Insurance

Natural disasters costing insurers almost $100 billion are beginning to lift some commercial insurance rates after a seven-year decline, Bloomberg reported.

Insurers hurt in the past 16 months by earthquakes overseas and tornadoes in the …

The U.S. Senate rejected a plan backed by large banks for a six-month delay in a Federal Reserve rule to cap the debit-card swipe fees set by Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc., Bloomberg reported.

Senators …

Businessolver Inc. recently hired John Marrero to lead the launch of a Chicago office for the online benefits administration company, which is based in West Des Moines. Marrero, who has been in the benefits business …

The Iowa Credit Union League will host a Gen Y Summit on June 15 in Iowa City. More than 75 credit union CEOs, marketers, directors, and other executive staff are expected to attend the conference …

A Federal Reserve rule capping debit card “swipe” fees set by Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc. would be delayed at least six months under a plan introduced Tuesday in the U.S. Senate, Bloomberg reported.

Senators …

Sammons Financial Group Inc., a West Des Moines-based insurance holding company, announced it will launch a new business line, Sammons Retirement Solutions. The new business will distribute retirement-oriented products such as mutual funds and variable …

West Bank officials announced Tuesday that as of June 3, federal and state banking regulators have terminated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to which the West Des Moines-based bank had been subject since April 2010. …

In spite of decades of advice to the contrary and an improving economy, millions of Americans are increasingly turning to what was once a lender of last resort – their 401(k) plans, The Wall Street …

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa announced that it received a $15,000 grant from the Principal Financial Group Foundation.

The grant will help support the organization’s School-Based Mentoring Program. The program matches vulnerable children …

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit rating to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of “A,” or excellent, for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company of Iowa.

The outlook for both …