May 2008/3

Munich Re Capital Markets placed "just under 40 percent" of the $300mn Muteki cat bond, revealed by our sister publication Trading Risk last week, with investors in the European Union and Switzerland.

Amlin's head of underwriting Tony Holt has sold £5.77mn worth of company shares - the vast majority of his holding - in a move that may further fuel speculation over his future at the Lloyd's insurer.

The proposed sale of Heath Lambert's wholesale operations to Cooper Gay is coming under further pressure as executive opposition to the deal increases at the broker, The Insurance Insider can reveal.

ACE Group has expanded its presence in the Middle East with the launch of two new subsidiaries.

Florida insurance commissioner Kevin McCarty has stayed an order suspending Allstate's ability to sell new business in the state, according to reports.

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd has announced a $300mn share buyback, which will include a deal to repurchase around 4.1 million shares from one of its founding private equity backers, Candover Partners Ltd.

Brit Insurance Holdings Plc said sub-prime related claims are developing in line with expectations in its interim management statement to investors.

Amlin became the latest Lloyd's insurer to confirm that its premium income is falling amid the softening market conditions.

The two broking firms involved in a David and Goliath-style legal tussle over alleged aviation staff poaching and use of confidential information appeared in court last week.

The global (re)insurance industry is likely to emerge relatively unscathed from the Chinese earthquake in Sichuan province, despite economic losses estimated at between $10bn and $20bn.

Towergate Partnership has revealed 2007 group profit of £166mn on the basis of earnings before investment, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), which includes income from Payment Shield, Open GI, and The Broker Network.

Private equity firms may team up with potential trade buyers to bid for Royal Bank of Scotland’s insurance division (RBSI) at a later stage in the bid process after being blocked from entering the first round of bidding.