Best's Review articles from August 2007

Best's Review archives from August 2007

A big change is coming.(climate change insurers)(Editorial)
August 1, 2007... Climate change will affect the insurance industry for years to come. In addition to its business-related exposures to weather-related risks, insurers also could face liability claims if their policyholders are found liable for contributing to...

Clearing the air on long-term-care.(Comment)(Viewpoint essay)
August 1, 2007... Readers of "Long-Term-Care Claims Denials, Rate Hikes Probed" (May 200-7) may be left with an inaccurate impression of long-term-care insurance carriers and their relationship with policyholders. Life insurers take their responsibility to...

Policies should work as intended.(Comment)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2007... The article, "Contingency Plans" (June 2007) left me dumbstruck. Strange, but true: this kickback scheme, the exposure of which probably made Spitzer Governor of New York, is still advocated by nearly all but the largest nationwide...

Correction.(comment)(Correction notice)
August 1, 2007... Liberty Mutual was founded in 1912. The wrong year was used in the article, "Play it Forward," on page 44 of the July issue of Best's Review.

Aon: Ireland now Europe's favorite country for direct-writing captives.(Briefing)(Report)
August 1, 2007... With the captives business of 99 of the world's largest 1,500 companies, Ireland has established itself as Europe's favorite domicile for direct-writing captives, according to Aon. In a report, Aon said Sweden, with 14 direct-writing captives,...

Nevada ad campaign sinks its teeth into fraud.(Nevada ad campaign on fraudulent annuity investment claims)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The Nevada Division of Insurance has launched a TV and billboard campaign likening shady annuities salespeople to wolves and other predators, then warning residents to "Check before you write a check." The multimedia effort, titled "Bad...

Fast-track China sparks much interest and worry.(rapid growth in the economy and insurance markets in China)(Report)
August 1, 2007... China's insurance market is growing quickly as it struggles to keep pace with its rapidly expanding economy, but some in the industry are starting to worry that the nation is simply moving too fast. The Chinese insurance sector, in fact,...

Iowa policy questioned.(100 YEARS AGO in Best's Review)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The August 1907 property and casualty edition of Best's Review analyzed the new Iowa Standard Fire Insurance Policy that had gone into effect. In response to the policy, insurance companies complained, some endorsed by the assured. Prior to the...

Medical malpractice sector is on the mend.(By the Numbers)(Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Long viewed as an industry in crisis, the medical malpractice sector is returning to health, thanks to several measures taken by insurers to improve profitability. Rocked by the departure of a leading policy writer, St. Paul Cos., from the...

Meetings.(Briefing)(Brief article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2007... Aug. 5-8 American Risk and Insurance Association: Annual meeting, Loews Le Concorde Hotel, Quebec City, Canada. Phone: (610) 640-1997 Web site: www.aria.org Aug. 5-8 American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds: 2007...

For drag racers, finding coverage becomes a long and winding road.(Briefing)
August 1, 2007... Just about any race car has the potential to cause mayhem, and no one knows that better than "Wild Bill" Horton. For more than 40 years, Horton's been involved with drag racing--the last 20 years in competitive meets. He's seen all kinds...

Insurers optimistic about New U.K. leader.(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Gordon Brown, who in June succeeded Tony Blair as British prime minister, is a well-known and reassuring presence, say executives in the U.K.'s insurance and financial services sectors. For example, Eric Galbraith, chief executive of the...

A.M. best's stock indexes: four weeks ended July 12, 2007 (Dec 31, 2004 = 1,000.00).(Briefing)
August 1, 2007... A.M. Best's Stock Indexes Four weeks ended July 12, 2007 (Dec 31, 2004 = 1,000.00) Percent Change Index Month/ Year to Year/ AMB vs Dow ...

Commercial banks boast record $7B in 1Q trading.(Briefing)(Financial report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Commercial banks saw record trading revenues in the first quarter of the year, according to data released by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Insured commercial banks reported $7 billion in trading revenues during the first...

