The European Insurance and Occupational Pension Authority (EIOPA) has published its feedback statement on its 2021 discussion paper on blockchain and smart contracts in insurance. EIOPA received a number of responses to its earlier paper and has summarised these in the statement. Stakeholders were able to identify a number of use cases for blockchain. The … Continue Reading
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has launched the 2022 Insurance Stress Test (IST). The IST is run every two years and seeks information from the largest life and general insurance companies in the UK. In a ‘Dear CEO’ letter sent to the participating firms, the PRA sets out its objectives for the IST and provides … Continue Reading
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a discussion paper on possible reforms to the risk margin and matching adjustment in Solvency II. The discussion paper also contains a technical annex ‘Solvency II Review: Matching Adjustment and reforms to the Fundamental Spread. Responses to the discussion paper should be submitted by 21 July 2022. View: … Continue Reading
The UK Government has launched its long-awaited consultation on proposed reforms to the Solvency II regime in the UK. Since leaving the European Union, the UK Government is now able to adapt its version of the Solvency II regime to more closely suit the UK insurance market. The UK Government believes that if certain changes … Continue Reading
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published its business plan for 2022/23. The plan follows a strategic review following the first 8 years of the prudential regulator. There are now 4 strategic goals (rather than 8). These are: retain and build on the strength of the banking and insurance sectors delivered by the financial crisis … Continue Reading
Last year (see update ) the UK Government consulted upon a series of proposed amendments to insolvency arrangements for insurance companies. The proposed amendments included clarifications and enhancements to the court’s powers under section 377 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to order a reduction of the value of an insurer’s contracts (a … Continue Reading
The House of Lords has published a letter from Lord Hollick, Chair of the Industry and Regulators Committee, to John Glen MP, Secretary to the Treasury. The letter concerns the inquiry into the regulation of the commercial insurance (and reinsurance) sector in the UK. During the inquiry the Committee heard evidence from the insurance industry … Continue Reading
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published a Supervisory Statement on the supervision of run-off undertakings. The statement is addressed to the competent authorities with responsibility for insurance supervision in the European Union. EIOPA acknowledges the potential benefit of run-off for the insurance market, enabling more efficient use of capital and orderly … Continue Reading
At a Norton Rose Fulbright-hosted event, Executive Director of insurance at the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), Charlotte Gerken, set out her priorities for the insurance sector in 2022. The speech expands upon the priorities set out in the ‘Dear CEO’ letter sent to insurance companies on 12 January 2022. The speech focused on the importance … Continue Reading
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published revised guidance on its approach to insurance business transfers under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The publication of the final guidance follows a consultation launched in July 2021. The revised guidance (FG22/1) replaces previous guidance (FG18/4) first published in May 2018. The revised … Continue Reading
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published two ‘Dear CEO’ letters that have been sent by Sheldon Mills, Executive Director of Consumers and Competition, to insurance companies and insurance intermediaries on the rising cost of insurance for apartment blocks and multi-occupancy buildings. The FCA is responding to concerns expressed by consumer groups and parliamentarians about … Continue Reading
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published a consultation on its advice to the European Commission in respect of certain aspects relating to retail investor protection. The Commission ran a public consultation in 2021 on retail investor protection and fair treatment of customers. As part of this ongoing initiative the Commission sent … Continue Reading
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published its annual consumer trends report. The latest report identifies risks for consumers arising from market trends which may require supervisory action from EIOPA or from Member States. In summary the trends report has identified the following risks: The life sector has reversed growth trends. The … Continue Reading
The House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee has launched an inquiry into commercial insurance and reinsurance regulation. The Committee will explore the extent to which regulatory policy is well-designed and proportionately applied and the possibilities for optimising policy following Brexit. Evidence should be submitted by 11 February 2022. The call for evidence requests answers … Continue Reading
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter written by Anna Sweeney and Charlotte Gerken, co-Executive Directors for Insurance Supervision at the PRA. The letter sets out the supervisory priorities for life and general insurance firms in 2022. The letter has been sent to all insurers (including third-country branches) supervised by the … Continue Reading
The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a final policy statement on insurance business transfers (PS1/22). The policy statement follows a consultation that took place last year (CP16/21). A Statement of Policy has also been published entitled ‘The PRA’s approach to insurance business transfers’. The Statement of Policy takes effect from 12 January 2022. The … Continue Reading
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has updated its web page on the new general insurance value measures that came into effect in July 2021. Under the new measures, general insurance firms are expected to publish a report covering the period 1 July 2021 – 31 December 2021 by 28 February 2022. The report must contain … Continue Reading
The Financial Stability Board (FSB) has published two papers designed to assist resolution planning for insurance companies. The papers are practices papers on Resolution Funding for Insurers and Internal Interconnectedness in Resolution Planning for Insurers. Resolution Funding for Insurers. This practices paper considers different sources of resolution funding including policyholder protection schemes and standalone resolution … Continue Reading
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published a report on the application of the Insurance Distribution Directive ((EU) 2016/97) throughout the European market. The executive summary of the report notes that there has been insufficient time to assess the effectiveness of the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) as a combination of late implementation … Continue Reading
A draft of the Solvency 2 (Group Supervision) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 was laid before Parliament on 15 November 2021, alongside a draft explanatory memorandum. The regulations are part of the measures being taken to address deficiencies in UK law after leaving the European Union. The draft regulations amend provisions (regulations 24-26 and 28) of the … Continue Reading
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) has published its annual report on the use of capital add-ons by national competent authorities under Solvency II. Capital add-ons are used by authorities to ensure that capital reflects the risk profile of an insurance undertaking or group. Add-ons are set following supervisory review by the relevant … Continue Reading
On 22 September 2021, the European Commission adopted a review of the Solvency II regime. The Solvency II regime includes the Solvency II framework directive (Directive 2009/138/EC) and delegated regulations. The review includes a legislative proposal to amend the framework directive as well as a legislative proposal for a new EU Insurance Recovery and Resolution … Continue Reading
FCA sends ‘Dear CEO’ letter to Lloyd’s and London Market firms highlighting six potential harms The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a ‘Dear CEO’ letter written by Charlotte Cross, Head of Department, Wholesale Insurance, to the Lloyd’s and London Market portfolio of firms. The portfolio letter sets out six areas of harm that Lloyd’s … Continue Reading
Insurance Europe has published a response to the European Commission consultation on proposals for a regulation on the use of artificial intelligence. Insurance Europe welcomes the overall objective of creating a principles-based framework of requirements and the development of mandatory requirements for high-risk AI systems that pose a risk to health and safety or the … Continue Reading
