insurance linked securities (ILS) News

Tokio Solution Appoints Lane and Harigai as Co-CEOs

Bermuda-based Tokio Solution Management Ltd.* has appointed Susan Lane and Tsuyoshi (Harry) Harigai as co-CEOs, effective Jan.1, 2016. Lane and Harigai will assume the leadership of Tokio Solution from current CEO, Kathleen Faries, who will become head of the Bermuda …

RMS: Cat Bond Analysis Reveals Market Predictions of Price Bottom Are Optimistic

Return relative to risk values for catastrophe bonds at current prices are actually higher in 2015 than they were last year, even though recent market commentary suggests that market prices have stabilized, according to research by RMS, the Newark, Calif.-based …

Hiscox’s ILS Unit, Kiskadee, and Hiscox Re Announce 3 Senior Appointments

Bermuda-headquartered Hiscox Re’s insurance linked securities (ILS) operation, Kiskadee Investment Managers, announced that Andrew Hughes will assume the role of ILS chief compliance officer and general counsel, while Dr. Matthew Swann has been appointed portfolio manager. In addition, Michael Jedraszak, …

Monte Carlo 2015: Reinsurers Reexamine How They Do Business

The annual Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte Carlo, Monaco traditionally focuses on one or two signatory concerns within the industry. This year, things were different. The 2,700 registered attendees were faced with addressing the pace of change within and without …

Cardinal Re Launch Takes Hiscox’s ILS Assets to More Than $600 Million

Kiskadee Investment Managers, Hiscox Re’s insurance linked securities (ILS) operation, has launched Cardinal Re Ltd., a Bermuda-domiciled special purpose insurer designed to transform collateralized insurance and reinsurance risk into a security more suited for capital market investors. The launch of …

Sequant Re Names Baillargeon as Chief Underwriting Officer

Bermuda-based Sequant Re appointed Victor Baillargeon as chief underwriting officer. With over 35 years of underwriting experience, Baillargeon will lead the development of Sequant Re’s underwriting strategies that will support the company’s ambition of enabling investors of all sizes to …

New ILS Records Set During 12 Months Ended June 30: Aon Securities Report

Annual catastrophe bond issuance reached $7.0 billion – a decrease on the record-breaking prior year ($9.4 billion), yet still the third highest annual issuance in the sector’s history, according to Aon Securities, the investment banking division of Aon Benfield. Twenty-five …

Markel Corp. to Acquire CATCo, Bermuda-Based ILS Specialist

Markel Corporation and CATCo Investment Management Ltd. announced they have entered into an agreement whereby Markel will acquire substantially all of the assets of CATCo, a Bermuda-based specialist in insurance linked securities.* The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions …

A.M. Best: Reinsurance Sector Faces New Reality Shaped by Abundant Capacity

The reinsurance market is operating in a new reality of abundant capacity from traditional and alternative sources, low interest rates and thinner reinsurance margins, driven by intense competition against shrinking demand for reinsurance cover, according to A.M. Best’s annual special …

Fitch: Downward Pricing Pressures in Reinsurance Market Begin to Slow

The reinsurance market showed signs of decelerating rate declines in its most recent June/July 2015 renewals, indicating that pricing could be approaching a new equilibrium, says Fitch Ratings in a new global sector report. Reinsurance pricing has experienced downward pressures …