Max Capital Group Ltd.(Max Capital Group Ltd. appoints Angelo Guagliano )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... MAX CAPITAL GROUP LTD. has named ANGELO GUAGLIANO president, chief executive officer and member of the board of directors of Max Bermuda Ltd. Most recently, Guagliano had been executive vice president and chief underwriting officer for Max...

C.V. Starr & Co.(C.V. Starr & Co. appoints Jeffrey Hafter as president)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... C.V. STARR & CO. has named JEFFREY HAFTER president. Most recently, Hafter had been executive vice president for C.V. Start & Co. He also held various senior management positions with the company between 2001 and 2004.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.(Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. appoints Walter Bay as corporate vice president, general counsel and secretary)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO. has named WALTER BAY corporate vice president, general counsel and secretary. Most recently, Bay was general counsel and secretary for GE Commercial Distribution Finance, as well as a member of their senior management...

Unum Group.(UNUM Corp. appoints Kevin McMahon as vice president and corporate treasurer)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... UNUM GROUP has named KEVIN MCMAHON vice president and corporate treasurer. McMahon has been involved with the company's capital management initiatives since joining Unum last year. Prior to Unum, McMahon had been chief financial officer and...

New York Life Insurance Co.(New York Life Insurance Co. appoints Theodore A. Mathas as president)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE CO. said its board elected Chief Operating Officer THEODORE A. MATHAS as president. He succeeds Frederick J. Sievert, 59, who is retiring after 15 years with NewYork Life. Mathas, 40, will continue to serve as CO0,...

Countrywide names Cardinal to direct company's growth.(People in Insurance )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Countrywide Insurance Group has welcomed Steve Cardinal as president and chief operating officer of Countrywide Insurance Services as part of its strategic initiative to grow its personal lines, home warranty, life insurance and commercial...

American Public Life Insurance Co.(American Public Life Insurance Co. appoints Jim Pate as president and COO )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... * AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE INSURANCE CO. has named JIM PATE president and chief operating officer. Most recently, Pate had been vice president of sales and marketing for a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma subsidiary.

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.(Thomas Marra appointed as president and chief operating officer)(Beth Bombara apppointed as senior vice president)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... * HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC. has made several changes in management. THOMAS MARRA has been named to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. He is a member of the company's board of directors and...

SAFECO.(Safeco Insurance Co. appoints R. Eric Martinez Jr. as executive vice president)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... SAFECO has named R. ERIC MARTINEZ JR. executive vice president. Most recently, Martinez was executive vice president of utility operations for AGL Resources. He also held a variety of leadership positions during his 17-year career with AGL.

First Guard Insurance Co.(First Guard Insurance Co. appoints Donna fortuna as president )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... FIRST GUARD INSURANCE CO. has named DONNA FORTUNA president. Most recently, Fortuna had been secretary for First Guard Insurance Co. First Guard is a truck insurance company specializing in physical damage insurance for leased owner...

Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group PLC.(Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group PLC. appoints Tim Mitchell)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE INSURANCE GROUP PLC has named TIM MITCHELL to its group executive committee as group underwriting and claims director. Most recently, Mitchell had worked with Zurich Financial Services in various senior underwriting...

CNA Financial Corp.(CNA Financial Corp. appoints James Abraham as senior vice president )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... CNA FINANCIAL CORP. has named JAMES ABRAHAM senior vice president of its property and marine operation. Abraham most recently served as president and chief executive officer for Willis of Minnesota.

Fidelity National Financial Inc.(Fidelity National Financial Inc. promotes Alan Stinson)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... FIDELITY NATIONAL FINANCIAL INC, has promoted ALAN STINSON to chief executive officer. He had been co-chief operating officer. RAYMOND QUIRK, co-chief operating officer, and BRENT BICKETr, president, have been named co-presidents. Each of the...

