The primary function of an insurer is the assumption and management of insurance risk. Very commonly, this will involve an insurer passing (or ceding) risk to other (re)insurers or protection providers in the relevant market....more
Global M&A Activity Endures Headwinds in 2023 and Displays Resilience Going Into 2024 -
Despite market headwinds, dealmakers have looked to carveouts, spin-offs, joint ventures and other creative deal structures to engage...more
12/22/2023
/ Acquisitions ,
Antitrust Provisions ,
Banking Sector ,
Capital Markets ,
China ,
Climate Change ,
Commercial Real Estate Market ,
Competition ,
Controlling Stockholders ,
Corporate Governance ,
Cross-Border ,
EU ,
Exit Strategies ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Geopolitical Risks ,
Global Dealmaking ,
HKEx ,
Insurance Industry ,
Joint Venture ,
Merger Controls ,
Mergers ,
Private Equity ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Risk Management ,
Securities ,
Short-Term Loans ,
Takeovers ,
Technology Sector ,
UK
Models that have historically been used by insurers to hedge risk were not designed to predict uncertain events such as natural disasters that may be exacerbated by climate change. This now leaves insurers overexposed to...more
“The Standard Formula” podcast continues its Back to Basics series — a deep dive into the Solvency II regime — discussing the regime’s provisions regarding third country branches and the cross-border provision of services. ...more
On 24 November 2023, the industry-led Technology Working Group of HM Treasury’s Asset Management Taskforce (Group) released an interim report (Report) outlining a strategic blueprint for the implementation of fund...more
12/5/2023
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Services Industry ,
HM Treasury ,
Innovative Technology ,
Investment Funds ,
Investment Management ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Private Equity ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Technology ,
Tokenization ,
UK
Own funds is the Solvency II term for the items that constitute a (re)insurer’s regulatory capital. These are principally balance sheet items, with limited allowance for off-balance sheet items.
Own funds are items that...more
On 16 November 2023, the UK Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) released draft measures to address perceived risks in the market for funded reinsurance, which is widely used as part of transactions that shift pension scheme...more
On 6 November 2023, the Bank of England (the UK’s central bank) issued a discussion paper on the regulation on stablecoins, alongside another paper by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (DP23/4) and a “Dear CEO” letter...more
The United Kingdom has long been a target destination for activist investors. It is the venue for nearly half of all of recent activist campaigns in Europe. In previous articles, we have discussed how informed boards should...more
11/15/2023
/ Acquisitions ,
Activist Investors ,
Asset Valuations ,
Capital Gains ,
Debt Securities ,
Equity Markets ,
Foreign Governments ,
Government Bonds ,
HMRC ,
Infrastructure ,
Investment Trust Companies ,
Mergers ,
NAV ,
Railroads ,
REIT ,
UK ,
Venture Capital
In the second episode of the Back to Basics series, “Standard Formula” podcast host and insurance partner Rob Chaplin is joined by colleague Imad Mohammed Nazar to discuss reinsurance and risk transfer, including how...more
In a speech at the Investment Association’s Annual Dinner on 11 October 2023, Ashley Alder, chair of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), expanded upon the FCA’s discussion paper, “Updating and Improving the UK Regime...more
The UK’s Metro Bank announced a landmark refinancing package on 8 October 2023, following a series of regulatory setbacks and concerns in the markets over the financial condition of the bank. The proposal now awaits...more
"The Standard Formula” host Robert Chaplin introduced the first in the podcast’s Back to Basics series, which will dissect the entirety of the Solvency II regime. In the series’ inaugural episode, Rob is joined by associate...more
As discussed in our November 2022 and July 2023 newsletters, the UK government is implementing a comprehensive set of proposals for regulation of financial services in the UK, including for insurers. This follows the UK’s...more
This edition of The Standard Formula looks at the updated proposals set out in the consultation paper published by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) on July 28, 2023, which relate to the BMA’s plan to enhance the...more
Insurance partner Rob Chaplin is joined by colleague Lamya Al-Yazdi as they introduce our “Standard Formula” listeners to the three emergent insurance resolution regimes that deal with the failure, or potential failure, of...more
The EU’s Solvency II regime came into force in the UK on 1 January 2016, following many years of development in which the UK was deeply involved. In June 2020, post-Brexit, the government announced a wide-ranging review of...more
Financial sponsors have become progressively more involved in the insurance sector over recent decades. Their involvement broadly falls into three categories:
1. Sponsors establishing or acquiring their own life and...more
The bulk purchase annuity (BPA) market — whereby UK defined-benefit pension schemes offload liabilities and assets to specialised life insurance carriers — continues to expand. Industry estimates predict that the UK life...more
This edition of Skadden’s quarterly Insights looks at the latest trends in shareholder activism, the scrutiny companies are facing over their ESG disclosures and employment considerations for using AI in the workplace, among...more
6/27/2023
/ Acquisitions ,
Activist Investors ,
Anti-Discrimination Policies ,
Anti-Money Laundering ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Capital Markets ,
Confidential Information ,
Corporate Governance ,
Corporate Restructuring ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Disclosure ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
EU ,
Financial Institutions ,
Member State ,
Mergers ,
New Rules ,
No-Action Requests ,
Private Equity ,
Proxy Season ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Securities Litigation ,
Shareholders ,
Technology ,
UK
Standard Formula host Rob Chaplin was joined by European counsel George Belcher and associate Feargal Ryan to discuss the International Association of Insurance Supervisors, including its main activities, future developments...more
The UK’s Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has reiterated its concerns regarding the UK bulk purchase annuity market. This contributes to a broader international theme of regulators expressing concern regarding the rapid...more
A substantial number of U.S. and overseas corporations have legacy liabilities that are complicating their equity outlook due to their uncertainty and duration. Typical examples are liabilities derived from asbestos-related...more
This edition of Skadden’s quarterly Insights looks at the rising number of de-SPACed companies seeking Chapter 11 protection, the growth of a market designed to assume legacy liabilities, an effort to establish...more
4/20/2023
/ Acquisitions ,
Antitrust Division ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Banking Sector ,
Capital Markets ,
Chapter 11 ,
Commercial Bankruptcy ,
Corporate Governance ,
Criminal Investigations ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Energy Tax Incentives ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Holding Companies ,
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ,
Innovative Technology ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Inventions ,
Liability ,
Mergers ,
Patents ,
Self-Disclosure Requirements ,
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) ,
Tax Credits
UBS’ acquisition of Credit Suisse sent waves across the global markets and raises questions about possible impacts on the availability of regulatory capital in the insurance sector....more