Core systems

Research and advisory firm Novarica has published a new series of Quick IT Benchmark reports for 12 different categories of U.S. insurers, based on more than 80 responses from our CIO Research Council members. The reports include information on total budgets/breakdowns, maintenance and new projects, IT staffing, breakfix and programming requests, enterprise applications, and a summary of key questions that were answered by respondents.

AIG reorganizes Chartis, creating two global groups—commercial and consumer—and appoints Peter Hancock CEO.

David Sokol resigns from Berkshire after questionable stock transactions revealed.

Perhaps the enhancements will help to improve Microsoft's market share, which is well behind Android, Apple and Blackberry.

Employees value non-medical benefits far more than employers think, according to annual report.

Association is postponing a decision on whether or not to endorse the Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011 for at least a month.

Fraudsters follow companies in move toward electronic payment forms.

Another example of excellent customer service, USAA's 16-category list of the top vehicles helps guide policyholders’ purchasing decisions.

Total bank annuity sales fell to $33.2 billion in 2010—their lowest level since $31 billion in 2000, says Kehrer-LIMRA.

While USAA and TriCare are a couple of the exceptions, health and P&C insurers disappoint customers, according to new report.

Since its founding in 1970, the Association for Cooperative Research and Development (ACORD), Pearl River, N.Y., has brought members of the insurance industry together to collaborate in the development of standards to improve data exchange and communication within and across organizations.

The more than $43 billion cost to the global insurance industry was an increase of more than 60% over the previous year, according to a Swiss Re sigma study.

Bill that eliminates annual report card for quality of claims service passes house by wide margin.

While industry observers are still assessing the long-term financial impact of the events on Aflac, MetLife and The Hartford, disaster may have been averted on their balance sheets.

In this soft market, it’s no secret that carriers are openly courting their distribution network, looking to drum up new agency principals and producers. What may be an eye-opener, however, is why agents and producers choose to represent certain insurers over others.

Report says an increasing number of insurers are outsourcing management of their general account investments to third party investment managers.

A.M. Best releases life/health financial results, showing MetLife, Prudential and Manulife with the highest value of 2010 admitted assets.

Insurers may want to keep an eye on how Google's Android-based payment system will offer payment firms and retailers more customer data and help them target ads to mobile users.

A new study shows that 86% of financial services pros use social media, up from 73% last year.

Allianz report highlights catastrophe-prone regions, climate change and the importance of preparedness.