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Basis Risk, Procylicality, and Systemic Risk in the Solvency II Equity Risk Module

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  • Eling, Martin
  • Pankoke, David

Abstract

This paper analyzes the equity risk module of Solvency II, the new regulatory framework in the European Union. The equity risk module contains a symmetric adjustment mechanism called equity dampener which shall reduce procyclicality of capital requirements and thus systemic risk in the insurance sector. We critically review the equity risk module in three steps: we first analyze the sensitivities of the equity risk module with respect to the underlying technical basis, then work out potential basis risk (i.e., deviations of the insurers actual equity risk from the Solvency II equity risk), and — based on these results — measure the impact of the symmetric adjustment mechanism on the goals of Solvency II. The equity risk module is backward looking in nature and a substantial basis risk exists if realistic equity portfolios of insurers are considered. Both results underline the importance of the own risk and solvency assessment (ORSA) under Solvency II. Moreover, we show that the equity dampener leads to substantial deviations from the proposed 99.5% confidence level and thereby reduces procyclicality of capital requirements. Our results are helpful for academics interested in regulation and risk management as well as for practitioners and regulators working on the implementation of such models.

Suggested Citation

  • Eling, Martin & Pankoke, David, 2013. "Basis Risk, Procylicality, and Systemic Risk in the Solvency II Equity Risk Module," Working Papers on Finance 1306, University of St. Gallen, School of Finance.
  • Handle: RePEc:usg:sfwpfi:2013:06
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    Cited by:

    1. French, Andrea & Vital, Mathieu & Minot, Dean, 2015. "Insurance and financial stability," Bank of England Quarterly Bulletin, Bank of England, vol. 55(3), pages 242-258.
    2. Pierre-Charles Pradier & Arnaud Chneiweiss, 2016. "The evolution of insurance regulation in the EU since 2005," Post-Print halshs-01390899, HAL.
    3. Mohamed Majri & François-Xavier de Lauzon, 2013. "An effective equity model allowing long term investments within the framework of Solvency II," Working Papers hal-00847887, HAL.
    4. Martin Eling & David Pankoke, 2016. "Costs and Benefits of Financial Regulation: An Empirical Assessment for Insurance Companies," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 41(4), pages 529-554, October.
    5. Torsten Heinrich & Juan Sabuco & J. Doyne Farmer, 2022. "A simulation of the insurance industry: the problem of risk model homogeneity," Journal of Economic Interaction and Coordination, Springer;Society for Economic Science with Heterogeneous Interacting Agents, vol. 17(2), pages 535-576, April.
    6. Durán Santomil, Pablo & Otero González, Luís & Martorell Cunill, Onofre & Merigó Lindahl, José M., 2018. "Backtesting an equity risk model under Solvency II," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 216-222.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Solvency II; procyclicality; systemic risk; CoVaR; MES.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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