[FONT="]Hybrids must absorb losses in crises to play a part in insurance tier one, says CEIOPS[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT]
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[FONT="]EURMCM0020091201e5bd0005s[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="] 398 Words [/FONT]
[FONT="] 13 November 2009 [/FONT]
[FONT="] Euroweek [/FONT]
[FONT="] eurmcm [/FONT]
[FONT="] English [/FONT]
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[FONT="]CEIOPS submitted its final advice on Solvency II Level 2 Implementing Measures to the European Commission on Tuesday.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"While CEIOPS recognises that banking and insurance have quite different business models, we believe that in this area, cross-sectoral convergence, in particular in relation to the basic principles, cannot be ignored," it said in a letter to the commission.[/FONT]
[FONT="]"Hence, CEIOPS sees the quality of capital as a crucial element for a solid Solvency II regime. Consequently, while recognising some hybrid instruments as eligible, CEIOPS insists on the need to focus on loss-absorbing capacity of the instruments, rather than on their name."[/FONT]
[FONT="]The committee said that political discussions should take into account parallel developments in other sectors in order to avoid regulatory arbitrage.[/FONT]
[FONT="]CEIOPS also said that high quality hybrids should be restricted to 20% of tier one. It said that the limit for tier one should not be lowered below 50% and that the characteristics for hybrids should be that "they continue to absorb losses first or rank pari passu, in going concern, with capital instruments that substantially absorb first losses".[/FONT]
[FONT="]The statement comes as bank regulators across the world have been putting pressure on banks to improve their capital bases and restrict the use of hybrids. Instead, they are pushing banks to improve their core tier one ratio, which is seen as the best form of capital.[/FONT]
[FONT="]CEIOPS is also pushing for a narrow definition of hybrids and that they fully meet loss absorption mechanisms and be available when needed in times of stress.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Meanwhile, CEIOPS said that the minimum maturities for tier one should be 10 years, five years for tier two, and three years for tier three.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Analysts a BNP Paribas said that this approach to maturities meant that "we are not exactly changing at all in relation to the credit crisis’ lessons learned".[/FONT]
[FONT="]They added: "This means that most subordinated debt would qualify as currently stated. Gone are the concerns about more supply in the sector to replace all these inadequately designed bonds."[/FONT]
[FONT="]Insurance companies have been regular issuers of subordinated debt this year. In July, Prudential priced a $750m tier one deal and it was soon followed by L&G and Zurich raising lower tier two in the sterling and euro markets.[/FONT]