Yesterday, Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. and Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, AG announced a $3.2 billion merger deal that executives say will create a global specialty insurer and reinsurer operating in 18 countries on six continents.

The ERM “rock-lifting” process can be daunting, especially when risk-related issues are being examined for the first time. Here are some problem-solving techniques, or “heavy lifting tools,” that can be helpful.

Recent news that U.S. commercial property and casualty rates fell 4 percent in May is a “significant credit negative” for the sector, according to Moody’s, and the issue will likely continue to plague casualty lines through the medium term.