Donald A. Steinbrugge (Feb, 2010) via HedgeCo : The SEC has changed its position with regard to third party marketing firms and is exploring legislation that indicates that the SEC is apparently willing to reconsider its recommendation that all third parties be banned from soliciting government business

A Confederation of British Industry (CBI) / PricewaterhouseCoopers survey published today revels that UK financial services grew in the three months to June 2010, at the fastest rate since September 2007. Life insurers saw “healthy increases” in volumes, and profitability grew strongly for the second successive quarter.

Fixed home loan interest rates, particularly over 2 and 3 year terms, have been heading down recently, something that Loan Market Castle Hill mortgage broker Katharina Hartanto says could provide additional home loan options to borrowers.

Whittington Group is launching an online business in Singapore, offering motor, travel, home and personal accident insurance. The company says DirectAsia.com is its “boldest initiative in Asia to date” given that in Singapore, nearly all personal lines insurance is still sold through agents. The group, which has been headquartered in the city-state since 2006, has spent the last two years preparing for the launch and chief executive, Anthony Hobrow, comments: “The introduction of direct insurance is long overdue in most Asian countries.” He adds: “DirectAsia.com will offer consumers 24/7 convenience, great value for money and a range of transparently priced cover options that will transform the buying experience for Singapore consumers.” Reinsurance support for DirectAsia.com will be provided by Munich Re

FiscalReps, the independent consultancy firm, has warned that the increase in Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) should not be ignored. The rise in IPT, announced in yesterday’s austerity Budget, sees the basic rate move from 5% to 6% and the higher rate from 17.5% to 20%, a significant measure according to FiscalReps’ founder, Mike Stalley. Stalley goes on to say that overlooking the change in IPT could lead the sector to make costly compliance mistakes

The property market produces many useful statistics to help you buy and sell appropriate property and home buyers, sellers and investors need that information as up-to-date as possible in order to make smart decisions.

In today’s emergency Budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne announced that the higher rate of Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) will increase in line with VAT, from 17.5% to 20%, on 4th January 2011, while the standard rate will increase from 5% to 6%.

Aviva has its sights set on the large corporate risks market, having just appointed Dipak Warren as Corporate Risk Solutions director. Ms Warren is moving from Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (London Management), which she joined in 2000 to eventually become active underwriter and director of Mitsui Syndicate

The past few weeks has seen some major cuts to fixed rates by various lenders, meaning some two- and three-year fixed rate loans are now cheaper than variable rate loans . The Commonwealth Bank , Rams and Heritage Building Society are the latest lenders to cut their fixed mortgage rates

Mazars Actuaries and Consultants has opened a Gibraltar office, the first of its kind, to meet the rising demand in Gibraltar for specialist advice, particularly relating to the incoming Solvency II regulations.