United States News

U.S. Says ‘End is in Sight” on Russia’s Bid to Join the WTO

Russia could join the World Trade Organization within a year after talks on Moscow’s 17-year-old bid made good progress, President Barack Obama’s senior economic adviser said on Wednesday. “We are certainly hopeful that well before 12 months from now, this …

New York Man Sues Bumble Bee Tuna Alleging Mercury Poisoning

A suburban New York City man has filed a lawsuit that claims he got mercury poisoning from eating 10 cans of tuna a week. Lee Porrazzo, of White Plains, filed the suit against Bumble Bee Foods. He’s asking for unspecified …

Marsh U.S. Consumer Names Shiomos Senior VP of HSA Services

Marsh U.S. Consumer, based in Urbandale, Iowa, has appointed Mike Shiomos senior vice president. Shiomos will lead the marketing of Marsh HSA Services, which provides health savings account (HSA) solutions for employers. Shiomos brings more than 20 years of healthcare …

BP Links Bonus Pay to Safety, Risk Management

BP Chief Executive Bob Dudley has stepped up his battle to rebuild the troubled oil giant’s reputation, declaring safety is so core to the group that it would be the sole measure for staff bonuses in the last quarter of …

Private Insurers Eligible for Small Business Export-Credit Reinsurance

Private sector insurers that provide short-term export-credit insurance covering foreign receivables to U.S. exporters are now eligible for reinsurance from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank). Atradius Trade Credit Insurance Inc. is the first insurer to sign …

Best Affirms HCC and Most Subs ‘A+’ Ratings; ACIC, USSC Upgraded

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa-“of Houston Casualty Group (HCC), its property/casualty members and HCC Life Insurance Company. Best also upgraded the FSRs to ‘A+’ (Superior) …

Fund Orders for AIA IPO to Close Early on Strong Demand

American International Group Inc is set to close the institutional book for the $15 billion AIA Group IPO two days ahead of plan, amid signs the IPO has been swamped by orders from traditional funds and high-profile Chinese investors. A …

Some Rezoned Flood Insurance Policyholders Get Price Break

The nation’s flood insurance program is extending the availability of lower cost policies for some property owners who have been recently remapped into higher-priced areas. Since 2008, many homes and businesses in the United States have been rezoned on Federal …

A New Way to Reach Consumers

Fiesta Auto Insurance Combines Insurance and Tax Preparation Services Under One Roof Modeling an insurance agency business after a sandwich shop might sound like an unusual goal, but that’s what John Rost, founder, president of CEO of Fiesta Auto Insurance …

Business Moves

Western National, Arizona Auto, Legacy Western National Insurance Group (WNIG) of Edina, Minn., signed an agreement for the purchase of 100 percent of the stock of Arizona Auto Insurance Co. and Legacy Insurance Services, both headquartered in Phoenix. The purchase …