The Federal Emergency Management Agency must accelerate development of its plan to improve the nation's ability to respond to a national catastrophe, the Government Accountability Office said.

The German Bankers Association is calling on Congress to create an optional federal charter for insurers, saying federal regulation would promote "better regulation with no less scrutiny" than under the current system.

A Congressman critical of American International Group operations is demanding that any candidates for the chairman and chief executive post openings at the firm make detailed financial disclosures.

Legislation that would create an Office of Insurance Information within the Treasury Department has been reintroduced with little fanfare by Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa.

Legislation that would provide incentives for the adoption and enforcement of statewide building codes throughout the nation has been introduced in the House.

Allstate Corp. last week announced it would not participate in the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program, explaining that it already has adequate capital and cash on hand.

The Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that women who lost credit for employment during maternity leave before the law was changed cannot count their time off toward a pension.

American International Group's embattled chairman and chief executive officer, Edward M. Liddy, will step down as soon as replacements can be found, with the two leadership positions to be filled by separate individuals, the company announced last week.