awaiting innovative solutions. The Munich Re Group – value-oriented and with strong growth As a Group we aspire to be one of the leading risk carriers and providers of financial services. We create lasting value by systematically building on our strengths: – the competence and skills of our staff – our global knowledge base – our financial strength – partnership and trust within our business relationships Reinsurance, primary insurance and asset management complement each other in our Group in an optimum way. Reinsurance: Since 1880 Munich Re has embodied competence in handling risks to an extent virtually unparalleled worldwide. 5,000 insurance companies in around 150 countries rely on our expertise and financial strength. We assume a part of their risk and find solutions for the whole spectrum of risk management. Primary insurance: Our primary insurers – ERGO, Karlsruher and Europäische Reiseversicherung – offer the highest degree of security and service to their more than 25 million clients. Having a strong footing in primary insurance, especially personal lines business, is an important part of our strategy. Given current demographic trends, there is great potential for growth in insurances of the person in particular. Asset management: MEAG, established in 1999, offers its investment products and its services to institutional investors – primarily other insurance companies – and to private clients. We intend to develop MEAG into one of the top asset management companies. IMPORTANT EVENTS IN 2000 JANUARY APRIL from 1st July, ownership of Munich Re issues a bond No losses for the Munich Re Since 1st April MEAG has been Alte Leipiziger is transferred to exchangeable into Allianz Group caused by the date managing a large portion of ERGO. shares. changeover from 1999 to 2000. the Munich Re Group’s assets. A good 90% of the portfolio of At its balance sheet conference ITERGO commences oper- ERGO reaches agreement with Alte Leipziger Rück is assumed and its analysts’ conference, ations as the central IT service Deutsche Telekom on a joint by Munich Re. Munich Re informs the public provider in the ERGO Group. venture: the creation of an about the results of the busi- Internet marketplace on which ness year 1999. ERGO offers its insurance MAY FEBRUARY products and MEAG’s financial Munich Re and Allianz JULY Munich Re converts its par- services. announce their intention to The German Parliament passes value shares into no-par-value reduce their reciprocal share- the Tax Reduction Act. shares. Retroactively, with effect from holdings of 25% to around 1st January, Munich Re 20% by the end of 2003. In The AGM authorizes the Board acquires the majority of shares addition, shareholdings in of Management to buy back MARCH in Alte Leipziger Europa; this various jointly held companies Munich Re shares up to a total Rating agency Standard holding company has sizeable are to be restructured. amount of 10% of the share & Poor’s reaffirms its top shareholdings in insurance capital. rating of AAA for Munich Re. companies in Central and Eastern Europe. With effect Munich Re Group 2000 Key figures (IAS) 2000 Prev. year Change €€in % Gross premiums written bn 31.1 27.4 13.5 Result before amortization of goodwill m 2,615 1,821 43.6 Tax m 399 383 4.2 Minority interests in earnings m 321 185 73.5 Profit for the year m 1,750 1,133 54.5 Investments bn 159.4 150.9 5.6 Shareholders’ equity bn 23.6 18.5 27.9 Net underwriting provisions bn 131.5 123.5 6.5 Staff as at 31st December 36,481 33,245 9.7 Our registered shares 2000 Prev. year Change €€in % Earnings per share 9.89 6.45 53.3 Dividend per share 1.25 0.95 31.6 Amount distributed m 221 168 31.5 Share price at 31st December 380.0 251.8 50.9 Munich Re’s market capitalization at 31st December bn 67.2 44.5 51.0 A. M. Best, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s have each awarded Munich Re their top rating. AUGUST MEAG and Activest set up Munich Re acquires the Munich Re presents an initial ERGO acquires a 70% stake FondsServiceBank to collab- majority of shares in Mercur analysis of the natural hazard in the Italian life insurer orate in the management Assistance. losses in 2000. According to Bayerische Vita; it also of investment deposits. this analysis, the number of acquires ownership of the DECEMBER natural catastrophes climbed property insurer Bayerische ERGO signs an exclusive co- to a new record high. Assicurazioni. OCTOBER operation agreement with MARC reaches agreement Powszechny Bank Kredytowy, Rating agency A.M. Best con- with CNA to acquire its life the second-largest bank in firms Munich Re’s outstanding SEPTEMBER reinsurance business. Poland. financial strength and reaffirms At a press conference