Michelle Russell-Dowe, head of securitised credit at Schroders, discusses the benefits of structured products for insurers’ investments and warns of growing risk in the market. Interview by Sarfraz Thind
As part of a panel discussion at Insurance Asset Risk Americas 2019, four CIOs of insurance companies shared their views on outsourcing and how they see their roles evolving. By Vincent Huck
At the Insurance Asset Risk Americas 2019 conference, four CIOs of insurance companies gave their views on taking smart risks. In the second of a two-part series, they discuss the processes they use and how they characterise their alternative portfolios. Compiled by Vincent Huck
At the Insurance Asset Risk Americas 2019 conference, four CIOs of insurance companies gave their views on taking smart risks. In the first of a two-part series, they discuss the nature of the current credit cycle and where they find relative value. Compiled by Vincent Huck
Ken Tanji assumed the role of CFO at Prudential in December. He gives a wide-ranging interview covering all aspects of the insurer’s business from the much derided Sifi designation, to investment risk and impact investing. Interview by Sarfraz Thind
Like a bad tarot card, an inverted US yield curve normally means economic doom. March’s inversion has now morphed into the most inverted yield curve since 2007. It is likely to have insurers gazing into their charts to see how to tackle their investments. Sarfraz Thind reports
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
The recession is coming in 2020, according to Guggenheim Investments and will be focused on the corporate bond sector. This, coupled with increased leverage and poorer liquidity, suggests the next downturn could be worse for US insurers than 2008. Sarfraz Thind reports
US insurers are holding bigger volumes of BBB-rated corporate debt than at any time in the past. A turning credit cycle could tip significant amounts of these to junk. But while the headline figures look startling, is this really a precursor to the apocalypse or just another bad news story? Sarfraz Thind reports
Pomona Capital’s founder, Michael Granoff explains how his company has tapped into the private equity niche and how it is preparing for a potential turn in the cycle. Interview by Sarfraz Thind