Bob Garofalo and Laura Bazer of the Insurance team explain the drivers behind all the M&A transactions in the life insurance industry, and what they mean for credit when the buyers are private-equity firms. Plus, Donald Robertson of the Banking team and Jasper Cooper of the Insurance team answer questions about Archegos and the recent cyber attack on insurer CNA. Inside this episode: Donald Robertson of the Banking team and Jasper Cooper of the Insurance team answer questions about Archegos ...
Apr 21, 2021•16 min•Ep. 19
Fresh off the Asset Management team’s virtual conference, Rory Callagy highlights how asset managers are finding growth – sometimes through acquisitions – in ESG, alternative investments and software solutions. Plus Antonello Aquino of the Banking team discusses the growing environmental risks African banks confront. Inside this episode: Rory Callagy highlights how asset managers are finding growth – sometimes through acquisitions – in ESG, alternative investments and software solutions. (begins...
Apr 07, 2021•15 min•Ep. 18
In a special episode of our Focus on Finance podcast series, Stephen Long, Louise Lundberg and Eugene Tarzimanov of the Banking team join host Carolyn Henson to discuss the prospects for banks around the globe as government economic support measures start to unwind and banks brace for a substantial rise in loan defaults. Many economies are set to rebound this year but banks must factor in continuing uncertainty over the future course of the pandemic. Related content: Banking System Outlook - Sou...
Mar 31, 2021•11 min•Ep. 17
With cyber risk on the rise, Lesley Ritter of the Cyber Risk team and Megan Fox, Michael Dion and Rokhaya Cisse of the Financial Institutions team discuss our survey and findings on banks’, insurers’ and asset managers’ preparedness for a cyberattack. Related content: Cyber Risk – Global: 2021 Outlook – Cyber vulnerabilities in software supply chains, rising cost of ransomware will be key risks Cross-Sector – Global: Credit implications of cyber risk will hinge on business disruptions, reputatio...
Mar 24, 2021•17 min•Ep. 16
Brandan Holmes of the Insurance team and James Leaton of the ESG team discuss why global regulators are zeroing in on financial sector climate risks. Plus, the Asset Management team’s Steve Tu talks about how and why US ESG investments are surging in popularity, and Francisco Uriostegui discusses the benefits and challenges for Mexican pension funds of incorporating ESG screening into investment decisions. Inside the episode: Brandan Holmes of the Insurance team and James Leaton of the ESG team ...
Mar 10, 2021•20 min•Ep. 15
Donald Robertson and Fadi Massih of the Securities and Exchanges team size up the implications that the recent social media-powered short squeeze has for US retail brokers, market makers, clearinghouses and exchanges. Plus, Swen Metzler spotlights German banks’ pressing need to rein in costs, and Alka Anbarasu tells us which Indian banks will win the race to go digital. Inside this episode: Swen Metzler spotlights German banks’ pressing need to rein in costs, and Alka Anbarasu tells us which Ind...
Feb 24, 2021•20 min•Ep. 14
A dwindling number of workers in developed economies will support a growing share of retirees, and growth and profitability are declining for banks, insurers and asset managers. Young Kim of the Insurance team and Tomoya Suzuki of the Banking team examine how South Korea’s insurers and Japan’s regional banks are turning demographics into opportunities, while Dean Ungar of the Asset Management team zeroes in on US asset managers’ future. Inside this episode: Young Kim of the Insurance team and To...
Feb 10, 2021•20 min•Ep. 13
Lan Wang of the Banking team and Lillian Li of the Credit Strategy & Research team discuss why China’s move to open up its domestic financial markets to foreign securities firms potentially benefits all parties, despite operational hurdles. Plus, Marina Cremonese of the Asset Management team joins Lan to talk about the future for asset managers seeking to grow their businesses in China. Inside this episode: Lan Wang of the Banking team and Lillian Li of the Credit Strategy & Research tea...
Jan 27, 2021•20 min•Ep. 12
Donald Robertson and Ana Arsov of the Banking team explain how the lessons global investment banks learned from the financial crisis better prepared them to withstand coronavirus stresses, and how strong capital markets revenue buffered the large loan-loss provisions they booked during 2020. Plus, Mark Wasden and Bruno Baretta of the Banking team explore how coronavirus effects are driving the negative outlook for most global finance companies. Inside this episode: Mark Wasden and Bruno Baretta ...
Jan 13, 2021•23 min•Ep. 11
Laura Bazer and Dominic Simpson of the Insurance team and Greg Bauer and Sophia Lee of the Banking team discuss how a fragile economic recovery, low interest rates and uncertainty about renewal of government support measures are among the drivers of negative outlooks for global banks, life insurers and reinsurers (begins at 1:55). P&C insurers will benefit in the difficult operating environment from lower auto claims, strong capital, and the mandatory nature of certain products. Inside this ...
