Economy News

Insurance Mergers Complicated by Economy, Low Valuations, Hidden Risks

With organic growth difficult in the current economy and soft market, there could be an increase in insurance industry merger and acquisition activity over the next 12 to 18 months, according to mergers and acquisitions experts. But the experts at …

Moody’s Rates P/C Personal Lines Industry Financially Sound, Highly Competitive

The U.S. property/casualty personal lines insurance industry remains financially sound despite the weak economy and prolonged soft, though improving, pricing environment, Moody’s Investors Service says in its new Industry Scorecard report. “While some companies reported marginal or even negative premium …

Fight the Gloom and Doom

The recovery will not be led by those who are ruled by gloom and the fear of doom. It’s a cat-chasing-its-tail scenario. Or maybe a Catch-22. Chicken-and-egg? Whatever it is, it’s a mess. The scenario is this: The economy takes …

Business Moves

AIM, Quincy Mutual A.I.M. Mutual Insurance Cos. and Quincy Mutual Group will join forces to create the Commercial Solutions Underwriting Alliance, a business arrangement designed to meet the commercial lines product needs of small to medium-sized employers in Massachusetts A.I.M. …

Fireman’s Fund Ready to Rally

Company Progressing on Mass Market Strategy Fireman’s Fund’s financials, like other insurance carriers’, got bruised a little in the first half of 2010, following some heavy catastrophe losses. But company President and CEO Mike LaRocco said he’s “very bullish” about …

Fight the Gloom and Doom

It’s a cat chasing-its-tail scenario. Or maybe a Catch-22. Chicken-and-egg? Whatever it is, it’s a mess. The scenario is this: The economy takes a nose dive, so the government lowers interest rates to nearly zero to jump-start the economy. Large …

Berkley: Economic Recovery Depends on Country’s State of Mind

Economic recovery in the United States is now very dependent on the state of mind of the American public and its business leaders, according to William R. Berkley, founder, chairman and CEO of W.R. Berkley Corp. “No one in Washington …

Lloyd’s New Director of North America, McGovern, Navigates Turbulent Waters

Addressing Changes in EU and U.S. Regulations; North American Lloyd’s Reorganization Sean McGovern, Lloyd’s general counsel and, since February 2010, the director of Lloyd’s North America, may still have time to pursue his favorite pastime – sailing – but he …

Why Cash Flow Outweighs Profits in a Tough Economy

Simple Steps to Improve Agency Cash Flow Cash flow today is probably more critical to small businesses than anytime in 20 or maybe even 40 years. This is especially true for agencies. I have seen many articles written about agencies …

Guess Who’s Coming to Washington?

It’s a long way from Main Street America to Capitol Hill, a distance most small business owners prefer not to travel. But greater numbers of business owners than ever before will be packing up and moving to Washington, D.C., next …