A tax break provided to American International Group came under heavy fire today from four members of the former oversight panel created to monitor the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

Commercial lines insurance rates rose 3 percent in the 2011 fourth quarter, according to a Towers Watson survey, providing further evidence that the years of soft-market momentum may be reversing course.

A.M. Best issued downgrades for three insurers last week, citing catastrophe losses as an impediment to profitability.

One old-time financing method could give budget-squeezed governmental agencies needed capital flexibility to immediately pay for infrastructure repairsbut the surety industry, contractors and lenders would have to modify their business models first.