Solvency II has turbo-boosted the move to insurance asset outsourcing. Asset managers are beefing up their capabilities to win market share—but what can you do to make yourself stand out from the crowd? Sarfraz Thind reports
Insurance 'wraps' can boost the credit rating on infrastructure debt to make the asset more attractive to investors, especially underwriters grappling with Solvency II. Christopher Cundy reports
The UK regulator has made a point-by-point rebuttal to the Association of British Insurers' agenda for Solvency II reforms and confirmed its priority to review the reporting requirements. Christopher Cundy reports
Enticed by lucrative revenues, insurers are pushing into the asset management business like never before. Insurer-affiliated managers are currently some of the fastest growing in the world. With regulations and low rates driving increased insurer third-party asset outsourcing, the industry is in a prime position to pick up more business. Sarfraz Thind reports
Insurance Asset Risk this month will feature a number of analysis and thought leaderships on responsible investment. In this article, Tom Herbstein and Andrew Voysey from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership discuss QBE's initiative that allows its customers to have up to 25% of their premiums invested responsibly.
Jessica Ground, global head of stewardship at Schroders, argues insurers are a natural fit for ESG investing – if they can harness pricing expertise on the investment side.
The UK government has structured a tranche of the 2002 to 2006 student loan book to make it attractive to insurance investors. Insurers are wary of political risks, however. Callum Tanner reports
The relationship between asset manager and insurer could be entering a new era, as WTW attempts to bring investors and managers into a single marketplace via its Asset Management Exchange. Asa Gibson talks to the man hoping to create the Amazon of investment, Oliver Jaegemann.
Machine learning is seen as the next stage of evolution in the asset management world. While still in its infancy, asset managers are examining how to use machines in everything from investment making to operational efficiency. So will it really change the way that insurers invest? Sarfraz Thind reports
Responsible investing is increasingly mentioned in the investment process, and insurers certainly wear their ESG principles as a badge of honour. But, despite the talk, does ESG really influence investment policy? Sarfraz Thind reports
Ground rents offer insurers a way to diversify their real asset portfolios, with a low risk profile and relatively attractive yields. But market access and Solvency II treatment are significant barriers. Asa Gibson reports.
Allianz's in-house alternative asset manager has closed four tax equity investments in US wind farms in only 12 months, and plans more in 2017. Head of renewables at Allianz Capital Partners David Jones talks to Asa Gibson about the firm's American wind expansion.