May 2008/1

Benfield Group's efficiency drive has extended to the firm's prestigious pension scheme, with the company launching a consultation on reducing its contributions.

An approach from former European chairman of Marsh, McLennan Co's (MMC) security consulting arm, David Buchler to buy the firm for $1.5bn has been rebuffed.

GC Securities, Guy Carpenter & Co's specialist investment banking arm, is understood to be one of the areas affected by the firm’s widespread cost cutting with the expected closure of its newly formed M&A arm.

Giant Marsh & McLennan Companies, which was due to report as The Insurance Insider goes to press, has a tough act to follow with its two main broking rivals Aon Corp and Willis Group booking Q1 revenue growth despite...

New issuance of catastrophe bonds and sidecar capacity in 2008 will be less than the record levels in 2007, due to low cat losses and softening traditional markets, predicted ratings agency Standard & Poor's (S&P).

A mixed month for sidecars as Swiss Re renews while Dresdner Kleinwort withdraws

Naturally, RBS has indicated it would prefer to sell the insurance operations as a whole, but this could pose problems for potential buyers, not least the ability to raise sufficient funds and competition issues.

With Royal Bank of Scotland's advisers poised to issue sale particulars, there is a rush of interested parties. But who will win the £6bn+ race?

IAG looks increasingly vulnerable following earnings disappointment and with QBE's bid extended once more. Will anyone else join the hunt?

When IAG bought the Singapore-focussed, Lloyd's platform Alba from Whittington in 2006, The Insurance Insider observed what a tremendous deal it was for the outsourcing firm...

Although it didn't reveal further significant impact from its relationship with troubled affiliate SCA, XL Capital Ltd reported a 49 percent drop in net income for the first quarter 2008 on the prior-year period, to $276.9mn, as investment losses bit.

The double digit reserve releases reported by a number of Bermudian (re)insurer's in 2007 are unlikely to continue, according to a report by ratings agency AM Best.