Page 206 - harryDEC12_clean.iba

Our appointment was in the office of Howie Keller jr., who was in turn the superior of Captain Schulz, responsible for the worldwide marine business of AIU (American International Underwriters). AIU was to some extent the oldest component of the insurance Moloch who had started his business in 1926 in New York and in keeping with the currents of history had opened branches in various parts of the world, and closed them, according to however the fortunes of the individual countries developed. After the Second World War the development of the enterprise took on an explosive character. In the whole world the possessions of American occupation troops were insured and branches founded in the countries of the “war losers”. As a consequence of that development I, many years later found my “own” business.
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We are going through the gigantic reception hall. The floor consists of mosaics in green-grey marble. On both sides of the twenty-meter high room powerful marble columns rear up to the ceiling. Howie’s office is on the 45th floor. The lifts are arranged by floor. We take first the lift to the 30th floor and then change into another lift that takes us higher, up to the 45th floor. I feel queasy. Since childhood I have suffered fear of heights. A consequence, of numerous frightening drives that I made with my mother-a passionate motorist in her youth-over poorly developed pass roads in the Austrian Alps, during my childhood - for me a traumatic experience. The lifts move so quickly that you feel the pressure in your ears. Then comes a long corridor to a reception, over which the emblem of AIU is resplendent in golden letters. The secretary announces us and we go into Howie’s office. A small office with a spectacular view over Lower Manhattan. Howie is the prototype of an American businessman; he could be working on Wall Street too. A gaunt figure, his hair held in place by gel, a blue-and-white striped shirt and braces of screaming red. He gets up and welcomes us in a friendly manner.
“Coffee, gentlemen?”
We say yes and sit down at the small conference table. Howie takes our visiting cards.
“You’re from Germany, Harry? I also had German ancestors, as my name tells – Keller.”
It seems everyone here has German roots. We talk about the situation of the insurance Market in the US, the ambitions of AIU, and the attitude of the London Market to AIU. I let John do the talking.
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