Archive

  • Insurers risk "huge" losses on stranded assets, Carney says

    30 September 2015

    Heightened capital requirements for high-carbon investments ruled out

  • Insurers face up to the asset test of Solvency II

    23 September 2015

    As solvency ratios come under pressure and the introduction of Solvency II with its higher capital charges for some asset classes looms, insurers are taking a hard look at the risk in their asset portfolios, as Sarfraz Thind explains

  • Investing £25bn in infrastructure not so easy for UK insurers

    29 June 2015

    Increased competition, compressed spreads on debt, construction risk and regulatory charges are just some of the factors that have helped to crimp progress on an ambitious programme of infrastructure investment that six UK insurers committed to in 2013. Mark Nicholls explains

  • The challenge of hedging under the volatility adjustment

    29 April 2015

    The multiple factors used to calculate the Solvency II risk-free rate when using the volatility adjustment (VA) render it almost impossible to hedge perfectly while maintaining capital efficiency, but that in turn creates an opportunity for value-added asset-liability management, says Paul Fulcher

  • Phoenix builds up equity-release book

    24 April 2015

    Part of strategy to diversify asset portfolio

  • Matching adjustment details challenge UK insurers

    22 April 2015

    The matching adjustment is currently the biggest issue for UK insurer asset portfolios before Solvency II comes into force next year. Among the key issues are equity release, FX hedges and collateral. Sarfraz Thind reports

  • Friends Life CIO values his investment banking skills

    13 April 2015

    At Friends Life Robert Groves has brought an innovative approach to the role of CIO from his previous career in banking. Right now his biggest challenges are ensuring Friends Life's assets are eligible for the matching adjustment and sourcing higher-yielding investments, as Sarfraz Thind explains

  • PRA warns insurers on fossil fuel assets

    03 March 2015

    Deputy head Fisher claims insurers could be hit by policy changes

  • PRA gives guidance on equity release mortgages

    23 February 2015

    Restructuring for MA likely to be acceptable if via a subsidiary

  • Bank of England quizzes Insurers on climate change

    29 October 2014

    Central bank asks about possible impact on investment performance