Financial Services

Russian banking group Tinkoff Credit Systems will become the main title sponsor of Riis Cycling after founder Oleg Tinkov agreed a takeover deal for the leading UCI World Tour team.

Sports Sponsorship Insider spoke to Lars Christensen, co-CEO of Saxo Bank, after the announcement that Riis Cycling, the major cycling team which competed this year under the Saxo-Tinkoff name, had been acquired by Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov.

French retail banking group Credit Agricole has confirmed a partnership with football club OGC Nice, which competes in the country's top-tier Ligue 1.

Global prosthetics company Ottobock is close to signing sponsorship deals with at least two more global or regional Paralympic events as it continues to support Paralympic sport at the elite level.

Asset management company Amundi has agreed a deal to become a premier partner of the Hong Kong Open, the third tournament on the 2014 European Tour golf calendar.

Indian private banking group Yes Bank has signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement with the Hockey India League ahead of its 2014 season.

National high performance sports agency UK Sport has announced a four-year partnership with Sportscover.

English Premier League football club Manchester United has announced a four-year financial services partnership with Maltese commercial bank Banif Bank.

English Premiership rugby union team Harlequins has confirmed financial services company IG as the principle sponsor for the latest instalment of its Big Game series at London’s Twickenham Stadium.

QBE, the Australian Securities Exchange-listed insurance underwriter, is sponsoring the QBE Autumn Internationals as part of a deal with the Rugby Football Union, which ends in August 2016.

Insurance group BGV/Badische has reached an agreement to become a premium partner of German Handball Bundesliga team Rhein-Neckar Lowen.

Banking group Itau has extended its sponsorship of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) by a further eight years.

The Sauber Formula One team has reached a sponsorship agreement with Mexican financial services company Ficrea for this weekend’s US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

Singapore-headquartered OCBC Bank has been announced as the premier founding partner of the Singapore Sports Hub development in a 15-year deal.

Ghanaian-owned private bank uniBank has signed a three-year deal to sponsor the country’s national football team.

UK mutual life and pensions company Royal London has agreed a four-year deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board to become the title sponsor of the national governing body’s one-day cricket competitions from 2014.