In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes back Bill Pieroni, CEO of ACORD, for an engaging Executive Spotlight. Known for his high energy and deep insights into the insurance industry, Bill delves into a range of critical topics including ACORD’s global role in setting industry standards, the unique and extensive research studies conducted by ACORD, and the evolving landscape of insurance technology and M&A.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Chris Rust, Co-Head of European Credit Opportunities at Ninety One, to explore the dynamic world of insurance asset management and private credit. With over 25 years of industry experience, Chris offers a deep dive into the European mid-market, specifically focusing on non-sponsored borrowers and asset-backed lending strategies.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley dives into the intricacies of CECL (Current Expected Credit Loss) with Theresa Meawad, Senior Director and Head of Solutions Consulting at SS&C EVOLV. Theresa explains the key aspects of CECL, a crucial accounting standard that impacts insurers' financial reporting, and how it differs fundamentally from previous models.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley explores the rapidly evolving world of private credit secondaries with John Bohill, Partner of Private Debt at the StepStone Group. John provides a detailed overview of the private credit secondaries market, explaining why it's generating so much buzz and why it's a crucial area for insurance companies to consider.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, Stewart Foley, CFA, sits down with Doug Lyons and Steve Quazzo, two Chicago-based experts in commercial real estate (CRE) from Pearlmark. Doug, Managing Principal responsible for capital markets and debt investment activities, and Steve, Co-Founder and CEO, share their extensive experience in the real estate sector, including their time working with the legendary Sam Zell. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities in today's CRE market, particularly focusing on the office sector's struggles, the impact of rising interest rates, and the broader implications for different real estate asset classes.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley welcomes back Kevin Marchetti of Man Varagon for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of direct lending. With rising interest rates and an uncertain economic environment, Kevin provides valuable insights on how the next five years in direct lending are poised to differ significantly from the past decade. He discusses the critical importance of stress testing portfolios, especially in the context of increased borrowing costs for middle market companies. Kevin also highlights the need for insurance investors to focus on key performance indicators, such as interest coverage ratios and the presence of PIK (Payment-in-Kind) interest, to identify early signs of financial stress within portfolios. These indicators, Kevin argues, are essential in navigating the current market dynamics and ensuring robust credit selection.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com Podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by Bill O'Neill, Principal Senior Portfolio Manager at Income Research and Management, to explore the often underappreciated yet highly versatile world of convertible bonds. Bill shares his deep knowledge of the asset class, explaining the hybrid nature of convertible bonds that offer bond-like characteristics with the potential for equity-like returns. The conversation delves into the history and structure of convertible bonds, highlighting their unique appeal in today's higher interest rate environment. Bill discusses the resurgence of the investment-grade convertible bond market, driven by factors such as the need for diversified capital access, favorable changes in regulatory accounting standards, and the current economic climate.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley is joined by Kevin Farley, Managing Director and Structured Credit Portfolio Manager at Post Advisory Group, to dive deep into the world of collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Kevin shares his insights on the evolution and scalability of the CLO market, particularly in the primary and secondary markets, highlighting how the landscape has changed post-Great Financial Crisis (GFC). The conversation explores the impact of regulatory changes, such as the rollback of the risk retention requirement under the Dodd-Frank Act, and how these have influenced market dynamics and investor behavior.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley sits down with Eric Cooperstrom, Managing Director of Impact Investing in Natural Climate Solutions at Manulife Investment Management, to explore the intersection of timberland investments and impact investing. Eric shares his journey from traditional finance to leading Manulife’s forest climate strategy, offering listeners a unique perspective on how sustainable timber and agricultural investments can align with broader environmental goals. The discussion covers the growing importance of carbon markets, particularly the role of forest carbon in both compliance and voluntary markets, and how these markets are evolving in response to increasing global focus on climate change.

In this episode of the InsuranceAUM.com podcast, host Stewart Foley speaks with Cindy Beaulieu, Chief Investment Officer of Conning's North American operations, about the impact of higher interest rates and increased market volatility on insurance investors. Cindy, a seasoned expert in insurance asset management, shares her insights on how the sudden shift to a high-inflation, high-yield environment has affected insurance portfolios and how Conning has helped clients navigate these changes. She emphasizes the importance of strategic asset allocation, diversification, and staying calm during periods of uncertainty.