Italy

ITALY - State Street Global Advisors (SSgA) has appointed Marco Fusco to become the managing director of its business and operations in Italy.

ITALY - Some 80% of Italian companies have stated a company pension scheme is central to employee benefit and reward policy, according to a survey by Watson Wyatt.

ITALY - Laborfonds, the defined contribution (DC) fund for workers in the Trentino/Sud-Tyrol region of Italy has launched an appeal urging employees to sign up before 30 June.

ITALY - An Italian pension scheme covering pilots and airline technicians has launched a search for a financial institution to offer life annuities products for its members.

ITALY - A public sector strike was looking increasingly likely today as ministers discussed pension reforms this morning.

ITALY - Hewitt Associates has acquired Italy-based Adelaide Consulting and opened a new office in Rome, as the firm expands its range of HR consulting and actuarial services in the market.

ITALY - Prime minister Prodi's resignation has raised concerns among Italy's three large trade unions since it could mean stagnation of reforms - including that of pensions.

ITALY - The underdeveloped pension fund industry in Italy is impeding growth of the financial system and preventing the restructure of a productive economy, said Bank of Italy governor Mario Draghi.

ITALY - The three largest Italian trade unions have confronted the government on pensions issues they claimed had been left by the wayside.

ITALY - Italian asset managers are being forced to move towards international standards as numerous foreign players enter the market, European regulation takes hold and investors hunt performance.