All GR Focus articles
View all stories of the same content type.
-
GR Focus
Captives: Fear of the unknown
With Solvency II upon us, captives are facing an uncertain, and industry bodies say unfair, future. Will the directive impose unreasonable capital requirements that late concessions to captives have not gone far enough to redress?
-
GR Focus
Captives: These cell walls
Since the first protected cell company (PCC) legislation was introduced in Guernsey in 1997, this captive structure has quickly grown in popularity, with an estimated 41 domiciles playing host to cells today. And PCCs are expected to show even further growth, as new legislation widens their scope and flexibility, and ...
-
GR Focus
Captives: The next big thing
After all the hype, the Middle East captive market has got off to a slow start. But as the global economy recovers, this could be the year it really takes off
-
GR Focus
The next 90 days
Lloyd’s chief executive Richard Ward talks to David Banks about the key challenges he faces as he prepares for a three-month spell that will define his leadership.
-
GR Focus
View from the ramparts
Battle lines are drawn in the bid to tax foreign reinsurers in the USA. David Banks assesses the battlefield from the opposing front lines.
-
GR Focus
Voting with your feet
Taxation is one of the key factors in deciding where a business is domiciled. Recent reports from the UK suggest insurers may be about to desert for more favourable climates unless changes are made that support competitiveness. Liz Booth reports.
-
GR Focus
Renewals review: A look ahead to year-end reinsurance negotiations
Hurricanes and the financial crisis took their toll on the insurance industry before the last renewals season, but how has it changed reinsurance pricing? In our annual Renewals Review, leading experts give their insight into pricing trends ahead of end-of-year reinsurance negotiations, describing where the opportunities will be in 2010.
-
GR Focus
Natural catastrophes review 2009
Natural catastrophes continue to shape the reinsurance market, especially US storms. In this special section, we look at the Florida market (p22), predictions about the 2009 storm season (p24) and the expected mega-losses of the future (p26). Plus, can the name of a storm really change insurers’ response to it? ...
-
GR Focus
Not John Grisham
Money laundering, private jets and empty offices with just a name on the door. This is the stuff of John Grisham novels, not the reality for most offshore insurance centres.
-
GR Focus
Passport to Europe
As an EU domicile, reinsurers can locate in Gibraltar and write business anywhere in Europe. Nigel Feetham explains how this has contributed to its popularity.
-
GR Focus
Captive questions
Offshore domiciles remain a favourite choice for establishing group captives. But it is important to first consider the potential regulatory and tax risks, warns Praveen Sharma.
-
GR Focus
Bermuda hits back
Bermuda is a key participant in the global reinsurance industry. But now some are speculating that its future is uncertain, as competition from other jurisdictions, new tax legislation, and a fragile global economy threaten future success. Caroline Foulger looks at how Bermuda is rising to the challenge.
-
GR Focus
Just across the Channel
With its proximity to the European insurance market, Guernsey is positioning itself as an offshore solution for reinsurance and insurance-linked securities, explains Peter Niven
-
GR Focus
The F word
As disgraced New York financier Bernard Madoff faces the rest of his life in jail, Helen Yates looks at the impact of recent alleged frauds on the insurance and reinsurance industry.
-
GR Focus
Madoff: A market changing event?
The Madoff and other recent alleged frauds have been compared to the WorldCom and Enron events of the 1990s. But will they have a similar impact on reinsurers? Global Reinsurance asked four industry players for their views.
-
GR Focus
The price is right
Investment grade corporate debt is yielding up to 7% compared to 1% for government bonds. William Rhode looks at fixed income instruments that are attracting re-insurers in a credit stricken world.
-
GR FocusThe tortoise and the hare
In the 2008 investment race, the tortoises beat the hares. But some fund managers are urging their clients to take advantage of the current fear, writes David Sandham.
-
GR Focus
Seeking retro
Has retrocession disappeared without a trace as it did after Hurricane Katrina? Global Reinsurance goes on the hunt for retro capacity in the post-credit crunch environment.
-
GR Focus
Change is here
As Obama settles into power, Gavin Coull, John L. Jacobus and Gary Farmer examine the changes the new regime could bring to the (re)insurance industry. “Change can happen” was the rallying call during President Obama’s presidential campaign, but will it?
-
GR Focus
Prime time for subscription
Lloyd’s is well-poised to seize opportunities in a hardening reinsurance market, discovers Helen Yates.
