What’s new: In brief (August 30, 2004)

The Toronto Insurance Conference has set the line-up for its annual seminar, slated for Thursday, September 9 at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre. The program, which runs through the morning, focuses on “Errors & Omissions” for brokers and commercial clients. Speakers include Rod Finlayson (CG&B Group), John L. Monette (Monette May & Assoc.), Hugh Fardy (Encon), Matthew Davies (Chubb), Tom Dorey (Maltman Group) and Mark O’Donnell (O’Donnell Roberston & Sanfilippo).

Risk managers from around the world are meeting at the ALARYS Congress of Risk Management and Insurance in Bermuda next week, jointly held with IFRIMA. RIMS president Nancy Chambers and IFRIMA president Susan Meltzer will be on hand to speak, with agenda topics including D&O, enterprise risk management, banking industry risks, environmental risks and more. For more information visit www.alarysbermuda2004.com.

Fairfax Financial Holdings (TSX, NYSE: FFH) has completed its previously announced U.S. debt issue, with US$95 million in 7.75% senior notes offered at an issue price of 97.25%. The company has repurchased US$15.5 million of its 7.375% senior notes due 2006, as per its plan of using the debt issue to purchase outstanding debt based on market conditions. The company says it may use remaining for general corporate purposes, or invest in short-term marketable securities, as well as to purchase its own debt.