November 2016/2

The jury is still out on AIG after a third quarter that included a setback in the underwriting performance of its core commercial insurance business, but progress on expense reductions, divestments and capital repatriation.

A raft of changes to UK corporate tax law next year are likely to cause substantial disruption to how insurers structure their financial reporting.

Next year the London market will be challenged to adopt many of the new technologies, platforms and working practices designed and built centrally by the London Market Group Target Operating Model (Tom) team.

Maloney backs Cathedral; Dual CEO to exit; Sompo Canopius UK motor; FCA backs blockchain innovation; Lloyd's India approval; FX gains boost Hiscox; Towergate buy-in; Spacecom $196mn payout; AmTrust completes ANV deal; R&Q Irish solicitors' fund; Berkshire underwriting profits fall…

The mass of binding authority business placed into the excess and surplus lines (E&S) market is being targeted by wholesale brokers for consolidation, according to senior industry sources.

Jamie Sahara's new venture is the latest in a number of fronting initiatives looking to launch as an alternative to established carriers such as State National.

Talbot Underwriting has launched a Lloyd's consortium for nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological (NBCR) risks up to $50mn as it looks to provide larger lines than those currently available.

After a string of worsening underwriting results AM Best has punished hedge fund reinsurer Greenlight Re by downgrading its financial strength rating from A to A- and its credit ranking from a to a-.

USAA's $400mn Residential Re 2016-II cat bond attracted strong investor interest as sources predicted a lacklustre deal volume in the fourth quarter.

It will be "business as usual" at Aeolus Capital Management following the sale agreement with hedge fund manager Elliott Management Corporation, the Bermudian ILS manager's founder Peter Appel told sister publication Trading Risk.

Markets have reacted negatively to UK-based broker JLT's interim results released today as the company's shares finished trading 4.0 percent down at 980.5p.

The aviation market could finally, mercifully be drawing towards the end of its soft cycle.