Core systems

Insurance is labeled an early adopter of social media in a new report from the International Data Corporation (IDC), titled “2012 U.S. Social Media Trends by Vertical.” The banking industry was cited as being a late adopter.

Big data may be getting all of the hype right now, but its data warehousing platforms and analytics tools and applications that are racking up double-digit market growth, according to a new quarterly industry assessment from IDC.

Although overall activity in the annuity market has been down over the past 13 months, inflows in May increased by slightly more than 1% to $7.5 billion from $7.4 billion in April, according to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corp.

While the adoption of mobile standards is rising fast, it is critical for strategy and development teams to discount the hype, take a comprehensive view of where mobile apps are currently and chart a direction that recognizes that fast changes in the mobile market are inevitable, according to the “Mobile Strategies: State of Mobile Apps 2012” survey, from MGI Research.

Despite increase, quarterly numbers show easing growth, according to index.

Talks could align Freddie's policies with reforms proposed by Fannie.

Novarica finds a lack of social media policies, which increases risk and limits opportunities.

2012 global IT spending projections increase slightly, but still lower than pre-recession levels.

On-Demand SAAS-based agency management system now used for P&C operations.

New briefing from Guy Carpenter offers analysis of global reinsurance market, update on P&C market and trends in life, accident, health and loss warranty markets.

A recent study tested the usability of coverage calculators and site-to-site comparisons, and in the end, found them lacking in almost all cases.

Gartner: By next year, one-third of all business intelligence functionality will be consumed through a mobile device.

The 2012 Mid-Year Salary Survey, just released by Janco Associates and eJobDescription.com, is not good news for IT professionals. The survey shows that hiring and salaries are soft for most IT positions and most North American metropolitan areas.

Huatai's purchase represents the first deployment of anti-fraud analytics in China's insurance industry.

Adults 26 and older see declines in coverage numbers; percentage of adults covered by government health insurance continues to climb.

$61,500 in scholarships awarded in effort to attract and retain up and coming talent.

Intending to address product development and customer service, insurer picks up Duck Creek's policy administration and billing solutions.

U.S. unit could be up for sale as insurer attempts to regain adequate capital levels.

Regulators in New York and California are looking into the extremely high profits yielded from, and competitive nature of, force-placed insurance.

Deloitte survey also finds risks not continuously monitored at most firms despite available automation; most intend to revamp risk management within 12 months.