OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A.M. Best’s latest episode of “First Monday,” the monthly program featuring commentary by the company's leading analysts, examines a recent A.M. Best survey of U.S. insurance companies on asset allocations, competition, capital management, enterprise risk management and interest rates, just to name a few. Assistant Vice President Ken Johnson and Senior Industry Research Analyst Erik Miller, discuss the pessimism that is rising among insurers concerning the possibility of an interest rate increase in 2015.
Click on: http://www.ambest.com/v.asp?v=fmsurvey515 to view the entire video program.
Johnson spoke about the differences in how the property/casualty (P/C) and life/annuity (L/A) industries see the likelihood of a potential increase. “It is interesting that the P/C industry is more pessimistic about rates, with a fair amount of them believing rates will stay close to 2%. Whereas the L/A companies believe that rates might be closer to 2.50% by the end of the year.”
Miller addressed the issue of managing capital in the coming year. “The P/C industry is focused on municipal bonds and common preferred stock, while the life side believes private placements and mortgages are more secure.”
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