Ironpro Claims.(Ironpro Claims appoints Mike Mitrovic as president )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... IRONPRO CLAIMS has named MIKE MITROVIC president. Mitrovic most recently served as president of worldwide financial lines claims, in addition to vice president of claims at the parent company. Mitrovic also cofounded Global Specialty Risk and...

Hiscox USA.(Hiscox USA apppoints Eric Pruss as chief operating officer)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... HISCOX USA has named ERIC PRUSS chief operating officer. Most recently, Pruss had worked for Chubb Corp. and primarily served as a senior vice president of strategic marketing. Prior to Chubb, he held management consultant positions with...

Zurich Financial Services Group.(Zurich Financial Services appoints Michael Kerner as global chief underwriting officer )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... * ZURICH FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP has named MICHAEL KERNER global chief underwriting officer for General Insurance and MARK TALBOT global head of Group Reinsurance. Kerner has held several senior roles with Zurich Financial Services Group...

Life comes at you 3-D.(advertising campaign of Nationwide)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... NATIONWIDE recently took its "Life Comes At You Fast" advertising campaign to a new level. In May, the company installed a 3-D billboard on a building near its headquarters in downtown Columbus, Ohio.The giant wallscape features an image...

IMCA showcases winners.(Insurance Marketing Communications Association 2007 )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... NATIONWIDE INSURANCE, ALLSTATE, FIREMAN'S FUND, THE HARTFORD, SAFECO INSURANCE AND AON CORP. won Best of Show awards at the Insurance Marketing Communications Association 2007 Showcase Awards, held June 3 to 6 in Newport, R.I. Nationwide...

Zurich Financial Services Groups.(BRANDING)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ZURICH FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP'S second wave of its international brand campaign recently went live in Europe and the United States. The continuation of the campaign focuses on the wide range of Zurich's insurance competencies in the life,...

Pacific Life initiates web tracking.(SPOTLIGHT)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Pacific Life Insurance Co. and Pacific Life & Annuity have instituted what they say is an industry first: a Web-based system to deliver automated reminders, in-force illustrations, no-lapse calculators and other tools for professionals selling...

'Cold feet' added to wedding cover.(Property/Casualty)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. has partnered with insurance agency RV Nuccio &Associates to offer what it says is the first change-of-heart coverage in wedding insurance. The insurance recovers expenses if the bride or bridegroom experiences cold...

Swiss Re launches tow truck cover.(Swiss Reinsurance Co. partners with Bisys Inc. to introduce an insurance program for tow truck operators)
August 1, 2007... Swiss Re's Commercial Insurance has joined with Bisys, one of the nation's largest managing general agencies, to re-introduce an insurance program for tow truck operators.The insurance covers commercial auto liability, physical damage, general...

Lifetime withdrawal added to annuity.(ING Fixed Annuities introduces IncomeProtector Withdrawal Benefit)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ING Fixed Annuities has introduced the IncomeProtector Withdrawal Benefit, a rider that provides a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit for life.The feature provides an annualized 1.5% increase in the withdrawal base that starts at the...

Axa Equitable expands series.(Axa Equitable Life Insurance Co. )(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Axa Equitable Life Insurance Co. has announced enhancements to its Accumulator series of variable annuities. On certain guaranteed minimum income benefit and death-benefit riders, it has added a 6.5% annual roll-up feature to its 6% roll-up,...

What parents wish they had known and done...(SNAPSHOT)
August 1, 2007... What Parents Wish They Had Known and Done... Started to save earlier 55% How expensive college is 45.2 How scholarships and awards are determined 40.8 How to start a 529 savings plan ...

Best's rating changes.(Ratings)(Company rankings)
August 1, 2007... This edition of Best's Rating Changes reflects all rating changes--assignments, changes or placed under review--that occurred for life, health and property/casualty insurers domiciled in North America, as well as international insurance...

