Patricia Wells

Private capital firms are finding new ways to raise cash in a tough market for deals. They are increasingly turning to a specialized financial product known as collateralized fund obligations, or CFOs. These instruments allow firms to break down their private portfolios into bonds that often receive high ratings, making it easier for them to … Read more

Insurance Journal is gearing up for its annual rankings of the top independent property and casualty insurance agencies. The deadline for submissions is fast approaching, with firms needing to enter by June 6 to be considered for the prestigious 2025 Top 100 Agencies and Top Agency Partnerships listings. Agencies can qualify in four categories: the … Read more

Shareholders of Helvetia Holding Ltd. and Baloise Holding Ltd. have given the green light for a merger that will create Helvetia Baloise Holding Ltd. This decision came during their extraordinary general meetings. Once finalized, the merger will position Helvetia Baloise as the second-largest insurance group in Switzerland and among the top ten listed insurers in … Read more

Teena Maria Hostovich, a 66-year-old insurance brokerage executive from La Cañada Flintridge, California, is set to plead guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged her with making illegal contributions to a joint fundraising committee, totaling over $10,000 in a year. According to the DOJ, Hostovich admitted to making … Read more

Starwind Specialty Insurance Services has appointed Graham Jenks as the new president of JH Blades Group, which includes JH Blades Energy, JH Blades Marine, Southern Marine, and Energy Technical Underwriters (ETU). This group is a key part of Starwind, a company that operates under the CRC Group banner and is based in New York City. … Read more

California is teaming up with 11 other states to promote clean vehicles. This move comes after the U.S. Senate voted to take away California’s ability to set its own air quality standards. The new group, called the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, aims to speed up the shift to cleaner vehicles, support American car manufacturers and … Read more

The Senate has voted to block California’s groundbreaking rule that aimed to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035. This decision marks a significant setback for efforts to transition to electric vehicles in the U.S. The vote took place on Thursday, and the measure is expected to be signed by President Trump, who … Read more

Willis and HDI Global have announced key leadership appointments that aim to strengthen their operations in Canada and the international insurance market. Grant Williamson has been promoted to the position of Canada leader at Willis, a part of WTW. In his new role, Williamson will collaborate with the Canadian leadership team and work closely with … Read more

Forecasters are predicting another busy hurricane season for the Atlantic this year, thanks to warmer ocean waters. However, they believe it won’t be as intense as the previous year, which was marked by severe storms like Beryl, Helene, and Milton. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently shared its outlook for the hurricane season, … Read more

Construction Insurance Services (CIS), a managing general agent based in Dallas, has announced changes to its leadership team. This news comes as the company continues to strengthen its focus on the construction industry across all 50 states. CIS is part of the Curley Financial Group, which is also headquartered in Dallas. Hector Gardea, Jr. has … Read more