Markets

Workplace discrimination claims are at an all-time high, and small-business owners feel vulnerable.

In fiscal year 2009, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received over 90,000 new private sector charges of discrimination for the second straight year, the agency reported.

With Richmond, Va., continually growing as an excess and surplus lines insurance hub, the newest E&S carrier to set up shop there will distinguish itself with a "contrarian underwriting strategy," the company's chief executive says.

The May 1 deadline for insurers to complete a climate risk disclosure survey may now have to be delayed to June or July, a key regulator said.

Markel Corp. announced that it has promoted Timberlee Tamraz Grove to chief operating officer of Markel Specialty.

Insurers have secured key changes in financial services reform legislation easing a proposed financial requirement for large firms and eliminating tighter regulation of financial product sales.

Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Limited announced its board of directors is recommending a plan to change the company's place of incorporation from Bermuda to Luxembourg.

Insurers with assets of more than $50 billion would not be subject to the pre-funding provisions of the resolution authority that would be created in Senate financial services reform legislation to deal with firms posing a systemic risk to the economy.