David Walker

How asset managers can data-mine 3,500 insurers

Solvency II reports are giving investment managers a goldmine of data and narrative by which to analyse underwriters and win a competitive edge. David Walker explains how.

Standard formula equity charges encourage risk-taking - new method proposed

Regulator reveals Belgian insurers' links to shadow banking

Belgium's financial regulator and national bank have calculated an exposure by insurers to shadow banks of €47bn ($55bn), representing one-third of the assets in the nation's parallel banking system.

MassMutual among insurers boosting Asian private equity

Asian insurers also want more exposure to local unlisted equity, according to research

Sovereign and bank exposures of South African life industry concerns Moody's

Industry earns one-third the yield it did in 2013

Vaudoise adds hedges on equities in case of "significant decline" in market

Swiss insurer's first half results show investment return falling from 1.9% to 1.4%

CNP Assurances venture arm backs French property platform

Unlisted equity represents just 0.04% of French group's investments

Reinvestment risk hits yields at global reinsurers

But macroeconomic worries deter greater risk-taking, says Willis Re

Moody's predicts shift towards unrated assets on risk charge falling

Rating agency does not expect risk charge on sovereign bonds for standard formula users

German trade body calls for proportionality on look-through

GDV's plea comes as Insurance Risk Data reveals Germany's largest fund-investing insurers