Allstate Corp

Rip Club Sewing Center, 2238 W. First St., celebrated its grand reopening Nov. 7. Owned and operated by Bonnie McLeod, it is dedicated to passing down the skill and knowledge of tailoring, dressmaking and general sewing skills along with professional techniques and providing alterations and contract work for those not so inclined.  

Takeovers are back. That's good news for investors. When companies are eager to make acquisitions, it's an encouraging sign to the market.  

Allstate Corp. is getting out of the stock-picking business. The Northbrook-based insurance giant confirmed that it has hired Goldman Sachs Asset Management to handle its $4.6-billion portfolio of public equities. About 15 jobs — 5% of Allstate Investments' workforce — were eliminated due to the Goldman Sachs outsourcing deal, which occurred last month, a spokesman said.  

Duck Creek Technologies, Inc. (Duck Creek), a leading provider of software and services for the insurance industry, today announced that Terry Kelaher has joined its board of directors effective in November, 2009. "Terry Kelaher brings experience, leadership, and keen industry perspective to our board of directors," said Doug Roller, Chairman of the Board. "His accomplishments and expertise will be an asset to our board and company."

Terry Kelaher brings experience, leadership, and keen industry perspective to our board of directors   -Doug Roller

 

Edgar Castillo is one of an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 American Muslims participating in this year's Hajj. The number of Americans making the trip is down from previous years, according to tour operators who specialize in offering travel packages for the Hajj as well as Umrah trips to the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina, which can take place throughout the year. The chief reasons: an economy in recession and concerns about the H1N1 pandemic. Khalid Kazi, owner of Allstate Travel and Tours in Houst  

Weston Allstate agent Seth Friedman recently received the Agency Hands in the Community Award for his commitment to helping others. Allstate agent Seth Friedman presents a grant to the Tyler Goldberg Foundation. The foundation is committed to preventing injuries to children due to the operation of personal watercraft.  

OLDWICK, N.J.--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of "aa-" of Allstate Insurance Group (Allstate) and its members. Additionally, A.M. Best has affirmed the ICR of "a-" and debt ratings of Allstate's parent, The Allstate Corporation (Allcorp) (Northbrook, IL) (NYSE: ALL). The outlook for these ratings is stable.  

In the face of today's economic crisis and skyrocketing jobless rates, The Allstate Foundation is stepping up efforts to ease the financial burdens of domestic violence survivors with $625,000 in new economic empowerment grants for statewide coalitions against domestic violence in eleven states. The grants will be used to support a variety of local programs focused on developing strategies to move survivors of abuse toward financial independence. The grantees' work will center on financial literacy, Ind

People often think of the physical bruises associated with domestic violence, but the financial devastation that results from an abusive relationship can also be especially crippling   -Jennifer Kuhn

 

Nov. 20--Home insurance rates will jump an average 9.8 percent next month for thousands of Allstate customers. The increase will start Dec. 17 as policies come up for renewal and affect 143,000 customers of Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance. It's the Allstate unit's second increase this year.

We are footing the bill on behalf of consumers for the rising costs and that impacts what Texans pay for home insurance   -Bill Mellander