Monthly Archives: <span>March 2011</span>

MBIA Shareholder Lawsuit Revived by Federal Appeals Court

A federal appeals court on Monday gave new life to a shareholder lawsuit accusing MBIA Inc of securities fraud over a reinsurance transaction that caused the bond insurer to restate six years of results. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of …

President Obama Backs Flexibility for States on Healthcare Law

President Barack Obama extended an olive branch on Monday to U.S. states struggling to implement his healthcare law, offering support for a proposal that would give them some flexibility in carrying out its key parts. Obama’s signature healthcare reform plan …

Allstate Sues Another Lender, Credit Suisse, Over Mortgage Securities

Allstate Corp. on Monday sued Credit Suisse Group AG, accusing the Swiss bank of causing losses by hiding the risks on $232 million of mortgage securities it bought. Allstate, the largest publicly traded U.S. home and auto insurer, has filed …

New Product Safety Database Under Scrutiny

It’s something Nikki Johns wishes had been around before her infant son died in a drop-side crib: a centralized federal database of people’s safety complaints about thousands of products, from baby gear to household appliances and more. “If I had …

Ratings Recap: Eurasia, Energas, Compania Internacional

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bbb+” from “bbb” and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘B++’ (Good) of Kazakhstan’s Eurasia Insurance Company JSC, both with stable outlooks. Best said …

Chang Named Starr Casualty, Greater China Underwriting Manager

Hong Kong-based Starr International Company, Inc. has announced the appointment of Irene Chang as Underwriting Manager of Starr Casualty for Greater China. She will lead the effort in developing and promoting all Casualty products, including Financial Lines products. Chang will …

S&P: Capital Remains ‘Key Rating Consideration’ for Multiline Insurers

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said that in its opinion “global multiline insurers’ (GMIs) capital positions have recovered significantly since 2008.” In an article entitled “Capitalization Remains A Key Component Of Global Multiline Insurers’ Creditworthiness Amid Uncertain Market Conditions,” S&P …

Zurich Reduces New China Life Stake to 15%

The Zurich Financial Services Group announced that it has it reduced its 20 percent stake in New China Life Insurance Co., Ltd. to 15 percent. Zurich said it has “agreed to sell 5 percent to undisclosed buyers.” The sale is …

QBE Group Posts $1.278 Billion 2010 Net Profit; $1.168 Billion Underwriting

The Australia-based QBE Group reported net after tax profits of *$1.278 billion for 2010, a 17 percent decrease from the $1.532 billion reported for 2009. However, the decline was almost entirely due to a drop in investment income from $1.532 …

Validus Comments on NZ Quake Loss Estimates; Q1 Loss Activity

Bermuda-based Validus Holdings, Ltd. Has issued a comment on worldwide loss activity occurring in the first quarter of 2011, including the February 22 New Zealand earthquake. The 6.3 magnitude earthquake which struck the South Island of New Zealand near Christchurch …