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In its report, “Forecast: Master Data Management, Worldwide, 2010-2015," the research and advisory firm predicts a 21 percent increase in MDM revenue from 2011. By 2015, MDM revenue is anticipated to swell another 40 percent to $3.2 billion. Regionally, the U.S. and Europe will lead the MDM market, though the fastest rate of MDM software revenue growth will be in Asia by 2013.

The always-on, always-up digital culture that has been so readily adopted by younger Americans is having an impact on direct mail, according Mintel Comperemedia, a firm that provides competitive intelligence services. The firm reports that direct mail volume to consumers from life, health and property/casualty insurers is down 11 percent in Q3 2011 compared to Q3 2010.

The next major development in IIABNY’s legal effort to overturn a New York regulation mandating producer compensation disclosure will occur Jan. 10, 2012, reports the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York.

While the Affordable Care Act remains a source of controversy one of its primary tenets, the creation of state-based health insurance exchanges enjoys considerable support, according to a new survey from the AARP.

A survey by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) finds health insurer Cigna’s health plans in healthy shape.

Financial consulting firm Deloitte has acquired mobile agency Übermind Inc., expanding Deloitte’s business, systems integration and enterprise technology capabilities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Conning, provider of asset management solutions, services and research to the insurance industry, made a one-year commitment to be as a strategic partner to the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI).

Frank Cowan Co. has selected the RC Inspection software solution from Risk Control Technologies Inc., a provider of loss-control software solutions for insurers, to streamline its loss-control operations. Frank Cowan will equip its team of risk-management inspectors with tablets complete with the RC Inspection application for loss-control management.

Securian Financial Group, a provider of insurance, debt protection, loan documents and marketing services, has purchased American Modern Life Insurance Co. (AMLIC) and its subsidiary, Southern Pioneer Life Insurance Co. (SPLIC), from American Modern Insurance Group.

Internal use and consumer outreach using social media will undoubtedly persist, but it may take marketers to push the format to flourishing heights.

The largest insurance company in the Czech Republic, Ceska pojistovna, is using IBM technology to help prevent IT issues and support core business functions, such as claims processing and customer management.

CIO stress, a Big Data mess and cloud trustworthiness: Five predictions for IT in 2012 and the years beyond.

Two groups focused on reigning in costs have established a primary care physician practice in North Carolina. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) and UNC Health Care announced Carolina Advanced Health to eligible BCBSNC customers last month.

A day after the Insurance Information Institute released figures declaring 2011 the costliest year for P&C insurers covering U.S. cat losses, Munich Re and I.I.I. announced global cat figures.

Allstate is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to claims service.

On Thursday, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. filed a lawsuit against J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and four other financial firms claiming that $200 million in residential mortgage-backed securities it purchased through the firms were now "junk."

Looking to round out its core system offerings, Cover-All Technologies Inc. has acquired BlueWave Technology for an undisclosed amount of cash.

Predicting the future can be a fool's game, but planning for it is an operational necessity for insurers.

Spurred by its $16.2 billion acquisition of American Life Insurance Co., MetLife Inc. moved into the top five while American International Group Inc. (AIG) slid from third to fifth in A.M. Best’s rankings of the top 25 global insurers based on nonbanking assets. UnitedHealth Group and WellPoint Inc., at third and eighth, respectively, were the only U.S.-based insurers to rank in the top ten based on net premiums written.

While expectations are not dwindling in the face of these challenges, respondents also complained that they are being given fewer resources to accomplish performance goals. According to a Towers Watson report, the bulk of 48 claims officers from small, medium and large insurers believe they have the authority to make a difference, but not necessarily "the range and depth of resources" to do so. To sidestep this detrimental trend, technology-in the form of electronic communications and processes-is being looked to as a bridge for the gap left by dwindling resources.