Industry

Kingsway ROE Drops Slightly on Reserve Strengthening

Specialty insurer Kingsway Financial Services (TXS: KFS) saw its return on equity drop slightly for the 2003 financial year, although the company still boasted a double-digit return. For the 12 months ending December 2003, Kingsway’s ROE clocked in at 12.9%, showing moderate weakness on the 13.8% return posted the year prior. However, the insurer’s net […]

February 29, 2004

2 min read

Lawyers Call for Re-Think on Mediation Process

A new approach to mediation, specifically on the role of legal counsel in the process, may be in order attendees heard at the recently held Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association (OIAA) “Claims 2004” conference. In a presentation made by law firm Lerners, attention was drawn to the amount of legal time wasted on “case management” of […]

February 29, 2004

1 min read

Fairfax Reports Record Profit for 2003

Toronto-based insurance giant Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (TSX: FFH) says it posted its largest ever annual profit for the 2003 financial year, earning US$271.1 million, or US$18.55 a share, compared with the US$263.0 million profit (equal to US$18.20 a share) posted for the prior year. The company’s earnings gain partly resulted from increased gross revenue […]

February 29, 2004

2 min read

Canadian Western Bank Buys HSBC Insurance Operations

The insurance operations of HSBC Bank Canada, known as Canadian Direct Insurance Inc., have been acquired by Canadian Western Bank. The deal involves a cash payment of $25.4 million, reflecting a 25% premium over book value of the HSBC insurance operations. The deal is subject to regulatory approval. Canadian Direct will continue to operate as […]

February 29, 2004

1 min read