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Business and Economics > Insurance

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 71 items for :

  • Type: Journal Issue x
  • General Financial Markets: General (includes Measurement and Data) x
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Cover IMF Working Papers
U.S. Healthcare: A Story of Rising Market Power, Barriers to Entry, and Supply Constraints
Ms. Li Lin
and
Mr. Mico Mrkaic
Healthcare in the United States is the most expensive in the world, with real per capita spending growth averaging 4 percent since 1980. This paper examines the role of market power of U.S. healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies. It finds that markups (the ability to charge prices above marginal costs) for publicly listed firms in the U.S. healthcare sector have almost doubled since the early 1980s and that they explain up to a quarter of average annual real per capita healthcare spending growth. The paper also finds evidence that the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion were successful in raising coverage and expanding care, but may have had the undesirable side-effect of leading to labor cost increases: Hourly wages for healthcare practitioners are estimated to have increased by 2 to 3 percent more in Medicaid expansion states over a five-year period, which could be an indication that the supply of medical services is relatively inelastic, even over a long time horizon, to the boost to demand created by the Medicaid expansion. These findings suggest that promoting more competition in healthcare markets and reducing barriers to entry can help contain healthcare costs.
Keywords:
Medicaid expansion; sector markup; healthcare cost; healthcare in the United States; healthcare provider; Wages; Employment; Insurance companies; Insurance; Labor costs; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Switzerland: Financial Sector Assessment Program; Technical Note-Insurance Stress Testing
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
Financial Sector Assessment Program; Technical Note-Insurance Stress Testing
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; investment; sovereign bond; capital; holding; bond investment; sovereign bond exposure; coverage ratio; investment holding; investment yield; low-yield environment; Insurance companies; Stress testing; Sovereign bonds; Insurance; Stocks; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Jamaica: Financial System Stability Assessment
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
The macroeconomic environment has improved, reflecting the authorities’ efforts, supported by an IMF arrangement. Previously, years of high fiscal deficits, public enterprise borrowing, and financial sector bailouts led to rapid government debt accumulation, crowded out private credit, increased financial dollarization, and stifled economic growth. Fiscal discipline has been essential to reduce public debt (to about 100 percent of GDP). With government debt accounting for a sizable share of financial institutions’ assets, falling interest rates on government debt are leading to a search for yield. Also, entrenched structural obstacles, including high crime, bureaucratic processes, insufficient labor force skills, and poor access to finance still constrain economic growth. The authorities have made good progress in implementing the 2006 FSAP recommendations. Work on the regulatory framework has significantly advanced in several areas such as securities dealers’ activities, powers to the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ), payment systems, and the introduction of the centralized securities depository. However, the crisis management framework and risk-based supervision work has been lagging.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; securities dealer; return on equity; Sagicor investments Jamaica Sagicor life Jamaica; BoJ power; intermediation activity; liquid asset ratio; liquid asset ratio requirement; liquidity facilities; unit trust; insurance fund; credit risk; resolution regime; Securities; Insurance companies; Insurance; Pension spending; Global; Caribbean
Cover IMF Working Papers
When Gambling for Resurrection is Too Risky
Mr. Divya Kirti
Rather than taking on more risk, US insurers hit hard by the crisis pulled back from risk taking, relative to insurers not hit as hard by the crisis. Capital requirements alone do not explain this risk reduction: insurers hit hard reduced risk within assets with identical regulatory treatment. State level US insurance regulation makes it unlikely this risk reduction was driven by moral suasion. Other financial institutions also reduce risk after large shocks: the same approach applied to banks yields similar results. My results suggest that, at least in some circumstances, franchise value can dominate, making gambling for resurrection too risky.
Keywords:
WP; interest-rate risk; yield to maturity; issued bond; bonds insurer; fair value; Life insurance; banking; risk shifting; franchise value; financial frictions; capital requirement; risk reduction; Insurance companies; Bonds; Credit risk; Corporate bonds; Insurance
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Japan: Financial System Stability Assessment
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper assesses the stability of the financial system in Japan. Although the financial system has remained stable, the low profitability environment is creating new risks, and pressures are likely to persist. The search for yield among banks has led some to expand their overseas activities, and more generally to a growth in real estate lending and foreign securities investments. Efforts to increase risk-based lending to small-and medium-sized enterprises are welcome, but many banks still need to develop commensurate credit assessment capacities. Stress tests suggest that the banking sector remains broadly sound, although market risks are increasing, and there are some vulnerabilities among regional banks.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; City bank; financial system; bank management; credit risk; banking sector; financial market; risk profile; asset-based lending; venture capital; banks cope; BoJ purchase; regional bank; solvency regime; funding source; Insurance companies; Insurance; Securities; Commercial banks; Global
Cover Global Financial Stability Report, April 2017
Global Financial Stability Report, April 2017
Getting the Policy Mix Right
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department

Abstract

Financial stability has continued to improve since the October 2016 Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR). Economic activity has gained momentum, as outlined in the April 2017 World Economic Outlook (WEO), amid broadly accommodative monetary and financial conditions, spurring hopes for reflation. Chapter 2 analyzes the potential long-term impact of a scenario of sustained low growth and low real and nominal rates for the business models of financial institutions and the products offered by the financial sector. Chapter 3 examines whether countries still retain influence over their domestic financial conditions in a globally integrated financial system. The chapter develops financial conditions indices that make it possible to compare a large set of advanced and emerging market economies.

