The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says its plan to improve the uniformity, efficiency and effectiveness of state insurance regulation will serve consumers better than the American Council of Life Insurers’ call for an optional federal charter for life insurance companies. Meanwhile, the Shadow Financial Regulatory Committee—an independent research group—evaluates the pros and cons of a federal charter ( www.naic.org/1news/releases/041701ACLIdraftproposal.htm ; www.aei.org/shdw/shdw170.htm ).