Dublin: Zurich Financial Services has set aside €256 million more to meet potential losses arising from its commercial property loans in Ireland and Britain.

IRELAND will continue to attract firms looking to relocate to another country given it does not have a reputation as a tax haven.

A GOOD showing in an otherwise declining pensions market has boosted Zurich Life Ireland’s (formerly Eagle Star) market share by 46% to 16%, the company said yesterday.

Strong gains for oil and banking stocks saw the FTSE 100 Index make good progress today and close at another two-month high.

The FTSE 100 Index overcame a tentative start to post further gains today.

The FTSE 100 Index reached its highest point for nearly two months today as better-than-expected US growth figures cheered traders.

A division of Barclays which pays pensions to more than 70,000 policyholders a month is to be sold in a deal worth £753m (€950m), it was announced today.

A division of Barclays which pays pensions to more than 70,000 policyholders a month was today said to be the subject of takeover interest.

British life insurer Friends Provident could be put up for sale after a wholesale review of the business, it was reported today.

Strong results from some of Europe’s heavyweight companes ensured the FTSE 100 Index surged back to a four-and-a-half-year high today.

Insurance group Zurich Financial Services today estimated claims following Hurricane Katrina would cost it in the region of £342m (€506m).

GENERAL Re, the reinsurance company whose Dublin branch is at the centre of an international investigation, yesterday agreed to respond to a regulatory probe in Australia.

A British woman today failed in her bid to claim damages from her former employer after she was injured in an egg-and-spoon race.

Swiss insurance giant Zurich Financial Services today said the Asian tsunami and a string of hurricanes would cost it $185m (€144m) in the fourth quarter.

AIB was keeping quiet yesterday on speculation that a deal to buy the pensions arm of Eagle Star had hit the rocks.

The UK City watchdog has fined Allied Dunbar, a unit of Zurich Financial Services, £725,000 (€1.07m) for ''serious flaws'' in the way it has handled mortgage endowment complaints.

OVER-expansion and over-reliance on stock markets have resulted in pressure on the global insurance sector.

Zurich Financial Services has confirmed that it's scrapping its fledgling online banking operation as it cuts 4,500 jobs.

David Trimble has been named Parliamentarian of the Year at an award ceremony in London earlier today, sponsored by Spectator magazine and Zurich Financial Services.

Manchester United have confirmed their position in the big league of world football by unveiling results ahead of City expectations.

Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon has insisted that the departure of Jaap Stam to Lazio was not determined by finance.

The FTSE-100 Index has fallen 53.4 points after downbeat statements in the US from Compaq and software group Oracle. It now stands at at 5675.8.