January 2008/1

The new reinsurance rules introduced in Brazil, which have encouraged Lloyd's to plan an admitted carrier, should boost the region's growth, according to Fitch Ratings.

Another equity analyst increased the pressure on reinsurance intermediary Benfield Group's share price by lowering its forecasts and reiterating a SELL recommendation on the company’s stock last week.

Insurance specialists Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP (EAPD) and London-based Kendall Freeman have completed their merger.

Swiss-headquartered reinsurer Glacier Re is poised to launch a London underwriting platform later this year to write insurance business, Insider Week can reveal.

The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) has once again returned to the capital markets with a $496mn continuation of the Redwood series of cat bonds.

The continuing trend for softening rates in the reinsurance market during the 1 January renewals was underpinned by the lack of catastrophe losses last year, according to reinsurance brokers Guy Carpenter & Co and Willis Re.

Commercial insurance underwriting agency APC Underwriting has signed a "unique" contract within Lloyd's, which combines property, combined liability, professional indemnity, directors' & offices' (D&O) and legal expenses.

The criminal trial of four former General Re executives and an ex-American International Group (AIG) employee is set to start today (7 January) in a Connecticut court.

Recently listed UK run-off firm Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings (R&Q) has appointed ex-Wellington executive John O'Neill as chief operating officer of its UK Insurance Services Division.

Insurance-linked securities pioneer Swiss Re has announced the final pricing of EURIBOR plus 360 basis points on its EUR200mn French windstorm cat bond, issued on behalf of French mutual Groupama SA.

Island Heritage Holdings Ltd, the Cayman Islands-based insurer that is controlled by Flagstone Re has appointed Garth Macdonald as CEO.

US financial services firm State Street Corp's decision to establish a $618mn fund to cover sub-prime related lawsuits has set alarm bells ringing among directors' and officers' (D&O) insurers offering defence costs coverage.

Renewable energy insurer GCube Underwriting Ltd (GCUL) and GCube Underwriting Services Inc (GCUS) has opened for business today (7 January) offering up to $600mn cover per project, for onshore and offshore...

Fast growing QBE is to expand its US presence after signing an agreement to acquire North Pointe Holdings Corporation for $146mn.

The new version of the German Insurance Contract Law came into force on 1 January 2008 placing more emphasis on consumer rights and information.

Marsh Inc made its second management reshuffle in a matter of months last week as new CEO Dan Glaser stamped his authority on the ailing broking giant with an organisational restructure to "improve efficiencies".

Bermudian insurer Ironshore Inc has continued to grow its US platform with the acquisition of an excess and surplus lines shell from TIG Insurance Company, a Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd subsidiary in run-off.

A duo of proposed special purpose syndicates (SPS) to provide quota share reinsurance to Ark Syndicate 4020 and Hiscox Syndicate 33 respectively have gone live for the 2008 year, Insider Week can reveal.

US broker Arthur J Gallagher & Co has acquired AVRECO, a managing general agent and wholesale insurance broker based in Chicago from The Park Group.

One of Converium Holding AG's key business partners when it attempted to fend off SCOR SE's early advances in what became a successful takeover has shaken hands with the French reinsurer over a 10-year agreement.

US insurer HCC Insurance Holdings Inc has confirmed the launch of a new wholly aligned Lloyd's syndicate to write business on behalf of its latest acquisition, Indiana-based MultiNational Underwriters (MNU).

US insurer Chubb Corp has confirmed it will redomicile its European holding company from Brussels to London, as revealed by The Insurance Insider last year.