Analysis

• The curious case of the Swedish curve

  10 March 2015

  Eiopa has cut of the convergence period for the Swedish risk-free rate curve to 10 years from 50, citing the particular characteristics of the bond market. The change will reduce interest rate sensitivity, but increase the risk that insurers under-reserve. Hugo Coelho reports

• Emerging risk steps out of the shadows

  04 March 2015

  Insurers are gradually dispelling the scepticism around the subject of emerging risk, and are getting better at considering the potential impacts and opportunities, according to Oric International. Christopher Cundy reports

• Low rates usher an era of 'new traditional' products

  24 February 2015

  Austrian insurer Uniqa has replaced its traditional guaranteed product with a 'new traditional' product that comes with a 0% guarantee and bonus at maturity. It is just the latest insurer to adjust its product portfolio in response to the twin threats of low rates and Solvency II. Hugo Coelho reports

• Tough battle ahead for global capital standards

  19 February 2015

  The response of US state insurance regulators to the IAIS consultation on the insurance capital standard sheds light over hurdles on the way of a global compromise. Hugo Coelho reports

• An alternative to the three lines of defence

  17 February 2015

  Limitations to the 'three lines of defence' model of risk management have been exposed through its use in financial services businesses. Clive Martin, Paul Willman, Roy Boukens and Oliver Rockley suggest an alternative way of describing risk management responsibility.

• Hong Kong: on the road to RBC

  12 February 2015

  It is early days for the development of Hong Kong's risk-based capital regime, but insurers already fear it will bring substantial changes to their businesses. Hugo Coelho reports

• QE reveals the deception of the Solvency II curve

  10 February 2015

  The Solvency II discount curve is masking the impact of tumbling interest rates and artificially increasing levels of available capital, but firms and supervisors are already seeking to gauge the true vulnerability of businesses. Hugo Coelho reports

• Solvency II equivalence under threat

  06 February 2015

  Europe's politicians are demanding a greater say in which countries can be deemed equivalent to Solvency II, amid fears that the European Commission is not moving fast enough with decisions that are crucial to insurers worldwide. Sarfraz Thind reports

• South African insurers QIS goodbye to easy 2015

  04 February 2015

  South Africa's latest study on the impact of its new solvency regime yielded some worrying results for re/insurers. Christopher Cundy talks to the regulator and market watchers to see what it means for the sector

• The pains of standardisation

  29 January 2015

  Insurers planning to use the Solvency II standard formula must convince regulators that it is appropriate to calculate their capital requirements. Hugo Coelho reports on the arguments insurers are putting forward - and what happens if they fail