Archive

  • What's behind the wall: US insurers' investments in EM debt

    25 July 2019

    Emerging markets should be an attractive option for US insurers as the Federal Reserve looks to cut rates, making opportunities at home less attractive. But, as the Trump government continues building trade barriers, are US government policies stymying enthusiasm for the asset class? Sarfraz Thind reports

  • NAIC takes $3.2m investment hit in 2018

    09 April 2019

    Alternative equity fund investments reduced by 70%

  • The BBB effect: apocalypse or opportunity?

    12 March 2019

    US insurers are holding bigger volumes of BBB-rated corporate debt than at any time in the past. A turning credit cycle could tip significant amounts of these to junk. But while the headline figures look startling, is this really a precursor to the apocalypse or just another bad news story? Sarfraz Thind reports

  • Wade to leave role as Connecticut insurance commissioner

    17 December 2018

    She will be succeeded by Paul Lombardo on an interim basis

  • A slow growth for US infrastructure

    04 June 2018

    A US infrastructure overhaul is due—that much is common knowledge. However, so far, institutional investors and especially insurers have been coy to invest due to policy hurdles at the federal level. As each state administration starts to address these issues, insurers are seeing opportunities building up. David Turner reports

  • Trump tax law decimates P&C demand for municipal bonds

    11 April 2018

    Last year's US tax law is destroying insurer demand for municipal bonds, once considered the most attractive surplus cash investment for the country's property and casualty insurers. Sarfraz Thind reports

  • Blackstone hires former FIO chief to insurance solutions business

    19 March 2018

    US investment management firm Blackstone has appointed Michael McRaith as managing director for its insurance solutions unit.

  • US bond charge proposals could cost life sector $6bn

    20 November 2017

    Smaller underwriters to be hit hardest, says A.M. Best

  • US insurer ETF use to grow 86% in next five years, S&P predicts

    22 June 2017

    Move to fixed income ETFs the next biggest trend, rating agency finds

  • Taking control of credit risk

    24 January 2017

    Regulatory changes in the US and persistently low interest rates around the world are raising the profile of credit risk management. EY's Juan Carlos Milan Sotelo says there are a number of common weak spots within a typical credit risk management framework, which insurance CIOs can address with a few fundamental steps. Asa Gibson reports