ABI: ECOFIN: A missed opportunity for Solvency II

ABI: ECOFIN: A missed opportunity for Solvency II

ABI: ECOFIN: A missed opportunity for Solvency II

Responding to the ECOFIN decision today to waive through Solvency II directive on insurance regulation without debate, Stephen Haddrill, Director General at the ABI, said:

“We are very disappointed about the failure to put back the provisions covering international groups into the Solvency II directive. While Finance Ministers are, quite rightly, dealing with the current economic crisis as an international problem needing global solutions, they are proposing a European regulation that ignores the cross-border nature of how companies operate. This does not make sense and needs to change for a successful Solvency II that protects consumer’s interests.

“The Council has put at risk five years of hard work by insurers, the Parliament and Commission, who are all agreed on the importance of the group proposals. It is vital group support is reinstated to ensure a system of regulation fit for the 21st century. Without these provisions the directive is a waste of time.

“Group support allows insurers to make better use of their capital across all the markets they operate in under the oversight of a single lead regulator, who is able to assess the risks in different markets, set the right level of capital in total and judge whether risks in one area could damage solvency elsewhere. The lack of this kind of international perspective in banking lies behind the current crisis. Solvency II is an opportunity to put this in place for the insurance industry.

“Recent events have taught all of us of the need for better thinking about market risk, so that any prudential handling of it is robust but flexibility. This must be reflected in Solvency II, possibly as recent suggestions have proposed through giving flexibility to supervisors in difficult market conditions.”

– ENDS –

Notes for Editors

1. Enquiries to:
Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480)
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. The ABI is the voice of the insurance and investment industry. Its members constitute over 90 per cent of the insurance market in the UK and 20 per cent across the EU. They control assets equivalent to a quarter of the UK’s capital. They are the risk managers of the UK’s economy and society. Through the ABI their voice is heard in Government and in public debate on insurance, savings and investment matters.

3. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

Copies of all ABI news releases, together with other information from the Association, can be seen on our website http://www.abi.org.uk