19 83
In the US, the first mobile phones are launched. In Switzerland, the first Swatch watches are manufactured. Meanwhile in Germany, Dr Manfred Dirrheimer makes a life-changing decision: to leave his post as a university professor and start the company that would become FWU. In our early years we operate as a scientific think tank for competitive and political studies, and as a consultant for merger and acquisition projects.
19 86
FWU evolves into a consultancy startup for major transatlantic corporations in the consumer goods industry, applying technology- and client-centric strategies to help them grow.
This approach has remained at FWU’s core.
19 89
Together with the German Monopoly Commission, FWU conducts an analysis of the German insurance market.
Its insights inspire us to dig deeper into the field, a commitment that remains to this day, making us proven experts.
19 90
FWU becomes an advisor to some of the biggest insurers and reinsurers around the globe, advising on IT systems, product innovations such as factoring or unit-linked. Not only in life insurance, but across all insurance types.
19 91
After years of consultancy, we change our business model entirely and found our own life insurance company.
This specialization leads naturally to FWU reaching goals with our innovative approach
FWU Factoring is founded – a service that is still active and successful, with over €1 billion transactions to date.
19 94
In common with many startups, FWU breaks from its former company to become independent.
We build our own fund-based products for major European life insurance companies, launch our first unit-linked life insurance product in Luxembourg and Germany (1994).
FWU Life Austria was the first insurance company ever to sell a unit-linked product in Austria (1994) and France (1997).
19 99
FWU acquires FWU Life Lux and establishes FWU Invest, which we would build from nothing to Assets under management of over €2 billion today.
We also establish e-avis, the first internet-based application system and the basis for what would later become FILOS.
20 03
Concorde takes its last flight, but two landmarks help FWU hit new heights.
Firstly, we switch from expert-based investment decisions to quant technology, the methodology we use to the present day. It’s a choice that many will follow, but 15 years later we can show real numbers of success – you can check our reporting center for evidence.
Secondly, we launch our first Takaful product, fully compliant with Sharia law – another ground-breaking and much-imitated move.
20 05
Our global footprint expands rapidly, with market entries into UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in 2005.
This is also the year we launch the first version of FILOS, laying the foundation not only for our partnerships with distributors but also for our track record of constant, tried-and-tested technical innovation.
20 06
When we expand into Italy, our combination of guarantee concepts in fund-based products proves to be unique in the market.
As a result, Italy becomes our fastest-growing market with the largest client base
20 07
While we expand into Malaysia, the bancassurance model grows in importance to our European business, as banks, institutional banks and pension funds put their trust in FWU products and services.
20 09
Market entry into Pakistan.
20 14
Building on our strong network of partners, we take the success story of fund-based guarantee products into the Spanish market, which has gone on to become our second-fastest -growing market today.
20 15
Having acquired both portfolios and entities, FWU grows rapidly in employees, clients and assets.
This helps us create additional value for our clients and attract the best and brightest minds in the industry.
FWU grows with the purchase of former Skandia Austria by 65,000 clients.
20 16
To mark our common mindset, FWU rebrands as Forward You.
It’s more than a name change: it’s a commitment to continually strengthening our relationships with our clients and business partners – knowing that every U is different
20 18
We introduce the latest version of our all-in-one platform FILOS, own UCIT-umbrella fund as well as our innovative Forward Quant product.
Both are immediately appreciated by our clients and distribution partners, and go on to be recognized with prestigious industry awards.
20 19
Moving towards the present day, 2019 sees FWU pass a series of landmarks that confirm our status as an innovator and global player.
We launch our all-new customer portal, which offers our clients even more insights, options and better service.
20 20
With the Remote Sales Solution (RSS), FWU succeeds in developing a digital solution for location-independent sales in just a few weeks, giving insurance agents and customers digital access to FWU products via their own mobile devices.
From the first conversation to the online signature: the necessary steps for signing an insurance contract can be completed securely and conveniently from home.
20 21
Introduction of the advanced electronic signature (ADES), a signature that meets the strict legal requirements for digital identification and electronic transaction services and ensures that our customers' biometric data is notarized and protected.
(IDD compliance based on the European Insurance Distribution Directive 2016/97/EU).
With the new product Forward Unico, FWU now also offers one-time investment products.
20 22
With the Remote Sales Solution (RSS), FWU succeeds in developing a digital solution for location-independent sales in just a few weeks, giving insurance agents and customers digital access to FWU products via their own mobile devices.
From the first conversation to the online signature: the necessary steps for signing an insurance contract can be completed securely and conveniently from home.
