Discover our summary of the major headlines in the insurance industry in Belgium & Luxembourg with just a scroll!
KEYES and Cegeka launch Belgian Critical Cloud to strengthen digital sovereignty
27/05/2026 – Source
KEYES, the ICT subsidiary of Ethias, has partnered with Cegeka Group to launch Belgian Critical Cloud, a sovereign cloud solution designed for public authorities, the defence sector, and operators of critical infrastructure. The initiative offers a Belgian alternative to major international cloud providers, with all data hosted exclusively in Belgium and governed by Belgian and European legislation.
The platform is specifically designed for organisations where digital sovereignty, security, and operational resilience are essential. The partnership is built on a long-term industrial collaboration, combining shared investments, joint governance, and the expertise of both companies in designing, operating, and securing complex data centres. Ethias sees the initiative as a key step in strengthening Belgium’s digital ecosystem and technological independence.
Belfius expands its digital capabilities with new European technology hub
22/05/2026 – Source
Belfius has announced the creation of a new Technology & Operations hub in Lisbon as part of its UNLOCK 2030 strategy, aimed at accelerating innovation, strengthening operational capabilities, and enhancing customer experience. The initiative will be developed through a joint venture with Accenture, combining Belfius’ strategic vision with Accenture’s technology expertise and international scale.
The Portuguese hub is designed to complement (not replace) Belfius’ Belgian operations and will support the bank-insurer’s digital growth ambitions across Europe. Over the next three to five years, the hub is expected to grow to around 500 employees, including the internalisation of 250 roles currently performed by external providers, helping Belfius strengthen key competencies while reducing reliance on outsourcing. The company also confirmed its commitment to maintaining employment in Belgium and continuing to invest in local talent development and recruitment.
AG raises guaranteed rates on its Branch 21 savings products
22/05/2026 – Source
AG Insurance has announced an increase in the guaranteed interest rates on its Future Invest Bon and AG Invest+ Branch 21 savings products, reflecting recent market rate developments. From 23 May, new contracts will benefit from a 3.0% guaranteed rate during the first year, followed by 2.75% in subsequent years, up from the previous 2.60%.
By combining capital protection with the potential for profit-sharing, Branch 21 products continue to offer a balance between security and returns. AG noted that both products delivered a total return of 3.10% in 2025, including profit-sharing. The rate increase is intended to provide both existing and new customers with an attractive long-term savings solution in the current interest rate environment.
Belgian financial sector remains resilient despite global uncertainty
21/05/2026 – Source
In its latest Financial Stability Report, the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) concludes that Belgian banks and insurers remain well-capitalised, liquid, and resilient despite an increasingly uncertain geopolitical and economic environment. While international risks persist, driven by geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty, and conflicts in the Middle East, the Belgian financial sector continues to demonstrate solid fundamentals.
The NBB highlights a reduction in risks associated with Belgian mortgage loan portfolios, prompting an adjustment to its macroprudential framework. As of July 2026, the sector-specific mortgage buffer will be removed, while the broader countercyclical capital buffer will be increased, resulting in a simplified and more flexible framework. Despite these positive developments, the NBB urges financial institutions to maintain a prudent approach and preserve sufficient capital and liquidity buffers to withstand future shocks and continue supporting the economy.
World Property and Casualty Insurance Report 2026
21/05/2026 – Source
Capgemini’s World Property & Casualty Insurance Report 2026 reveals a growing AI maturity gap across the insurance industry. While investment in AI continues to rise, 42% of P&C insurers do not track AI-related KPIs and 60% remain stuck in pilot or proof-of-concept phases, limiting their ability to generate measurable business value.
The report identifies a leading group of insurers (around 10% of the market) that treat AI as a core business capability rather than a standalone technology. These “intelligence pioneers” have achieved 21% higher revenue growth and 51% stronger share-price performance over three years. Their success is driven by aligning business strategy, talent, governance, and technology, while investing heavily in change management and clear accountability. The study concludes that the biggest obstacle to AI value creation is not the technology itself, but the lack of measurement, ownership, and enterprise-wide adoption.
Cyber threat intelligence report
20/05/2026 – Source
The Belgian Centre for Cybersecurity (CCB) has published a new threat intelligence report on DragonForce, a rapidly growing ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) group responsible for more than 400 cyberattacks across 30 countries, including attacks on two Belgian organisations. The group uses a double-extortion model, combining data encryption with data theft to maximise pressure on victims.
