With IPC Holdings shareholders preparing to vote Friday on a merger with Max Capital, rival bidder Validus Holdings yesterday increased its offer again.

Rating analysts at Standard & Poor's are starting to get concerned about loss reserving activities of commercial insurers, and insurance executives are eyeing the same troubling actions, said speakers at a conference.

A global survey of 111 financial institutions including insurers has found only 36 percent have an enterprise risk management (ERM) program, the Deloitte consulting firm said.

Bermuda Based RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., announced today it has agreed to acquire Spectrum Partners, Ltd., in a stock deal worth approximately $709 million at current prices.

A bankrupt building supplies manufacturer owes New York $1.5 million for asbestos damage to city schools, an arbitration panel has ruled, the New York law department said.

The House plans to speed up consideration of a measure to reform regulation of surplus lines insurance and reinsurance, insurance lobbyists say.

Dennis M. Donahue, managing director and national practice leader for employee benefits for Wells Fargo Insurance Services, has been named the new chairman of The Council of Employee Benefits Executives.

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc. announced today it has been recertified as an effective employer for attracting, developing and keeping the best staff by Employer of Choice, Inc. consulting firm.