Diversity and equality

Also: Ethos’ chief underwriter, SE2’s new CEO.

Many insurers anticipate an accelerated economic recovery, which can lead to additional digital technology investments in 2022. However, the challenges companies both big and small are facing due to a volatile risk environment continue to be both hurdles and motivators towards technology adoption. One of the pieces to help overcome these hurdles is talent.

Mike Kreidler has adopted a temporary rule banning insurers from using credit information to set auto, homeowner and renters insurance rates. Kreidler initially issued an emergency rule in March 2021 but it was struck down by a court last year. The new rule goes into effect March 4.

In other news: Online embedded insurance, Bubble launches; Obie partners with Munich Re company; Nintex, Insuresoft team up on digital transformation.

Despite BLM, #MeToo and other movements for equality and justice, employers don't understand enough about the impact of neglecting DEI on company health.

Results published Monday show that 46% of White people are working with professionals to plan their finances, while 38% of African Americans, 36% of Asian respondents and 44% of Hispanic people are doing the same.

In other news: Hippo launches Builders Program; handdii wins the 2021 ACORD Insurtech Innovation Challenge New York; Blockchain-backed title insurance launches in five states.

Lloyd’s of London, the world’s largest insurance exchange, is pushing the industry to do better on diversity recruitment with tougher new hiring and disclosure targets for its members.

Challenge comes with increased awareness of structural racism in financial services.

Chief service officer Jamie Lee says insurance needs diverse views to create the best overall customer experience.

Advisors may sometimes overlook clients with special needs, despite the size of the community and available tools like ABLE Accounts.

Just like the industries that they cover, the lack of Black representation among news outlets acts as a barrier against understanding and eliminating systemic racism.

The flow of assets and capital in manager selection, municipal bonds and business and mortgage capital reveals forms of systemic racism that often get overlooked.

For its next leader, Ohio National turned to a veteran executive with prior experience leading its independent broker-dealer.

The hurdles faced by Black professionals who break into the financial services belie the notion that their small numbers at the industry’s top ranks are a pipeline problem.

Opening a bank or investment account — or even securing employment in a racism-free workplace — is out of reach for many Black Americans.

In the first episode of the five-part documentary series, we look at how disparities in net worth and mortgage discrimination impact Black home ownership — and why it's impossible to close the gaps without attacking systemic racism.

This five-part series is a comprehensive effort to explain the racial discrimination Black Americans face in our financial system.

Bias in underwriting also tackled in discussion at Insurtech NY.

Inequalities in the technology industry still exist, including the number of women who hold tech-related jobs and pay gaps between men and women.