Atlanta - Connecture Inc., provider of Web-based sales, service and process automation solutions to the health insurance industry, has been awarded the Robinson College of Business (RCB) Eagle Award. The business school selected Connecture as a high achiever among fastest growing private companies in the Southeast.

Simsbury, Conn., and Powell, Ohio - In a move designed to offer defined benefit plan sponsors the latest in Internet functionality, The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. has agreed to acquire TopNoggin, a Powell, Ohio-based firm with proprietary technology that tackles data management, administration and benefit calculations.

Approaches to policy administration systems may differ from region to region, but the factors driving replacement are similar.

Customer service, risk management and demographics will mark 2008.

Zurich — Zurich Financial Services Group announced that it is elevating the role of Chief Risk Officer to Group Executive Committee status, and appointing Axel Lehmann to the position, effective Jan. 1, 2008. Also on that date, Mike Foley will succeed Lehmann as CEO of Zurich’s North America Commercial (NAC) division, and will become a member of the Group Executive Committee.

New York — Execution is taking precedence over profit and top-line growth as a focus for CEOs around the world, according to a survey of 769 global CEOs from 40 countries from The Conference Board report, CEO Challenge 2007: Top 10 Challenges. The annual report, conducted during the first quarter of 2007, details specific challenges that CEOs face across regions, as well as by the company’s size, industry, and level of success—all factors affecting the concerns of CEOs.

Regulators advise the public to become aware of ID theft vulnerabilities, while carriers are using technology and third-party help to thwart the bad guys and bolster customer services levels.

Trenton, N.J.– A bill that will eliminate the requirements for auto insurance agents to provide quotes for all their companies and to provide three insurance scenarios to applicants has passed the New Jersey Legislature.

Minneapolis — Wolters Kluwer Financial Services named Mark Coronna executive VP of its Securities Compliance and Insurance groups. In this new role, Coronna will be responsible for the company's overall growth in its securities and insurance businesses, which have operational centers in New York City, Waltham, Mass. and Riverwoods, Ill.

Canton, Mass. — OneBeacon Insurance Group announced the appointment of Terry Thompson as senior VP and chief underwriting officer of the company's U.S. operations. Reporting to CEO Mike Miller, Thompson will be responsible for key underwriting matters across the company, including underwriting guidelines, catastrophe management, corporate insurance and reinsurance and the consideration of new business opportunities.

Cincinnatti — American Financial Group Inc., which sells property/casualty insurance, agreed to purchase Strategic Comp Holdings LLC for an undisclosed sum.

As mortgage lenders struggle to contend with the double-barreled threat of rising defaults and lower origination volume, a third, less discussed source of risk is now starting to emerge.

Schaumburg, Ill. – Zurich named Greg Maguire as director of customer and distribution management for Zurich’s Global Corporate in North America unit, effective Jan. 1, 2008.

New York — New York Life Insurance Co. announced the appointment of Christopher Blunt and Susan Thrope to its Executive Management Committee.

Arson Registry Act Passes House

New York — In the actuarial world, process inefficiencies, increased business complexity, regulatory demands and data volume are leaving little time for crucial analysis, driving a growing trend toward automation, according to a roundtable hosted by The Insurance and Actuarial Advisory Services (IAAS) practice of Ernst & Young LLP, (E&Y) New York.

USAA and State Farm provide the best customer experiences, according to consumers surveyed by Forrester Research Inc.

El Segundo, Calif. - Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) announced that the 200th client has licensed its RISKMASTER Business Intelligence Solutions (BIS) component, which incorporates software from Business Objects Inc., San Jose, Calif. CSC and Business Objects met this milestone when Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services Inc., a Chesterfield, Mo.-based industrial services company, licensed RISKMASTER BIS to support its claims and risk management activities.

Two teams of conferees headed by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd (D.-Conn.) and House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank (D.-Mass.) are meeting this week in an attempt to reconcile their differing visions on the extension of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act.

Washington – Owing in part to an association with senior insurance company executives who desire improvements in the agency distribution system for insurance products, the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National) released an online planning tool for its members.