Asia insurers far outstrip global peers in risk appetite

Insurance firms in Asia Pacific are showing far more appetite for investment risk and less focus on credit quality than those elsewhere, finds a new survey* by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. This reflects concerns raised by industry observers that the region’s insurers’ headlong search for yield could land them in trouble. Fears have been voiced by rating agencies such as Fitch and even professionals in the industry, such as Ian Brimecome of Japan's Tokio Marine. A quarter (26%…