Weblog

When Royal Bank of Scotland last week confirmed that it was keeping its insurance business, it concluded one of the longest running sagas of recent years – and one that had dominated online traffic for almost 12 months.

“RBS Insurance sale over” was the week’s top story – and the most popular of the year on insurancetimes.co.uk.

In last week’s Insurance Times, Patrick Snowball, the former Norwich Union boss, admitted he was disappointed that his bid for the division had been rejected and said he would have liked to have been involved in the business.

The bank has continued to receive plenty of online coverage; particularly its announcement that it could axe up to 2,300 jobs. This followed a public apology to a Treasury select committee by Sir Fred Goodwin, its former chief executive, over the government bailout. The question now is, how will the bank take its insurance business forward? It is keeping quiet on any plans until it reports its annual results at the end of this month. Expect more fireworks then.

The breaking news that broker Kerry London is set to cut jobs came second in the week’s most-read list.

An exclusive online analysis, “Why Chaucer has plenty of suitors”, was a big hit too. You can see more analyses like this at insurancetimes.co.uk.

A new monthly blog by SSP’s Jonathan Davey is also available on the site (see the preview below). And don’t forget to check the John Kitson blog for his updates on Norwich Union’s rebranding.

Finally, this week’s “Five things you didn’t know about …” comes from Phil Bunker, managing director of LV Broker.

Online top 5

RBS insurance sale over

Bank confirms it will keep insurance division

Kerry London to cut jobs in restructure

Construction broker to reshape business as it looks for growth

Aon Q4 net income plunges

CEO Greg Case blames downturn and soft market

Why Chaucer has plenty of suitors

Novae is not the only party interested in buying the listed Lloyd's insurer

FSA warning on insurance broker

Oldbury-based broker may not be passing on premiums to insurers