Munich its top rating of A++ (Superior). Re reports on the first half-year Munich Re, together with 2000: growth exceeds expect- NOVEMBER several partners, opens the ations, the result is satisfactory, The World Map of Natural Internet-based reinsurance but claims costs in reinsurance Hazards is now available as exchange “inreon” providing have continued to be high. an interactive CD-ROM. risk transfer for standardized reinsurance covers. Munich Re Group Report for the 121st year of business 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2000 CONTENTS PAGE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT 2 01 To our shareholders 2 Members of the Board of Management 4 SUPERVISORY BOARD 6 02 Report of the Supervisory Board 6 Members of the Supervisory Board 8 03 MUNICH RE SHARES 10 04 ECONOMIC PARAMETERS 16 MANAGEMENT REPORT 24 05 The business year 2000 26 – Reinsurance 28 – Primary insurance 44 – Asset management 50 Prospects for 2001 54 Risk report 57 Corporate governance 66 PERSPECTIVES 68 06 Value-based management 70 New organizational structure in reinsurance 72 Our staff 73 Pension reform 75 Information technology 77 Environmental protection and sustainability 78 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 80 07 Consolidated balance sheet 82 Consolidated income statement 85 Consolidated cash flow statement 86 Segment reporting 88 Notes to the consolidated financial statements 96 Auditor’s report 128 FURTHER INFORMATION 130 08 Important addresses 131 Affiliated enterprises, participating interests 133 Glossary 136 Index of key terms 140 Important dates 142 1 01 BOARD OF MANAGEMENT TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS Dear Shareholders, – We aim to increase our profit by 10% annually The business year 2000 marked the end of a on average, and were certainly successful in decade in which we made striking advances: with this respect in the past business year: adjust- the acquisition of American Re, we strengthened ed to eliminate special factors, our profit for our leading global position in reinsurance; with the 2000 was up by 50%. formation and expansion of the ERGO Insurance – Munich Re’s share price rose by 51% last Group, we underpinned our interests in primary year, whilst the DAX fell by around 7.5%. Our insurance; and with the development of MEAG, target of Munich Re shares outperforming the we reinforced our claim to being one of the best index was thus clearly surpassed in the year operators in the field of asset management as well. under review. The figures provide proof of our success: in the More than 35,000 staff in Germany and around the past ten years our Group premium income rose world have contributed to our corporate success from €7.3bn to €31bn and the Group profit from through their skill and commitment. I wish to €46m to €1.75bn. Munich Re’s market capitaliza- thank them all most sincerely for their hard work tion, and thus shareholders’ assets, grew over in the past year and pay tribute to their perform- this period from €8bn to €67bn. The dividend has ance and dedication. been raised eight times since 1990. We are pro- posing to increase the dividend payment for the Our view of the future is optimistic. The global business year 2000 from €0.95 to €1.25. This will market for risk protection will continue to expand: raise the total amount distributed to €221m, as compared with €34m at the beginning of the – In primary insurance we will see appreciable nineties. growth particularly in life and health insur- ance, given that more and more people will We have set ourselves five ambitious objectives: have to make greater private provision for old age and health care. Our primary insurers are – In reinsurance we plan to extend our market very well prepared for the additional demand position worldwide as leading reinsurer and that will be triggered by planned government to be number one, or at least number two, reforms. in all important markets. We moved another – In reinsurance, too, there are promising step closer to this goal in the year under growth perspectives for us in the medium review. The acquisition of CNA Financial term especially in life and health. Our Corporation’s life reinsurance portfolio by our outstanding capital strength makes us a subsidiary Munich American Reassurance preferred partner in this capital-intensive Company shows our determination to exploit business. We will also continue to grow in growth potentials in attractive markets. non-life reinsurance. – In primary insurance we are aiming, through – We expect demand for investment fund prod- ERGO, to become one of the most important ucts to carry on rising over the next few groups in personal lines business in Europe.