AABP EP Awards 728x90

Insurance

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The good side of deflation


Dear Mr. Berko:

You’ve never commented on deflation, which so many people consider evil. What do you think about inflation versus deflation, and which would you prefer?

N.L., Durham, N.C.

Dear N.L.:

There’s not a …

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Are health insurance tax credits worth the effort?


What small business couldn’t use some extra money?

The small business health insurance tax credit can potentially save companies one-third of the amount they pay annually for their employees’ medical coverage – if they qualify …

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EMC Insurance Cos. celebrates 100th anniversary


Des Moines-based EMC Insurance Cos. turns 100 this month, and its employees, agents, shareholders and policyholders have a lot of reasons to celebrate.

EMC ranks among the top 60 insurance organizations in the United States, …

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Rating agency: Principal sheltered by ‘narrow economic moat’


Principal Financial Group Inc. has created a “narrow economic moat” that allows it to score better than most life insurance companies with Morningstar Inc., the Chicago-based investment research firm.

In a March 28 report, Morningstar …

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Principal will release first-quarter results on May 2

Principal Financial Group Inc. announced today that it will release its first-quarter 2011 financial results after U.S. markets close on May 2.

Principal President and CEO Larry Zimpleman and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial …

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Dodd-Frank could cost $1 billion to implement, agencies say

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act may require the federal government to spend almost $1 billion to hire or transfer more than 2,000 employees in the months ahead, Bloomberg reported.

The 11 …

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Documents will give glimpse into federal loans to banks

U.S. regulators closed Chicago-based Park National Bank in October 2009 when it owed $345 million to one of the lowest-cost lenders in town: the Federal Reserve’s discount window. Park National had been a constant customer …

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United Fire acquires Mercer Insurance

Cedar Rapids-based United Fire & Casualty Co. announced Monday that it has completed an acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group Inc.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, Mercer stockholders will receive $28.25 per share in …

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West Des Moines firm merges with Atlanta-based firm

West Des Moines-based Corporate Continuity Group (CCG) announced Tuesday it has joined with Atlanta-based HH Advisors, forming a new company under the name HDH Advisors LLC. 

Both companies offer business appraisal, litigation support and corporate …

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GDP growth revised up to 3.1 percent

The U.S. economy grew at an upwardly revised 3.1 percent annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2010, Bloomberg reported.

The new figures, compared with the 2.8 percent estimate of gross domestic product growth issued …