Articles by Louie Woodall
Lack of clarity on calculation parameters jeopardises long-term guarantees test
Concerns that technical specifications may be released only days before assessment is launched
Insurers wrestle with Solvency II internal model change policies
Supervisors say existing guidance has yet to be tested and may not work
Insurers pose less systemic risk than banks, shows study
Geneva Association research shows proposals for regulating systemically risky insurers are'misguided'
Further longevity deals expected in 2013
More deals expected to take place in 2013, but complexity of transactions is expected to limit market growth
Phase-in of Solvency II a threat to level playing field, warn insurers
Phase-in of Solvency II a threat to level playing field, warn insurers
Investment in infrastructure set to rise as insurers seek yield
Swiss Re infrastructure deal shows developing appetite of insurers to finance long-term projects
New own funds specifications add capital restrictions
New technical specifications on Solvency II’s capital requirements make some significant changes to the way insurers calculate their own funds, but they also leave some unanswered questions. Louie Woodall reports
Small reinsurers ‘shortening bond durations’ to protect against interest rate volatility
Companies prepared to take ALM mismatch to access higher yields on reinvestment
German insurers' life guarantee reserves 'to double' in 2013 as low yields bite
Increased ZZR reserves 'threat to insurers' business model'
Insurers begin 'cautious' re-risking of investment portfolios as yields slump
Third-quarter results show small increase in equity exposure and lower-grade corporates
Calls for Eiopa to clarify non-life cat SCR technical specifications
Specifications unclear on premium volume definition for risk-factor calculation, say actuaries
Mutuals warn of capital threat from UK 'twin peaks' regulation
Guidance needed on treatment of with-profits fund surpluses under new supervisory regime
Norwegian regulator to ease internal model timetable in wake of Solvency II delays
French regulator also considering adjusting pre-approval schedule
Loss-absorption proposals for systemically important insurers flawed
IAIS proposals will encourage regulatory arbitrage due to lack of global capital standard,experts warn
Move to swaps discounting presents ALM challenges for with-profits funds
Switching to swaps
FSA ring-fencing proposals threaten with-profits fund rescues
Regulator faces gold-plating criticism over transposition of Solvency II into sourcebook
FSA proposals to ease Icas modelling burden raise questions over inclusion of Solvency II risk margin
Suggestions that regulator is already beginning to apply Solvency II assumptions to capital calculations
EU elections could derail Solvency II development, warn insurers
Solvency II must be completed this parliamentary term, insists Econ chair Sharon Bowles
Insurers 'must understand risk on non-traditional assets'
Modelling and regulatory impact of new asset classes must be considered in search for higher yield
Solvency II: Orsa disclosure 'could boost insurers' ratings'
Greater transparency could be beneficial, but care must be taken over what is disclosed, speakers say
Insurers push for new way to recognise equivalence of Canada
Regime recognition mechanism proposal should be agreed in Omnibus II, says Standard Life's Porteous
Bernardino calls for firm timetable for implementation of Solvency II
Eiopa chair warns "stagnant" Omnibus II negotiations threaten Solvency II timetable
UK insurers behind schedule on Solvency II data requirements
UK Financial Services Authority highlights problems with data control, ownership and validation
Reinsurers urged to expand equities allocation amid 'fixed-income bubble' fears
Flight to fixed income exposing reinsurers to low yields and interest and inflation risks