Analysis

• Reporting: How much more does the ECB want?

  19 August 2014

  The European Central Bank is currently finalising a piece of statistical regulation addressed to insurers, after discussions with the industry ended in July. The requirements will be largely aligned with Solvency II, but in a few areas the bank wants more data, as Hugo Coelho explains

• Solvency II: Pillar 3 issues for smaller insurers

  14 August 2014

  Getting to grips with the reporting requirements for Solvency II for firms as they become more involved with Pillar 3 implementation has already been flagged as a challenge for many, but this is especially so for the smaller players in the market, argues Charles Portsmouth, who highlights the key issues for such companies

• Leading the underwriting pack

  12 August 2014

  As one of the lead insurers for the tragic MH17 plane crash, German insurer Allianz has continued to make the headlines in recent weeks. Here Carsten Scheffel, CEO of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty in London, talks to Marcus Alcock about the insurer's thoughts on integrated underwriting, Solvency II preparedness, and new areas of risk

• Economic scenario generators: a means to many ends

  08 August 2014

  ESGs are widely used in capital calculations and enterprise risk management. Hal Pedersen and Stephen Sonlin explain how these critical tools work and what to look for in a good one

• Risk elephants are lurking in your business

  05 August 2014

  Despite the great efforts that go into identifying and managing risks, there are some ever-present hazards that just do not get the attention they deserve. A recent IFoA working party sought to find out more about these elephants in the room. Christopher Cundy reports.

• Could the ILS market see a dead cat bounce?

  31 July 2014

  The pricing of catastrophe bonds is picking up after a sustained and dramatic slump. But could it just be a summer lull before the action resumes in the autumn? Christopher Cundy asks market observers what they make of the recent trend

• UK insurers rush 'own interpretation' of Solvency II rules

  29 July 2014

  The Association of British Insurers has compiled a confidential paper setting out the industry's reading of the Solvency II rules in a number of contentious areas, prompting an update from the regulator saying where they have got it wrong. Hugo Coelho reports

• Optimising the capital structure

  24 July 2014

  By analysing the economic capital structure of European insurers, it is possible to gain a sense of their weaknesses and how they are likely to optimise their capital structure prospectively under Solvency II, according to Philippe Picagne and Raymond Tam

• Solvency II reporting: is six months into four weeks really possible?

  22 July 2014

  With deadlines for submitting information to regulators coming thick and fast over the next year to 18 months, typical insurer regulatory reporting cycles are being shrunk drastically. Incremental change is unlikely to deliver the necessary time savings, says John Rowland

• Going off-trail on internal models

  17 July 2014

  Over the past three years, about one in three UK insurers intending to build an internal model have scrapped their plans. More could follow before April next year, when the formal applications are due. Hugo Coelho investigates.