March 2010/4

Chubb Group has had its financial strength rating (FSR) of A++ affirmed by AM Best.

Chubb has agreed to provide US insurer Starr International with workers' compensation coverage for its construction, energy and environmental customers.

Marsh & McLennan Agency (MMA) has bought US mid-tier independent broker Thomas Rutherfoord for an undisclosed sum, as it continues to build a nationwide business through acquisitions.

Moody's has taken Swiss Re off negative watch in response to the reinsurer's efforts to de-risk its legacy and investment portfolios.

Hartford Financial Services Group will buy back $3.4bn of its shares issued under the US government's bailout scheme, following a dramatic return to profit in 2009.

A June creditor meeting date has been fixed for the proposed Camomile solvent scheme, setting the pace for the run-off market just days after the UK High Court gave an all-clear to Minster.

Despite the devastating Equitas judgement last year, the UK quoted run-off investor and service provider Randall & Quilter (R&Q) now says it should break even following a "more favourable claims experience" in its insurance division.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has set out a demanding 2010 programme, requiring greater resources and an "inherently more confrontational and risky" approach.

The UK regulator Financial Services Authority (FSA) has called on the insurance industry to go back to basics and focus on turning an underwriting profit.

A surge in profits for Italian insurance giant Generali has been overshadowed by continuing speculation about the company's leadership, after 85 year-old chairman Antoine Bernheim confirmed last month that he would not seek another term.

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has acknowledged that there are "major unresolved issues" with Solvency II as it fights hard at the Europe-wide level to secure the best possible deal for UK-regulated firms.

The insurance industry has comfortably passed a three-pronged stress test imposed by the EU regulator amid building irritation over the heavier capital requirements that could be imposed under the forthcoming Solvency II regime.