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Forum Views - Oct 2024

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n the dynamic and complex landscape of financial

services, the board plays a pivotal role in steering

Iinstitutions through uncertainty, safeguarding

stakeholder interests, and ensuring long-term

sustainability. This is especially true in emerging markets,

where the challenges of governance are magnified by

factors such as regulatory volatility, political instability, and

the varying maturity of financial markets.

Emerging markets are characterized by rapid economic

growth, evolving regulatory frameworks and diverse

financial ecosystems. While these factors offer significant

opportunities, they also present unique governance

challenges that require careful navigation.

Financial services are heavily regulated throughout the

world, but in emerging markets regulation tends to be

simpler but less risk based. Whilst many countries have

The Unique Governance Landscape of Emerging

Markets

1. Regulatory Volatility and Uncertainty

moved to a Basel III type approach for banks, local

requirements still vary and, in many markets, insurance is

still regulated with a Solvency I ratio type capital

requirement rather than Solvency II, which is more risk

based. There is, therefore, more uncertainty as it is not

clear how and when new solvency requirements may be

implemented. In many cases regulators actually require

more information from financial services companies than

they would in mature markets, such as having to get

permission for premium increases or send budgets to the

regulators. This means that the regulatory burden is often

high and can create uncertainty for financial institutions

where strategic choices may be limited by factors such as

exchange controls or lack of sophisticated financial

instruments, making it difficult to manage risk effectively.

GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES IN FINANCIAL

SERVICES AND EMERGING MARKETS -

INSIGHTS FROM THE BOARD ROOM

Susan Holliday

Independent Board Director

Acrisure Re

By definition, financial services regulations are behind the

reality of the markets, with crypto currencies being just one

example of this. However, in emerging markets it is

common to see more gaps which can be exploited in both

positive and negative ways. For example, some countries

only recognize the concepts of insurance companies and

brokers, with no explicit rules for price comparison sites,

underwriting agents (often called Managing General

Agents or MGAs) or they mandate business to go through

brokers which in other countries can be sold directly to

consumers online. This adds to regulatory uncertainty, and

may stifle innovation, whilst also allowing in potential bad

actors outside of the regulatory regime.

In the dynamic and complex

landscape of financial services, the

board plays a pivotal role in steering

institutions through uncertainty,

safeguarding stakeholder interests,

a n d e n s u r i n g l o n g - t e r m

sustainability. This is especially true

in emerging markets, where the

challenges of governance are

magnified by factors such as

regulatory volatility, political

instability, and the varying maturity

of financial markets.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

10

FORUM VIEWS - OCTOBER 2024

Global Insights

®

QRD (Qualified Risk Director)

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