Keywords:
GFSR; financial condition; bank; market; market expectation; emerging market economy; commodity cycle; financial market sentiment; policy priority; commodity exporter; Emerging and frontier financial markets; Commercial banks; Financial conditions index; Financial sector stability; Insurance companies; Global; Europe; Africa; return on equity; tighter-than-average financial conditions; domestic financial conditions; monetary policy shock; Nonperforming loans
Cover Financial Integration in Latin America
Financial Integration in Latin America
A New Strategy for a New Normal
Mr. Charles Enoch
,
Wouter Bossu
,
Carlos Caceres
, and
Ms. Diva Singh

Abstract

With growth slowing across much of the Latin America as a result of the end of the commodity supercycle and economic rebalancing in China, as well as fragmentation of the international banking system, policies to stimulate growth are needed. This book examines the financial landscapes of seven Latin American economies—Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay—and makes a case for them to pursue regional financial integration. Chapters set out the benefits to the region of financial integration, the barriers to cross-border activity in banks, insurance companies, pension funds, and capital markets, as well as recommendations to address these barriers. Finally, the volume makes the case that regional integration now could be a step toward global integration in the short term.

Keywords:
BOOK; market; asset; firm; bank; LA-7; Latin American economy; securities exchange; asset growth; pension fund assets; market liquidity; Insurance companies; Financial integration; Pension spending; Insurance; Regional integration; Global; Central America; Europe; North America; Asia and Pacific
Cover IMF Working Papers
Indian Financial Sector: Structure, Trends and Turns
Rakesh Mohan
and
Partha Ray
This paper traces the story of Indian financial sector over the period 1950–2015. In identifying the trends and turns of Indian financial sector, the paper adopts a three period classification viz., (a) the 1950s and 1960s, which exhibited some elements of instability associated with laissez faire but underdeveloped banking; (b) the 1970s and 1980s that experienced the process of financial development across the country under government auspices, accompanied by a degree of financial repression; and (c) the period since the 1990s till date, that has been characterized by gradual and calibrated financial deepening and liberalization. Focusing more the third period, the paper argues that as a consequence of successive reforms over the past 25 years, there has been significant progress in making interest and exchange rates largely market determined, though the exchange rate regime remains one of managed float, and some interest rates remain administered. Considerable competition has been introduced in the banking sector through new private sector banks, but public sector banks continue have a dominant share in the market. Contractual savings systems have been improved, but pension funds in India are still in their infancy. Similarly, despite the introduction of new private sector insurance companies coverage of insurance can expand much further, which would also provide greater depth to the financial markets. The extent of development along all the segments of the financial market has not been uniform. While the equity market is quite developed, activities in the private debt market are predominantly confined to private placement form and continue to be limited to the bluechip companies. Going forward, the future areas for development in the Indian financial sector would include further reduction of public ownership in banks and insurance companies, expansion of the contractual savings system through more rapid expansion of the insurance and pension systems, greater spread of mutual funds, and development of institutional investors. It is only then that both the equity and debt markets will display greater breadth as well as depth, along with greater domestic liquidity. At the same time, while reforming the financial sector, the Indian authorities had to constantly keep the issues of equity and efficiency in mind.
Keywords:
WP; bank; market; India; bond market; banking sector; Financial Sector Reforms; Banks; Insurance; Pension Funds; Financial Markets; public sector bank; debt market; call money; investible resource; market capitalization; private sector bank; co-operative bank; payments bank; exchange bank; stock futures; call money market; bank ownership structure; Commercial banks; Insurance companies; Stock markets; Public sector; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Sweden: Financial System Stability Assessment
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper discusses the findings of the Financial System Stability Assessment for Sweden. The Swedish financial system is large and highly interconnected, putting a premium on the accompanying policy framework. Relative to the size of the domestic economy, the financial system is among Europe’s largest. It features complex domestic and international linkages, reflecting Sweden’s role as a regional financial hub. However, the macrofinancial risks have grown since 2011, for example the rising share of highly indebted households. Stress tests also suggest that banks and nonbanks are largely resilient to solvency shocks, but concerns persist about the ability of bank models to capture unexpected losses.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; bank; asset; return on equity; bank assets; cross holdings; foreign currency; financial system; hurdle rate; asset liquidation; household assets; assets pro-rata; Housing prices; Stress testing; Financial sector stability; Covered bonds; Insurance; Global; Europe
Cover Global Financial Stability Report, April 2016
Global Financial Stability Report, April 2016
Potent Policies for a Successful Normalization
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department

Abstract

The current Global Financial Stability Report (April 2016) finds that global financial stability risks have risen since the last report in October 2015. The new report finds that the outlook has deteriorated in advanced economies because of heightened uncertainty and setbacks to growth and confidence, while declines in oil and commodity prices and slower growth have kept risks elevated in emerging markets. These developments have tightened financial conditions, reduced risk appetite, raised credit risks, and stymied balance sheet repair. A broad-based policy response is needed to secure financial stability. Advanced economies must deal with crisis legacy issues, emerging markets need to bolster their resilience to global headwinds, and the resilience of market liquidity should be enhanced. The report also examines financial spillovers from emerging market economies and finds that they have risen substantially. This implies that when assessing macro-financial conditions, policymakers may need to increasingly take into account economic developments in emerging market economies. Finally, the report assesses changes in the systemic importance of insurers, finding that across advanced economies the contribution of life insurers to systemic risk has increased in recent years. The results suggest that supervisors and regulators should take a more macroprudential approach to the sector.

Keywords:
GFSR; commodity; emerging market economy; monetary policy; reform; financial condition; market liquidity risk; revenue diversification; reform agenda; risk appetite; services market; emerging market economies; heightened market volatility; fiscal policy setting; Emerging and frontier financial markets; Insurance companies; Spillovers; Insurance; Systemic risk; Global; North America; Europe; Middle East; Africa; equity price; equity market spillover; cross-asset correlation; return on equity; index weight; emerging market economy assets; asset portfolio