Willis Capital Markets & Advisory Completes Innova

LONDON, Dec. 22, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Willis Capital Markets & Advisory (WCMA), the investment banking business of Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW ), the leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, today announced that it acted as sole structuring agent and joint bookrunner in respect of a EUR 255 million insurance-linked securities (ILS) transaction for Assicurazioni Generali (“Generali”), one of the world's leading insurers.

Horse Capital I DAC is an innovative ILS transaction designed exclusively to protect the motor third party liability (‘MTPL’) loss ratio of a portfolio of subsidiaries of Generali in Europe on a combined basis.

The transaction, which was completed on December 19, and is in place to June 2020, was well received by investors, with each of the three proposed tranches upsized from EUR 60m to EUR 85m.

Horse Capital I DAC provides Generali with EUR 255m of three-year, fully-collateralized protection against a deterioration of the loss ratio of Generali Group’s MTPL portfolio as calculated on an annual ultimate loss basis for twelve of its core subsidiaries (in aggregate) located in seven countries in Europe. This will allow Generali to better manage the volatility of its loss ratio and solvency ratio on one of its core lines of business.

Bill Dubinsky, Head of ILS at Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, said: “From the onset, we believed that capital markets investors were well placed to support this type of risk (i.e. MTPL loss ratio). By structuring the transaction to meet the requirements of investors for transparency as well as the robustness of payment mechanics, we achieved an efficient and effective hedge for Generali supported by a broad panel of investors.”

“Through this transaction, Generali opens the door to substantial opportunities with innovative ILS risks for both investors and potential sponsors going forward.”

Tony Melia, CEO of Willis Re International, said: “We are very pleased that Generali, one of the leading insurers globally, brought this exciting transaction to market. It demonstrates Generali's ability to optimise its usage of reinsurance and other risk mitigation techniques to support the achievement of key financial objectives.”

“With the implementation of Solvency II we are seeing increasing interest from leading insurance groups to work with Willis Towers Watson to structure innovative covers that meet their specific needs.”

Rafal Walkiewicz, CEO of Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, said: “In recent years we have faced unprecedented growth in natural catastrophe cat bonds issuance but innovation outside of nat-cat risk has been slow. Willis Capital Markets & Advisory prides itself on structuring innovative solutions to offer capital market investors the opportunity to buy directly into a full spectrum of insurance risk. Working side by side with our Willis Re colleagues we deliver new products that help our clients benefit from capital markets disruption of the traditional reinsurance market.”

About Willis Capital Markets & Advisory Willis Capital Markets & Advisory, with offices in New York, London, Hong Kong and Sydney, provides advice to companies involved in the insurance and reinsurance industry on a broad array of mergers and acquisition transactions as well as capital markets products, including acting as underwriter or agent for primary issuances, operating a secondary insurance-linked securities trading desk and engaging in general capital markets and strategic advisory work. Willis Capital Markets & Advisory (“WCMA”) is a trade name used by Willis Securities, Inc., a licensed broker dealer authorized and regulated by FINRA and a member of SIPC (“WSI”), Willis Capital Markets & Advisory Limited (Registered number 2908053 and ARBN number 604 264 557), an investment business authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“WCMAL”) and Willis Capital Markets & Advisory (Hong Kong) Limited, a corporation licensed and regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (“WCMAL (HK)”).

About Willis Towers Watson Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW ) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 39,000 employees in more than 120 territories. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas — the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com.

Contacts: Media Annie Roberts: +44 20 3124 7080 | Annie.Roberts@willistowerswatson.com Investors Aida Sukys: +1 703 258 8033 | Aida.Sukys@willistowerswatson.com