Swiss Re Ltd

Swiss Re is a reinsurer that has three core divisions: P&C reinsurance, life and health reinsurance, and corporate solutions. Swiss Re was founded in 1863 when the general manager of Helvetia sought to stem the flow of reinsurance premiums outside Switzerland. Moritz Grossmann argued he could cut the premiums paid to foreign firms, still make a profit, and pay mid-single-digit dividends. Swiss Re is now the second-largest reinsurer in the world by market capitalization, with 80 offices around the world and approximately 15,000 employees. While the business did lose its way in the early part of the millennium, led by an investment banker who heavily invested in securitizations, Swiss Re has recently focused on establishing quality within its three core divisions.