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☆ Trump cedes control of the cash collateral for his $175M civil-fraud bond under new agreement with NY officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

NY took Trump and his bond underwriters to court Monday, three buildings south of his criminal trial. The parties agreed to limit Trump's access to $175M collateralizing his civil fraud appeal bond. The NY Attorney General's Office had been concerned that Trump maintained some control of the cash. AdvertisementLawyers for Donald Trump and the New York Attorney General's Office struck a deal Monday that will now keep the GOP frontrunner from having any access to the cash collateral for his $175 million civil-fraud bond. The agreement reached in civil court in Manhattan essentially moves the all-cash collateral to a Trump-proof lockbox.

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump Organizations: NY, Trump, General's, Service, New York, Specialty Insurance, Business Locations: Manhattan

☆ Trump and Attorney General Agree on Minor Changes to $175 Million Bond
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Matthew Haag | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The deal will keep the bond largely unchanged, with the $175 million in cash that Mr. Trump deposited as collateral remaining in a money-market account, while adding new terms stipulating that the $175 million must remain as cash, and not be transferred into mutual funds, for example. The dispute over the bond was overshadowed on Monday by the start of Mr. Trump’s criminal trial in another Lower Manhattan courthouse a few blocks away. The attorney general, Letitia James, accused Mr. Trump in the civil case of fraudulently inflating his net worth. After a monthslong trial last year, the judge in the case, Arthur F. Engoron, agreed and imposed the massive penalty. But subsequently, an appeals court lowered the judgment to $175 million while it considered Mr. Trump’s appeal of the ruling.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Letitia James, Mr, Arthur F, Engoron Organizations: New, Knight Specialty Insurance Company Locations: New York, California, Lower Manhattan

CNN —The first criminal trial of Donald Trump is officially underway. Prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys delivered opening statements and the first witness – a former National Enquirer publisher – was called Monday in the historic and unprecedented criminal trial of a former president. “The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election,” said prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors. At the hearing, Trump’s attorneys came to an agreement with the New York attorney general’s office on the terms of that $175 million bond. Trump’s attorneys representing him in the civil matter later stopped by the criminal trial and spoke to cameras in the hallway outside the courtroom where Trump sat at the defense table.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Stormy Daniels, Trump, ” Trump, Judge Juan Merchan, ”, Matthew Colangelo, “, ” Colangelo, Cohen, David Pecker, Colangelo, it’s, Todd Blanche, “ Donald Trump, ” Blanche, he’s, Blanche didn’t, It’s, Blanche, Cohen’s, Trump ”, Trump’s, Michael Cohen, President Trump, He’s, Pecker, Karen McDougal –, Letitia James, James ’, ” Alina Habba, Merchan, Chris Conroy, Emil Bove Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, National Enquirer, Trump, American Media Inc, Defense, AMI, Pecker’s AMI, New, Specialty Insurance Locations: New York

☆ New York AG says $175 million Trump fraud bond isn't properly backed, should be voided
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Former President Donald Trump returns from a lunch break at Manhattan criminal court as jury selection continues in New York, NY on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The filing opposes a joint motion by Trump and KSIC to justify the insurer as the surety company holding the bond. Lawyers for AG Letitia James asked Judge Arthur Engoron to require Trump and other defendants to put up a replacement bond within seven days of ruling on the issue. Trump personally was ordered to pay $454 million in damages, an amount that is growing every day with interest. Trump was required under New York law to post a bond to guarantee the judgment as he appeals the decision.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, KSIC, AG Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron, Engoron Organizations: Manhattan, The New York Attorney, Knight Specialty Insurance, Trump, AG, Trump Organizations, New Locations: New York, NY, Manhattan

☆ Trump defends 'respected' company behind his $175M civil fraud bond
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Trump's lawyers defended his $175M civil fraud bond — and Knight Specialty — in court filings. AdvertisementLawyers for Donald Trump are defending the "respected" insurers behind his $175 million civil fraud bond in a series of new court filings. Trump's bond was underwritten by Knight Specialty Insurance Company, based in Los Angeles, run by billionaire Trump supporter Don Hankey, a so-called king of subprime car loans. "KSIC is a respected, well-capitalized, Delaware-domiciled insurer that has long underwritten surety bonds and other types of insurance placed around the country," Trump's lawyers wrote. Beyond that, the insurer "has access to more than $2 billion in assets and $1 billion in equity" through its parent company, Knight Insurance Company," the filings say.

