Business and Economics > Insurance

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 47 items for :

  • Type: Journal Issue x
  • Money laundering x
Clear All Modify Search
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This technical note analyzes the key aspects of the regulatory and supervisory regime for insurance companies in Luxembourg. The analysis is part of the 2024 Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP) and based on the regulatory framework in place and the supervisory practices employed as of October 2023. The FSAP reviewed recent developments and the structure of the Luxembourgish insurance sector. The sector is large, well developed, and highly interconnected with other insurance markets through internationally active insurance groups and cross-border business. After having grown substantially in size, it is recommended to further strengthen the Commissariat aux Assurances’s (CAA) independence and its internal governance. The CAA’s staff has roughly doubled since the last FSAP but should be constantly reviewed with further expanding tasks. The authority’s independence could be further strengthened by safeguarding the independence of its Board members and narrowing down in the Insurance Act the reasons on which the CAA’s Directorate could be dismissed. The governance of the CAA would benefit from setting up an internal audit function, and strengthening IT governance as projects are currently conducted largely in-house.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper discusses Detailed Assessment of Observance of Insurance Core Principles for the Japan Financial Sector Assessment Program. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) is the integrated regulator of financial services, including insurance but accepting the insurance activities of cooperatives. Areas of observance include licensing requirements, cooperation with other supervisors and anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. Regulatory material contains extensive requirements for licensing of insurers and the FSA works closely with applicants to assess whether they meet requirements, even if final decisions on licensing are taken by a minister. The assessment identified significant gaps in the current framework of regulation and supervision. The assessment found that, partly because of resource constraints, the FSA’s approach to insurance supervision is largely reactive. The resolution framework and process of resolution for insurers needs to be carefully reviewed. Finally, there is a need to strengthen institutional arrangements for insurance supervision. As recommended in previous assessments, the FSA’s independence should be bolstered by the delegation of insurer licensing powers currently reserved to a minister.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper presents an assessment of the Observance of Insurance Core Principles in New Zealand. Observance of these principles in New Zealand falls significantly short. In some areas, the implementation of initiatives that would improve observance is incomplete. Supervisory risk assessment and enhancement of regulatory reporting by insurers are limited, which compromises effective off-site supervision, macroprudential analysis, and publication of aggregate information on the market. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand should focus in regulation and supervisory work on setting standards on corporate governance, risk management, and internal controls. It should assess risk in these areas to promote the effectiveness of insurers’ governance.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This Technical Note discusses the findings and recommendations made in the Financial Sector Assessment Program for Ireland’s insurance sector. Insurance in Ireland is well developed, diverse, and has a large international business presence. Insurance penetration in Ireland is almost three times the EU average. Many recommendations have been implemented by the central bank, with Solvency II now the solvency regime in Ireland. In total, 51 Supervisory Review Process guidance papers have been prepared setting out the central bank’s internal supervisory processes and procedures under Solvency II with reference to the technical standards and guidelines and the central bank’s prioritization framework. Forty-seven of these were complete as of the end of 2015.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper discusses findings and recommendations of the Report on Observance of Standards and codes for Ireland. The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) is the integrated financial supervisor in Ireland. As the primary regulator of the Irish financial system, CBI has overall responsibility for the supervision of insurers and insurance intermediaries authorized in Ireland. The authorities need to address the significant challenges faced by CBI in attracting and retaining supervisors and to enhance the CBI’s independence. CBI is also advised to review the supervisory risk appetite underpinning Probability Risk Impact Supervisory System, including potential reputational risks.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This Insurance Core Principles Detailed Assessment Report was prepared in the context of the Financial Sector Assessment Program for the People’s Republic of China–Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The report describes that the insurance penetration and density in HKSAR is among the top 10 in the world. Foreign-owned insurers are dominant in the HKSAR insurance sector, and account for about 72 percent of total assets as at end-2012. The long-term insurance industry is highly concentrated, while the market share of general insurance industry is more evenly distributed. All except one of the top-10 insurance groups are all foreign owned, with much larger consolidated operations compared to their operations in HKSAR. The Insurance Authority is responsible for regulating and supervising the insurance industry of the HKSAR. It is supported by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, a government department in the HKSAR. A self-regulatory system is used to supervise the conduct of business of intermediaries.
International Monetary Fund. African Dept.
Nigeria undertook a Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), which included a review of the structure of Nigeria’s insurance market and the supervisory framework. The assessment was benchmarked against the Insurance Core Principles (ICPs) issued by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAISs). It is advised that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) of Nigeria can expand the objective to include the creation of a fair, safe, and stable insurance sector for the benefit and protection of policyholders.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This report is an analysis of the insurance core principles of Malaysia. This assessment gives a clear understanding of the regulatory and supervisory framework of the insurance sector of Malaysia. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) is the best insurance regulator in this region. Six percent of the financial sector accounts for the insurance sector. The assessment did not reveal any current potential sources of significant risk to the Malaysian financial stability from its insurance industry. The Executive Board expects further enhancement for an effective insurance sector.
International Monetary Fund
Guernsey’s status as the largest international insurance center in Europe hinges on its progressive infrastructure and operational flexibility. Guernsey updates its regulatory regime continually and has implemented all the recommendations arising from the 2003 Offshore Financial Center (OFC) assessment. The updated regulatory framework has a high level of observance with the Insurance Core Principles (ICPs). The Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) should expand its range of enforcement powers and also implement the public disclosure standards established by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). The mission advised the GFSC to continually assess the practical implementation of Own Solvency Capital Assessment (OSCA).
International Monetary Fund
This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of Observance of International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Insurance Core Principles for the United States. Most U.S. insurers write primary insurance on U.S. risks. The U.S. market is characterized by low market concentration in most sectors, indicating a high degree of competition. Overall, the insurance sector, and the property and casualty companies in particular, has been resilient through the financial crisis. However, there have also been significant stresses in the insurance sector in the last two years.