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Blue-chip companies are large, well-established and financially sound, and the stocks from these brand name organizations usually boast consistent dividends and are often considered less risky, Margaret Giles, a senior editor at Morningstar, writes in a new blog post.
Article 0 Comments Uber Technologies Inc. is spending six figures on advertisements in New York in its latest appeal to lawmakers to address issues stemming from the insolvency of the city’s largest taxi insurer. The rideshare giant launched the campaign on Tuesday as state lawmakers reconvened in Albany to discuss the budget, according to a statement from the company. The exact size of the ad buy was not disclosed. The latest push adds to the millions of dollars that Uber has set aside this year for advertising and backing political candidates in New York and nationwide to agitate for insurance reform. Uber executives have been warning since late last year that demand in some US markets has softened as the company has passed on rising insurance costs to customers in the form of higher prices. The problem of rising fares is especially acute in New York City, one of Uber’s top rideshare markets, where the area’s largest taxi insurer, American Transit Insurance Co., is insolvent. Hochul in January proposed a plan to stabilize the insurance market. But an Uber lobbyist, Josh Gold, said at the time it was insufficient to address underlying problems in the legal system that encourage fraudulent...
Article 0 Comments USI Insurance Services, one of the largest brokerages in the country, has filed suit against a former sales team leader and another powerhouse broker, Lockton, accusing them of poaching employees and harming client relationships. Elisia Hahnenberg, who began her career at USI as an intern and rose to lead a team of account executives, breached non-compete agreements and brought three USI salespeople with her when she jumped ship to Lockton last year, the federal lawsuit contends. “Lockton and Ms. Hahnenberg have acted in concert to unlawfully and wrongfully poach the support personnel from the (sales) team in order to cripple USI’s ability to provide services to its clients and to ultimately convince the clients to switch their employee benefits broker to Lockton,” the April 11 complaint reads. USI, with offices in Atlanta and New York, is asking for compensatory and punitive damages, an injunction requiring that the defendants comply with employment and non-interference agreements, as well as attorney fees. Hahnenberg and Lockton have not yet filed an answer to the complaint, filed in federal court in Atlanta. The suit was filed one week after another major insurance broker, Brown & Brown, based in Florida, charged in a...
A federal judge on Tuesday issued a preliminary injunction that prevents the U.S. Department of Labor from requiring government contractors and grant recipients to certify they do not operate any diversity, equity and inclusion programs that run afoul of anti-discrimination laws until further order from the court. Judge Matthew Kennelly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued the ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by Chicago Women in Trades, a nonprofit dedicated to training and retaining women in skilled construction trades that receives several grants from the Department of Labor. The certification provision is a key part of President Donald Trump’s executive orders aimed at curbing DEI programs because contractors and grant recipients could be subjected to crippling financial penalties under the False Claims Act if they are found in violation of it. The lawsuit filed by Chicago Women in Trades argued that Trump’s executive orders infringe on First Amendment Rights and are so broad and vague in their definition of what might constitute illegal DEI as to make compliance impossible. Kennelly had already issued a temporary restraining order against the Labor Department last month that was shorter in duration. His order is limited...
Article 0 Comments 1Fort, the AI platform for business insurance, announced it raised $7.5 million in an oversubscribed funding round led by Bonfire Ventures. The round also included Draper Associates (Tim Draper); Karim Atiyeh, the founder of Ramp; and participation from all existing VCs: Village Global, Operator Partners, 8-Bit Capital, Character VC and Company Ventures. This latest round brings the 1Fort total funding to $10 million. A large majority of businesses still rely on insurance brokers and agents for coverage but the process is manual and time consuming, and many businesses remain underinsured. 1Fort looks to empower brokers to bind more top-tier insurance policies for businesses faster using artificial intelligence. The funding will allow 1Fort to continue to improve the broker experience through AI innovations and talent acquisition and further expand partnerships with carriers and brokers, the insurtech said. The platform leverages AI to automate various broker workflows, including auto-filling insurance applications, retrieving quotes from carriers, comparing coverages, and integrating payment and financing options. 1Fort, licensed in all 50 states, said brokers who use the platform save an average of up to two hours per submission and increase their bind rate by up to 20%. 1Fort also has complementary risk...
