UCITS cat bond fund assets rise 6.5% YTD in 2026, near $20.5bn after April

Catastrophe bond funds in the UCITS format added over $650 million in assets just in the month of April, as the combined assets under management (AUM) of the UCITS cat bond fund sector reached almost $20.5 billion, having now expanded by 6.5% so far in 2026. Recall that, these UCITS catastrophe bond funds grew strongly […]

SEADRIF & WFP launch US$1.1m parametric policy to boost disaster resilience in Lao PDR

The SEADRIF Insurance Company and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have launched a parametric insurance policy in Lao PDR that will provide pre-arranged financing of up to US$1.1 million, to enable timely support to communities impacted by extreme weather and other natural hazards. As per the announcement, the parametric policy complements the government’s […]

Korean Re seeks second Solomon Re cat bond, adds parametric Israel quake as covered peril

Korean Re, the global reinsurance company headquartered in the country of its name, is back to sponsor its second catastrophe bond, seeking $75 million or more in catastrophe retrocession and introducing parametric Israel earthquake as a new covered peril to this Solomon Re Ltd. (Series 2026-1) deal, Artemis can report. Almost three years ago Korean Re sponsored […]

PGGM / PFZW ILS investments returned 12.4% in USD, ended 2025 at $8.904bn AUM

The insurance-linked securities (ILS) and reinsurance investments portfolio managed by specialist pension investor PGGM on behalf of Dutch pension PFZW delivered a 12.4% return in USD for full-year 2025, while the portfolio assets ended the year at a valuation of just over US $8.9 billion. The portfolio of insurance-linked securities funds and reinsurance structures that […]

ADB issues inaugural catastrophe bonds for Kyrgyz Republic & Tajikistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued its first Disaster Relief Bond (DRB) offerings, also known as catastrophe bonds, with two transactions covering earthquake and extreme precipitation risks in Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The DRBs will provide rapid and targeted financial support to both countries following severe earthquake or flood events, based on predefined […]

PRA reforms make UK ILS hub highly competitive globally: Pool Re CEO

Recent reforms made by Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) to increase the UK’s share of the global insurance-linked securities (ILS) market, has led to belief that the UK regime offers a highly competitive platform that compares well with other alternative jurisdictions across the globe, Pool Re CEO Tom Clementi told Artemis. During a recent interview with […]

Portugal to consider catastrophe bonds as it looks to elevate its disaster resilience

The government of Portugal is considering catastrophe bonds as a potential mechanism that could be utilised to provide risk capital for disaster resilience and to better manage catastrophe risk exposure in the country. The government published its Portugal Transformation, Recovery and Resilience Plan (PTRR) recently, indicating a significant EUR 22.6 billion spending plan to boost […]

ADB Issues Inaugural Disaster Relief Bonds Targeting Earthquake and Extreme Precipitation Risk in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (3 May 2026) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) issued its first Disaster Relief Bond (DRB) offerings, also known as catastrophe bonds, as part of its regional Risk-Layered Disaster Relief Finance Program which aims to reduce the financial impact of natural hazards and climate-related shocks. The bonds are designed to protect against severe disasters and […]

UK Government moves to enable protected cell companies for captive insurance

HM Treasury, the UK government’s department responsible for economic and financial policy, has outlined plans to advance legislation that would allow protected cell companies (PCCs) to be used within the UK’s captive insurance framework. The proposals form part of a wider consultation considering how PCC structures could be expanded beyond their current role in risk […]