Aviva

In response to customer feedback, Aviva has now added two new reduced out-patient benefit options and a choice of higher excess options, to its Healthier Solutions individual health insurance product.

Aviva is removing initial charges from its newly-reopened wrap proposition from 15 February to the end of the year.

People nearing state retirement age have the lowest savings of all over-55s, according to Aviva.

Aviva Life International is exiting the offshore bond space on 26 February amid deteriorating market conditions and a lack of consumer demand.

Aviva is introducing automatic underwriting to speed up its online annuity quote process.

Banks will take over from IFAs as the major point of sale for with-profits investments in the future, according to Aviva.

Aviva UK life and pensions new business sales fell almost 25% in 2009 as the insurer was hit by the tough economic conditions, but bumper Q4 sales have given it confidence for 2010.

Barclays has misled more investors into buying risky funds, recent evidence suggests.

Employers are increasingly addressing issues such as mental health in a bid to reduce long term absence rates, research from Aviva suggests.

Aviva has announced Patrick Regan will take up his appointment as chief financial officer and executive director on 22 February.