Last year showed positive results in terms of credit spreads, asset impairments, equity market performance, balance sheet and product de-disking, and access to the capital markets and overall risk management.
U.S. life and health insurers will be impaired by mortgage loan delinquency levels, which remain above pre-crisis levels, and delinquencies of subprime loans, which remain elevated.
The quality of capital for the entire industry has eroded because of life insurers’ decision to monetize hidden capital on companies’ statutory balance sheets such as bonds and stocks.
The increase of financial leverage and contributed proceeds to organizations’ operating companies improved capital measures, yet reduced future financial flexibility for the operating companies.
The December 2010 rise in interest rates may moderate the level of unrealized gains recorded in insurers’ fixed-income portfolios when year-end numbers are reported, the organization said.
Life insurers’ use of risk management and their attempt to curtail sales of capital-intensive and interest-sensitive products will prepare them if interest rates increase or remain at the same low rates.