Analysis

• Hong Kong flexes its regulatory muscles to compete internationally

  23 May 2019

  The pearl of the Orient has been implementing the International Monetary Fund’s recommendations for stronger regulation at a fast pace. In the first part of this two-part series, Vincent Huck looks at the progress made and what remains to be achieved.

  

• Allianz Africa CIO: investing in nascent capital markets

  21 May 2019

  In London to speak at the 2019 Africa Financial Services Investment Conference, Allianz chief investment officer for Africa Jens Köke, took the time between two meetings for a quick coffee – double expresso – with Insurance Asset Risk. Interview by Vincent Huck

  

• Commercial mortgages close up

  16 May 2019

  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

  

• German life insurers 'happy' about lower investment results

  14 May 2019

  Less onerous requirement to fuel interest rate reserves in 2018 relieved pressure to encash profitable investments, David Walker reports.

  

• CECL: US insurers getting to grips with accounting standard overhaul

  09 May 2019

  Like IFRS 9, the US's current expected credit losses (CECL) accounting standard was devised to tackle expected credit losses in financial institution portfolios. The rules, however, appear harsh in relation to the insurance industry. By Sarfraz Thind

  

• Aviva France’s diversification journey

  07 May 2019

  Chief investment officer Philippe Taffin explains the evolution of his firm’s investment portfolio over the last six years, the relationship between the different Aviva subsidiaries and why he believes there should be a Solvency II treatment of ESG risk. Interview by Vincent Huck

  

• Asset risk: biggest risk for Asian insurers

  02 May 2019

  With a lack of domestic long dated assets to match their long-term liabilities and some restrictions on overseas investments, Asian insurers’ biggest risk exposure comes from their investments. In Hong Kong, Vincent Huck meets with regional and local stakeholders to understand how they are coping and their expectations for the upcoming changes in regulations.

  

• The 'obscure' Solvency II co-investment rule

  30 April 2019

  Recent changes to co-investing rules under Solvency II have been received with mixed feelings by European insurers. Many players are even unaware there has been a development. Vincent Huck reports

  

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

  25 April 2019

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

  

• Factor investing: what are the facts?

  23 April 2019

  While there has been a lot of hype around factor investing in the last decade, the jury is still out as to whether these types of strategies are of interest for insurers. David Turner looks at the state of play