Feature
Taking a health check
When global economic recovery eventually takes place, it is essential energy trading organisations are in a position to capitalise on market changes. Julie Shochat and Ryan Rogers of Enite set out some guidelines
Power adaptor
Alpiq Group was created at the beginning of 2009 as a result of the merger of Swiss utilities Atel and EOS. Peter Heydecker, head of trading and services, talks to Rachel Morison about Alpiq’s culture and presence in European power markets
Too much of a good thing
The price of US natural gas has hit record lows, but with storage fit to burst and demand in the doldrums, any hope of a price pick-up may remain a pipe dream for now, writes Pauline McCallion
Get ready for the revolution
Global events and climate change have fundamentally changed the face of energy procurement. Chris Bowden of Utilyx looks at the issues facing energy-intensive businesses in the UK
Building demand
One year after the collapse of Lehmans, fundamentals for the energy and metals markets continue to evolve, with emerging market demand, especially from China, set to have an increasing impact. Pauline McCallion discusses the outlook with experts
Deal of the year - Babcock International
Longevity swaps have been talked about as a solution to pension schemes’ longevity risk management challenges for some years. But this year Babcock International turned theory into practice when it became the first fund to complete a deal. Andrew sheen…
Multinational insurer of the year - Allianz
A nurturing of its capital base and an ability to react positively to unfavourable market events has made Allianz Life & Pensions’ multinational insurer of the year. Aaron Woolner reports
Innovation of the year - SEB Pension
In a year that has witnessed variable annuity providers massively scale back the level and increase the cost of the benefits they offer, Denmark’s SEB Pension has constructed a product that bucks the trend, raising the level and reducing the volatility…
Pension fund of the year - PKA
Danish pension fund PKA uses a Solvency II-inspired internal model to fine-tune its risk management approach. Andrew Sheen reports
Different degrees
Solvency II will require a massive upgrade in insurers’ technological capability. But as the deadline for implementation looms ever closer, not all in the industry have made the same level of progress.
Choose life
The US life settlements sector is marketing itself to pension funds and European insurers as an easy way to add diversification to a portfolio. But how are the risks modelled and how can the banks and hedge funds that are brokering the transactions…
The hybrid split
Insurers’ capital management has relied heavily on hybrid debt over the last decade – a strategy that has come under threat from Ceiops' latest Solvency II proposals. Aaron Woolner reports
Divine illumination
Last year's OR&C top 100 banks study identified 'A new dawn for disclosure'. Things have hotted up since then, and now banks face not only a level of exposure and transparency never seen before, but also stricter regulation on almost every front…
It's all relative
The Operational Risk Consortium recently carried out an analysis of its growing database of operational losses in the insurance business. It found evidence of the need for scaling, which suggests no firm's losses should be viewed in isolation. Mariano…
Torrential reign
It never rains but it pours. International negotiations over the best way to regulate banks and financial markets continue, but bankers had better be prepared because much of what has been discussed in recent months will find its way into
A shining example
In the oil and gas industry, there's a lot to lose if operational risk management isn't top notch - lives are at stake. Financial services firms would do well to imbue their op risk frameworks with the same sense of significance, says Victoria Pennington
He who laughs last
Professor Leon Metzger is a seasoned campaigner on the importance of internal controls within asset management firms, and has faced ridicule over the years from those who valued returns over operational controls. Then along came Madoff. No-one's laughing…