Former New York Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo, speaking at an industry conference, said he believes producers' acceptance of contingent commissions from insurers is "a clear conflict."

Producer group representatives said changes made to the proposed New York compensation regulation have improved the rule, but aspects of it could still burden their members.

Lockton insurance brokerage said it has formed an advisory board to keep clients up-to-date on the latest health care reform developments and the potential impact on them.

Eight years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 caused untold human tragedy and shocked the underwriting world, insurers are seeing a much calmer environment, an industry expert said.

A report issued recently by Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC, says that two economic problems -- inflation and the global credit crunch -- could put big-time pressure on the global casualty reinsurance industry, especially if a claim lag occurs.

President Obama finally flexed his political muscles in his speech to Congress and set the stage for passage of a health insurance reform bill this year, says NU Editor Sam Friedman in his blog at www.NUSamSoapBox.com.

Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Nonnie Burnes said she is resigning next week to become a senior university fellow at Northeastern University.

The world financial crisis makes use of enterprise risk management even more important to reinsurance companies' balance sheets, Marsh & McLennan's president and chief executive officer said here.