United Kingdom News

Ratings Roundup: Harbor Point Re, Travelers (UK), Sovag

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has revised its outlook on Bermuda-based reinsurer Harbor Point Re Ltd. and its U.S.-based subsidiary Harbor Point Reinsurance U.S. Inc. to stable from negative. S&P also affirmed the ‘A-‘ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings …

Delaware Beats Switzerland As Most Secretive Financial Center

Move over Switzerland. The tiny U.S. state of Delaware beats the Alpine country in a contest for the most secretive financial jurisdiction, a tax justice rights group said. The United States, led by the eastern seaboard state, took in $2.6 …

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicate 33 ‘A’ Ratings (Hiscox)

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the Best’s Syndicate Rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 33, which is managed by Hiscox Syndicates Ltd (HSL). Best also affirmed the ICR of “bbb+” of Hiscox …

Endurance Reports $153.8 Million Q3 Net Income; Conference Call Today

Bermuda-based Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. reported net income of $153.8 million and $2.51 per diluted common share for the third quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $99.4 million and $1.79 per diluted common share in the third …

New York Signs Regulatory Agreement with El Salvador

The New York Insurance Department has signed a cooperation agreement with its counterpart in El Salvador, the latest in a string of similar agreements with insurance regulators in foreign countries. The agreement calls for increased cooperation on insurance-related issues between …

Aon’s Q3 Net up Slightly at $120 Million; Other Results Mixed

Aon Corp. reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, which show net income attributable to Aon stockholders was up slightly at $120 million or $0.41 per share, compared to $117 million or $0.40 per share for the …

It Figures

10 The number of states now reporting an international mail fraud scheme involving a bogus letter said to be from Nationwide Insurance. Residents in 10 states have received counterfeit checks bearing the Nationwide name. Each check has been issued in …

It Figures

10 The number of states now reporting an international mail fraud scheme involving a bogus letter said to be from Nationwide Insurance. Residents in 10 states have received counterfeit checks bearing the Nationwide name. Each check has been issued in …

Berkley Insurance (Europe) Names Esteban to Head Spanish Branch

W. R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited announced that it has named Javier Esteban Presidente Ejecutivo of its Sucursal en España branch located in Madrid, Spain. The appointment to this newly created position is effective immediately. Esteban has more than 40 …

Cat Bond Market Set for Active Fourth Quarter, Reports Guy Carpenter

The catastrophe bond market is poised for an active fourth quarter in 2009, according to a new report. The report by Guy Carpenter & Co., LLC, and GC Securities, a division of MMC Securities Corp. concludes that a number of …