Oliver Baete, chief executive officer of Germany’s Allianz, on Friday spoke of a “horrible week” for him and the insurer, his first response to a disclosure that the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating losses at its fund division.

The events of the past year have changed how consumers and businesses view payment delays, regardless of industry and transaction type. Policyholders are no longer willing to wait days for claim payments to finalize so they can receive their funds.