Agency Management

Daytona Beach, Fla.-based insurance broker Brown & Brown reported a slight increase in net income for the second quarter of this year, but the economic downturn continues to produce strains on the firm's organic growth.

Kansas City, Mo.-based insurance broker Lockton said it has taken a key shareholding interest in Perth, Australia-based insurance broker Australian Reliance.

Aon Corp. announced that it will pay a quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share on outstanding common stock on Aug. 17 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 3.

It was impressive to see over 1,000 agents march on Capitol Hill so Congress doesn't take them for granted on health reform, but they have a steep climb to head off a public insurance plan, warns NU Editor Sam Friedman in his blog at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.

More than 1,000 agents converged on Capitol Hill last week to make clear to their representatives in Congress the vital part they play in helping consumers make wise health insurance choices.

In addition to the near-bankruptcy of American International Group, 2008 will stand out as a year when turmoil in global financial markets cut the property and casualty insurance industry's investment gains in half.