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16 March 2010
Results of CEIOPS EU-wide Stress Test for the insurance sector
The aim of the stress test exercise was to evaluate the overall resilience of the insurance sector under several stresses to the economic and financial market environment. The results of the test exercise indicate that the large and important European insurance groups would remain resilient even in severe scenarios.
Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS)

13 March 2010
Boffins advise you to plan ahead for next crunch
If you want to survive the next financial crisis, start preparing now. Another crisis and yet another will come. The only problem is no one can predict when it will happen, what will cause it and how extensive it will be. This was the message from a meeting of 1 500 of the brainiest people in the world from 100 countries, who were in Cape Town this week for the International Congress of Actuaries.
International Congress of Actuaries

12 March 2010
UK Financial Regulation: After the Crisis - speech from Hector Sants, FSA
Financial Services Authority (FSA)

12 March 2010
Wealth More Important Than Health For Happy Retirement
Almost three-quarters (71%) of employees say that being financially secure would make them happy in retirement according to new research from the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF). Financial security was voted above all other essential ingredients for happiness in retirement, including being in good health (69%), being able to travel (48%) and being surrounded by family and friends (45%). However, just 34% of people are confident that their pension will give them this financial security.
National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF)

10 March 2010
FSA publishes Financial Risk Outlook
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) published its Financial Risk Outlook (FRO) outlining the main risks and issues present in its operating environment, affecting firms, markets and consumers.
Financial Services Authority (FSA)

10 March 2010
PPF Unveils New Statement of Investment Principles
The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) unveiled its new Statement of Investment Principles (SIP) which aims to bring greater returns by investing in a broader range of assets – but without increasing the PPF’s level of risk. Under the new SIP, the PPF will diversify its return-seeking assets which, in the short to medium-term, will mean less investment in listed equities and a new allocation to private equity and infrastructure investments and a more global approach generally. The aim is to outperform its benchmarks during the year by 1.8 per cent, rather than the current target of 1.4 per cent.
Pension Protection Fund (PPF)

09 March 2010
A macabre investment that's flying high
To their critics, they are "death futures" - a heartless speculation in the life expectancy of sick or elderly people on the other side of the Atlantic. To their supporters, they represent a new and appealing asset class; one that is not correlated to the cycle of other financial assets and delivers reliable and extremely agreeable annual returns of 8 to 10%. And those in the latter camp argue that they're also a force for good, offering cash in this world to those who are about to join the next one. Life settlement funds are in their infancy and their baptism has not been without controversy, with a couple of early incarnations leaving investors high and dry.

09 March 2010
Study says longevity hedges can help funds
Off-loading longevity risks stabilises pension liabilities, frees up cash and improves a company’s share price but can be costly and hamper later efforts to get rid of an entire scheme, according to a new report from pension fund managers who have done such deals and others who have looked at them
Clear Path Analysis

03 March 2010
A guide on climate change for private equity investors
The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC) launched a guide on climate change for private equity investors in a move to create greater sector wide understanding of the risks and opportunities posed both by climate change and related policy developments.
Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)

11 February 2010
Report reveals post-recession risk protection for businesses
The study reveals more than half (52%) of SMEs believe reduced demand for their goods and services is the biggest risk to their business with late payments in second place (41%), closely followed by concern about increased competition (32%). The risk of financial issues continues with lack of cash flow to develop the business seen as a threat by nearly a third (29%) of SMEs and with financial institutions having restricted their lines of credit, lack of accessible funds was considered a risk by 15% of respondents.
Centre for Risk and Insurance Studies at Nottingham University Business School; Premierline Direct

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