All articles by David Banks
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Country Focus
A unique proposition
The gold rush is over and foreign insurers have more than a toehold in Turkey. However, the market is highly competitive and penetration extremely low. It will require careful handling for business to reach its full potential
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Cedants
Open door policy
Many countries are reluctant to allow premiums to flow out of their borders, but lobbyists argue that compulsory cessions are a barrier to free trade. And even local reinsurers are beginning to see the benefits of a liberalised market
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Cover StoryStill waters run deep
Calm and assured, Ulrich Wallin has kept Hannover Re on a steadfast course since taking the helm last summer. But as catastrophe losses hit hard this year, will he need to start rocking the boat?
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Industry Matters
Some capital ideas
The London market continues to shrug off challenges from overseas. It has the people and the skills, it has the ‘brand’ – but will this be enough to keep the world at its feet? We report from a GR roundtable that debated London’s place as a global leader
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CedantsInner workings
The first stage of Solvency II is upon us and the countdown is on for cedants to get their internal models approved, writes David Banks. But what else do they have to plan for? We offer a guide through a changing reinsurance relationship
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Country FocusPunching above its weight
The MultaQa conference showed that Qatar’s small market size belies the scale of its resilience and ambition, reports David Banks. Whether it is the world-class insurance trading platform or the global intentions of its reinsurers, this Arabian Gulf state cannot be ignored
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News AgendaFeet on the ground
The April renewals in Korea signalled a wider trend in Asia, writes David Banks. International reinsurers are establishing themselves in the local market. But what is driving this change of attitude?
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CedantsTheir secret weapon
Reinsurers are starting to assert themselves in the claims process, demanding increased control and earlier involvement. And they’re using the loss adjuster to do it, David Banks writes. We ask how cedants can fight back.
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NewsQatar: A new reality
Accolades like ‘world’s fastest-growing economy’ and ‘richest population’ are all well and good. But David Banks reports that Qatar has now unveiled a list of reasons why its reinsurance credentials must be noticed too.
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NewsLloyd’s of New York?
James Wrynn is set to change the dynamics of transatlantic reinsurance by creating a Lloyd’s-style exchange in New York. David Banks speaks to Wrynn and finds that his collaborative style might just make the idea work.
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NewsLong haul to Rio
Brazil’s reinsurance market was a shining beacon of hope during the financial crisis. But David Banks finds growth rates have failed to impress and, with more legal changes on the way, foreign reinsurers are preparing for a slow and difficult journey.
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News
View from the market: Southeast Asia
Reinsurance buying habits are changing in SE Asia, reports David Banks.
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News AgendaWatch your step
Swiss Re’s $2.7m VAT bill last year triggered fears of an explosion in retrospective tax bills, David Banks writes. Now rule changes throw up more hazards. We guide you though the minefield of European regulation.
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NewsToyota's triple whammy
After news of Toyota’s multibillion-dollar product recall, insurers and reinsurers are waiting to see what the consequences will be for their industry. David Banks finds that the impact may be threefold
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NewsReplenished Re
A benign cat season, strict discipline over pricing and some canny manouevres by underwriting bosses has left the reinsurance industry flying high. David Banks asks why the analysts remain so gloomy.
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Lines & RisksCredit where it's due
After some difficult moments, trade credit insurers are due for a return to profitability in late 2010. David Banks looks at the key issues dominating the market.
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Country FocusBringing it home
US president Barack Obama is relentless in his bid to stop business revenues disappearing into foreign jurisdictions. When regulation change is touted in the USA, all insurers and reinsurers must take notice, David Banks writes.
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News
View from the market: Going retro
The industry's larger players are proving they are capable of bringing new capital and capacity into the market
