United States of America (USA)
Towers Watson hires consultant
US financial services company Towers Watson has named Ashley Mims, senior consultant in its reinsurance brokerage business.
Marsh and Guy Carpenter earnings up
Rising revenues at (re)insurance brokers Marsh and Guy Carpenter reported increased fourth quarter revenues - although owner company MMC reported more mixed results.
Max Capital to increase share buyback
Max Capital,the Bermudian (re)insurer, has increased its share buyback by $100m, the company said.
Armour Re adds former Pro Solutions senior executive
Bermudian specialty reinsurer Armour Re has said that it has hired Katherine Barker as president of its US subsidiary, Armour Risk Management.
US wants UN sanctions resolution on Iran within weeks, including reinsurance
The United States wants the UN Security Council to approve a resolution within weeks, laying the ground for new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, including a ban on (re)insurance.
WR Berkley latest insurer to show earnings jump
WR Berkley has become the latest US insurer to show a jump in earnings with full-year earnings rising to $309m.
The Hartford returns to profitability
The Hartford Financial Services Group, the US insurance group, has reported improvements in earnings.
US insurer CNA's results improve
CNA Financial Corporation, the US insurance giant, said that fourth quarter net income rose to $246m, up from a loss of $336m in the fourth quarter of last year.
Berkshire Hathaway loses 'AAA' rating
Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's giant investment vehicle, has had its 'AAA' rating removed by Standard & Poors.
Aviva improves quarterly life and pensions sales
Insurer Aviva has announced life and pension sales of almost £8bn for the fourth quarter 2009 – a 21% increase on the figures for Q3 2009.
Willis cut 450 positions in 2009
Willis cut 450 positions in 2009, the company's 2009 results revealed.
Blog-re: Just a normal Wednesday
Some of this month's blog-re entries
EMC ups guidance
EMC, the US property/casualty insurer, said it is upping its operating earnings guidance for 2009.
Senior trade credit broker defects to Aon Benfield
Political risk and trade credit broker Steve Hart has moved from Willis to Aon Benfield, Reinsurance has learned.
Ace reports strong profits increase
Ace, the Switzerland-based (re)insurer, said that fourth quarter and yearly pretax profits grew.
MMC makes another US purchase
Marsh's US mid-market subsidiary Marsh & McLennan Agency said it has bought US broker Haake Companies for an undisclosed sum.
RGA profits improve
Reinsurance Group of America, the US life reinsurer, reported a substantial improvement in fourth quarter and yearly profits.
US projected to fall to $1.56trn deficit
The United States will project on Monday that it is budgeting for a $1.56trn deficit for 2011, reports have said.
Torus appoints group CRO
Torus has appointed Carl Groth as group CRO.Based in New Jersey and reporting to chief executive Clive Tobin, Mr Groth will drive the development of a comprehensive and integrated enterprise risk management programme for the group worldwide.
Chubb makes healthy profits for fourth quarter and 2009
Chubb reported net income increases in the fourth quarter and year in general.
Zurich gains senior AIG underwriter
Greg Cropp, energy excess casualty writer at AIG, has moved to Zurich North America, where he will be the vice president of energy excess casualty.
Swiss Re fined by Swiss stock exchange
The Sanction Commission of the SIX Swiss Exchange has imposed a CHF 50,000 fine on Swiss Re.
Overture sets up new life reinsurer
Overture Acquisition has applied to set up Overture Re in Bermuda.
Aegon and Sony Life form new Bermudian reinsurer
Sony Life Insurance has announced that that it has formed a reinsurance joint venture with Dutch insurer Aegon in Bermuda.