...according to the Lloyd’s Market Association’s (LMA) response to the European Commission’s (EC) consultation on implementation of the Basel III reforms. The EC is consulting stakeholders on proposed changes to the Capital Requirement Regulation (CRR) and the Capital Requirements Directive (CRD), which will define acceptable components of banks’ regulatory capital.
The LMA seeks to ensure that the proposed changes acknowledge the unique characteristics of non-payment insurance and the benefits to banks of using such insurance for credit risk mitigation (CRM). The consultation response urges the EC both to accept insurers’ substantial financial strength, and to account for banks’ privileged position as policyholders, which is protected by law.
The LMA response emphasises the unique CRM strengths of non-payment insurance, which is widely underwritten by Lloyd’s syndicates and other insurers.
James Bamford, Chairman of the LMA Political Risks, Credit and Financial Contingencies Business Panel and Global Practice Leader Political Lines at Talbot Underwriting Ltd. said, “A contract of insurance provides enhanced characteristics as a Credit Risk Mitigation, to which we are asking the EC to give full consideration in respect of the proposed changes to the CRR and CRD.”
David Powell, Head of Non-Marine Insurance at the LMA, said: “The insurance industry is extremely well-regulated and well-capitalised. We are asking the EC to avoid any changes that could disrupt vital CRM support to banks, especially in sectors where other forms of risk transfer are difficult to obtain.”
The LMA worked closely with the International Underwriting Association of London (IUA), the International Credit Insurance & Surety Association (ICISA), and the International Trade and Fortfaiting Association (ITFA) in responding to the consultation.
† 2007–2017 “Single Situation” Non-Payment Claims For Banks & Financial Institutions. NB: The remaining claims were rejected due to operational failure by the insured institution (failure to comply with explicit policy requirements), but insurers still paid 44% of those claims under settlement agreements.
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