D&O heats up: Directors & Officers writers are paying close attention to the issue of climate change--not just how it could affect Earth, but how it could impact regulations and ultimately lead to future litigation and claims.(Property/Casualty: Climate Change: D&O)(Cover story)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * Insurers worry that the increasing number of shareholder resolutions related to climate change might be a harbinger of future lawsuits. * The percentage of companies identifying climate-change related risks in their SEC...

Building on record results.(Property/Casualty: Leading Writers)(Financial report)
August 1, 2007... Building on record profits in 2006, the U.S. property/casualty industry continued favorable trends in the first quarter of 2007, posting net income after taxes of $16.7 billion. Despite an increasingly competitive marketplace and...

Personal, commercial writers demonstrate discipline.(Property/Casualty: Leading Writers)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2007... Barring any major catastrophe activity, A.M. Best Co. expects underwriting results in the personal-lines segment to remain favorable through 2007, as the private-passenger auto segment continues to benefit from favorable loss-frequency trends....

A longer view: chief diversity officers are giving management a new look--and increased profits.(Regulatory/Law: Diversity Officers)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * Insurers are focusing on diversity and are hiring chief diversity officers. * Companies that are more diverse tend to be more profitable. * Insurers say emphasizing diversity gives them a competitive edge and opens...

Man on a mission: New York's insurance superintendent recently brokered the long-delayed World Trade Center settlement. And he's just warming up.(Regulatory/Law: N.Y. Superintendent)
August 1, 2007... The first thing you notice about New York state Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo is that he's a guy in a hurry. Rushing from an insurance department boardroom in Manhattan, where he's just finished a discussion with insurance industry...

Something for nothing: many employers and health plans are waiving or reducing copays for drugs and testing devices.(Health/Employee Benefits: Reduced Copays)(Report)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * Eliminating or reducing copays on employees' prescription drugs are the latest attempts by employers to curb health-care costs. * Up to 10% of hospitalizations are linked to patient noncompliance--patients not filling...

Back from the brink: Ullico Inc., nearly fully owned by labor organizations, almost went bankrupt in 2003, but a new board and management took dramatic steps to save the company.(Life: Company Profile)(Company overview)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * A single spectacular investment increased Ullico's value from $250 million to $2 billion in just two years. * Senior management's excesses led to a disastrous stock-trading scandal and near bankruptcy. * In an amazing...

Magical thinking: is it time for insurers to do [over]due diligence on industry services?(Life: Underwriting Insight)
August 1, 2007... In the lexicon of psychiatry, magical thinking is a symptom of psychosis. There is another kind of magical thinking. P.T. Barnum understood it very well. The skill sets for fertilizing such thinking are well honed in the domains of sales...

Best's review's top global reinsurance brokers.(Reinsurance/Capital Markets: Leading Reinsurance Brokers)(List)
August 1, 2007... Best's Review presents its premier listing of top global reinsurance brokers with in-depth looks at leading firms' results and strategies. Four of the listees, Aon Re Global, Guy Carpenter & Co., Willis Re and Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group, are...

Beyond the ordinary: agents and brokers can help clients prepare for obvious catastrophe risks as well as ones they might not have considered.(Property/Casualty)
August 1, 2007... When a customer purchases a home along the Florida coast, they likely will recognize the potential for a hurricane to damage their property. But will they consider that a wildfire could burn down their house? If their home is not located in a...

Solving the puzzle: underwriters need more pieces than ever to put together a complete picture of potential exposures.(Property/Casualty: Underwriting Insight)
August 1, 2007... While the fundamentals of commercial underwriting have not changed significantly over the past several decades, business models continue to evolve, adding layers of complexity to the underwriting task. Commercial underwriters today must...

Swiss Re takes top global reinsurer slot.(Reinsurance/Capital Markets: Leading Writers)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2007... Swiss Re Group edged out Munich Re for the top position in A.M. Best's 2007 ranking of the top 35 global reinsurance groups based on 2006 gross premium written. In addition to Swiss Re and Munich Re, Berkshire Hathaway Group, Hannover Re and...

