Description: The Observatoire actuariel de la crise du coronavirus (Actuarial Observatory of the Coronavirus Crisis) is a unique initiative of the Institut des actuaires (Institute of Actuaries) consisting of the establishment of a process of qualitative sociological surveying during the confinement and the two weeks following it. Implemented by a PhD sociologist, the Actuarial Observatory of the Coronavirus Crisis aimed to collect, in real time, the perceptions and analyses of actuaries, women and men of all generations and from all professional backgrounds, of this unprecedented crisis. Its first report reproduces the observations made with respect to operational matters: • How did the companies continue to operate? • What are the consequences for the sectors? • How will they manage the induced risks? • What are the expectations for the future?

Description: The system of using securities exchanges and commodity futures contract exchanges is inadequate to the task. Neither can transfer the risks of derivative financial contracts to the capital markets. Regardless of the degree of regulation or the financial incentives, this system is insufficient. A new type of exchange is needed that copes with fast price changes – even from “long” to “short” – without inviting bankruptcy.

Description: The mismatch between how interest rate impacts the value of assets and liabilities could have material negative impact to companies’ earnings and surplus. To quantify and mitigate the impact of such mismatches, companies have used matching a combination of duration and convexity. I will review these measurement techniques and their limitations.

Description: The author discusses using a simple process for risk management.

Description: Finding appealing return on equity for low margin or high risk weighted asset business by dealers has been challenging. Because of this, trading assets have fallen substantially especially in rates and corporate trading books. Smaller books suggest challenged liquidity as balance sheets become less elastic.

Description: A framework for pension risk management: diagnose pension risk factors, decide factors to address, utilize risk management toolkit, select strategy, monitor strategy

Description: Update on JRMS activities, including a look ahead to 2014. Also a brief exploration of actuarial predicitons versus predictions made by other professionals.

Description: SOA sponsored research tackled potential low-interest-rate scenarios. This article is based on findings in the report but does not mirror the report with regard to content as it looks at the interest rate impact on assets, liabilities and their interactions. Potential drivers of low rates are identified, along with risk management recommendations for insurers and regulators. These drivers include demographics, behavioral responses to the economy, environmental costs and changes to the economic landscape.

Description: Read the August 2018 issue of Risk Management published by the Joint Risk Management Section. Newsletters provide practical information for the working actuary, articles on trends that impact sections and news about section activities.

Description: Hear from the editor’s on the August 2018 issue of Risk Management published by the JRMS.