November 2006/1

American International Group (AIG), the world’s largest insurance company by value, was the latest firm to unveil strong third quarter results on the back of a benign 2006 claims environment.

Resurgent UK insurer Royal & Sun Alliance (R&SA) reported steady third quarter earnings with a group combined operating ratio of 93.1 percent and an operating result up 21 percent at £590mn (analysts’ consensus £592mn).

Zurich Financial Services (ZFS) has appointed the head of Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Insurance Annette Court to become the chief executive of its European General Insurance operations. Court, who will also become a member of the insurance giant's...

Bermudian-based energy mutual Oil Casualty Insurance Ltd (OCIL) was stripped of its key A- rating by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) earlier this week.

World Trade Center insurers won a ruling last Tuesday (31 October) that means they won’t have to pay out an additional $700mn to make the replacement buildings “bigger and better”.

UK regulator the Financial Services Authority (FSA) has begun to accept applications for sidecar-style insurance special purpose vehicles (ISPVs) from today (6 November), following approval of its proposals to make ISPVs more attractive.

Broking giant Aon Corp came in below analyst estimates last Thursday (2 November) with its third quarter results but five percent growth in its core broking business will be better received by shareholders. The Chicago-headquartered firm reported...

There were few surprises as Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc (MMC) released a steady set of third quarter last Wednesday (1 November), with consolidated revenues up four percent to $2.9bn on the prior-year period.

Liquidators for failed Australian insurance company HIH have been given the go-head to sue Lloyd’s Limit Syndicate 386 for Aus$54mn.

Alchemy Partners, the private equity firm founded by Jon Moulton, had thus far avoided the temptations of Lime Street but this all changed with its £113mn acquisition of short-tail specialist Cathedral Capital, last week.

Reinsurance broker Walsham Brothers and Co is expanding its business with a new international and special projects division.

Willis Group Holdings has expanded its energy division by raiding rival Marsh Inc to appoint two senior executives to its New York based team.