Swiss Re launches cat bond insurance-linked investment advisory business

Zurich-based global reinsurance giant  Swiss Re has launched a new insurance-linked investment advisory business, with a particular focus on catastrophe bonds, as part of its strategy to expand the options for “attractive investment partnerships” with institutional investors.

The new entity,  Swiss Re Insurance-Linked Investment Advisors Corporation (SRILIAC), will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re America Holding Corporation and part of the  Swiss Re Group.

SRILIAC will offer investment management services to qualified institutional investors, with a particular focus on catastrophe bonds. Its investment strategy focuses on insurance-linked securities, primarily catastrophe bonds, thus allowing investors the opportunity to access  Swiss Re's capabilities in catastrophe bond investments, natural catastrophe modelling and underwriting.

Swiss Re noted that SRILIAC's investment strategy complements its other investment strategy focused on natural catastrophe reinsurance contracts managed by  Swiss Re Insurance-Linked Investment Management (SRILIM). Through these investment managers, investors will now be able access either  Swiss Re's core natural catastrophe book or the broader catastrophe bond market alongside  Swiss Re.

MariaGiovanna Guatteri, CEO of SRILIAC, said: " Swiss Re has been trading and investing in ILS for over two decades. Now we are opening our capabilities to institutional investors, allowing them to benefit from our track record and established risk analytics, portfolio management and operational expertise. We believe that our focus on catastrophe bonds will closely align with investors who value liquidity and transparency."

Philipp Rüede, head alternative capital partners at  Swiss Re, said: "This move comes as the natural next step in the Group's strategy to have  Swiss Re's Alternative Capital Partners expand the options for attractive investment partnerships with institutional investors. SRILIAC's investment strategy allows investors to benefit from  Swiss Re's experienced team and a cat bond portfolio constructed through disciplined risk selection."

Did you get value from this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.