The reinsurance industry appears likely to deploy abundant capacity at the January renewals for the credit, surety and political risk market, fueled by the market's historically strong performance and reinsurers' healthy growth appetite, according to executives. Ample capacity could result in softer terms for some cedents if no material increase in loss activity occurs, an executive said.

A US Supreme Court decision has broadened potential liability under federal fraud statutes to include misrepresentations with no proof of economic loss, emphasizing the importance of materiality in False Claims Act cases. The Justice Department has made a priority of enforcement regarding false Title VII compliance certifications, heightening the need for contractors to ensure accurate nondiscrimination practices.

The Defense Department released the final Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, or CMMC, as part of the final Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement rule, which will take effect Nov. 10, with the CMMC implemented in phases over three years. The rule generally follows the proposed version, from August 2024, but it includes several new provisions, such as one allowing the department to decide during the rollout whether CMMC requirements should apply to procurement.

Businesses must remain vigilant regarding tariff compliance because the False Claims Act carries strong penalties for violations, including improper tariff payments. The Trump administration has prioritized tariff enforcement, with the Justice Department pursuing cases of tariff evasion, such as misclassification of goods and "transshipment" through lower-tariff jurisdictions. Companies need to monitor for "red flags" such as inconsistent documentation and unusual shipping patterns and should use technology to enhance compliance, writes a CPA and certified fraud examiner.

Openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and emotional stability are personality traits that play a significant role in leadership success, a psychology professor writes, emphasizing that no single personality type is the best, although self-awareness and adaptability can enhance your overall skills. The professor offers exercises for staying authentic while developing personality traits, suggesting that leaders who are overly agreeable set boundaries and that extroverted leaders practice speaking last, for example.

Bond producers with contractor clients working in Texas will want to know about the latest legislation affecting the construction industry. This NASBP Blog post, from law firm Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, describes two recently enacted bills that contractors should review. The author describes SB 2610, affecting cybersecurity liability, and SB 929, clarifying mechanics' lien deadlines, both of which have taken effect. SB 2610 helps small and midsize businesses that comply with cybersecurity requirements to mitigate risks from data breach lawsuits. SB 929 clears up possible confusion on the deadline for lien actions such as recording a lien or providing notice of a lien. It also explains how lien priority and lien start date can affect the validity and enforceability of a lien. Read more.