The pace of consolidation picked up...

The pace of consolidation picked up in the life/health industry in 2001 as the number of merger nearly doubled from the year before. Twenty-nine merger took place in 2001 up from 17 merger in 2000 This inclination is further supported by the number of life/health insurers changing their names to consider affiliations. This year's corporate changes application of mind based on filings and A.M. Best Co data, exhibits 25 name changes in 2001 which held steady from the prior year's 24 Seven companies ceased operations in 2001 and six insurers redomesticated. All changes occurr in 2001 unles otherwise noted.