The 1990s saw considerable attention drawn to the global benefits of the so-called “hot” developing economies such as South America, Asia and the former Eastern Bloc countries. Most recently, we have seen plunging stock markets and economic uncertainty resulting in these same areas. Strangely, these have a link with trends in Canadian financial supervision.
“We’re in a world where the ‘world of products’ is going to get even bigger,” predicts Norma Nielson, chair of insurance at the University of Calgary. A major issue arising from the “blurring of traditional product lines” and the multi-skills…
The numbers say it all. Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry suffered one of its worst year-on-year performances last year, posting a modest return on investment of 7.1% — nearly half of 1997’s rate of return. Heavy underwriting losses incurred…
Cecil Rhodes, the 19th-century British financier, colonial administrator and sponsor of Oxford’s prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, once said, “I would annex planets if I could.” A read through the financial pages of any newspaper would suggest that many corporate presidents and CEOs feel the same way.
The new millennium is not only bringing Y2K exposures to the fore, but a sense of consumer branding. From companies, brokers through to reinsurers, the latest industry leader forums have all hosted an urgency to address consumerism. The property and…
Held against the backdrop of the nation’s capital, the 1999 Canadian Insurance Congress — seen as Canada’s premier reinsurer/primary company CEO forum — offered good news to insurers and risk managers on the treaty negotiation front. This year’s reinsurance rates,…
The federal government’s recently released paper outlining the future of financial institutions in Canada did little to quell market rumours surrounding a potential sale of CIBC Insurance. The company, originally tabbed to be sold to U.S.-based GEICO Insurance, is now…
When the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) introduced mandatory mediation of statutory accident benefits disputes, insurance companies quietly rejoiced. Essentially, the new rules preclude plaintiffs from launching an action at law prior to mediating issues in dispute which fall…
Natural disasters such as extreme weather, a volcanic eruption or an earthquake, are often quaintly referred to in the insurance world as “Acts of God”, adverse events which are seemingly unexplainable or beyond man’s control. Noticeably, the economic and insurance…
The new president of the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba (IBAM) Ron Vandenbosch says the battle against banks retailing insurance is the top concern expressed by his constituents at the recent IBAM annual general meeting in Winnipeg. Asked to list…
Equisure Financial Network Inc. (TSE: EFN) released record first quarter figures, setting new highs in revenue, net income, earnings, shareholders equity, assets and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The company’s consolidated revenue was up 3% from 1998’s…
We couldn’t have picked a worse day for the opening of my company’s new regional office. Gale-force winds had blasted into the city overnight, knocking down trees and power-lines, shutting down the airport, and tearing the roofs off new, unfinished…