SYRACUSE - Brown & Brown Empire State has acquired the assets of a small Syracuse insurance agency in a move it believes will boost its personal insurance business. And more deals may be on the way.

American International Group says it will sell off a number of business units, while retaining its U.S. property and casualty and foreign general insurance businesses, in an effort to become a smaller, more nimble company.

HAYWARD, Wis. -- A Hayward man faces federal charges after being accused of hiring someone to burn down his business to collect the insurance money. Phillip Lanthrop, 38, is charged in a six-count indictment with arson and insurance fraud.

It’s been close to a year since two former Matsen Insurance executives split from the company to form their own brand in Santa Rosa, and the pair has spent that time “cementing their foundation in the market,” said Steve Farmiloe, chief operating of

Orange, Calif.-based Armstrong/Robitaille/Riegle Business and Insurance Solutions has acquired Balance Insurance Agency of Irvine, Calif. Balance Insurance Age