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Insurance

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A.M. Best rates Wells affiliates

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A and issuer credit rating of “a” for Centurion Life Insurance Co. The rating company also affirmed a financial strength rating of A- and issuer …

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American Equity and subsidiaries rank ‘negative’

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a debt rating of “bbb-” to the $200 million 3.5 percent senior unsecured convertible notes due in 2015 of American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. The assigned outlook is negative, …

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Smucker’s has to be good, but only at the right price


Dear Mr. Berko:

Jif peanut butter is my favorite snack food, and when I mentioned this to my broker, he said that Jif is owned by J.M. Smucker, which I didn’t know, and recommended that …

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Are we looking at a bond bubble?


On the investment landscape, a swath of market commentators are spotting what they call a bond bubble. Lately we’ve had stock bubbles, housing bubbles and credit bubbles. The common thread is an unfortunate ending. But …

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Improving Boomers’ lifetime income options


As the initial wave of 76 million Baby Boomers reaches its official retirement age of 66 next year, how many will be prepared to start converting a nest egg into a steady stream of income …

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America wants an obesity drug, but not this one


Dear Mr. Berko:

My broker has recommended that I buy 1,500 shares of Vivus, a biopharmaceutical company that has the patent on a new obesity drug that actually works. I know that obesity is responsible …

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Managing your money manager

Dear Mr. Berko:

We have a large sum of money, and as you suggested, we have been interviewing several recommended money managers and taking notes. One of the men we met is with Merrill Lynch/Bank …

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Wellmark unveils new logo, tagline

Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Iowa’s largest health insurer, this morning unveiled a new corporate logo and tagline, “Your health, well protected,” which company officials said are aimed at redefining its brand in a …

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NAIC to measure financial impact of modernization

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) announced Thursday it has begun work to measure the financial impact of modernization efforts proposed for life insurance solvency regulation. These efforts would favor principles-based reserves over the …

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Geithner: Banks can use profits to meet capital rules

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said banks will be able to adapt to tougher international safeguards by tapping future profits, rather than curtailing lending and choking off the economic recovery.

Geithner said the international capital standards …