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump, general's, Charles Schwab, KSIC, Letitia James, Knight, Arthur Engoron, Engoron, Don Hankey, Trump's Schwab, Read, Christopher Kise, Alina Habba, Clifford Robert Organizations: Service, underwriters, New York, Knight Specialty Insurance, Knight Insurance Company, Trump, Associated Press Locations: Manhattan, KSIC, New, Los Angeles, Delaware, Engoron

CNN —Lawyers for former President Donald Trump said his $175 million bond posted to satisfy the judgement in the New York civil fraud case is financially sound, and they asked the judge to set aside the attorney general’s challenge to the bond and award him costs and fees. In court filings Monday night, Trump said the bond secured by Knight Specialty Insurance Company is backed by Trump’s Charles Schwab account with more than $175 million in cash. “KSIC also has a standing agreement with its parent company, Knight Insurance Company, Ltd. (‘KIC’), by which KIC reinsures 100% of KSIC’s risk,” the affirmation said. “The $175 million bond at issue is adequately secured.”Earlier this month, the attorney general’s office challenged the financial ability of the underwriter to be able to stand in for the bond. The attorney general’s office questioned whether Knight Specialty was authorized to underwrite a surety bond in New York state and whether it lacked a certificate from the state regulator saying it is qualified.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Trump’s Charles Schwab, Schwab, Gregory Serio, “ KSIC, Arthur Engoron, ” Organizations: CNN, Knight Specialty Insurance, DJT Trust, Knight Insurance Company, Ltd Locations: New York

☆ Trump saved millions by keeping court in dark about billionaire's bond offer: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

By failing to report the offer, Trump's legal team may have violated ethics rules, ProPublica found. "I saw that they were rejected by everyone, and I said, 'Gee, that doesn't seem like a difficult bond to post,'" Hankey told ProPublica. However, legal experts told Business Insider, that if his lawyers knew about the offer and failed to notify the court, they may have violated ethics rules. However, he noted it would be difficult to prove what Trump's lawyers knew and when they knew it. The Trump campaign, lawyers representing the former president in his civil fraud case, and Knight Specialty Insurance Company representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Persons: ProPublica, —, Donald Trump's, he'd, Don Hankey, Gee, Hankey, Trump, Neama Rahmani, Andrew Lieb, " Lieb Organizations: Service, Trump, Knight Specialty Insurance, New York, Bar Association, NY, Division, Supreme, Business, Knight Specialty Insurance Company Locations: ProPublica

☆ New York Attorney General Questions Trump’s $175 Million Bond Deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Ben Protess | Matthew Haag | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The New York attorney general’s office on Thursday took exception to a $175 million bond that Donald J. Trump recently posted in his civil fraud case, questioning the qualifications of the California company that provided it. The dispute stems from a $454 million judgment Mr. Trump is facing in the case, which the attorney general’s office brought against the former president and his family business. The attorney general, Letitia James, accused Mr. Trump of fraudulently inflating his net worth, leading to a monthslong trial last year that ended with a judge imposing the huge penalty. Mr. Trump appeared to stave off this calamity on Monday when he posted the $175 million bond from the California firm, Knight Specialty Insurance Company. Although he was originally required to secure a guarantee for the full $454 million judgment, an appeals court recently granted him a break, allowing him to post the smaller bond.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Letitia James, Mr, James Organizations: New, Knight Specialty Insurance Locations: New York, California, York

☆ NY uses obscure civil-practice law to demand a closer look at Trump's $175M appeal bond — and at its underwriter, Knight Specialty
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The LA company that underwrote Trump's $175M appeal bond needs major vetting, NY says. Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over Trump's civil fraud trial, gets final say over the bond. AdvertisementThe New York Attorney General's Office wants a closer look at Donald Trump's $175 million appeal bond. In a two-page court filing Thursday, state officials are giving Trump or his underwriters — the Knight Specialty Insurance Company — ten days to "justify," or prove the sufficiency of, the bond. Justifying was not necessary, for example, when Trump used insurance giant Chubb to post a $92 million bond last month for his E. Jean Carroll defamation appeal.

