Why educating the industry about ILS is so important
Insurance-linked securities (ILS) have become a vital part of the reinsurance industry, providing alternative capital for risk transfer, allowing investors to access insurance risks through financial markets, spread catastrophe risks and enhance market capacity. The key benefits of ILS are clear: greater diversification for investors, reduced reliance on traditional reinsurance and increased capacity to absorb […]
Hong Kong hopes to kick-start local ILS investment with tax exemption
Recognising that demand for asset and wealth management services are set to increase and that certain alternative asset classes are currently less attractive due to their taxation, the government of Hong Kong aims to boost its investment sector with a broadening of profit tax exemptions, with insurance-linked securities (ILS) one asset class in focus. Hong […]
The Price of Natural Catastrophes in Africa: Insights into the most recent Catastrophe Losses
From January to June, the global average temperature was roughly 1.5°C higher than the pre-industrial level. Not only were average temperatures unusually high nearly everywhere in the world in the first half-year; record-breaking highs were also reported around the globe. The recent losses caused by natural disasters in Africa underscore the need for the insurance […]
China Officially Joins the Middle Corridor
It was announced during the 8th International Silk Road Expo in Xi’an in September 2024 that China will formally join the Middle Corridor under the guise of participation by the China Railway Container Transport Corporation (CRTC). This move signals a growing reliance on Central Asia’s trade-route infrastructure potential. China’s shift to overland routes is part of […]
China’s State Council sees cat bonds as measure to strengthen insurance system
China is aiming to strengthen its insurance system, with a particular focus on the impacts of weather and natural disasters and its State Council, a key ruling body, has cited catastrophe bonds again, as one measure that can assist. Over the years, China’s State Council has repeatedly cited innovative risk transfer, alternative reinsurance capital and […]
African nations see China as reliable partner
The pledge by President Xi Jinping to work with Africa to implement the 10-point partnership action plan to advance modernization has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to Africa, according to experts. Xi made the pledge in his keynote speech at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing on Thursday. The speech also […]
World Bank has now facilitated over US $4.8bn in catastrophe bonds
The World Bank has now facilitated and issued over US $4.8 billion in catastrophe bonds across 17 transactions we have covered over the years, with $745 million issued over the course of just a few weeks in 2024 to support Mexico and Jamaica’s disaster risk transfer and financing needs. The most recent catastrophe bonds from […]
Hong Kong targets insurance-linked securities co-operation with Shanghai
Hong Kong and the mainland China city and financial hub of Shanghai are looking to co-operate on a range of financial initiatives, with one of them being insurance-linked securities (ILS). Representatives of the respective governments, financial regulators and exchanges met last week to discuss how to further enhance financial co-operation between Hong Kong and Shanghai. […]
Insurance Authority cheers launch of US$150 million catastrophe bond
The Insurance Authority (IA) of Hong Kong has recognised the successful issue and listing of a catastrophe bond by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, part of the World Bank Group. The bond, amounting to US$150 million, aims to shield Jamaica from storm-related losses through the next four hurricane seasons. FULL ORIGINAL PUBLICATION HERE
Jamaica using own funds to pay risk margin on World Bank catastrophe bond renewal
When Jamaica first ventured into the catastrophe bond market it was with the support of donor funding that paid the premiums for the 2021 issuance, but with its successful renewal issuance of the cat bond settled this week, it transpires that Jamaica has this time paid for the protection out of its own funds. Jamaica had […]