E&S/Specialty

SNL Financial LC and Summit Business Media announced SNLs acquisition of Highline Data, Summits insurance information services unit bolstering SNLs position as the leading U.S. insurance financial information provider across the property and casualty, health and life insurance sectors.

A declining exposure base and a high level of competition conspired to cause a fourth year of declining written premiums in 2010 for the surplus-lines industry, according to an A.M. Best Special Report.

Business has picked up in the bidding for Transatlantic Holdings since the New York-based reinsurer and Allied World Assurance called off their proposed merger, as Transatlantic says it has entered into two confidentiality agreements: one with Validus Holdings and one with an undisclosed third party.

Ryan Specialty Group, LLC says it has completed its acquisition of specialist Lloyds insurer Jubilee Group Holdings Limited.

Insurance chief financial officers say current market conditions will result in increased mergers and acquisitions, according to data from a Towers Watson survey.

Insurance chief financial officers say current market conditions will result in increased mergers and acquisitions, according to data from a Towers Watson survey.