NEW YORK (Oct. 7, 2021)
²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ Releases Stress Testing Report on U.S. Insurers’ Collateralized Loan Obligations Year-End 2020 Exposure
The ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ today released stress testing results on U.S. Insurers’ exposure to Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLO) Year-End 2020. The 2021 Stress tests examined the resilience of CLOS under three different Scenarios. The year-end 2020 stress test mirrors findings from the year-end 2019 stress test, wherein Normal CLO A-rated tranches experienced losses under the worst-case Scenario. In comparison, the year-end 2018 stress test resulted in no losses on Normal CLO tranches rated A and higher under the three scenarios.
The ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½â€™s Capital Market Bureau and Structured Securities Group performed stress testing on U.S. insurer CLO investments—the year-end 2020, results showed that Normal tranches rated AA and higher did not experience any losses under the three scenarios tested. Nevertheless, ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ analysis also showed that a few insurers have concentrated investments in Combo Notes and low-rated tranches. Given the complexity and volatility of CLO investments in general, exposure as a percent of total surplus is worth identifying, particularly for insurers with large exposures as a percentage of total surplus.
Capital Market’s special report U.S. Insurers’ Collateralized Loan Obligation (CLO) Exposure Jumps Almost 23% at Year-End 2020 , details U.S. insurer exposure to CLOs. The report finds CLO exposures grew as of year-end 2020 to $192.9 billion from about $156.9 billion as of year-end 2019. Overall, CLO exposure for the U.S. insurance industry remains relatively small, at about 2.6% of total cash and invested assets. The majority (78%) of these investments are rated single A or above, so the ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ does not believe the CLO asset class currently presents a risk to the industry as a whole. However, significant CLO exposures relative to surplus and concentrated exposures to atypical securities like Combo Notes and low-rated tranches are potential risks, particularly in a stressed environment.
The ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ will continue to monitor U.S. insurer investments in CLOs and report as deemed appropriate.
About the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
As part of our state-based system of insurance regulation in the United States, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½) provides expertise, data, and analysis for insurance commissioners to effectively regulate the industry and protect consumers. The U.S. standard-setting organization is governed by the chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. Through the ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½, state insurance regulators establish standards and best practices, conduct peer reviews, and coordinate regulatory oversight. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù¹Ù·½ staff supports these efforts and represents the collective views of state regulators domestically and internationally.