Insurer

Cirencester Friendly is calling for the industry to focus its efforts on re-building trust rather than relying on new products to revive the industry.

Ageas UK's first quarter 2012 results show protection sales' gross written premiums up 71.2% to £15.0m and new annual premiums up 34.3% to £9m compared with the same period last year.

The combined Royal London protection brands of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident have seen new business levels up 45% and an 18% increase in applications, in the first three months of the year.

Friends Life has increased new business in the last three months, with total sales reaching £292m - up 8% on the same period last year, its first quarter business update shows.

More UK households say they are struggling to pay bills, compared to last year.

Advisers have been asked for feedback on a draft good practice statement for insurers, ahead of ECJ Gender ruling implementation.

Swiss Re has reported "strong underwriting, good investment performance and lower than-expected major natural catastrophe claims" for a "very strong first-quarter" net income of $1.1bn compared to a loss of $665m for Q1 2011.

Insurance firm Aviva has suffered an embarassing blow after more than half its shareholders voted against its proposals on executive pay at its annual general meeting today.

RBS is set to follow Lloyds Bank's example and put more money into its payment protection insurance (PPI) compensation fund, according to reports.

Legal & General (L&G) is anticipating a drop-off in sales through financial advisers over the coming months and into early 2013 as firms concentrate on developing their business models for Retail Distribution Review (RDR) implementation.