August 2009/3

US insurer WR Berkley has launched a new unit to write commercial cover in the US Pacific northwest market.

Lloyd's has received its third rating confirmation in a month.

Guy Carpenter has confirmed its appointment of Aidan Pope - former chief executive of Aon Benfield's Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) business - as CEO of its LAC operations.

Broking giant Aon has lost yet another senior aviation executive, this time to Willis, after its former executive vice president of Los Angeles and Chicago operations, Stephen Kisor, joined the rival broker.

The state of New York has named lawyer and executive director of the state's insurance fund, James Wrynn, as insurance superintendent following the resignation of Eric Dinallo in July.

Expansive UK run-off acquisition firm Randall and Quilter (R&Q) is growing its broker services division with the purchase of the discontinued operating subsidiaries of reinsurance broker Carvill Group, along with its legacy portfolios.

American International Group (AIG) has raised $2.5bn from its latest round of sales.

Catastrophe bond returns have increased for the sixth consecutive week as a lack of significant windstorms and a glut of unused insurance-linked securities (ILS) capacity push demand for the products to record levels.

Insurance broker Marsh Ltd is offering a new service to recession-struck UK firms struggling to renew their trade credit cover as insurers have "hardened their attitude".

Aon Global Insurance Managers, a division of Aon Corporation responsible for captive management, has announced a shake-up of its leadership structure by streamlining its existing set-up into three separate hubs.

Validus Holdings has become the latest international (re)insurer to establish a foothold in the Middle East through its subsidiary, Talbot Holdings Ltd.

French reinsurer Scor's financial strength has not been affected by the current economic turmoil, said ratings agency Fitch, as it maintained financial strength and debt ratings at A.