On March 3, 2010, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2009 (H.R. 2554 or “NARAB II”) on a voice vote.  We previously covered H.R. 2254’s introduction last May here.  NARAB II will now head to the Senate for consideration where similar legislation has not yet been voted on. 


Read More U.S. House of Representatives Passes NARAB II

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has recently published its second set of consumer complaints data relating to individual financial businesses (which includes insurance companies, banks and investment firms) for the six-month period from 1 July to 31 December 2009. 


Read More UK: Financial Ombudsman Service Publishes Second Set of Complaints Data

As previously reported here, the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Bill was introduced into Parliament in November 2009. It is designed, in particular, to remedy the shortcomings of current legislation in protecting the rights of third party claimants against insurers of the liabilities of insolvent defendants. 


Read More UK: Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Bill

The Bermuda Monetary Authority (the BMA) published a consultation paper on 5 February 2010 entitled “Consultation Paper on The Bermuda Monetary Authority’s Proposed Insurance Groups Regulatory Framework” (the Paper). The Paper outlines the BMA’s proposal for the implementation of a group-wide supervisory regime and outlines the conditions under which the BMA would seek to be considered the Group-Wide Supervisor. 


Read More Bermuda: The Bermuda Monetary Authority Proposes Introducing Group-Wide Supervision in Further Move Towards Solvency II Equivalence

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) issued a Dear CEO letter (the Letter) on 23 February 2010 stating that it was concerned that many insurance intermediaries could not demonstrate that they had adequate financial resources. 
Read More UK: Financial Services Authority Reminds Insurance Intermediaries of Financial Resources Requirements

As previously reported here, the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Bill was introduced into Parliament in November 2009. It is designed, in particular, to remedy the shortcomings of current legislation in protecting the rights of third party claimants against insurers of the liabilities of insolvent defendants. 


Read More UK: Third Party (Rights Against Insurers) Bill

At The Insider Scope 2010 seminar in London on 10 February 2010, Joe Plumeri, Chairman and Chief Executive of Willis – and “Number 1 Fan” of the insurance industry – put forward his outlook for the (re)insurance industry. During his speech, Mr Plumeri set out his “Top Ten Risks in 2010”. 


Read More Chairman and Chief Executive of Willis Sets Out (Re)Insurance Industry’s “Top 10 Risks in 2010”

The Department for Work and Pensions has published a consultation entitled, “Accessing Compensation: Supporting people who need to trace Employers’ Liability Insurance.” The consultation makes two key proposals. First, that an Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) be created; and, second, that an Employers’ Liability Insurance Bureau (ELIB) be created. 


Read More UK: Employers’ Liability Insurance Public Consultation Published