Economy News

Survey: Michigan Employers Shifting Healthcare Costs to Employees

A survey of mid-sized Southeast Michigan employers shows that health benefits are on par with national trends as traditionally rich benefit offerings go by the wayside, according to McGraw Wentworth, a Michigan-based employee group benefit brokerage/consulting firm. McGraw Wentworth’s 2010 …

Investors Still Hope for India Fiscal Reform after Mixed Year

To its admirers, India’s ruling coalition has had a good year — sound fiscal policy to stave off a ruinous global credit crisis, fast growth and some tentative steps toward reforms. Those are likely to be stressed by Prime Minister …

Concern over China’s Protectionism at 10 Year High Says U.S. Chamber

Concern among U.S. companies that China is backtracking on opening its economy are at a 10-year high, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said on Monday. Chamber President and Chief Executive Thomas Donohue said companies from the United …

Former PM to Head Ireland’s International Financial Services Center

Former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and European Union Ambassador to the United States, John Bruton, has agreed to accept a newly created position as the Chairman of the International Financial Services Center (IFSC Ireland). The association’s bulletin described the new role …

Willis’ Plumeri Urges UK Government to Spur Insurance Industry Growth

Joe Plumeri, Chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings, “told an audience of insurance executives that the new UK Government must address the struggling economy to spur growth in the British insurance industry, while calling on the EU to resolve …

Senate Approves Financial Reform Bill

The U.S. Senate approved a sweeping Wall Street reform bill Thursday night, capping months of wrangling over the biggest overhaul of financial regulation since the 1930s. By a vote of 59-39, the Senate approved S. 3217, the “Restoring America’s Financial …

Commercial Market to Remain Stable, Challenging for Risk Managers: Marsh

Despite the global economic crisis, the commercial insurance market is poised to remain stable through 2010, but new challenges are emerging for risk managers, according to a report issued by insurance broker Marsh. The financial crisis has brought risk management …

Lloyd’s CEO Calls for ‘Underwriting Discipline’ In Face of a ‘Tough Year’

Lloyd’s CEO Richard Ward issued a warning to insurance chiefs to prepare for a tough year ahead with the fall-out from large scale catastrophes, such as the Chilean earthquake and Transocean oil spill, likely to be felt for months to …

Volcker Says Europe Committed to Common Currency

Europe’s $1 trillion economic rescue signals a recognition of the threat to the euro currency and a commitment to defending it, former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker said Tuesday. Volcker, a special adviser to U.S. President Barack Obama, said in …

Airline Industry Group Blasts Europe’s Handling of Volcanic Ash

European aviation authorities urgently need to revise their airspace rules to minimize disruption from ash emitted by an Icelandic volcano, the airline industry body IATA said on Tuesday. The International Air Transport Association said the current system was leading to …