Swiss insurers Baloise and Helvetia gain regulatory approvals for merger

Core Insights - Swiss insurance companies Baloise and Helvetia have received essential regulatory approvals for their merger, including from the Swiss Competition Commission and the European Commission's Foreign Subsidies Regulation review [1][2] - The merger is set to close on December 5, 2025, with trading of Baloise shares ceasing on that date and new Helvetia Baloise shares expected to begin trading on December 8, 2025 [2] Company Overview - The merged entity will be named Helvetia Baloise Holding, headquartered in Basel, and will maintain a presence in St. Gallen [3] - The merger will create the second-largest insurance group in Switzerland, with business volumes projected to reach SFr20 billion (approximately $25.12 billion) [3] Financial Details - The combined gross premiums are expected to total SFr8.6 billion for the life insurance sector and SFr11.5 billion for the non-life insurance sector [4] - The executive board will consist of CEO Fabian Rupprecht from Helvetia and deputy CEO Michael Müller from Baloise, with financial advisory roles filled by J.P. Morgan Securities and Morgan Stanley International [4]