Dec 16, 2020•20 min•Ep. 10
Rokhaya Cisse and Marina Cremonese of the Asset Management team explore why the pandemic fallout has dimmed revenue prospects and made growth harder for asset managers. Plus, Celina Vansetti-Hutchins looks at how a difficult operating environment and elevated asset risk are driving our negative outlook for financial institutions in emerging markets. Inside this episode: Celina Vansetti-Hutchins looks at how a difficult operating environment and elevated asset risk are driving our negative out...
Dec 02, 2020•19 min•Ep. 9
Edoardo Calandro, David Fanger and Daniel Yu of the Banking team zero in on the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on bank loans in the UK, US and Australia. Plus, Shachar Gonen of the Insurance team and Keith Banhazl of the Structured Finance team look at how much the slowdown in commercial real estate will weaken US life insurers’ CMBS holdings. Inside this episode: Shachar Gonen of the Insurance team and Keith Banhazl of the Structured Finance team look at how much the slowdown in commercial real e...
Nov 18, 2020•19 min•Ep. 8
Inside this episode: Banks will benefit from an increased customer base as accelerated digitalization makes financial services available to unbanked populations in emerging markets. But traditional banks face competition as big tech firms impinge on payment services and central banks explore creating their own digital currencies as a defensive move. Related content: Banks – Emerging Markets: Technology is deepening financial inclusion Banks – China, Europe, and US: Digitalization is break...
Nov 04, 2020•20 min•Ep. 7
Original publish date: October 21, 2020 Inside this episode: Simon Ainsworth and James Eck of the Insurance team discuss the latest developments in global insurers’ efforts to assess and manage climate risk. (begins at 2:27) Stefan Kahandaliyanage of the Insurance team lays out the risks US health insurers face from a policy drive toward a public insurance option. (begins at 10:04) Related content: Health Insurance – US: Policy drive toward transformation of health insurance poses risks ...
Oct 21, 2020•18 min•Ep. 6
Original publish date: October 7, 2020 Inside this episode: Olivier Panis of the Banking team and Stefan Kahandaliyanage of the Asset Management team update financial institutions’ readiness for the transition away from Libor in 2021. (begins at 1:34) As policy rates continue to decline globally, Banking team member Laurie Mayers examines the effect on UK banks, while Shunsaku Sato does so for Japanese banks and Farooq Khan for Brazilian banks. (begins at 7:34) Related content: Financial Inst...
Oct 07, 2020•18 min•Ep. 5
Original publish date: September 23, 2020 Inside this episode: Peter Nerby and Michael Rohr of the Banking team discuss how global systemically important banks entered the coronavirus crisis with healthier balance sheets, capital and liquidity than before the last global downturn (begins at 8:14) . Ceres Lisboa explains how Latin American banks risk a sharp deterioration in asset quality as payment deferrals and government aid lapse (begins at 2:05) . Related content: Banks – Latin America: Cor...
Sep 23, 2020•20 min•Ep. 4
Original publish date: September 9, 2020 Inside this episode: James Eck explains why threats to profitability turned the outlook on global reinsurers negative. (begins at 1:20) Laura Bazer tells us how the coronavirus shock jolted global life insurers into a new, more digital future. (begins at 7:04) Related content: Reinsurance – Global Outlook turns negative as profitability weakens, despite higher pricing - Our negative outlook on the reinsurance sector reflects uncertainty around coronavirus...
Sep 09, 2020•16 min•Ep. 3
Original publish date: August 26, 2020 Inside this episode: Antonello Aquino from the Insurance team explains why European insurers are giving back premiums now and might have to cover more claims later because of the pandemic. (begins at 1:59) Banking team analyst Alka Anbarasu details the government support India’s public-sector banks will need to maintain capital strength as credit costs rise in COVID-19’s wake. (begins at 9:09) Related content: Coronavirus fallout will leave banks w...
Aug 26, 2020•17 min•Ep. 2
Original publish date: August 12, 2020 Inside this episode: Alessandro Roccati from the banking team explains how coronavirus-driven demand for contactless digital financial services, along with remote work, are raising the cyber threat to banks. (begins at 8:21) Steve Tu of the asset management team looks at how the latest US government intervention in money markets could signal an eventual phaseout of institutional prime funds. (begins at 1:45) Related content: Money Market Funds – US: Most re...
Aug 12, 2020•17 min•Ep. 1
