Mutual Life Insurance, one of the largest insurers in Massachusetts, has announced that it will pay $1.33 billion in dividends to policyholders in 2012. The dividend is a long-standing tradition for the company, extending back to 1860 when it was first introduced. Last year, the company paid out more than $105 million. This year’s large sum is due to a number of factors, including growth in the life insurance market and less competition overall. The insurer will be doling out the money throughout 2012 to eligible policyholders. Customers that have…
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HSBC LAUNCHES RENMINBI FIXED INCOME FUND
PRESS RELEASE: HSBC Global Asset Management this week launches the HSBC GIF RMB Fixed Income fund. The fund enables UK and European investors to gain access to Renminbi investments. Forming part of HSBC Global Asset Management’s Luxembourg-based Global Investment Funds (GIF) SICAV, the new fund will be registered for sale across Europe. The fund is managed by HSBC Global Asset Management’s Asian fixed income team, based in Hong Kong and headed by Cecilia Chan who has managed Asian fixed income assets at HSBC for 17 years. This award-winning team manages…
Read MoreNegotiations between states and banks may end in immunity for banks – insurance industry levies concerns
The mortgage crisis of 2008 played a major role in the economic recession of the same year. The effects of the recession are still felt to this day, despite reports of a recovering economy. In the wake of the recession, states and some of the largest banks and financial institutions in the U.S. have been negotiating on how to address future mortgage abuses. Those negations are rapidly reaching a climax. Representatives from states and banks are set to reach a deal by the end of this month. The deal, which…
Read MoreChanges to annuity regulation spur more transparency in the insurance industry
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, a national standard-setting and regulatory support organization comprised of insurance regulators from across the country, have passed new amendments to the Annuity Disclosure Model Regulation. The regulation determined how insurers released information regarding annuity payments to consumers. Previously, such information was withheld as much as possible by insurers, but the new amendments require that this information be put into the limelight for all to see. Changes to the rule will also require insurers to detail the practices they use in determining annuities and how…
Read MoreHealth insurance price increases may slow next year, shrinking profits for smaller insurers
An analyst at Wedbush has released estimates that have shown that in 2012, there may be a slowing in the rising cost of health insurance, but that this may cause smaller insurers that concentrate on commercial coverage to achieve smaller profit margins. The Wedbush analyst, Sarah James, released a research note that showed that employer and insurer surveys have been indicating that price increases will be slower next year than they were in 2011, as a result of some of the health care reform elements having been implemented. Though this…
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