Creation of an optional federal charter for insurers will be on Congress' 2011 agenda because it has strong bipartisan support, Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has told state insurance legislators.

The Atlantic storm Colin has re-intensified into a tropical storm and is expected to pass either near or over Bermuda during the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A major independent agent leader threw down the gauntlet, challenging contingent fee opponent Willis to benchmark their brokers' upfront commissions against industry averages when delivering policies to clients.