Industry Insights

Rough landing: 2020 will be a terrible year for air transportation

Global demand in air transport will not return to its pre-Covid-19 level before 2023.

The Times They are A-Changin’

The devastating impact that COVID 19 has had on our friends, families and the economy has gotten me thinking about change – how the world has been indelibly altered in just a few short months.

COVID-19: Contract Clauses Construction Contractors Should Know

For construction contractors, the impacts of the coronavirus crisis will be felt long after the quarantine is lifted. Here are a few simple steps to minimize the impacts from our Surety Legal Counsel, Rob Duke.

Surety

Trends in Construction and Surety to Watch for in 2020

Through 2019 and into 2020, there have been a number of developments that are going to impact surety and construction. Read about a few in Mike Bond's blog.

Surety

Bad Faith Does Not Apply to the Surety Line of Business

Learn why the facts and circumstances that support a claim of bad faith against an insurance company writing a credit insurance policy do not apply in the case of a surety bond.

Surety

Another Key to the Court House Door?

A concurring opinion in the case agreed with this principle, but used its opinion to suggest that a surety that remedies a default by some other means (other than a takeover agreement) should have standing under the Contract Disputes Act.

MTA Debarment Regulations Create Risks for Contractors

On June 5, 2019, the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (“MTA”) issued regulations on an emergency basis that implement a harsh debarment framework that was established by statute, section 1279-h Public Authorities Law.

Risk Mitigation and the Law

As surety bond professionals, we are in the risk business. A critical factor in the success of a surety company or a bond producer is properly assessing and managing the risk associated with a surety bond. Legal issues and risk are inseparable.

How Surety Supports Projects of All Sizes

Surety goes beyond helping projects get completed. It helps customers in a tight financial position, helps customer compete confidently, and more. Read Mike Bond’s latest blog.

Surety: Powered by People

Surety is one of the few businesses where the product we sell - the bond - is exactly the same for all companies. People are a key differentiator. As our customers are becoming more diverse, the surety industry is challenged to increase diversity. Otherwise, we will be left behind.

Surety Technology: An Oxymoron or a Promise of the Future?

Technology use in Surety hasn't evolved a great deal. This article reviews the digital future of surety bonds in the U.S. and the need for the surety industry to innovate.

International Surety and the Expansion of the Construction Industry

The magnitude of the construction market opportunity and the low barrier to entry make North America an attractive destination for foreign construction companies.

Fueling the Flow

The energy markets are driven by liquidity. Counterparty, credit, and market liquidity are all significant to operations in both the real-time and long-term regimes. All of these types of liquidity are balanced against the seemingly endless list of risk categories.

Oil Pricing and Volatility in a Macro and Micro View

On September 24, 2018, global oil prices hit a four-year high of $81.20/b (Brent) after OPEC promised to keep production steady. Investors believed that U.S. sanctions against Iran and outages in Venezuela would lead to supply shortages. But by mid-November, prices fell 18 percent, and have continued a decline.