ICEA (Investigación Cooperativa entre Entidades Aseguradoras y Fondos de Pensiones), was founded on 1 February 1963 as the first Association of Insurance Companies created in Spain. ICEA is the Research arm of the Spanish Insurance Industry and is responsible for compiling and publishing all of the industry statistics. The Association also performs research in areas relating to the insurance business, analysing market trends and performance, as well as provide a Training and Advice in all areas that affect the insurance activity. ICEA was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in insurance and is a member of the European conference of the national institutes for professional insurance education, currently comprised of members from 25 countries. ICEA currently represents more than 200 insurance companies, accounting for 95% of the premiums written in Spain.