The FINANCIAL -- Schaumburg, Ill.,  Aug. 4, 2011 – Zurich today announced its Affluent Markets Group is expanding its product portfolio with the launch of the new Zurich Index Universal Life (UL) product to the U.S. affluent market. The Zurich Index UL product is a flexible premium adjustable life insurance policy with index-linked interest options or index universal life.

The FINANCIAL -- Swiss Re reports a Group net income of USD 960 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared to income of USD 812 million in the same period of 2010.

The FINANCIAL -- A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to E (Under Regulatory Supervision) from D (Poor) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to "rs" from "c" of National Group Insurance Company (NGIC) (Coral Gables, FL), a wholly owned, 100% reinsured subsidiary of National Insurance Company (NIC) (Hato Rey, Puerto Rico).

The FINANCIAL -- A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to B++ (Good) from A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating to "bbb" from "a-" of BancInsure Inc. (BancInsure) (Oklahoma City, OK).

The FINANCIAL -- A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of "a-" of Gulf Reinsurance Limited (Gulf Re) (United Arab Emirates).