Quantifying the ever-present danger: the federal government could benefit from continuing reinsurance coverage for acts of chemical, nuclear, biological or radiological terrorism.(Reinsurance/Capital Markets: Catastrophes)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * Millions of lives are at stake, and billions of dollars in property damage might result from a terrorist-related chemical, nuclear, biological or radiological attack. * The government can limit its overall exposure by...

Lightning strikes more costly for insurers.(Property/Casualty: Loss/Risk Management Notes)
August 1, 2007... Homeowners insurers are expected to pay nearly $1 billion this year for lightning-related claims, even as the number of incidents falls, according to a report released by the Insurance Information Institute. The average cost per claim rose...

CFOs name competition as biggest threat to revenue.(Property/Casualty: Loss/Risk Management Notes)(chief financial officers)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Financial executives expect the severity of their most prevalent business risks to remain constant or intensify through 2009, according to the Managing Business Risk Through 2009 and Beyond study commissioned by insurer FM Global. ...

Brokering a change: new strategies and products are helping benefit brokers stay competitive.(Agent/Broker: Benefit Brokers)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * The benefit brokerage business has become increasingly complex over the past several years, partly due to legislative and regulatory changes. * More benefit brokers now are pursuing high-net-worth clients and niche...

Risky business: a recent Aon survey shows regional differences and similarities when it comes to risk.(Agent/Broker: Selling Insight)(Survey)
August 1, 2007... Aon's Global Risk Management Survey 2007 revealed interesting insight into regional differences in risk concerns and management. Aon surveyed a range of global firms to learn about their approach to risk management. More than 320 companies...

Custom tailors: as work-force demographics shift, more employers are allowing employees to choose their own benefits and coverage amounts.(Health/Employee Benefits: Benefit Funding)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * Employers now recognize the need to provide a suite of benefits for employees to meet their unique needs. * Benefits with a base of employer funding or those that are selected and endorsed by the employer as voluntary...

Amazing race: designers of retirement products seek a competitive edge through product development.(Life: Retirement Products)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * Retirement products provide protection at a price. * Insurers see product design as a key to competitive advantage. * New products use restrictions to lessen market risk, but also afford flexibility. * The...

Something's wrong with life insurance: life insurance gimmicks--such as zero-premium products--could harm the industry's reputation.(Life: Selling Insight)(Column)
August 1, 2007... Having spent more than 30 years in the life insurance industry, I periodically come to an unavoidable conclusion: There must be something desperately wrong with what we sell. There are good reasons for thinking so. Some in our business will...

Digital divide: electronic health records are set to change the technology landscape in health care, but is the industry on target to meet a 2014 deadline?(Technology: Digital Health)
August 1, 2007... Key Points * Take-up of electronic health records has been slow, but momentum is beginning to rise. * Costs to implement the EHR program are daunting but savings would be significant. * Health plans will play a central part in...

ACORD.(Tech Bytes)(www.acord.org/china)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ACORD launched its first mini-site focused on a specific geographic area. The site is for China and Mandarin Chinese (www.acord.org/china). It provides basic information on ACORD standards and the benefits of standards development and...

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.(Tech Bytes)(Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association)(www.highmarkbcbs.com.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield members can now view and manage their health-care information through Highmark's Personal Health Record, which is a private, password-protected Web-based tool available through www.highmarkbcbs.com. As a single...

Delaware Insurance.(Tech Bytes)(delawareinsurance.gov)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Delaware Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn launched a Web site for state residents to compare sample homeowner insurance rates from more than 50 companies. The compare.delawareinsurance.gov site debuted last year with auto insurance rates and...

WellPoint Inc.(Tech Bytes)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... WellPoint Inc. has launched an interactive online health assessment for members, called MyHealth Assessment, and a health disparities resource center for physicians and health-care professionals. Technology Notebook is compiled by Senior...