Persons: Arthur Engoron, —, General's, Donald Trump's, Letitia James, Knight, Don Hankey, Forbes, Trump, Chubb, Jean Carroll Organizations: Service, New York, Trump, Knight Specialty Insurance, New York's Department of Financial Services, GOP, Trump Organization, Associated Press, Knight Locations: Los Angeles, New York, New, Angeles, Manhattan

☆ Meet the billionaire 'king of subprime car loans' whose company underwrote Trump's $175 million civil fraud bond
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Ana Altchek | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Billionaire Don Hankey's company underwrote a $175 million appeal bond for Donald Trump. The 80-year-old oversees Hankey Group, which employs over 3,400 people and whose assets are worth around $22.5 billion, per Forbes. Axos Bank CEO Greg Garrabrants has previously donated around $50,000 to Republican campaigns since 2012, with $9,600 in support of Trump, according to Federal elections records. Related storiesHankey's net worth is estimated at $7.4 billion, according to Forbes — and it's nearly doubled within the last three years. The mansion ended up auctioning for less than half of its expected $500 million worth.

Persons: Don Hankey's, Donald Trump, Hankey, —, Don Hankey swooped, It's, that's, Trump, refinanced, Greg Garrabrants, Forbes —, Ford, Westlake, Niami, David Sucsy, Niami's, Allen J, Schaben, Getty Hankey, Debbie Hankey Organizations: Bel, Service, Hankey Group, Forbes, Hankey's, Specialty Insurance, Bloomberg, Axos Bank, Axos, Trump, Westlake Financial Services, Hankey Investment, Bel Air, Los Angeles Business Journal, University of Southern Locations: Southern California, Bel Air Los, Bel, University of Southern California, Malibu

☆ The firm that backed Trump’s $175 million bond reveals how the deal came together
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

It was put together very quickly.”Based in California, Knight Specialty Insurance is known for providing subprime auto loans to car buyers with weaker credit scores. At first, Trump planned to post a mix of investment-grade bonds and cash as collateral (80% bonds and 20% cash), Hankey said. Although Knight Specialty received the bonds and approved them, he said they were not posted in the end. “Ultimately, he put up all cash,” Hankey said, adding that he does not know where the $175 million in cash that Trump posted came from. In 2022, Axos Bank, a California lender, loaned Trump $100 million to refinance the mortgage on Trump Tower.

Persons: CNN — Don Hankey, Donald Trump’s, Trump, ” Hankey, Hankey, Forbes, Specialty, Eric Trump, It’s Organizations: CNN, Specialty Insurance, Knight Specialty Insurance, Trump Organization, Trump, Knight, Axos Bank Locations: New York, California, Axos

☆ Trump posts $175 million bond in New York civil fraud case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Kara Scannell | Jeremy Herb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Former President Donald Trump has posted a $175 million bond as he appeals the judgment against him in the New York civil fraud case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James. (Trump himself was ordered to pay $454 million; the $464 million includes the disgorgement for his adult sons Don Jr. and Eric.) That prompted James to take steps to prepare to seize Trump’s assets in the event Trump failed to post bond. When the 30-day deadline hit, however, the New York appeals court stepped in and lowered the bond to $175 million, giving Trump an additional 10 days. “As promised, President Trump has posted bond,” Trump attorney Alina Habba said in a statement.

Persons: Donald Trump, Letitia James, Trump’s, James, Trump, Don Jr, Eric, Judge Arthur Engoron, “, ” Trump, Alina Habba, Jean Carroll Organizations: CNN, Knight Specialty Insurance, Trump Locations: New York, California, York

The casino sued and defeated an attempt by the insurers to dismiss the case. The high court agreed to take the case in order to resolve the legal question of what constituted loss or damage. “Based on the plain terms of the policies, we conclude that in order to show a ‘direct physical loss’ of its property or ‘direct physical . It concluded that the casino's pleadings “do not support a finding that it is entitled to insurance coverage.”The casino declined comment Wednesday. He said 14 state Supreme Courts around the nation have held that the mere interruption of business activity during the pandemic does not constitute physical losses.

