Insurer

Zurich UK Life has announced its business operating profit slumped by 39% while sales dropped by a third over the first six months of this year.

The UK life insurance sector has reported a strong set of 2013 first half results despite the ‘sluggish' economy, Fitch Ratings has reported.

Insurers have been advised to act on boardroom diversity before they face legislation.

Munich Re UK Life has announced it will only request third party financial evidence for sums assureds of £25m or more for business protection life cases.

Friends Life's UK business took a dip in the first half of the year as the company paid off a further £5m of a £6m fine levied against Sesame.

Aviva has reported a profit after tax of £776m for the first half of this year, turning around a £624m loss for the half year 2012 - but said UK life operating profit fell.

Aegon's net income fell 2% in the first half of this year, as higher underlying earnings were offset by losses on hedges due to rising equity markets and volatility - and an £18m loss on the sale of Positive Soltuions.

Zurich has welcomed adviser network Tenet's recent e-petition urging the government to address the lack of a long-step for financial advice.

Bupa UK had a 124% increase on private medical insurance profits compared to the same time last year but faced a drop in customer numbers, according to its half year results.

Skandia and International Financial Data Services (IFDS), a global IT and outsourced administration services supplier, have partnered to enhance services provided to financial advisers.