According to the CCB, DragonForce primarily targets organisations in manufacturing, business services, technology, construction, and healthcare, and is expected to further increase its activity throughout 2026. Alongside the report, the CCB is reminding organisations of the importance of cyber preparedness through its Cybersecurity First Aid guidance. The practical framework outlines key measures before, during, and after a cyber incident, including monitoring, access management, backup strategies, incident response procedures, and cooperation with cybersecurity authorities to strengthen organisational resilience.
Ethias confirms financial strength with A+ Fitch rating and higher dividend
20/05/2026 – Source
Ethias has reinforced its strong financial position with the confirmation of its A+ Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) rating by Fitch Ratings, maintaining a stable outlook despite a challenging economic and financial environment. Fitch highlighted the insurer’s strong capitalisation, recurring profitability, balanced life and non-life business mix, and Solvency II ratio of 203% at the end of 2025.
At its Annual General Meeting, shareholders also approved a €138 million dividend, up 22% from the previous year, reflecting Ethias’ record net profit of €229 million in 2025. In addition, the mandates of Philippe Lallemand (CEO) and Wilfried Neven (Vice-CEO) were renewed for a further six years, ensuring continuity in the group’s leadership and strategic execution.
KBC reports €557 million first-quarter profit amid strong banking and insurance performance
12/05/2026 – Source
KBC Group posted a net profit of €557 million in the first quarter of 2026, supported by strong performances across both its banking and insurance businesses. Net interest income rose by 18% year-on-year, driven by loan growth, higher margins, and recent acquisitions, while customer lending increased by 7%.
The insurance division delivered an insurance service result of €172 million, with non-life insurance maintaining an excellent combined ratio of 84%. Non-life sales grew by 7%, while life insurance sales increased by 15% year-on-year. Despite geopolitical uncertainty and additional provisions for macroeconomic risks, KBC maintained strong capital and liquidity positions, with a fully loaded CET1 ratio of 14.4%, confirming the resilience of its diversified bank-insurance model.
BNP Paribas Fortis chooses The Hub in Liège for its new regional headquarters
06/05/2026 – Source
BNP Paribas Fortis has signed two long-term leases in The Hub, a new office development by Baltisse Real Estate and Moury located next to Liège-Guillemins station. With this agreement, the project is already 40% pre-let, more than two years before its planned completion in the third quarter of 2028.
The bank will relocate its Liège headquarters from Place Neujean to The Hub by the end of 2028 and establish a new flagship retail branch within the building. The development will offer 14,800 m² of office space, alongside extensive parking and bicycle facilities. Designed to be fully fossil-free, The Hub aims to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification and meet Q-ZEN standards, positioning itself as a new benchmark for sustainable office space in Liège and a landmark addition to the Liège-Guillemins district.
AG Insurance highlights ESG progress in its 2025 Impact Report
01/05/2026 – Source
AG Insurance has published its 2025 Impact Report, outlining the progress made across its four ESG pillars: insurer, investor, responsible company, and employer. The insurer continues to expand sustainable products, with 42 savings and investment solutions now carrying the Towards Sustainability label, while further strengthening its health and sustainable mobility offerings.
As an investor, AG has allocated €13.5 billion to assets generating positive social and environmental impact, moving towards its €15 billion target. The company also reported initiatives ranging from skin cancer prevention campaigns and digital inclusion projects to support for vulnerable young people. As an employer, AG is accelerating diversity and inclusion efforts, including leadership programmes for women, with the ambition of having 40% of senior management positions held by women by 2027. Overall, the report reflects AG’s commitment to embedding sustainability across its business and long-term strategy.
KBC and Cera launch foundation to support youth mental wellbeing
30/04/2026 – Source
KBC and Cera have jointly established the KBC & Cera Foundation, a new public-interest foundation dedicated to strengthening societal resilience, with an initial focus on the mental wellbeing of young people. The initiative comes in response to growing concerns over youth mental health, with studies showing that one in five young people experience moderate to severe mental health challenges.
Leveraging their combined reach of around 4 million KBC customers and 400,000 Cera members, the two organisations aim to create lasting social impact by supporting science-based, innovative and educational initiatives. The Foundation will prioritise projects focused on prevention and early intervention, including school programmes, youth work, peer support networks, digital solutions and other initiatives designed to improve mental resilience among young people.
