However, barriers to entry remain, and increase in data about policyholders will raise privacy concerns
DBRS considers the exposures of Canadian life insurers to the oil and gas sector to be manageable from a credit perspective
With clients and their expectations evolving, the insurance industry and advisors have to adjust to the new reality by re-examining long-standing traditions
Low interest rates and losses in the energy sector are putting downward pressure on the shares of large lifecos. These solid companies could offer investing opportunities
Proposals aim to make the advice channel more consumer-friendly
These firms should find new ways of serving the mass affluent, such as adding robo-advisor services and focus on attracting younger advisors to the industry
Such a shift would spread out an insurance agent’s compensation on a policy over many years rather the current structure, which sees commissions paid out in the first two years
The rating agency says that it views the proposal as credit neutral to U.S. life insurers
The new guideline will replace the existing life insurance capital test guideline
Executives from Manulife and Sun Life say their firms are prepared for negative interest rates