FAQ

This section provides our answers to your most common queries on the AXA Group.

1. What are the historical origins of the AXA Group?

The AXA Group today is the result of a series of mergers involving French regional mutual insurance companies, known collectively as Les Mutuelles Unies. In 1982, Les Mutuelles Unies took control of Groupe Drouot, and in 1985, the new Group began operating under the name AXA.

Learn more about AXA history.

2. Where does the name AXA come from?

In 1983, Claude Bébéar, President, thought of giving a name to his mutualist group. It would have to be usable in most countries, easy to pronounce, start with the letter A, be self-sufficient so that it doesn't depend on a logo and short so it is easy to remember.

AXA and Argos were on the shortlist and in July 1985, the official name AXA was adopted.

3. What form of corporate governance does AXA have?

Since April 29, 2010, AXA is governed by a Board of Directors, replacing the former dual structure with a Management Board and a supervisory Board.

Learn more about corporate governance.

4. In which countries does AXA operate?

AXA operates 57 countries worldwide.

Learn more about AXA in the world.

5. How many employees work for the AXA Group?

The total headcount of AXA Group is 163.000 worldwide among which almost 115.000 employees including:

105.526 in Europe
36.016 in Asia-Pacific and Middle-East
18.916 in North and South America
2.981 in Africa

Learn more about AXA employees.

6. What is AXA's business?

AXA's business consists in helping its customers live more confidently at each stage of their lives by offering them solutions to protect their family and property.

AXA developed an expertise in every aspect of insurance and investment management to meet the protection needs of its customers:

Protecting their own property and guarding against damage to the property of others: motor vehicle, home and property insurance - personal and professional liability insurance
Protecting against life's mishaps: health insurance - personal protection assistance
Funding projects: individual savings - retail banking products
Growing the value of savings: investment portfolio management - private wealth management
Preparing for retirement: retirement savings products
Safeguarding the future of loved ones: life insurance protection

Learn more about AXA's business.

7. What is Finaxa?

Les Mutuelles Unies (formerly Anciennes Mutuelles, the companies out of which the Group was formed) acquired the Drouot group in 1982. Drouot's holding company, Compagnie Financière Drouot, became the financial holding company of the AXA Group. In 1990, the Group was legally and organizationally restructured and La Compagnie Financière Drouot was renamed Finaxa.

Until 2005, Finaxa was a holding company whose principal asset was a significant equity interest in AXA (roughly 17.1% of AXA's ordinary shares, representing approximately 27.2% of the voting rights as at February 29, 2004). In addition, Finaxa owned the AXA brand.

In 2005, AXA decided to simplify its legal structure through the merger of FINAXA into AXA. The transaction was approved at both AXA and FINAXA extraordinary shareholder's meetings held on December 16th, 2005. With the merger, the Group becomes owner of the AXA brand. As a result of the merger French Mutuelles AXA become the largest direct shareholder of the AXA Group with 14 % of outstanding shares and 23 % of voting rights.

8. Which companies are subsidiaries of AXA S.A.?

Almost exclusively, AXA S.A. (the Group's holding company) owns equity interests (often 100%) in the Group's insurance and asset management subsidiaries.

Learn more about AXA's Legal organizational charts.

9. When does the Group's fiscal or financial year begin and end?

The fiscal year starts on January 1 and ends on December 31.

10. What is the AXA Group's market capitalization?

On December 31, 2012, AXA's market capitalization was 31.8billion euros. Market capitalization is the price per share at a given date times the number of shares issued.

Learn more about stock price.

11. What are the AXA Group's financial strength and credit ratings?

The Group's financial strength is estimated by the three following rating agencies: Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

Learn more about the Group's financial ratings.

12. What accounting standards does AXA use?

As of 2005, the Group applies International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). On January 6, 2005, AXA held a meeting to explain the accounting policy changes arising from the introduction of IFRS standards.

Read the document "IFRS - Key Principles Presentation".

13. AXA considers itself to be a responsible enterprise. What does this mean?

Our corporate responsibility is embedded in the way we do business a long-term business that helps to keep society in balance. In line with our priorities and our mission helping people live more condently it is tied to a tangible reality. In 2010, our corporate responsibility strategy gained visibility in our structures as well as in the way we think and act at every level of the AXA Group, including business and thought processes. Today, corporate responsibility rallies all of our employees and executives worldwide around a shared dynamic and the unifying theme of risk research and education.

Learn more about Corporate Responsibility.

14. What is AXA's position on corporate philanthropy and sponsorship?

As a responsible corporate citizen, AXA strives to play a positive role in society, by building a culture that promotes employee volunteering to support the communities in which we operate. We are also committed to sharing our business expertise by helping to build better understanding of the risks faced by individuals and society at large. This commitment is built around three major initiatives:

The association of international solidarity AXA Atout Coeur, has been supported by volunteering employees for 20 years. Overs 20.000 volunteers participated in over a thousand projects throughout the world
The AXA Research Fund supports scientific works contributing to the understanding and prevention of threatening events related to environment, human life and socio-economics
The partnership with the NGO CARE, intended to help fragile populations to better face sanitary and climate risks

Learn more about AXA and the community.

FAQ