Atradius group results released

Annual results for the Grupo Catalana Occidente (www.grupocatalanaoccidente.com), of which Atradius (www.atradius.co.uk) trade credit insurer is a member, has increased by 9.9% to €424.5 million for the end of 2019.

The recurring profit of the traditional business (Seguros Catalana Occidente, Plus Ultra Seguros, Seguros Bilbao and NorteHispana Seguros) grew 8.4% to €212.1 million euros. Meanwhile, the total volume of premiums charged stood at 2,612.4 million euros, an increase of 2.8%, with the multi-risk turnover being a highlight. The life business performed well, with a 5.3% turnover growth.  Antares has obtained €11.9 million euros of recurring profit in 2019, which has been incorporated to the Group since February.

When it comes to credit insurance (Atradius Crédito y Caución and Atradius Re), recurring profit increased by 18.6% to €238.2 million euros, thanks to an improvement in net of reinsurance technical cost of 1.4 p.p. and the 2 p.p reduction in cession rate, at 38%.  At the same time, the credit insurance turnover reached €1,935.3 million euros, 7.3% more than in 2018.

“The Group has achieved its objectives in 2019: increasing the turnover in both the traditional business and credit insurance; substantially increasing profits and permanent resources, and demonstrating solvency of 213%,” comments Francisco Arregui, managing director of Grupo Catalana Occidente.

“Furthermore, the Board of Directors of the Group has agreed to propose to the General Meeting of Shareholders a 10% increase to the final dividend to be paid on 13 May 2020.   As a result, the Group would distribute a total of €105.85 million euros (€0.8821/share) in dividends from the 2019 results.”

The Group has continued to advance in its commitment to innovation in customer service through the launch of new services related to mobility, such as the Connected safety car service, cybersecurity, improving cyber-risk insurance, self-service, developing its online platform for customers and information on companies in the credit insurance business.

Grupo Catalana Occidente incorporates corporate responsibility criteria into its strategy, focusing on ethical management throughout the entire value chain.  To this end, it promotes actions geared towards contributing to achieving those Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that could be most impacted by its activity.

In 2019, the Group renewed its commitment to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact, and it joined the Red EWI network (Empower Women in Insurance), which aims to promote the presence of women in management positions in the insurance sector.  In addition, the Group has recently signed up to the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI) and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), strengthening its commitment to sustainability and transparency.