The FINANCIAL -- Vakhtang Dekanosidze, CEO of Partner Insurance Company is forecasting that in 2009 and the coming years, health and auto insurance is still going to be the most popular insurance product for Georgians. Partner was named the fastest growing company on the Georgian insurance market in 2008. The CEO expects that the amount of attracted premiums will reach GEL 7,000,000 in 2009 despite the ongoing financial crisis.

The FINANCIAL -- Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) said on July 1 that Wachovia Insurance Services, Inc. has officially changed its name to Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA, Inc.

The FINANCIAL -- American International Group, Inc. (AIG) on July 1 announced that it has agreed to sell 100 percent of its ownership interests in Inversora Pichincha S.A. and Interdinco S.A., which comprise AIG ’s consumer finance operations in Colombia, to Banco Pichincha C.A. of Ecuador and other parties.

The FINANCIAL -- Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) announced on July 2 that its subsidiary Farmers Group, Inc. has completed the acquisition of 100 percent of AIG ’s US Personal Auto Group, which includes “21st Century Insurance” (comprising the former “AIG Direct” and “21st Century Insurance”), as well as AIG ’s “Agency Auto”.

The FINANCIAL -- According to Nikkei News, Nippon Life Insurance Co. announced on July 2 at its general meeting of policyholders that it will raise 100 billion yen in a public debt offering by the end of August.