Description: Hedge funds have grown tremendously over the last few years and will continue to grow, with invested assets currently being estimated at well over $1 trillion worldwide. The author concludes “I do strongly believe that the contradictory philosophies of traditional investment management versus hedge funds have to be carefully considered, reflected upon and evaluated ...”

Description: Many top-performing businesses aren’t just risk aware, but rather risk intelligent. Such a posture helps prepare companies for a major event and can demonstrate to a regulator or auditor that an appropriately strong control framework is in place. Better still, companies gain real strategic value from a “risk adjusted” understanding not only of their threats and vulnerabilities, but also the upside opportunities associated with various risks. It starts with having both qualitative and quantitative information to identify, assess and manage risks. Strategic risk management, at its core, is about creating value by increasing transparency and accountability, and quality of information. More than a mere compliance exercise, effective risk management enables more informed strategic decision making, increased accountability and transparency, a greater likelihood of organizational success, and – ultimately – competitive advantage, as borne out by many studies that correlate risk management and financial results.

Description: This case study is intended to educate insurance professionals on historical insurer impairments and insolvencies and possible future prevention indicators.

Description: This article is about a session held at the October 1996 annual meeting, which focused on how actuaries can move beyond traditional employers.

Description: The article is based on a study of root causes in insurer insolvencies and impairments, with the focus on potential risk factors and prevention measures.

Description: This study is intended to educate insurance professionals on historical insurer impairments and insolvencies and possible future prevention indicators.

Description: Despite a clear need and demographics which should be favorable to LTCI growth, the market remains stalled due to lack of understanding on the consumer side, and uncertainty on carriers' side. The 3 key risk areas for carriers are morbidity, terminations, and investment earnings. Financial market innovations which can address these include: repackaging risks as derivative securities, interest rate swaps and options, and inflation swaps.

Description: Municipal Reinvestment Contracts by Victor Modugno from Risks and Rewards Newsletter, September 2000, Issue No. 35.

Description: Interview with investment actuary Carl Hess, head of Towers Watson global investment practice, on his background and career path.

Description: The author notes that equity investment management is often classified into a number of different styles, the simplest being growth and value. In discussing both approaches the author also brings in the concept of momentum and concludes that momentum should be an additional parameter reviewed in the investment decision.