Yamato Life Insurance files for bankruptcy (Insurance Business Review)
Yamato Life Insurance, a Japanese insurer with nearly JPY269 billion in liabilities, has filed for bankruptcy protection, making it the first Japanese financial institution to fall in the current global financial crisis.

Company offering free life insurance (Journal Inquirer)
Springfield-based Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. plans to issue $50,000 term life insurance policies to benefit children of eligible working families in Connecticut at no cost to the families, company officials said Thursday.

Max New York Life Insurance appoints new CEO (Insurance Business Review)
Max New York Life Insurance, the joint venture between Max India and New York Life International, has named Rajesh Sud as the new CEO and managing director of the joint venture operation, effective November 1, 2008, pending formal Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority approval.