This paper provides an update on the German insurance sector and an analysis of certain key aspects of the regulatory and supervisory regime. It includes an analysis of German practice in relation to selected Insurance Core Principles in the context of a wider discussion of key issues in regulation and supervision. This technical note focuses mainly on recent developments in the sector and key vulnerabilities, including life insurance issues, those vulnerabilities associated with the continuing low interest rate environment; the preparations of the authorities and industry for the implementation of the Solvency II requirements; and the supervisory approach to large insurance groups.

This innovative book provides the first detailed analysis of the increasing convergence of banking and insurance in the retail area, a trend commonly referred to as bancassurance. In the first part of the book industry- and firm-level characteristics are analysed which contribute to the increasing level of cross-industry penetration in the banking and insurance sector. The second part of the book provides for the first time a detailed account of banks' entry strategies into insurance. It thereby focuses on identifying the key factors which determine whether or not entry will be successful.