Grafton, Ill., (pop. 700) has managed to mash up the unlikely elements of an invasive fish species and the wealth of foreign investors into what could be some sweet lemonade.

Swaps definitions adopted by federal regulators Tuesday exempt the insurance industry from a new regulatory regime for the complex derivatives outlined in the Dodd-Frank financial services reform law.

New York States hearings last month on force-placed insurance appear to be just the beginning of an effort to reform industry practices around the coverage nationwide.

The downward trend in property and casualty insurer employment that began in 2008 may finally be reversing, says Insurance Information Institute President Robert Hartwig, as May 2012 becomes the third straight month with positive employment figures for carriers.