“I am honoured to have been asked to continue in my role as president of Insurance Europe. I look forward to working with my colleagues in representing Europe’s insurers during what will be a challenging time for our industry”, Balbinot commented on his re-election at Insurance Europe.
One of the main challenges that European insurers face is the need for policymakers to ensure that Solvency II is completed as soon as possible and works as intended. This is particularly important in relation to outstanding key issues like the adjustments on capital charges for long-term investments and the need to avoid further complication of the overall framework.
Enabling long-term investments for insurers
Regarding capital charges for long-term investments, Balbinot remarked: “While there have been encouraging messages from EU policymakers regarding a willingness to review capital charges, concrete steps are needed to allow insurers to continue making long-term investments, particularly in assets such as infrastructure, which are crucial to the success of initiatives to promote economic growth, such as the EU Investment Plan.”
In order to avoid further complication of the framework on the verge of its implementation, Balbinot emphasized that: “The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) and local supervisors should avoid making Solvency II even more conservative through guidelines, opinions, gold-plating and conservative interpretations of the legal texts.”
Safety for future pensioners
Another key challenge for European insurers is the increased drive for global regulation by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), right at the time when Solvency II is being implemented.
Looking forward and with respect to the further development of global regulation, as well as Solvency II, Balbinot urged policymakers to consider the positive fundamentals of insurance: “Regulate us in line with our long-term business model, recognising our ability to match assets and liabilities, and to invest in illiquid assets. This would enable the insurance sector to offer reasonable products and provide safety to future pensioners, rather than shifting the entire risk on them. It would also enable us to play the beneficial role that is inherent in our business model.”
