The July/August 2010 issue of Reactions is now online.
The cover story is an exclusive interview with Frank O’Halloran, chief executive of QBE. O’Halloran tells Reactions how he will maintain his ambitious 15% rate of return target for his firm.
Also in the issue is the UK insurance industry’s reaction to the proposed scrapping of the Financial Services Authority, a look at Lloyd’s plans to greatly expand its product range, news on the progress of the Solvency II project and the increasing burden placed upon risk officers.
Not done there, we also bring you light relief from RISKbitz.
Click on the headlines below to view an article.
COVER STORY
COMPANY PROFILE: QBE
Frank O’Halloran has a tough return target for his firm and he is not budging, despite stagnant pricing, falling investment returns and first-half catastrophes.
FEATURES
UK MARKET: Beware the new watchdog
The proposed scrapping of the Financial Services Authority has worried the UK insurance industry.
LLOYD’S: Learning to love Lloyd’s
Lloyd’s is looking to greatly expand its product range. But it also remains the go-to market for unusual, hard to place risks.
SOLVENCY II: Light at the end of the tunnel
Action over Solvency II is picking up as the 2012 deadline looms. A series of papers and letters have given clarification on capital requirements, supervisor readiness and equivalence of non-EU countries.
RISK AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT: An increasing burden
Risk officers are a busy lot, what with having to cope with complying with new solvency regulation, cross border risk management and complex internal models.
REGULARS
Remarks: Bermuda not yet the weakest link - FREE TO VIEW!
For 20 years the market appeared to be getting stronger and stronger. But Bermuda faces some big challenges. Some believe the island is losing its lustre.
Legal Analysis: The Bribery Act – a new framework
The new UK Bribery is designed to provide a more effective framework for the relevant authorities to bring the force of the law to bear on bribery.
RISKbitz: South African Forum marred by controversy - FREE TO VIEW!
The recent Global Insurance and Reinsurance Chief Executives’ Forum, which took place in June and July in South Africa, saw some lively debate and free flowing dialogue.
RISKbitz: Reinsurers cap soft market leaks - FREE TO VIEW!
The International Association of Reinsurers and Insurers (IAORAI) has finally succeeded in placing a temporary cap on stories about a continuing soft market.
RISKbitz: Domicile-hopping insurers escape scrutiny - FREE TO VIEW!
International insurance regulators have admitted that they are losing track of where insurance and reinsurance companies are headquartered.
OPINION
RISKY TALK: Dodd-Frank lays groundwork for larger federal role - FREE TO VIEW!
Nearly two years after the financial crisis hit, US Congress has passed sweeping financial services reform. The good news is that the insurance industry has not been anywhere near as badly swept up in the backlash as some initially feared.
RISKY TALK: Saying bye-bye to Bermuda - FREE TO VIEW!
Reinsurance can sometimes seem to be a topsy turvey world: a reinsurer with its roots in London that relocated to Bermuda has now announced that it is setting up a new reinsurance company in Switzerland.
RISKY TALK: Straight talker provides reassurance over QIS5 - FREE TO VIEW!
It was fascinating to observe Gabriel Bernardino, chairman of the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (Ceiops), recently at a Standard & Poor’s road show.