IRDA issues uniform ALM norms for insurance companies

05 Jan 2012 Evaluate

In order to make sure market players’ solvency and to determine their ability to meet financial obligations in the event of a financial emergency, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has announced a broadly-defined uniform framework for reporting asset liability management (ALM) activities adopted by life and non-life insurance companies. The new framework will come into force from April this year.

The IRDA guidelines require the ALM policy to be approved by the board of the insurer. Such board-approved policy should be submitted to the IRDA within 90 days. While approving the ALM policy, the board according to IRDA, should take into account the asset-liability relationships, the insurer's overall risk tolerance, risk and return needs, solvency positions and liquidity requirements.

Further, the guidelines also make it obligatory for the board to often review the ALM policy of the insurer. Any change in the policy must be reported to the regulator. The insurers are also required to develop and implement controls and reporting systems for the ALM policies that are appropriate for their businesses and to the risk to which they are exposed. Moreover, the insurers have to put in place an efficient means to observe and manage their asset-liability positions.

On the stress-test part, IRDA has asked the insurance companies to determine their capability to meet financial liabilities after taking into account factors like a 30% fall in equity values and one percentage point decline in yields on fixed investments, among others. The guidelines now also require the insurers to conduct stress test and provide IRDA the details along with the FCR (financial condition report).

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