IAR’s European conference: CIO, an evolving job

At the Insurance Asset Risk EMEA 2019 conference three chief investment officers of European insurance companies gave their outlook on the current environment. In the first of a three-part series, they discuss the evolving nature of their jobs. Compiled by Vincent Huck

AllianceBernstein head of responsible US equities joins SASB advisory board

Valerie Grant is one of three AB execs to advise on sustainability accounting standards

Finding opportunities in illiquid credit

Insurers can find the illiquid credit space crowded. Participants in part one of this roundtable from Insurance Asset Risk and NN Investment Partners discuss the opportunities and challenges to find the right assets, competing not only with other insurers, but also with other institutional investors such as banks.

Axa IMRA buys Amsterdam hotel

Axa affiliate now owns five hotels in Amsterdam

Insurers are becoming specialists in private markets

In their search for yield, insurers have become so accustomed with private assets they are now able to generate their own deals and perform in-depth analysis in-house, according to panellists at Insurance Asset Risk EMEA 2019 conference. Vincent Huck reports

ReinSTSted: Are new rules reopening the ABS market for insurers?

Holding asset-backed securities has been a challenge for most insurers since the dislocations of the global financial crisis and introduction of Solvency II. This year, new regulation offers the potential for Solvency II-regulated firms to return to securitised debt investments, says James King, fund manager at M&G.

Q&A: Introducing risk-based capital in Hong Kong

David Alexander, head of P&C reinsurance Hong Kong & Taiwan at Swiss Re, and chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers taskforce on RBC has been directly involved in liaison with the Insurance Authority on the introduction of the new regulation. Interview by Vincent Huck.

China’s Belt & Road: where are the insurers’ investments?

As China celebrates the sixth year of its initiative this week, insurers remain reluctant to invest in its projects. Vincent Huck asks why

Hong Kong’s insurers gearing up for risk-based capital

In Hong Kong, local stakeholders tell Vincent Huck how they are getting ready for a risk-based capital regime which will require them to put in place ALM strategies and define their investment risk appetite.

ASI to manage $500m ESG fund for Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

ESG gets physical: the role of real assets in creating a sustainable future

Physical assets, particularly infrastructure and real estate, have a critical role to play in facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable economy and a greener world. Incorporating ESG considerations is a fundamental part of an asset manager's duty to their clients.

Commercial mortgages close up

Strong returns, stable performance, low risk—the market for commercial mortgage loans has run on tailwinds in the last 10 years with more insurers bringing the asset onto their portfolio than ever before. But, with a looming economic downturn, is the love affair with CMLs about to run out? Sarfraz Thind reports

What could derail Britain's infrastructure investing boom?

The UK has for many years been heralded as a treasure trove of investable infrastructure assets. However, as the industry faces potential disruption from renationalisation, regulatory reforms and Brexit, we discuss the risks and rewards of investing in UK infrastructure.

Axa IMRA buys Californian tower block