Agency Management

Patrick Ryan, the former CEO of Aon Corp., said he has turned his attention to developing a platform of wholesale broker, MGA and other broker services businesses, with the creation of Ryan Specialty Group and the launch of Ryan Specialty (Europe) Ltd.

The economic downturn is a time of opportunity for insurance-related enterprises with the right strategy, according to Pat Ryan, the former chief executive of Aon Corp.

USI Holdings Corp. insurance brokerage in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y., said it has signed an agreement to acquire a number of retail employee benefit insurance brokerage offices from the PNC Financial Services Group Inc.

U.S Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y, will be a speaker at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's National Legislative Conference and Convention in Washington, D.C., the organization said.

New York State officials' action to let big insurance brokerages resume taking contingent commissions, and to ease a rule for reporting such fees is a big blow to insurance buyers, said a trade group representative.

Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and Zenith National Insurance Corp. have entered into a merger agreement.