December 2007/1

UK businesses are facing an "unprecedented threat" from home-grown terrorism, Lloyd's has warned.

Powerful consolidators are forcing insurers to "fundamentally re-examine their operating models" as they tighten their grip on the commercial SME market, according to the latest research.

As the wide spread of the global credit crisis becomes clearer, more insurers are investigating protection against reinsurer default, according to reinsurance broker RK Carvill.

Catlin Group Ltd's financial strength and counterparty credit ratings remain unchanged, despite the (re)insurer announcing that it expects to take a $75mn charge against the value of sub-prime-related securities in its investment portfolio.

Ping An Insurance, China's second largest life insurer, bought 4.18 percent of Benelux financial services group Fortis, at a cost of EUR1.81bn, last week.

Chaucer Holdings plc became the latest Lloyd's insurer to offer more capital back to shareholders when it promised to increase its total 2007 dividend by 25 percent.

Marsh Inc has completed its search for a new chief executive with the appointment of Daniel Glaser.

Reinsurers have been warned about the costs arising from claims inflation in severe bodily injury claims.

Chicago-based global broker Aon Corp's consulting arm has appointed Mark Blumenthal as its new chief financial officer.

French reinsurer SCOR SA successfully closed its EUR160mn Atlas IV cat bond transaction, taking its tally of insurance linked securities deals to five.

Prudential's UK division has entered into a 15 year outsourcing contract, which is expected to be worth £722mn, with Capita Group plc.

Montpelier Re has continued to build its US operations with the launch of a new direct property facultative division to write business on behalf of its Lloyd's Syndicate 5151.

AIG UK Ltd, one of the UK’s largest commercial non-life insurers, has appointed two new industry heavyweights to its board as part of its transformation into a multi-billion pound, FSA authorised insurance company.

US insurer Genworth Financial, Inc has become the latest firm to repurchase shares after announcing a $1bn buyback programme last week.

US hedge funds Steel Partners II and Carlson Capital are behind a new £75mn composite syndicate at Lloyd's.

Reinsurers have been ordered to settle a $57mn disputed all risks reinsurance claim with global mining giant Anglo American’s captive insurance company Coromin.

The merry-go-round of facultative reinsurance broker moves continued last week as Guy Carpenter announced the appointment of Willis broker Catherine Kim.

The forecasts for Bermuda-headquartered Hiscox Ltd's Syndicate 33 remained steady when the firm reported last week.

Marsh UK has appointed Artur Niemczewski as chief executive of its Multinational arm, which comprises its large account practices and specialty businesses.

UK broking consolidator, Towergate Partnership agreed a £95mn cash offer for Yorkshire-based Broker Network Group last week.

Last week's Martinique earthquake looks set to trigger the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF).

Specialist broker THB Group plc has entered into talks with PWS Holdings over the acquisition of PWS' Lloyd’s broking business and overseas interests.

Groupama SA is expected to complete its first insurance linked securities transaction shortly, with its proposed securitisation of EUR200mn of French windstorm risk.

Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC) should spin-off its Kroll consulting unit as well as the group's Mercer human resources business, according to a Canadian investment firm.