On 24 October 2007, Michael Bright, the former chief executive of Independent Insurance Company, was convicted by jury trial of two charges of conspiracy to defraud. Former deputy managing director, Philip Condon, was found guilty on one count of fraud but was cleared on another, while the ex-finance director, Dennis Lomas, was found guilty of two fraud offences. 


Read More A Former Independent Insurance Director is Ordered to Pay £1.28 Million or Face Further Imprisonment

In the Biennial report of the Texas Department of Insurance (the “TDI”) to the 81st Texas Legislature, a recommendation was submitted to create an unauthorized insurance guaranty fund. 
Read More Texas Department of Insurance Recommends Unauthorized Insurance Guaranty Fund

Despite its settlement with regulators, two new Auction Rate Securities (“ARS”) suits have recently been filed against Merrill Lynch.  Unlike the suit against UBS filed last November by investors alleging the regulatory settlements would not provide them with suitable relief  (see here), these suits are brought by investors who do not qualify for payments from the regulatory settlements. 


Read More Merrill Lynch Auction Rate Securities Suits Continue Despite Regulatory Settlements

Following on from its statements of 30 September 2008 and 20 January 2009 (see our previous blog on this statement here) suggesting firms may wish to stop selling single premium PPI, the FSA has sent a letter to CEO’s requesting that if they have not already done so, to stop selling single PPI with unsecured personal loans as soon as possible and in any event no later than 29 May 2009.


Read More UK: Regulation – Financial Services Authority Letter to CEOs Re Single Premium Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) with Unsecured Personal Loans

The global financial crisis has taken its toll on Brazil’s insurance industry, according to Susep, the country’s insurance regulator.  Susep projected in November 2008 that premium growth in Brazil would reach 16.2% in 2009. 


Read More Brazil: Susep Further Decreases 2009 Premium Growth Prediction

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has published a report warning that customers are likely to face higher premiums and less choice if insurers are restricted from using age to help assess risk under proposed legislation. 
Read More UK: Association of British Insurers Argues Against Age Restriction in Equality Bill