Bermuda-based insurer XL Capital will host a special day for investors next week in New York City.

In a press release this week, the company said its investor day would be held on Tuesday, May 25, with a theme of ?People, Products and Expertise?.

The day will include presentations from executives leading XL?s three operating segments; insurance, reinsurance and financial products and services, as well as information on the company?s corporate and investment activities.

In addition to the presentations, XL president and CEO Brian O?Hara will be hosting a luncheon where he will give an overview of the market and take questions from analysts and investors attending the event.

A live online webcast of this event, along with a copy of the presentation slides, will be available at www.xlcapital.com and will be archived on XL?s website from May 25 through June 25.

Bermuda-based reinsurer PartnerRe yesterday announced it had approval from its board of directors to buy back up to a total of 5 million common shares. This reflects an increase of approximately 800,000 common shares to the approximately 4.2 million common shares remaining under the prior authorisation it has held since 1999.

The company said it planned to execute the repurchase programme ?from time to time, and depending on market conditions?. PartnerRe added that the buy back could come about as a result of shares repurchased in the open market or from privately negotiated transactions.

PartnerRe president and CEO Patrick Thiele said: ?Active capital management is an important component of the company?s strategy. This authorisation provides us the flexibility to balance our objectives of optimising return on equity with unquestioned financial security and superior ratings.?

Scottish Re recently announced the appointment of Seth Vance as president and CEO for its wholly-owned subsidiary Scottish Holdings, Inc.

Mr. Vance will reportedly lead Scottish Re?s North American life reinsurance operations, assuming day-to-day operational responsibilities from Oscar Scofield who stays on as chairman of Scottish Re?s North American business.

Scottish Holdings, Inc. is the parent of the group?s operating units Scottish Re (US), Inc. and Scottish Re Life Corporation, formerly ERC Life Reinsurance Corporation.

President Scott Willkomm said: ?We are excited to have an individual of Seth?s caliber join Scottish Re?s executive management team. His knowledge of risk management and finance, coupled with extensive general management and operating experience will allow us to further deepen the executive leadership in our growing North American business unit.?

Mr. Vance has more than 20 years experience in structured finance and risk management and operations, was previously a senior executive with Salomon Brothers, UBS Securities and Morgan Stanley.

Prior to joining Scottish Re, Mr. Vance was a managing director with Deutsche Bank where he headed that firm?s European collateralised debt obligation group.

Mr. Vance holds a BS degree in accounting from Brigham Young University, and an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He is a certified public accountant. Prior to attending graduate school, Mr. Vance was an auditor with Ernst & Whinney and Arthur Andersen.

Everest Re has declared a dividend of ten cents per share payable on or before June 18 to all shareholders as of May 28, 2004.