Events organised by the Prince of Wales can't be publicised, so it was a running joke among the attendees of his finance leaders' summit at St James Palace to ask how one had heard about the event. Surrounded by tapestries, art works, swords and powder guns hanging from the walls, 70 finance leaders were asked to commit to concrete actions to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Vincent Huck got a glimpse through the door.
US life insurers are big investors in commercial real estate attracted by the yield and diversification benefits they offer. But with strong indicators of the current credit cycle nearing its end, the risks attached to the sector are growing. Is it still safe to go into those waters? By Sarfraz Thind
The audience of the Insurance Asset Risk EMEA conference answered a series of questions on their main concerns and investment strategies going forward. Vincent Huck reports on the findings
The insurance industry has no shortage of asset managers jostling to take on assets. So why would someone start from scratch to get into the game? Despite competition, Blackstone believes the opportunities in insurance asset management remain vast. Chris Blunt, head of the group's insurance solutions, explains the company's motivation and strategy. By Sarfraz Thind
During a panel discussion at Insurance Europe conference, the insurance industry and the supervisory authorities clashed over the level of equity investments. Industry representatives accused the European Commission and the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority of ignoring market realities. Aggelos Andreou reports
In a two-part series Allianz's CIO, Carsten Quitter, speaks to Insurance Asset Risk some three years after his predecessor Andres Gruber told of his challenges. In part two, Quitter talks about the latest themes affecting his role as CIO: technology, ESG and the relationship with Allianz's asset managers. By Sarfraz Thind
Soaring interest rates and economic turmoil are causing problems for Argentine insurers, and they must also adapt to new rules preventing them from investing in their favourite financial instrument. Vincent Huck reports
Like Germany's national football team, Allianz is one of the most well-structured and led companies in the world. Come the final shake-up you know it will be there or thereabouts. In a two-part series Allianz's CIO, Carsten Quitter, speaks to Insurance Asset Risk some three years after his predecessor Andres Gruber told of his challenges. By Sarfraz Thind
Insurers say they can find financial value in ESG investing, but they have to be wise to investments that don't deliver on their stated goals. And while ESG can mean different things to different stakeholders, a push for standardisation is not always welcome, according to panellists at Insurance Asset Risk's 2018 EMEA conference. Vincent Huck reports
Christelle Ybanez explains why cash doesn't have to be the problem child, and how insurers can generate extra income from their liquid assets without increasing their investment risk
A UK parliamentary committee has called on government to act if regulators fail on implementing climate risk disclosures. While some witnesses highlighted to the committee the insurers' exposure to climate-related risk, some pointed out that thanks to Solvency II rules they might be ahead of the game. Michael Hurley and Vincent Huck report
