So much is happening in the financial world that we thought this would be a good time to re-visit some of the old stories, and re-examine the events of the last 12 months, in the light of what’s happened!!!

Best of all it would appear all major British Life Assurers have passed the FSA’s stress testing so we can all sleep easier in our beds, knowing our Insurance Companies have been better managed than the Banks. Long may it last!!!

Equitable Life policyholders have not fared quite as well it would seem, as despite winning their case against the British Government in Brussels, the Government are only paying compensation out it would seem on a “needs only” which is novel way of addressing the issue, and no doubt will be challenged later on, when all the details are known.

The Pearl Assurance Group is undergoing a major re-financing exercise, and whilst policyholders funds are undoubtedly ring fenced, and now we imagine strictly monitored by the FSA, it would be nice to think that the closed funds within this group are being managed effectively because they have proved to be pedestrian in the past, and bonus payouts to “with profit” policyholders have not been that rewarding.