Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
U.S. Summer Forecast: El Nino Adverse Weather May Return
Apr 5 2012 // The U.S. Climate Prediction Center raised the prospect that El Nino conditions could return after the Northern Hemisphere summer, causing adverse weather that could potentially disrupt the harvest of vital crops such as...
Climate Contrarian Case Wilts as More Studies Confirm Warming Trends
Apr 5 2012 // A clutch of recent studies reinforces evidence that people are causing climate change and suggests debate should now move on to a more precise understanding of its impact on humans. The reports, published in various...
Arkansas Revenues Up in March, Ahead of Forecast
Apr 4 2012 // Arkansas’ revenues in March were ahead of last year and beat official projections, as the state saw increases in nearly all major tax collections, the state’s finance office said on April 3. The Arkansas...
PwC, CBI Survey Finds, Growth ‘Modest Optimism’ in UK Financial Services
Apr 2 2012 // A new survey, released by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) highlights an “unexpected rise in employment,” as well as growth and “modest optimism” in...
Demand for Kidnap & Ransom Insurance on the Rise in Latin America
Apr 2 2012 // Schools, Entertainers and Non-Governmental Organizations Need Specialized Protection Keeping people safe while they’re living, working or studying anywhere in the world means knowing the specific risks they face in...
Securities Fraud Settlements in 2011 Were Lowest in Decade
Apr 2 2012 // Angry investors are seeing far fewer financial benefits from lawsuits accusing corporate America of securities fraud, but may be on the cusp of a turnaround. The number and size of securities fraud settlements that won...
Insurance Claims Firm Cunningham Lindsey Put Up for Sale
Mar 29 2012 // Cunningham Lindsey, an insurance claims management company controlled by buyout firm Stone Point Capital LLC, is up for sale and could fetch more than $1 billion, sources familiar with the situation said. Bank of America...
Liberty Mutual Acquires KIT Finance, Enters Russian Auto Insurance Market
Mar 29 2012 // Liberty Mutual, one of the largest insurance companies in the world, said it would enter the Russian market with a deal to acquire KIT Finance Insurance, which primarily writes auto coverage in St. Petersburg and...
Young Agents: What Are YOU Thinking? Exclusive Survey
Mar 28 2012 // Young property/casualty insurance agents and brokers across the U.S. are being called upon to answer some questions … and have some fun. Gen X, Gen Y agents: who are you? What do you really think about your career? About...
Virginia Insurance Fraud Arrests Going Up
Mar 28 2012 // The Virginia State Police insurance fraud program just released their 2011 annual report, which shows the number of arrests for insurance fraud and other related crimes, such as arson and forgery, is continuing to increase...
Best Affirms Platinum Underwriters ‘A’ Ratings; Outlook Stable
Mar 28 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Platinum Underwriters Bermuda, Ltd. and its strategic affiliate, Baltimore-based...
Best Affirms AGA International (Ex-Mondial Assistance) Ratings; Outlook Stable
Mar 27 2012 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a+” of France’s AGA International SA (AGAI SA) –...
North Carolina Officials: Increased Fire Insurance Premiums Due to GPS
Mar 23 2012 // Some North Carolina homeowners are seeing premium increases this year due to a fire rating change. And North Carolina officials say those increases in insurance premiums stem from the use of technology by insurers and not...
U.S. Intelligence Report Sees Global Water Conflict Risks Rising
Mar 23 2012 // Fresh water supplies are unlikely to keep up with global demand by 2040, increasing political instability, hobbling economic growth and endangering world food markets, according to a U.S. intelligence assessment released...
ING Puts $775 Million Thailand Bank Stake up for Sale – Sources
Mar 23 2012 // ING Groep NV has put its roughly $775 million stake in Thailand’s TMB Bank Pcl on the block as the bailed-out Dutch financial services group pushes ahead with Asian divestments, sources familiar with the matter told...
Goldman Sachs Eyes Financial Guarantee Insurance Market: Report
Mar 21 2012 // Famed investment banking and securities firm Goldman Sachs is planning to get into the financial guarantee insurance market, according to a media report. Financial Times reported this week that Goldman Sachs had placed ads...
A.M. Best: Outlook Negative for Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance Co.
Mar 21 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb-” of Missouri Valley Mutual Insurance Co. (MVM) in Burke,...
Celent Survey Forecasts Insurers to Spend $140.6 Billion on Technology in 2012
Mar 21 2012 // Global information technology spending by insurance companies is expected to reach $140.6 billion in 2012, an increase of 6.3 percent over 2011, according to a new report from Celent, part of the Oliver Wyman (MMC) group....
Cost Containment Tops Employer Concerns on Workers’ Comp: Survey
Mar 19 2012 // Controlling workers’ compensation costs is a top priority for employers. During the next 12 months, employers say cost containment is their number one workers’ compensation insurance concern, a new study shows....
Commercial Lines Prices Up for 4th Straight Quarter: Survey
Mar 19 2012 // Commercial insurance prices increased an aggregate 3 percent during the fourth quarter of 2011, the fourth consecutive quarter during which prices for all standard commercial lines rose. Additionally, earned price...