Persons: Stephen Orlofsky, David Roth, Phil Murphy, Wayne Parry Organizations: CITY, AIG Specialty Insurance, Insurance, Co, Ocean, American, Democratic Gov Locations: N.J, Atlantic City, California, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, www.twitter.com

☆ A hedge-fund manager who's up 50% this year almost entirely without help from the 'Magnificent 7' shares 3 stocks he's betting on for continued outperformance — and his leverage strategy for amplifyin
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He said he's liked management's capital allocation as it's continued to grow through acquisitions, and that the firm has fundamental tailwinds. Leverage and risk managementLike hedge funds do, Tomicki relies on leverage, or borrowed money that he then invests, to amplify his returns. He said for every $1 of investor capital he receives, he's long by $3 per stock, meaning returns are multiplied by three. To further lessen his overall portfolio risk, Tomicki said he runs the 200-plus stocks that satisfy his three selection criteria through a quantitative model. However, Goldman Sachs strategists recently said the seven stocks look cheap and could continue to surge.

Persons: that's, Lukasz, Northrop, Tomicki, RLI, there's, Northrop Grumman, Northrup, they've, he's, Russell, outperformance, Goldman Sachs Organizations: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia —, Northrop Grumman, EMCOR, Air Force, Intercontinental, Missiles Locations: Williams, Sonoma, America

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey's Supreme Court is expected to consider whether an Atlantic City casino can get payouts from business interruption insurance for losses during the COVID-19 outbreak, potentially providing guidance for policyholders nationwide regarding the scope of coverage for pandemic-related losses. Three insurers — AIG Specialty Insurance Co., American Guarantee & Liability Insurance Co. and Interstate Fire & Casualty Co. — largely denied coverage to the casino, saying it did not suffer direct physical loss or damage because of the virus. Last year, the Supreme Court agreed to resolve some questions regarding the case. United Policyholders, an advocacy group for insurance customers, urges the justices in a friend-of-the-court brief to rule in favor of the casino. “The ruling sought by the (insurers) here would curtail coverage for millions of New Jersey policyholders,” it wrote.

Persons: —, Phil Murphy, United, Wayne Parry Organizations: Atlantic, AIG Specialty Insurance, Insurance, New Jersey policyholders, Supreme, New, New Jersey Gov Locations: TRENTON, N.J, Atlantic City, California, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, www.twitter.com

☆ Mixed results in the latest batch of IPOs, but the market is opening up
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Kodiak Gas Services (KGS) , a natural gas compression company, priced 16 million shares at $16, below the price talk of $19-$22. That was not only below the price talk of $16-$19, but the 15 million shares offered were below the projections of 17 million shares. The IPO market is reopening, but cautiously All three serve different investor bases, each with its own outlook, Santosh Rao at Manhattan Venture Partners told me. The simple fact that all three deals got done is a sign the IPO market is reopening after being largely closed for 18 months. The IPO market is reopening, but with a strong reality check from the customers.

Persons: It's, Santosh Rao, Fidelis, Sellers, IPOs What's Organizations: NYSE, Kodiak Gas Services, Fidelis Insurance, Manhattan Venture Partners, Labor, Foods, ARM Locations: U.S

☆ Green shoots for the IPO market, but investors ask where are unicorns like Instacart, Klarna
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

At the midpoint this would raise $298 million, with a fully diluted market value of $2.1 billion, according to Renaissance Capital. At the midpoint of the proposed range, that would raise $328 million with a market value of $1.5 billion. "The IPO market is definitely opening up," he said. Goldman Sachs' David Kostin has also noted an improved IPO market. The bad news: the stock dropped the day after the IPO to roughly $38 and has remained in that range.

Persons: IPOs, Matt Kennedy, Goldman Sachs, David Kostin, Kostin, Lynn Martin, That's, Santosh Rao, Rao Organizations: NYSE, Insurance, Renaissance, Kodiak Gas Services, Renaissance Capital, Goldman, Foods, CNBC, Manhattan Venture Partners Locations: Renaissance Capital, U.S, Canada, Cava, Fogo, Chao

☆ This company models itself after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway. Analysts say it can beat the market too
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Founded in 1930 and with a market value today of $18 billion, Markel is first and foremost a specialty insurance company focused on niche markets like livestock and dude ranches. Some Wall Street analysts have praised Markel's recent performance against both peers and the broader market. Markel has returned 16.1% annually over the past three years while the S & P 500 has returned 12.4%, according to FactSet. "Given the favorable insurance market conditions in many of MKL's product lines, we believe the company's P/B multiple may expand if it can maintain solid profitability." Markel also has its appeal to Berkshire, which took a $600 million stake in Markel in early 2022.

