Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń S.A. (PZU) history, company profile (overview), and corporate video
Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń S.A. (PZU) is the led company of the PZU Group, which is one of Poland’s largest financial institutions. It is headquartered in Warsaw, Poland.
PZU Group provides insurance, banking, asset management, and other financial services.
HISTORY
The history of PZU goes back to 1803 when the first Polish insurance company was established.
In the 1920s, Polska Dyrekcja Ubezpieczeń Wzajemnych (the Polish Directorate for Mutual Insurance) was established, which was then transformed into Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń Wzajemnych (Universal Mutual Insurance Institution).
In 1952, Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń Wzajemnych was transformed into Państwowy Zakład Ubezpieczeń (PZU, State Insurance Company).
In 1991, PZU was transformed into a joint stock company limited by the State Treasury as a result of the political transformation after 1989.
In 2002, the company acquired shares in UAB DK “Lindra” (PZU Lietuva).
In 2005, it acquired shares in OJSC “Skide-West” (PZU Ukraina).
In 2010, PZU SA was listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.
In 2014, PZU acquired insurance companies in the Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia).
In 2015, the company acquired a 25.19% stake in the share capital of Alior Bank SA.
In 2016, PZU and PFR signed a contract with UniCredit regarding the purchase of 32.8% of shares in Bank Pekao.
PRODUCTS
- Life and health insurance;
- Estate, travel, OC insurance (vehicles, house and apartment, travel, liability);
- Investments and savings.
With more than 40.000 employees, Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń Spółka Akcyjna is considered one largest financial groups in Central and Eastern Europe and a leading company in insurance, banking, and asset management. According to Forbes, it is considered one of the Largest Public Companies in the World.
*Information from Forbes.com and www.pzu.pl/en.
**Video published on YouTube by “GrupaPZU“