August 2014/1

A Missouri court has extended an injunction blocking US wholesale broker Swett & Crawford from recruiting brokers and other staff from rival firm Westrope, which is now owned by Ryan Specialty Group (RSG).

Brian Duperreault's Hamilton Insurance Group made a bid for Ariel Re, the Lloyd's business sold to Brazilian bank BTG Pactual last month, as it continues to be frustrated in its M&A ambitions, The Insurance Insider can reveal

Diversifying legacy business Enstar has carried out a loss portfolio transfer (LPT) where $300mn of reserves from live insurance subsidiary Torus has been transferred to one of its run-off vehicles, The Insurance Insider understands.

American International Group (AIG) has agreed a $960mn settlement for a 2008 securities class action suit, in one of the biggest payouts of its kind.

The Australian arm of boutique reinsurance broker Beach & Associates has been sold in a management buy-out and will now trade in a strategic partnership with the Australian insurance group Steadfast Insurance Brokers

Quebec's financial regulatory authority is investigating Fairfax Financial Holdings, its CEO Prem Watsa and its president Paul Rivett over allegations of insider trading.

The debate on the major review into UK mesothelioma claims intensified at the beginning of the month, after a committee of politicians published a damning report on how the government was handling the process.

PartnerRe has hired Andrew Stapleton from niche marine broker Alston Gayler as its new head of marine and offshore energy, The Insurance Insider can reveal

Interest from traditional carriers in launching hedge fund reinsurers is waning in the face of a fast-softening market that is challenging the model's viability, according to Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM).

After absorbing losses of more than $1.9bn over the last two-and-a half years, (re)insurers are again on-risk with the Costa Concordia after a new $500mn policy was purchased to cover the ill-fated vessel, The Insurance Insider can reveal

Acquisitive US retailers Arthur J Gallagher (AJG) and Brown & Brown reported lower overall organic growth in the second quarter of 2014, despite maintaining solid growth throughout the year to date.

Beach MBO; AIG beats; Argo profits up; China quake; Bertha blows out; Buffett feasts; HIIG completes; New chair...