The path to net-zero
Knowing how best to get a portfolio to zero greenhouse gas emissions will be a skill CIOs need to hone, as David Walker hears from AXA Investment Managers.
The RBC changes: a slow-moving Titanic
It is a slow change, even by the notoriously slow standards of the insurance industry. However, the soon-to-be instigated changes to the NAIC's risk-based capital charges on fixed income assets could have significant ramifications for the US insurance investment portfolio. And many don't like it. Sarfraz Thind reports
Inflation - the rising concern among CIOs
Once the elephant in the room for most insurance investors, inflation or the threat of it, is creeping up the ladder of chief investment officers' risks. Stephanie Harris reports
Comment: The Cold War over non-financial disclosures
The fragmented landscape of non-financial disclosures is consolidating, and it is geopolitical considerations that are driving the emergence of winners, and the downfall of the rest. Vincent Huck surveys the battlefield and predicts who will emerge victorious.
What is driving real asset investment decisions?
In an increasingly complex environment where returns can be scarce one could have expected CIOs to give answers based on fundamentals, but instead, their investment decisions seem to be driven by a greater cause - purpose, as Vincent Huck finds out
When actuarial science gets political
German insurers warn EU policy makers not to try and fix what is not broken in Solvency II, they also advise against politicising the rules which would lead to a skewed version of risk. David Walker reports
Royal London's journey into commercial real estate loans for MA portfolio
UK insurer has a "constructive dialogue" with the PRA regarding its MA application, and hopes commercial real estate loans will form part of its MA portfolio, Insurance Asset Risk has learnt. Vincent Huck reports
CIO interview: Balancing internal and external clients at an insurer's affiliate
SCOR decided to fully centralise the investment process at group level in 2008, and open asset management services to third-party clients in 2011. Francois De Varenne, in charge of today's €20bn investment portfolio, explains the rational around the decision, how it went about building the current structure. Interview by Vincent Huck
Insurers warn of accounting mismatches in implementing IFRS 17 & IFRS 9
But the insurance sector's criticisms lie more with the issue of financial reporting than with the standards themselves, a former standard setter tells Insurance Asset Risk. Vincent Huck reports
Nine lessons from general account investing in 2021
2020 bruised many chief investment officers who had to fight to maintain their general accounts. But insurers' full-year results are revealing that the year wasn't a losing battle for many. David Walker reports