The current global financial crisis continues to impactinsurers. With the economy at low ebb, industry professionals donot foresee noticeable improvements in business performance in theimminent future. They have, however, cultivated a positive outlookfor next year, according to Celent, a Boston-based financialresearch and consulting firm.

Celent recently surveyed insurers and vendors to gatherperspectives about the ramifications of the credit crunch,releasing its findings in the report, "Handling the Crisis: Updateon Q1 Insurance Industry Expectations and Strategies."

According to the firm, insurers are "pessimistic about theoutlook for the broader economy, but remain bullish on their owncompanies' strategies." Sixty percent of the insurer surveyrespondents expect their companies to be doing considerably betteror somewhat better 12 months from now. In addition, respondents asa group are confident that they are employing the appropriateproactive approaches to succeed in both the short and longterms.