Allianz SE
Company History
Allianz History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1890 in Berlin, Germany
When was Allianz founded?
Allianz was founded in 1890 in Berlin, Germany by Carl von Thieme and Wilhelm von Finck, making it 136 years old.
- Founded
- 1890
- Founding place
- Berlin, Germany
- Founders
- Carl von Thieme and Wilhelm von Finck
- Headquarters today
- Munich, Germany
- Milestones documented
- 12 (1890–2025)
- Current CEO
- Oliver Bäte
- Acquisitions
- 3
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1890 | Allianz established in Berlin |
| 1949 | Headquarters moved to Munich |
| 1998 | Dedicated asset management business formed |
| 2000 | PIMCO acquisition completed |
| 2001 | Dresdner Bank acquired |
| 2004 | Allianz Global Investors name adopted |
| 2006 | Allianz became a European company |
| 2008 | Dresdner Bank sale agreed |
| 2011 | PIMCO and AllianzGI separated |
| 2015 | Oliver Bäte became CEO |
| 2022 | Structured Alpha resolution announced |
| 2025 | FY2025 total business volume reached ~$211 billion (EUR 186.9 billion) |
- Where was Allianz founded?
- Allianz was founded in Berlin, Germany in 1890. wikidata.org
- Who founded Allianz?
- Allianz was founded by Carl von Thieme and Wilhelm von Finck.
- When did Allianz start?
- Allianz was founded in 1890.
- How old is Allianz?
- Allianz is 136 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Allianz was founded in Berlin in 1890 by Carl von Thieme and Wilhelm von Finck. Following the unification of Germany, the founders recognized the desperate need for a consolidated, financially robust insurance entity to underwrite the massive industrial and maritime expansion of the German Empire. Initially focusing entirely on transport and marine insurance, the company rapidly expanded into fire and life insurance, eventually becoming the dominant insurer in Germany before moving its headquarters to Munich following the division of Berlin after WWII.
Founders
Carl von Thieme
Carl von Thieme (1844-1924) co-founded Allianz in 1890. Already the successful head of Munich Re, he recognized that Germany lacked a direct primary insurer capable of competing with British firms. He served as the company's General Director for its first 14 years, expanding its operations internationally, including opening a London office in 1893 to underwrite global maritime trade. Carl von Thieme was born in 1844.
Wilhelm von Finck
Wilhelm von Finck (1848-1924) was the financial architect and co-founder of Allianz. Through his powerful banking connections at Merck Finck & Co., he secured the massive initial capital required to launch the insurer. He served as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board, ensuring the company maintained the strict financial reserves necessary to survive catastrophic payouts, such as those following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Wilhelm von Finck was born in 1848.
Key Milestones
Allianz established in Berlin
Carl von Thieme and Wilhelm von Finck established Allianz in Berlin.
Source: allianz.comHeadquarters moved to Munich
Allianz moved its headquarters from Berlin to Munich after the Second World War.
Source: allianz.comDedicated asset management business formed
Allianz Global Investors traces its establishment as a dedicated asset management business to 1998.
Source: allianzgi.comPIMCO acquisition completed
Allianz completed its USD 3.3 billion acquisition of PIMCO Advisors.
Source: globenewswire.comDresdner Bank acquired
Allianz acquired Dresdner Bank, adding Dresdner Asset Management Group and Dresdner RCM Global Investors to its asset management business.
Source: allianzgi.comAllianz Global Investors name adopted
The combined asset management businesses adopted the Allianz Global Investors name.
Source: allianzgi.comAllianz became a European company
The Allianz-RAS merger was registered and Allianz SE became effective in October 2006.
Source: allianz.comDresdner Bank sale agreed
Allianz agreed to sell Dresdner Bank to Commerzbank, reversing its banking expansion.
Source: allianz.comPIMCO and AllianzGI separated
PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors emerged as separate asset management businesses under Allianz ownership.
Source: allianzgi.comOliver Bäte became CEO
Oliver Bäte became Chief Executive Officer of Allianz SE effective May 7, 2015.
Source: allianz.comStructured Alpha resolution announced
AGI US pleaded guilty and settled SEC charges concerning the Structured Alpha funds; the SEC said the integrated resolution included more than USD 5 billion in restitution to victims.
Source: sec.govFY2025 total business volume reached ~$211 billion (EUR 186.9 billion)
Allianz reported ~$211 billion (EUR 186.9 billion) in total business volume and ~$19.7 billion (EUR 17.4 billion) in operating profit for FY2025.
Source: allianz.comMajor Acquisitions
PIMCO Advisors
2000Allianz acquired PIMCO Advisors to expand its asset management business in the United States.
Dresdner Bank
2001Allianz acquired Dresdner Bank to combine banking, insurance, and asset management; the deal added Dresdner Asset Management Group and Dresdner RCM Global Investors.
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management
2001Allianz agreed to pay a USD 980 million base price for Nicholas-Applegate to expand its U.S. equity asset-management business; contingent and retention payments could increase the cost.
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Allianz Company History FAQ
When and where was Allianz founded?
Carl von Thieme and Wilhelm von Finck established Allianz in Berlin in 1890.
When did Allianz move to Munich?
Allianz moved its headquarters to Munich after the Second World War; Munich remains the headquarters of Allianz SE.
When did Allianz become Allianz SE?
Allianz became a European company, or Societas Europaea, when the Allianz-RAS merger was registered in October 2006.
When was Allianz founded?
Allianz was founded in 1890 in Berlin by Carl Thieme and Wilhelm Finck as a transport and accident insurer.
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