Insurance Risk
Post-crisis pension fund strategic asset allocation
Pension investing is a long-term game – but the financial crisis forced most funds to adjust their strategies to meet the demands of short-term volatility. The impact of this experience has been felt differently across Europe. Clive Davidson reports
QIS 5 makes its mark
European insurers are gearing up to take part in Solvency II’s latest and final quantitative impact study. John Ferry assesses what the latest proposals suggest about the impact of the new regime
Insurers reappraise forex risk
Increasing currency volatility has prompted a reappraisal of insurers’ foreign exchange hedging approach – a phenomenon that will be accelerated, particularly in the Nordic regions, with the advent of Solvency II. Laurie Carver reports
Slovenia gears up for Solvency II challenge
In the last 20 years, the Slovene life industry has battled inflation rates of close to 2000%, sector-wide insolvency and is now readying for its first experience of risk-based capital regulation with the advent of Solvency II. Aaron Woolner reports
MCEV – the quest for market consistency
After the extreme volatility of 2008 spoiled the MCEV launch party, investors have been understandably wary of the way some firms have taken a hardline stance on market consistency. Now the variance in how non-hedgable risks are assessed is what is…
Raj Singh interview: lesson for the future
The credit crisis has impacted the whole reinsurance sector, but, according to Raj Singh, chief risk officer at Swiss Re, at least it has taught the industry useful lessons for the future. Sarfraz Thind reports
Sampension moves to intentional guarantees
Copenhagen fund agrees to move to intentional guarantees to avoid Solvency II charges
ING warns of ‘dramatic divergence’ in interest rates if euro fails
Widely diverging interest rates could occur if EMU is dissolved, warns Dutch insurer
QIS 5 specifications add complexity
Insurers face greater complexity under EC's final QIS 5 specifications
Risk-based supervision the ‘focus’ of equivalence criteria, says EC
Third-couuntry equivalence assessments should focus on whether regimes are risk-based
Ring-fencing may not protect benefits
Ring-fencing assets may not protect policyholder benefits, says Ceiops
Solvency II to increase FX hedging
Solvency II could cause rise in foreign exchange hedging programmes by insurers
Solvency II to push annuity providers to gilts
Fitch analysts say demand for corporate bonds could drop as Solvency II forces UK insurers to opt for gilts
South Africa opts for Solvency II approach
Solvency II is not just an issue for European insurers. Faced with the increasingly global nature of the financial sector, South Africa’s financial regulator is bringing in its own version of the regulation. But the schedule to implementation is tight…