Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry -- a trend that is expected to continue at least through the end of the current year. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Further, most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters.

The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Treasury has stated that some of the life insurers may qualify for TARP because of their Bank Holding Company status.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six

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Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue in 2009. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply in 2008, and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). We are not sure whether the lawmakers will allow the insurers access to TARP money. Further, many life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed securities, which will result in further losses during FY09.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms -- Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike hit the

...

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue in 2009. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply in 2008 and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). We are not sure whether the lawmakers will allow the insurers access to TARP money. Further, many life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed securities, which will result in further losses during FY09.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms -- Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike hit the

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