Keyword
interest rates
What Fairfax’s CEO is saying about interest rates
May 19, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAs Canadian insurers struggle with auto claims and weather-related losses, relief may be in sight in the form of interest rate increases. “We think interest rates will go up over time because the economy of the U.S. is doing very…
Intact, Fairfax discuss impact of interest rate hike on income
February 27, 2018 by Greg MeckbachWith interest rates at historic lows, Canadian property and casualty insurers rely more on underwriting profits to keep profitable than they have in the past. What difference would a rate hike make to insurers? A one percentage point rise in…
Bank of Canada hikes interest rate to 1.25%, cites strong economic data
January 17, 2018 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – The economy’s impressive run prompted the Bank of Canada to raise its trend-setting interest rate Wednesday for the third time since last summer – but looking ahead it warned of growing uncertainties about NAFTA. The central bank pointed…
Why insurers don’t want a sudden hike in interest rates
January 8, 2018 by Greg MeckbachInsurers might be happy if lending rates rise by a few percentage points, but a financial executive with one mutual warns a sudden rise in interest rates carries a noticeable risk. The Bank of Canada announced in December it is…
Bank of Canada head explains why Canada’s interest rates are so low
December 14, 2017 THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz says with the economy running at close to full tilt, a mechanical approach to setting interest rates would suggest higher borrowing rates should already be in place. But in a speech Thursday,…
Five things for insurance professionals to watch for
November 28, 2017 Jason Contant, Online EditorFive factors, outlined below, can make or break the state of the Canadian property and casualty (P&C) insurance, says Nazir Valani, partner and national leader with KPMG in Canada’s actuarial practice. He spoke Tuesday at KPMG’s Annual Insurance Conference in…
Economic growth blows past expectations in May, powered by energy industry
July 28, 2017 Craig Wong - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Economic growth in the country blew past expectations in May, powered by the energy sector, raising expectations that the Bank of Canada will raise interest rates again this fall. Statistics Canada said Friday that real gross domestic product…
Global premiums up in 2016, growth lower but outlook still positive: Swiss Re
July 5, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe 3.7% increase in global insurance premiums on the non-life side in 2016 was driven by expansion among the emerging countries and exceptional performance in China, although growth weakened in advanced economies, Swiss Re Institute suggests in its latest sigma…
Canadian CEOs view disruption as an opportunity, report disrupting their sectors: KPMG study
June 13, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThree-quarters of Canadian CEOs (75%) see disruption as an opportunity for their business, not a threat, and 86% said their business is actively disrupting its sector rather than waiting for disruption by competitors, according to a new survey from audit,…
Technological change and cyber risk overtake regulation as top risks for global insurers: study
May 31, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe global insurance industry’s ability to confront structural and technological changes is now the greatest risk it faces, according to a new survey of insurers and close observers of the sector, released on Tuesday. The Centre for the Study of…
Bank of Canada rate stays at 0.5%
May 24, 2017 Andy Blatchford - THE CANADIAN PRESSOTTAWA – Uncertainties continue to obscure the economy’s stronger-than-expected start to the year, the Bank of Canada said Wednesday as it stuck with its trendsetting interest rate of 0.5 per cent. In explaining its decision to hold the rate, the…
U.S. personal lines carriers investing in insurtech for early information on new ideas, competitive advantage: Novarica
May 16, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterPersonal lines carriers in the United States are using insurtech to focus on diverse research and development efforts, analytics, improved self-service capabilities (including mobile platforms) and core systems upgrades with an eye to the future, suggests a new report from…