All Features articles – Page 4
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CedantsCedant Q&A: Jan Störmann of Allianz Global Corporate and Specialty
Understanding risks in depth and breadth, protecting capital and avoiding surprises are key to Jan Störmann’s success in buying reinsurance on a global scale. A background in underwriting helps too
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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
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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?
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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 ...
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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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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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News
No pain, no gain?
A grey cloud still looms over Solvency II, as feared market instability and confusion over how it will work leaves the industry feeling less than sunny. But will the long-term pros be worth the short-term cons? We zipped over to Brussels to hear the latest talks
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AnalysisThe last straw
Tough new tax measures from the IMF aim to catch insurers, even the most risk-averse reinsurers, in the same net as banks. As the industry lobbies next month’s G20 for exemption and urges government to water down the proposals, we ponder the outcome
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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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Claims
Volcano? What volcano?
Volcanic ash may have caused havoc among holidaymakers, businesses and airlines, but reinsurers know this is one natural disaster they needn’t worry about
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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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CedantsCedant Q&A: Conor Finn of Barbican
As one of the first to join plucky start-up Barbican, Conor Finn played a key role in shaping the insurer’s strategy and culture. He and his colleagues like to go the extra mile – and expect the same from their reinsurers
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Supplements
Blame game
The financial crisis was the ultimate test for many financial institutions’ ERM. We ask whether the models failed, or were they simply misapplied?
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Country Focus
Brick by brick
Slowly but surely, China is dismantling the wall of regulation that has so far held back overseas investment in the reinsurance market. This is a time of change, however frustrating the pace may seem
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Supplements
Capital gains
Regulators and rating agencies are pushing (re)insurers to combine risk controls with capital management. Global Reinsurance investigates the challenges – and rewards
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People & OpinionProceed with caution
Reinsurance is currently a robust and cash-rich market, and has weathered the financial storm well. But now is not the time to get complacent write James Geffen and Mike Papworth of Miller.
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Lines & Risks
City limits
London, the grand dame of reinsurance is in danger of losing out to younger, more attractive markets, as companies lose patience with the UK’s burdensome tax and regulation. So what can the incoming government do to keep ’em sweet?
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NewsCulture clash
A merger that looks great on paper can become unstuck when two disparate cultures collide, writes Muireann Bolger. Winning hearts and minds – one way or another – is vital to ensure a successful union
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Online only
Leader: Room for doubt
There is still a great deal of uncertainty about future capital requirments under Solvency II
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News
View from the market: GCC
Qatar is well placed to lead the charge of strong growth in the Middle East, writes Shashank Srivastava acting CEO of Qatar Financial Centre Authority.
