A New York-based life settlement provider says its ability to obtained almost half of the $60 million in capital it hoped to raise shows the industry is ready for “significant growth.”

The U.S. insurance industry raised $38.6 billion in capital from the first quarter of last year through the first quarter of this year, with most of the capital raised in the second quarter of 2009, according to Fitch Ratings’ Insurance group.

So busy were individual annuity insurers at raising capital and increasing premium that they may need to take a new look at the products they are offering.

Noting its improved financial performance and risk-adjusted capital, A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook from “negative” to “stable” for a pair of life insurance companies.

VIST Financial Corp. recently announced two purchase agreements to raise $5.2 million in new capital – secure in its current financial standing, yet looking toward the future.

The Manhattan Life Insurance Co., based in Great Neck, N.Y., had its outlook revised to “negative,” from “stable,” by A.M. Best after the ratings service noticed a “noticeable drop” in the risk-adjusted capital position of its lead company.

A move by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority to close broker-dealer GunnAllen Financial is resulting in more than 400 financial advisors searching for a new employer.

Personal insurance lines appear prepared for what challenges lie ahead this year, leading a key ratings service to forecast the segment to remain “stable” this year.

The property-casualty market contains a “sizeable share” of small insurers, with some having strong positions in specific niche markets, according to a new study.

If life insurance companies take the “back-to-basics” approach to survive, then they may suffer this year, according to an industry analyst.