NU Online News Service, April 4, 11:17 a.m.EDT

Zurich Financial Services Group says today that the name changefrom Zurich Financial Services Ltd. to Zurich Insurance Group Ltd.has become effective upon entry in the commercial register of thecanton of Zurich, Switzerland.

The name change was approved at the company's annual generalmeeting on March 29, 2012.

Zurich says that the reason for the change is because over thelast years it has streamlined its business portfolio to concentrateon insurance.

The company says that in recognition of this strategic focus,the reference to financial services in the company name has beenreplaced by indicating the insurance activity of the group insteadand to specify the purpose accordingly.

Founded in 1872, Zurich is a major multi-line insurance providerwith a global network of subsidiaries and offices in Europe, NorthAmerica, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as well asother markets. It offers a wide range of general insurance and lifeinsurance products and services for individuals, small businesses,mid-sized and large companies as well as multinationalcorporations.

Zurich employs about 60,000 people serving customers in morethan 170 countries.