Verizon Business and Accenture will help customers across all industries and businesses of all sizes become cyber resilient. New advanced services will help companies identify security vulnerabilities and detect, respond to and recover from cyberattacks and will be integrated with Verizon’s portfolio of network solutions. The partnership will focus on the most pressing areas of risk: identity and access management (IAM), managed extended detection and response (MxDR) and cyber risk services. New York, NY (Mar. 31, 2025) – To address the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape, Verizon Business and Accenture have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development and delivery of advanced cybersecurity solutions. The agreement aims to help businesses of all sizes mitigate a range of growing threats, from data breaches to phishing attacks to social engineering and beyond. Combining both companies’ strengths in cybersecurity and networking, the partnership will begin by offering new as-a-service capabilities including Identity and Access Management (IAM), Managed Extended Detection and Response (MxDR), as well as cyber risk services. Following this initial phase, the partnership will concentrate on co-innovating new solutions. “Cybersecurity is a top priority for businesses. With our decades of experience in this area, Verizon is committed to offering solutions that protect...
IBAC Launches New IBAC Tech Website Toronto, ON (Apr. 14, 2023) – The Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) is pleased to announce the official launch of its newly redesigned IBAC Tech website—a modernized and interactive hub designed to support Canadian P&C insurance brokers in staying informed, efficient, and ahead of the curve. The updated site brings together IBAC’s commitment to supporting brokers in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. With a streamlined layout and improved navigation, the new IBAC Tech platform makes it easier for brokers to stay informed, with access to timely technology insights, industry updates, and collaborative resources—all in one place. “We know that technology is moving fast—whether it’s AI, data-driven tools, or new platforms—and brokers need support to keep up while continuing to deliver the trusted advice and personalized service clients rely on” said Peter Braid, IBAC CEO. “This new site isn’t just a refresh—it’s a resource built by brokers, for brokers. It offers real-time updates, educational tools, and insights to help brokers streamline operations, adopt new technologies, and stay competitive in a digital-first market—without losing the human touch.” Key features of the new IBAC Tech website include: A modern, user-friendly interface that makes browsing more intuitive...
Toronto, ON (Apr. 14, 2025) – QuickFacts, an insurance software company dedicated to aggregating underwriting appetite and workflows, is excited to announce the addition of Ken Sedgewick to its team as Strategic Partnerships Manager. With over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Ken brings deep expertise and a hands-on understanding of what it takes to drive innovation and deliver value across the sector. Ken’s career spans a wide range of roles, from working as a front-line broker to collaborating with insurers, brokerages, and industry associations across Canada. His qualifications include a Level 2 insurance license and a CAIB designation, both of which reflect his ongoing commitment to professional development and industry excellence. Additionally, Ken has experience in niche Lloyd’s-backed products, giving him a unique insight into both traditional and emerging market trends. In his new role at QuickFacts, Ken will focus on cultivating strategic relationships with both new and existing insurance carriers and vendors. His goal is to foster partnerships that will maximize value for QuickFacts users, with an emphasis on ensuring that all parties in the insurance ecosystem can engage seamlessly and efficiently. His expertise in navigating the complex dynamics between brokers, insurers, and technology solutions will...
What is a high deductible health plan for purposes of an HSA? Get Answer Are remote workers eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)? Get Answer Is the value of employer-provided coverage under accident or health insurance taxable income to an employee when the coverage is provided for the employee’s spouse, children or dependents? Get Answer What auto-enrollment rules apply to 401(k) plans starting in 2025? Get Answer What are the penalties for failing to comply with the FBAR filing requirements? Get Answer What are the payment options that must be made available to employees on FMLA leave? Get Answer Can a 401(k) plan sponsor distribute a former participant’s account balance without consent after the participant separates from service? Get Answer Can participation in a health FSA impact an individual’s ability to contribute to an HSA? Get Answer
Welcome to SEC Roundup, a bimonthly video series by former Securities and Exchange Commission senior trial counsels Nick Morgan and Tom Zaccaro, founders of the nonprofit advocacy group Investor Choice Advocates Network. The SEC’s controversial dealer rule was struck down in federal court, and the agency has since withdrawn its appeal (and apparently backed off of other ongoing litigation) — effectively killing the rule. But the fight over who qualifies as a securities dealer isn’t over. While the rule itself is no longer in effect, past court rulings have upheld the SEC’s broader interpretation in certain enforcement cases, leaving legal uncertainty. In this episode, Morgan is joined by Daniel Austin and Suzan Rose from the Alternative Investment Management Association to break down the latest developments. They discuss the SEC’s attempt to redefine securities dealers through rulemaking and litigation, why the court struck down the dealer rule and what the SEC’s withdrawal of its appeal means, the impact of past rulings that supported an expanded dealer definition, and what’s next for pending litigation and future SEC enforcement strategies. As the SEC reassesses its approach, financial professionals and market participants must stay alert to potential shifts in regulatory enforcement. Tune in for...