Lloyd's 'Group of Six' prepares to bring e-trading into its future.(Technology)
August 1, 2007... The push by the Group of Six Lloyd's managing agents for electronic placement of business has progressed to the point where the agenda is now about electronic trading. Peter Dobbs, chief executive officer of Aon Professional Risks, said at...

ERM: central element: senior insurance company management is recognizing ERM as an important safeguard of shareholder value and financial stability.
August 1, 2007... Enterprise Risk Management is quickly gaining the attention of senior insurance company management as a corporate strategy to increase shareholder value and protect against financial failure. Rating agencies and global insurers that have begun...

Who's mining the store? Retailers may soon be compelled to reimburse banks for the costs of data breaches.
August 1, 2007... Key Points * State and federal lawmakers are considering whether to compel retailers to reimburse banks for costs incurred when customer credit card numbers are stolen. * Some 92% of banks surveyed said they have reissued credit cards...

Hot topic: insurers must be ready to defend lawsuits blaming global warming on greenhouse gas emissions.(Regulatory/Law: Legal Insight)
August 1, 2007... A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling found the Environmental Protection Agency was obligated to regulate greenhouse gases according to the Clean Mr Act and take action to control greenhouse emissions. The outcome of that case, Massachusetts...

Broker Willis Group Holdings is acquiring Chicago-based online insurance broker Insurance-Noodle.(Agent/Broker)(Insurance Noodle)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Broker WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS is acquiring Chicago-based online insurance broker INSURANCE-NOODLE. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Insurance-Noodle offers coverages for small businesses, and its technology platform will serve as the...

The acquisition of broker Hub International by Apax Partners and Morgan Stanley Principal Investments has been completed.(Agent/Broker)(Apax Partners Worldwide L.L.P.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The acquisition of broker HUB INTERNATIONAL by APAX PARTNERS and MORGAN STANLEY PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS has been completed. The investment firms offered $41.50 a share for all of Hub's common shares. Effective June 14, Hub's shares were no longer...

OneBeacon Insurance Group is partnering with New Jersey-based agency Couch Braunsdorf to offer professional liability coverage to law firms in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.(Commercial)(Couch Braunsdorf)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ONEBEACON INSURANCE GROUP is partnering with New Jersey-based agency COUCH BRAUNSDORF to offer professional liability coverage to law firms in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Couch Braunsdorf will represent OneBeacon Professional...

Sun Life Financial Inc.(Life)(Genworth Financial Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... SUN LIFE FINANCIAL INC. has closed its $650 million acquisition of Genworth Financial Inc.'s group benefits business, significantly expanding the Canadian life insurer's footprint in the U.S. small employer market. First announced in January,...

As part of a push to expand its platform beyond Bermuda, MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD. said it won approval from LLOYD'S to launch a syndicate to write several classes of property and specialty business from London, the United States and Europe.(London)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... As part of a push to expand its platform beyond Bermuda, MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD. said it won approval from LLOYD'S to launch a syndicate to write several classes of property and specialty business from London, the United States and Europe....

Ace Ltd.'s Ace International Life.(Middle East)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... ACE LTD,'S ACE INTERNATIONAL LIFE unit has opened an office in the United Arab Emirates after getting a license to conduct life insurance business from the Persian Gulf state's Ministry of Economy. Based in Dubai,Ace Life said it will offer a...

WellPoint to pay $300m for radiology manager.(Companies)
August 1, 2007... WellPoint Inc. plans to acquire a technology-based radiology management company for $300 million to better control the rising cost and use of diagnostic imaging procedures. WellPoint will buy Imaging Man agement Holdings, the parent company...

The big 150: Northwestern Mutual celebrates its history by opening a museum.(Mutual Life Assurance Co.)
August 1, 2007... In 1857, the United States only had 31 states. James Buchanan was sworn in that year as the 15th U.S. president, overseeing a country where slavery was legal in several Southern states. The Supreme Court delivered the Dred Scott Decision, which...