SME
UK Broker Conference 2011: Hilton upbeat on UK prospects, especially for SMEs
Anthony Hilton, financial editor of the London Evening Standard, told delegates at the inaugural UK Broker Conference that recessions were much worse in the 1970s and that he believed the UK’s economy would improve in 2012.
Banking changes may hinder lending to SMEs
The implementation of the Basel 3 regulatory framework will dramatically hinder retail bank lending to SMEs, according to the European Savings Banks Group (ESBG).
Smaller brokers may get locked out of SME sector by aggregators
SME aggregator market dominated by two large players may mean brokers get left behind
Sizing up the market
If the accepted wisdom were to be believed, these days, commercial clients simply buy on price and everything that a broker brings to the table, such as risk management and market knowledge, is immaterial. But two recent, separate, surveys of SMEs and…
Towergate and Confused.com in SME tie-up
Towergate Insurance has announced that it is to become the sole provider of business insurance for price comparison site Confused.com.
Lorica hires for growth
Lorica Insurance Brokers has announced a number of new hires across its UK branch network.
Insurance Age blog: Some economics of commercial market hardening
Now, as you may have guessed from my previous ramblings I’m no economist. And even I realise that reading too much into two sets of data this month could be dangerous but they really have got me thinking about the old chestnut that is commercial market…
Insurance Age blog: Why can't banks leave insurance to the experts?
Personally I am quite grateful to banks and the practice of conditional lending. If banks hadn't been doing this and luring small commercial clients away from brokers then I wouldn't have written a story late last year exposing the whole grubby little…
Banks' "immoral" conditional lending still alive and well
Banks are still abusing their position by placing undue pressure on SMEs to use their preferred intermediaries, according to the broking community.
Blanc sets record GWP target
Amanda Blanc has vowed to surpass Axa Commercial's gross written premium (GWP)record by writing £1.2bn worth of business by 2015.
PMI industry must change tack to avoid further consolidation, says Pruhealth
Pruhealth has slammed the unsustainable economics of the SME private medical insurance (PMI) market.
Brokers will see more of new RSA chief
Adrian Brown has predicted that brokers will see more of Andy Haste’s successor than they see of the current chief executive.
Former Confused.com chief returns with new aggregator model
A new Covea-backed aggregator, due to hit the market early next year, is to be headed up by former Confused.com and Tesco Compare chief, Debra Williams.
See you in court?
The demise of no-win no-fee could leave many SMEs unable to pursue claims in court
MSL launches new vehicle service for brokers
MSL Group has extended its offering to the broker market with the introduction of a new vehicle supply and management service.
NIG plans to expand property owners portfolio
NIG has announced plans for an additional property owners product aimed at smaller risks following the first year of trading for its premier property owners product.
SMEs still gripped by fear of going bust as confidence nosedives
Many SMEs face going bust in the coming months if trading conditions don’t improve, according to a new study.
Coates out at Bluefin
Bluefin has announced that Graham Coates, chief trading officer, has resigned and is leaving the company with immediate effect.
Midlands broker unveils 20% year on year growth plans
Commercial insurance brokers Johnston Park McAndrew has moved into larger offices as part of its growth strategy.
SME proves lucrative for Westinsure
Westinsure, the self-proclaimed alliance of independent community-based insurance brokers, has created a range of SME deals for its members that currently transact more the £100m of commercial business.
Meet the brokers
Brokers have got to get back into their client’s circle of trust, says Peter Knowles.
AMII not letting claims transparency issue drop
The chairman of the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) has promised that the Association will continue to pursue a resolution to the thorny issue of claims transparency.
Lorica raids rival brokers for key hires
Lorica Insurance Brokers has signalled its intention to accelerate business growth this year with six new hires.
Divided broker sentiment on Indy's fall from grace
As we mark the 10th anniversary of Independent going pop, two brokers divulge their personal and rather different experiences with the insurer.