Core systems

We all know the power of ratings and reviews. Many cinephiles base their weekend viewing on what critics favor at a given moment, as do music aficionados when browsing through the latest releases. But nowadays, you don't need to be a well-respected reviewer or influential blogger to influence people's decisions. The advent of social media is enabling everyone to wax poetic, or raise or lower their thumb in judgment of anything they choose. Facebook last month even made it possible for members to "like" items on a wide variety of partner sites, furthering both the rating phenomenon as well as its own reach. So, how does this new trend help an insurer looking to improve interactions with its customers or boost sales?

Recent deals for technology software and services.

Accenture survey finds that insurers plan to spend an average of $84 million to improve multi-channel strategies.

As lawmakers head into the Memorial Day recess, they are leaving behind some unfinished business. The latest extension of the beleaguered National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is due to expire on 12:01 am, June 1.

Accounting standard-setters issued new rules Wednesday that could have profound effects, not just on how assets and liabilities get valued but on how banks and financial services firms do business.

Guidewire, IBM, InsPro Technologies, Exigen among vendors touting new offerings and services at this week’s ACORD LOMA Systems Forum.

Customer Stream is designed to help carriers keep tabs on business partners.

New research points to financial institutions' responses to the financial crisis, regulatory changes and a desire to combat financial crime.

Duck Creek and Pitney Bowes partner on policy administration; Guidewire forges alliances.

Insurers watch as accounting standard setters prepare to issue new rules that could have profound effects on their business.

Carriers need to spend to optimize current business processes while simultaneously laying the foundation for future growth.

Only half of insurance CEOs surveyed believe their companies are adequately prepared to successfully navigate complex, uncertain business environment, an IBM study says.

Insurers focused on expanding relationships with existing technology solution providers.

Fitch affirms Markel, S&P revises outlook on Mutual of Omaha and A.M. Best affirms Unitrin ratings.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, the No. 2 Democrat on the Agriculture Committee, was named as a conferee instead of Sen. Mark Warner.

INN’s 2010 Vanguards in Insurance Practices Awards represent true votes of confidence by insurers who rate the value provided by technology solution providers.

Bank-owned life insurance assets totaled $134.6 billion in 2009, up 0.6% from 2009, says new report.

Reform passage means a federal insurance regulator is on the horizon.

Early disclosures include only property losses, affecting earnings rather than capital; no rating changes currently expected.

The Software-as-a-Service analytics program is intended to serve the property/casualty industry.