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April 18, 2013 at 09:57 AM
Life insurance companies chasing risky assets in a low interest rate environment need to be closely monitored, the International Monetary Fund says in a new report.
The IMF report labels the issue as the “gamble for resurrection” in response to solvency risk, asset-liability mismatches or diminishing net margins in a low-interest rate environment.
This “re-risking via changes in business models or asset allocation needs to be closely monitored,” the report said.
The report, released Wednesday, said capital shortfalls for life insurers “do not appear to be an immediate risk” as the industry seeks to negotiate the current low interest rate environment because the insurance has increased liquidity and added capital in response to the recent financial crisis.
But, the report warns, “a protracted period of low rates could depress interest margins further and erode capital buffers, potentially driving insurance companies to further increase their credit and liquidity risk.”
At the same time, the report said, “life insurers operate with significant balance sheet leverage and are thus exposed to credit shocks,” thus exacerbating the problem.
In general, the report said, acute risks to the financial system have been reduced because regulators and financial industries worldwide have undertaken a number of steps to shore up the world financial system in the wake of the 2007-2009 severe economic downturn.
But, the report said, further actions are needed to “entrench financial stability.”
The report said global financial stability has improved since its last report in October 2012.
The report said government policy actions have eased monetary and financial conditions and reduced tail risks, leading to a sharp increase in risk appetite and a rally in asset prices.
