Zurich, Allianz insured transactions linked to Radiant World, FT reports

Zurich Insurance Group and Allianz insured transactions associated with the troubled iron ore trader Radiant World, according to a report by the Financial Times. Radiant World has faced scrutiny in recent months as banks have frozen its accounts and trading partners have severed ties, citing concerns over the validity of invoices it provided to financial institutions. Despite these challenges, Radiant World has denied any wrongdoing.

Zurich insured Radiant World against non-payment from multiple counterparties, including commodities giant Glencore, under a policy that covered double-digit millions of dollars in potential losses, the FT reported. Allianz Trade, the German insurer's trade credit insurance arm, likewise insured Radiant World against non-payment, but its exposure is reportedly smaller than Zurich's, the report added, based on information from sources familiar with the policy.

Following the publication of the FT report, both Zurich and Allianz Trade confirmed to Reuters that they have no material exposure to Radiant World, without providing further details. Radiant World has not yet responded to a request for comment on the matter.

On Monday, LAM Trade Finance Group II, an entity in which US investment bank Jefferies holds a minority stake, sought a freezing injunction in Singapore against Radiant World and its founder. Founded in the early 2000s, Radiant World emerged as one of the world's largest iron ore traders, processing over 80 million metric tons of the steelmaking component in the previous year, according to the information on its website.