Reinsurers earnings rebounded during the first half of 2012, a function of relatively low catastrophe losses so far this year and higher rates in the aftermath of the colossal natural-catastrophe losses that pounded the insurance industry in 2011, according to John Welch, president of XL Re America Inc.

Although his concerns are not largely related to insurance issues, NU thought it would be interesting to take a look at the issues Ash Gupta wrestles with as the top risk-management executive at one of the worlds best-known financial-services firms.

Schools struggle to overcome budget shortfalls by slicing and dicing their insurance needs.