announcement of their intentions to open another significant company here.

Newspaper advertisements have appeared in recent weeks, advertising for senior underwriting staff for Zurich Global Energy Ltd.

Applicants for these posts were asked to communicate directly with the personnel department of Zurich affiliate, Centre Re, who were acting on behalf of Zurich Global Energy Ltd. The closing date for applicants was near the end of October.

Now Zurich Insurance has applied to the Minister of Finance for a permit "to engage in or carry on (the) business of insurance and reinsurance in or from within Bermuda''. A newspaper advertisement to this effect has already been published.

The developments have set the insurance community talking.

Zurich has had a two decade-long association with Bermuda, including the market-leading and innovative company, Centre Re, which has been here for nearly ten years.

The impending development, however, could signal a more significant presence here by the Zurich Group.

It also could signal the return to Bermuda of Robert Golden, it has been speculated. Mr. Golden for ten years was the president and CEO at Texaco's local captive insurance subsidiary, Heddington Insurance Ltd.

He left under mysterious circumstances in March of last year, but was in the news four months later when he was bound for Zurich, Switzerland to head up Zurich Insurance Ltd.'s energy department.