Mutual insurance companies are well placed to continue market share growth in the wake of the credit crisis, but they also face a vast range of challenges, a research paper from A.M. Best Co. reveals.

San Diego-based insurance broker Barney & Barney LLC, a past recipient of National Underwriter's Agency of the Year award, concluded its summer-long centennial anniversary celebration by awarding a quarter-million dollars to charitable institutions.

The National African-American Insurance Association said its 2009 National Conference, Oct. 22-23 in Chicago, is themed "New Beginnings: The Challenges and Opportunities of Change."

Reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC, said it has entered into an agreement to purchase London-based specialty reinsurance broker Rattner Mackenzie Ltd. from HCC Insurance Holdings Inc.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department on Friday said it is seeking a court order to place Penn Treaty Network America Insurance Company into liquidation.

The chairman of a key House Financial Services panel last night unveiled draft legislation creating a federal insurance regulatory office that tracks with minor omissions legislation submitted to Congress by the Obama administration.

In a speech today, NU Editor Sam Friedman continued his mini-crusade to convince insurance leaders that their industry's image problem is a risk that can and should be proactively managed. See Sam's blog at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.

Although P&C insurer net income fell 59.3 percent in the first half, reflecting weakness in the economy and plummeting investment gains, industry leaders saw positive signs in terms of lower underwriting losses and rising policyholders' surplus.