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Warren, N.J. - To address the complex and unique risks that information and network technology companies face serving the federal government, the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, Warren, N.J. , assembled a group of underwriters, loss control engineers and claim specialists to offer specialized products and services for federal contractors in close collaboration with outside legal counsel.

Chicago — Risk management provider Aon Corp. and Arup, a London-based global multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm, today announced a strategic alliance that brings to the marketplace an unprecedented pre- and post-loss consulting service that offers clients an independent, global catastrophic risk management solution.

Minneapolis - The Allianz Income Management Services division of Allianz Life Insurance Co. released its "PONG" annuity product, the Minneapolis-based insurer announced. PONG, broken down liberally, spells "P" - paychecks forever (lifetime income annuity payments), "O" - opportunity for a pay raise each and every year (payouts indexed to the S&P 500), "N" - never less income than what you start with, and "G" - guaranteed return of remaining premium to the beneficiary upon death, plus a 10% bonus (if taken as income). The PONG analogy, quite naturally, comes from the early and first real video game that helped spawn a revolution.It was quite simple and direct, much like the AIMS product, claims the company, which really goes under the name of Command Provider.

San Antonio, Texas - Wi-Fi is now being offered to BlackBerry customers. AT&T Inc., San Antonio, Texas and Research In Motion Ltd., Waterloo, Ontario have announced that the first cellular and Wi-Fi BlackBerry handset-the BlackBerry 8820-is available for purchase.

Eatontown, N.J. - Quaker Special Risk, Eatontown, N.J. , launched a new homeowners policy coverage enhancement.The "Protecting Your Family" option provides medical expense, miscellaneous expense and reward payment reimbursement related to incidents of home invasion, stalking or car jacking. The coverage is exclusively available to new and current customers of Quaker Special Risk's High Valued Homeowners Program.

Santa Ana, Calif. — First American Title Insurance Co. announced that Kenneth Manqueros has been named president of the company's National Agency Services division. In his new role, Manqueros will plan and execute the division's strategies, as well as coordinate the activities of the regional offices that service the company's agents nationwide.

Bermuda — Argo Group International Holdings Ltd., an international underwriter of specialty insurance and reinsurance products in niche areas of the property/casualty market, announced that Chief Financial Officer Robert Myron has decided to leave the company to pursue another business opportunity.

Houston — CAIC Holding Co. Inc., Houston, Texas, announced that they have begun offering surety coverage through their wholly owned subsidiary Commercial Alliance Insurance Co. (CAIC), and has appointed Sterling Emens III as vice president of CAIC to head up the new surety division.

Madrid — Charlotte, N.C.-based Transamerica Reinsurance, an operating unit of Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Co. and part of the AEGON Group since 1999, continues its expansion into the European life reinsurance market. The second-largest life reinsurer in the United States, and a presence in Latin America and Asia, Transamerica announced its entry into the European market last year at the REAVIE Conference in Cannes, France. The reinsurer has announced the opening of a representative office in Madrid, Spain.

Springfield, Mass. — MassMutual's Retirement Services Division has added six new sales representatives to its institutional sales team over the past several months.

New York — David Kahal has joined AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co., a provider of life insurance and annuity products and services for the financial services market, as national sales manager for its life insurance wholesale organization headquartered in Farmington, Conn.

New York — New York Life Investment Management Holdings LLC (NYLIM), a provider of retirement plans for corporations, multi-employer trusts and individuals, announced the appointment of David Bedard as senior managing director and chief financial officer. Bedard will be responsible for all financial aspects of the firm. He will report directly to Brian Murdock, president and chief executive officer of NYLIM.

Torrance, Calif. — Innovative Care Systems Inc. (ICS), a third-party leave-of-absence and disability claims administrator based in Torrance, Calif., announced that Robert Trotta has joined the firm as president. Trotta fills the position previously held by Deborah Kweller, who has been promoted to chief executive officer of ICS.

Windsor, Conn. — ING, a global financial institution offering banking, insurance and asset management to private, corporate and institutional clients worldwide, has opened a new office building in Windsor, Conn. The 475,000-square-foot structure will house more than 2,200 people who currently work in leased office space in Hartford, Conn. The site also houses ING's retirement services business.

Fredericksburg, Va. — Kevin Grenier has been named head of underwriting activities for GEICO's regional headquarters in Fredericksburg, Va. Grenier, an assistant vice president, previously held management responsibilities in GEICO's underwriting and product management department at its corporate headquarters in Chevy Chase, Md.

Boston — Deutsche Bank's Asset Management division has appointed Rick Jackson a director in its Global Insurance Asset Management (GIAM) business centering on North America and Bermuda.

Windsor, UK - Pitney Bowes Inc. has appointed Tony Boobier EMEA strategic industry manager for the insurance sector, based at Pitney Bowes MapInfo in Windsor, UK European headquarters.

New York — New York Life Insurance Co. announced that S. Thomas Moser, a vice chairman of KPMG LLP, will join the New York Life board following his retirement from KPMG in February 2008. Moser will join the board's Insurance and Operations Committee.

Atlanta - Connecture Inc., a provider of Web-based sales, service and process-automation solutions to the health insurance industry, has hired Mike Lambert as chief financial officer. Lambert will be responsible for Connecture's finance and administration areas, including human resources. He will be located in the Atlanta, Ga. office of Connecture.

Los Angeles — John Ingersoll has joined Farmers Insurance Group Inc. as vice president of marketing. In his new role, Ingersoll will assume responsibility for Farmers' marketing, advertising and brand awareness while working with the company's e-Business to develop Internet and direct-mail marketing