☆ Factbox: Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway at a glance
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

[1/2] Berkshire Hathaway Chairman Warren Buffett walks through the exhibit hall as shareholders gather to hear from the billionaire investor at Berkshire Hathaway Inc's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S., May 4, 2019. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File PhotoMay 4 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of people are descending on Omaha, Nebraska to attend the annual shareholder weekend for billionaire investor Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N). Susan Buffett and Howard Buffett are Berkshire directors. His Berkshire stock will go to philanthropy after he dies. (Interview with CNBC, April 12, 2023)Abel on Berkshire managers' relationship with him: "It's not the same as working for Warren.

☆ Insurer Travelers profit falls as costs from severe storms bite
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 19 (Reuters) - Property and casualty insurer Travelers Companies Inc (TRV.N) on Wednesday reported a fall in quarterly profit, hurt by severe wind and hail storms in parts of the United States in March. The storms pushed up the insurer's catastrophe losses net of reinsurance to $535 million from $160 million a year earlier. Two U.S. lenders crumbled after a flight of deposits spiraled out of control last month, sparking a global crisis that shook investor confidence in the banking industry and rattled markets. The turbulence has since subsided after intervention by regulators, but analysts have warned the banking industry will suffer long-term repercussions. Travelers' profit was helped by a 4% rise in net investment income to $663 million.

☆ Vista to take Duck Creek Technologies private in $2.6 bln deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Manya Saini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Jan 9 (Reuters) - Duck Creek Technologies (DCT.O), which serves some of the biggest clients in the property and casualty sector, will be taken private by Vista Equity Partners in an all-cash deal valued at about $2.6 billion, the insurance tech firm said on Monday. The deal for Duck Creek at a purchase price of $19 per share, represents a premium of 46% to Duck Creek's last close. Duck Creek provides cloud-based property and casualty insurance solutions to its customers including Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and American International Group (AIG.N). Duck Creek expects the deal to close in the second-quarter of this year. J.P. Morgan is acting as financial advisor to Duck Creek.

☆ The private-equity firm behind Italian soccer champs AC Milan is quietly building a financial services powerhouse
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

RedBird Capital is best known as the private-equity owner of soccer club AC Milan. But the sports dealmaker is quietly building a financial services arm to rival its flashier bets. RedBird Capital is one of the buzziest names in dealmaking when it comes to sports and Hollywood. In August, the New York City-based private equity firm bought soccer club AC Milan for $1.2 billion. The firm's philosophies for financial services and sports are one and the same: taking advantage of fragmented environments with firms that have long-term recurring cash flow.

☆ How Gerry Cardinale became the go-to dealmaker for the likes of the Yankees, AC Milan, and Ben Affleck
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | Dakin Campbell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +20 min

He bought the soccer club AC Milan in August, earning the attention of the Italian press. This past spring, AC Milan won its first national title in 11 years. Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images Show less Cardinale at a training session for AC Milan. For instance, the teams sell each other's merchandise in their stadiums, and the YES Network airs AC Milan games. "Now we have a new phase of expansion and internationalization of AC Milan with Gerry."

☆ We're impressed with health insurer Humana's solid quarter and rosy outlook for next year
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Full-year 2022 guidance was in-line with the updated outlook provided at the health insurer's September investor day. But we did get some commentary looking ahead to 2023 that pushed the stock 2% higher in Wednesday's down market. The Q3 benefits expense ratio in the quarter was 86.5%, down (again, lower is better), down from 88.1% in the year ago period. The Q3 benefits expense ratio in the quarter saw significant improvement, falling to 78.7% from 86.4% last year. Outlook Management affirmed their adjusted full-year 2022 EPS outlook of approximately $25 per share, representing 21% annual growth versus 2021 an in-line with expectations.

☆ Rising premiums, more restricted cyber insurance coverage poses big risk for companies
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Bob Violino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Luke MacGregor | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesAmong the many consequences of the rising number of costly data breaches, ransomware, and other security attacks are pricier premiums for cyber security insurance. The high demand for cyber coverage is in part fueled by greater awareness among companies of the threat cyber risk poses for businesses of all sizes, it said. The study said the cost of cyber insurance is based in part on the frequency, severity, and cost of cyber attacks, "all of which have been increasing. "But now, carriers are becoming less likely to include it, and are instead offering cyber coverage separately. "Also, companies that go bare on cyber liability may see an impact on revenue, as customers and suppliers increasingly make cyber coverage a requirement of doing business."

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