APRA’s proposed lowering of reinstatement requirements favourable for ILS: Fitch

According to Fitch Ratings, the proposal from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to remove the requirement for reinsurance arrangements to have a reinstatement in place could be a favourable move for the insurance-linked securities (ILS) market, allowing more risk to be transferred to investors from Australia’s insurance sector. As we reported earlier this month, […]

ILS market poised for further growth as barriers to modern tech decline: Moody’s Brookes

With barriers to adoption of modern analytical methodologies and technological innovations lower than ever, Ben Brookes, Managing Director – Advisory Services, Moody’s Insurance Solutions, has observed that the insurance-linked securities (ILS) industry is at a “pivotal moment”, poised to become stronger, more adaptable, and primed for growth. In a recent report on the market outlook, […]

UK Gov launches ISPV reform consultation including accelerated cat bond pathway

The UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has now officially launched its consultation on reforms for the insurance special purpose vehicle (ISPV) regulatory regime, which includes the accelerated pathway for certain catastrophe bond applications and a 10-day target for approvals of certain ILS arrangements. The consultation was teased back in September, when we first reported that […]

APRA looks to enhance Australian insurer access to ILS and cat bonds for reinsurance

Recognising that regulations hinder access to alternative reinsurance solutions including insurance-linked securities (ILS) in the country, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority is consulting with industry, as participants there want easier access to solutions such as catastrophe bonds. In a letter to the Australian insurance industry, APRA Member Suzanne Smith explained that the regulator is consulting […]

For Asia to realise ILS market potential, local investor participation must increase: Fitch

While the Asia region is expected to see steadily increasing activity in catastrophe bonds and other insurance-linked securities (ILS), Fitch Ratings believes the participation of regional investors needs to increase, while continued development of regulatory frameworks and local expertise is also required. Fitch Ratings said that it anticipates, “a gradual increase in insurance-linked securities (ILS) […]

MDB’s can help bring scale to ILS issuances in Asia: Singapore Deputy PM

Speaking at the 20th Singapore International Reinsurance Conference (SIRC), Mr Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, explained that multilateral development banks have a key role to play in bringing scale to insurance-linked securities (ILS) issuances in Asia. During his speech, the […]

Collateralized fronting a very important element for us: Steinmann, Hannover Re

For global reinsurance firm Hannover Re, the business of collateralized fronting, where the company fronts reinsurance cedents for ILS investors and funds, is seen as a very important element of its business and an area of growth, executive Thorsten Steinmann said this week. Speaking during a briefing held at the Baden Baden reinsurance meeting in […]

ILS: simple, powerful, and accessible for all

“Insurance-linked securities (ILS) offer a good alternative or complement to reinsurance, and nothing complicated,” said Kirill Savrassov, convenor of the ILS Education Programme, lamenting how ILS has often been viewed as a niche product reserved for sophisticated markets or large financial institutions.  “For developing countries ILS instruments such as sovereign parametric catastrophe bonds, are often […]

Why educating the industry about ILS is so important

Insurance-linked securities (ILS) have become a vital part of the reinsurance industry, providing alternative capital for risk transfer, allowing investors to access insurance risks through financial markets, spread catastrophe risks and enhance market capacity.  The key benefits of ILS are clear: greater diversification for investors, reduced reliance on traditional reinsurance and increased capacity to absorb […]