earnings News

Ratings Roundup: Ins. Corp. Barbados, Ansvar, National Grid

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a-” to Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited (ICBL) with stable outlooks. Best said the rating actions “reflect ICBL’s solid capitalization, leading market …

Obama to Seek Fees From Banks, AIG to Recoup Bailout Funds

President Barack Obama will propose a fee Thursday to recoup from the country’s top financial institutions up to $117 billion lost on a taxpayer bank bailout fund, a senior administration official said. Obama will announce the plan in a statement …

P/C Industry Must Strengthen Underwriting to Counter Weak Investments

The most recent reports of property/casualty insurers indicate a return to profits, thanks in large measure to a quiet hurricane season. But behind the rosy reports is a thorny problem — lower investment income. According to Dr. Robert Hartwig, president …

Ratings Recap: Berkshire H. (Notes), AXA US, Chartis PR, AGCS Marine

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its ‘AAA’ senior debt rating to Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.’s (BHFC) $1.0 billion senior notes. The notes will have various maturity dates. At the same time, S&P placed the ‘AAA’ rating on these …

From Zero to 200 in 5

The Rise of Kansas City-based Ascension Insurance Len Kline and his business partners, the private equity firms Parthenon Capital and Century Capital Management, had an ambitious goal when they created Kansas City, Mo.-based Ascension Insurance Inc. in late 2007. They …

From Zero to 200 in 5

The Rise of Kansas City-based Ascension Insurance Len Kline and his business partners, the private equity firms Parthenon Capital and Century Capital Management, had an ambitious goal when they created Kansas City, Mo.-based Ascension Insurance Inc. in late 2007. They …

Uneven Expectations

Economy to Recover in Some States Before Others The most recent reports of property/casualty insurers indicate a return to profits, thanks in large measure to a quiet hurricane season. But behind the rosy reports is a thorny problem — that …

ACE Gives Earnings Guidance for 2010

ACE Limited has announced the following earnings guidance for the ACE Group for the full year 2010: — Operating Income per Diluted Share is expected to range between $6.25 and $6.75. — Catastrophe Losses included in our estimated earnings are …

Best Assigns Ratings to National Contractors Insurance Company

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of ‘B+’ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb-” to National Contractors Insurance Company, Inc., RRG (NCIC), which is headquartered in Bigfork, Montana. The outlook for both ratings is stable. Best …

CNA Chief Motamed: What’s Ahead for CNA, Economy, Industry

After 30 years at Chubb Corp, Thomas Motamed joined Chicago-based commercial lines insurer CNA Financial in January 2009 as chairman and CEO. In this edited interview with Insurance Journal’s Andrew Simpson, Motamed talks about his goals and changes at CNA, …