ACE Survey Shows Risk Management Unlocks Future Business Growth

Risk management is now seen as a key contributor to a company's
source of competitive advantage with companies putting risk managers
under increasing pressure to show measurable returns on investment in
this area, according to ACE European Group (ACE) (NYSE:ACE).

The majority (97%) of senior executives and risk professionals
surveyed for the latest global risk briefing report, conducted by the
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and sponsored by ACE, said that good
risk management is an important source of competitive advantage. There
is a growing consensus that risk management is now expected to be more
than just a tool to protect a company from losses.

Most respondents thought their risk management operations enhanced
shareholder value and, almost half of the 218 executives interviewed
agreed that the most important benefits of risk management were
protecting and enhancing the business's reputation.

The research also showed that companies worldwide are planning to
increase their investment in most areas of risk management over the
next three years including improving the quality and reporting of
data, training and strengthening risk assessment processes.

Commenting on the results of the global risk briefing, Andrew
Kendrick, ACE European Group Chairman and CEO said: "Risk management
has come of age. But with this maturity comes responsibilities. More
than 60% of respondents to the research said that over the last three
years the commitment of their company's board to risk management
issues had increased. But, as a result, there is a greater expectation
that the operation will make a measurable return on the investment it
receives."

Whilst companies say they are confident in dealing well with more
traditional areas of risk such as financing, market volatility and bad
debts, the research showed a lack of confidence in effectively
assessing and managing emerging risks and those outside the control of
the business. This included such areas as IT, climate change and human
capital risks.

Commenting on tackling these areas, Andrew Kendrick said: "With
dangers lurking in areas of non-traditional risk, there is great
potential for insurers, risk managers and their brokers to work
together to develop effective risk transfer solutions.

"The impact of cyber and environmental related liabilities on
businesses are just two examples of where both groups can, and are,
working mutually to build relevant policy covers."

Notes to editors:

ACE European Group has established branch offices in 19 countries
across Europe, Freedom of Services permission to provide insurance
services to clients in 29 EEA countries and affiliates in Egypt,
Bahrain, Pakistan and Russia.

Part of the ACE Group of Companies, ACE European Group comprises
the operations of ACE Europe, ACE Global Markets and ACE Tempest Re
Group. ACE Europe provides a range of tailored Property and Casualty,
Accident and Health and Personal Lines solutions for a diverse range
of clients. ACE Global Markets (AGM) is ACE's specialty international
business, underwriting through ACE's Lloyd's Syndicate 2488 and ACE
European Group Limited. Specialty lines include excess and surplus
lines business, Marine, Aviation, Energy and Political Risk as well as
Property, Financial Lines and Accident and Health. Additional
information on ACE European Group can be found at
www.aceeuropeangroup.com.

The ACE Group of Companies is a global leader in insurance and
reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited
(NYSE: ACE), a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index, the
ACE Group conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating
subsidiaries in more than 50 countries. Additional information can be
found at: www.acelimited.com

About the research

The global risk briefing has been tracking corporate attitudes to
risk management for over two years.

In February 2007, The Economist Intelligence Unit surveyed 218
executives around the world about their approach to risk management
and their perception of the key challenges and opportunities facing
the function attitudes. The survey and paper was sponsored by ACE, IBM
and KPMG.

Respondents represent a wide range of industries and regions, with
roughly one-third each from Asia and Australasia, North America and
Western Europe. Approximately 50% of respondents represent businesses
with annual revenue of more than US$500m. All respondents have
influence over, or responsibility for, strategic decisions on risk
management at their companies.