E&S/Specialty

Disappointing returns on equity in the coming year may lead the property and casualty insurance industry to a quicker return to stiffer pricing, according to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analysts.

A change in statutory accounting rules by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners could help insurers' financial flexibility, but it will not impact their ratings, said an analyst with Moody's Investors Service.

Will insurers ever be able to project the positive image it has of itself to the public at large, wondered NU Associate Editor Mark Ruquet after attending an industry love fest honoring Joe Plumeri of Willis.

Under a new Treasury ruling, American International Group's highest paid executives have a cash salary limit of $500,000.

The House passed the wide-ranging Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, drawing an immediate and generally favorable reaction from one insurance trade group and a lukewarm response from another.

Reinsurance and surplus lines purchases would be governed by the tax policies, licensing and other requirements of the buyer's home state under legislation approved for House floor action.