In Focus

When they need financial advice, help with a merger or acquisition, or capital to fund business expansion, insurance industry companies frequently employ the services of investment bankers. With that in mind, a number of investment banks have developed active insurance industry practices. Here's a quick look at some of the key investment banking firms active in helping insurance industry companies gain access to capital and make the right financial moves. (Source for revenue figures: McKinsey & Co.)

BNP Paribas

Headquarters: Paris, with offices in financial centers around the world.

2005 corporate and investment banking revenue: $8.90 billion

Web site: www.bnpparibas.com

Services: The Corporate and Investment Banking division of BNP Paribas offers a full range of advisory and financing services to companies including capital markets activities. BNP Paribas' Financial Institutions Group covers insurance companies throughout the world.

Deutsche Bank A.G.

Headquarters: Frankfurt, Germany, with offices around the world.

2005 corporate and investment banking revenue: $19.83 billion

Web site: www.db.com

Services: Through its Corporate and Investment Bank Group, Deutsche Bank is involved in the origination, sales and trading of capital markets products, together with corporate advisory, corporate lending and transaction banking businesses.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Headquarters: New York, with offices in financial centers around the world.

2005 corporate and investment banking revenue: $21.83 billion

Web site: www2.goldmansachs.com

Services: Taking a team-based approach to its business, transactions conducted by Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Division include mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, the issuance of equity or debt capital, or various combinations.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Headquarters: New York, with offices around the world.

2005 corporate and investment banking revenue: $14.58 billion

Web site: www.jpmorgan.com

Services: Key products include mergers and acquisitions advice, capital raising, restructuring, risk management and research. JPMorgan also participates in proprietary trading and investing and market-making in cash securities and derivative instruments around the world.

Lehman Bros. Inc.

Headquarters: New York, with regional headquarters in London and Tokyo and offices around the world.

2005 corporate and investment banking revenue: $12.70 billion

Web site: www.lehman.com

Services: Lehman Bros.' Global Financial Institutions group advises and underwrites across all product areas, including mergers and acquisitions, asset-backed securities, equity, convertibles, investment grade and high yield debt, and preferred stock.