Global Regulatory Update

Hosted by Institute of International Finance

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Jul 2026

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Hosted by the IIF’s Regulatory Affairs department, this podcast series features interviews with regulators, thought leaders, and executives shaping today's regulatory environment.

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September 15, 202622 min

Global Aging, Retirement Security, and the Promise of Lifetime Income

In this episode of the Global Regulatory Update podcast, host Philippe Brahin, Head of Insurance and NBFI at the IIF, speaks with Phil Waldeck, Executive Vice President and Head of U.S. Business at Prudential Financial, about The Case for Lifetime Income , a 2026 study by the Global Aging Institute sponsored by Prudential Financial. Drawing on insights from five major retirement systems, the report examines how countries can improve retirement security while addressing the growing challenges posed by aging populations, increasing longevity, and mounting pressure on public finances. The conversation explores the economic and societal benefits of lifetime income solutions, including how longevity pooling can help deliver better retirement outcomes while improving the efficiency of retirement systems. Phil discusses why the transition from defined benefit pensions to defined contribution plans has created new challenges for retirees, the behavioral and structural barriers that have limited the adoption of lifetime income products, and the policy changes that could help individuals convert retirement savings into more secure and sustainable income streams. The discussion also highlights lessons from retirement systems in the United States, Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, and why different countries are pursuing different approaches to the same demographic challenge. The episode further examines the implications of aging populations for life insurers, including the importance of asset-liability matching, long-duration investing, and the growing role of insurers in managing longevity risk. Phil also reflects on the respective roles of policymakers, employers, financial institutions, and retirement plan providers in strengthening retirement outcomes and discusses how the report's recommendations are being received by governments, regulators, and international organizations. Together, the discussion offers a timely look at one of the most significant financial and social challenges facing economies around the world: how to provide retirement income that people can rely on throughout increasingly longer lives.

July 15, 202643 min

The Future of Insurance Supervision in Europe — Priorities, Risks, and Opportunities

In this episode of the Global Regulatory Update podcast, host Philippe Brahin, Head of Insurance and NBFI at the IIF, speaks with Petra Hielkema, Chairperson of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), following her confirmation for a second five-year term. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, climate risk, technological disruption, and economic fragmentation, the conversation explores EIOPA’s new Strategy to 2030 and its vision for strengthening the European insurance and pensions sector. Petra discusses the implementation of the revised Solvency II framework, including new proportionality measures, reduced reporting requirements, and efforts to support investment while preserving a robust risk-based supervisory system. The discussion also examines the European Commission’s Savings and Investment Union , the role of insurers as long-term investors, and the challenge of mobilizing capital to support Europe’s economic, digital, and green transitions. In addition, Petra shares her perspective on the growing pension gap and the policy initiatives aimed at encouraging greater long-term savings and retirement preparedness across Europe. The episode further explores some of the most pressing issues facing supervisors and insurers today, including natural catastrophe protection gaps , digitalization and AI , the evolution of private markets and private credit , and the importance of international supervisory cooperation through organizations such as the IAIS. Petra reflects on the progress made during her first mandate, the opportunities and challenges ahead for European supervision, and why stronger dialogue between regulators and industry will be essential to building resilience, fostering innovation, and supporting sustainable growth in the years ahead.

June 29, 202631 min

A Decade of Leadership at the IAIS - Reflections on Global Insurance Supervision with Jonathan Dixon

In this episode of the IIF Global Regulatory Update podcast, host Philippe Brahin, Head of Insurance and NBFI at the IIF, speaks with Jonathan Dixon, Secretary General (2017-2026) of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), as he concludes nearly a decade of leadership at the organization. The conversation reflects on a period marked by major global disruptions - including the global pandemic, war conflicts, geopolitical fragmentation, and rapid technological changes - alongside significant milestones in international insurance regulation. Drawing on his experience, Jonathan discusses the evolution of the IAIS and its efforts to deliver global standards across a highly diverse membership of roughly 200 jurisdictions. The conversation explores the development and adoption of key frameworks such as ComFrame , the Holistic Framework for systemic risk , and the Insurance Capital Standard (ICS) , and what they signal for the future of global convergence in insurance. The episode also examines emerging priorities for regulators, including the assessment of systemic risk in the insurance sector , the role of insurers in evolving areas such as private credit and asset-intensive reinsurance , and the growing importance of operational resilience in an AI-enabled environment . Jonathan reflects on the continued need to address protection gaps , particularly in natural catastrophe risks, and the role of insurance in supporting societal resilience, economic growth, and long-term investment , while emphasizing the importance of public–private collaboration in shaping innovative insurance solutions and effective supervisory frameworks. The discussion concludes with forward-looking insights on the evolving global regulatory landscape and the enduring strengths of the insurance model.

June 3, 202630 min

The New Shape of Risk — Insights From the Third EY/IIF Insurance Risk Survey

In this episode of the Global Regulatory Update podcast, host Melanie Idler, Policy Advisor at the IIF, speaks with EY's Stuart Doyle, U.S. Insurance Risk and Regulation Leader, and Rasika Karnik, U.S. Insurance Risk Senior Manager, about the findings of the third annual EY–IIF Global Insurance Risk Management Survey , which examines how insurance chief risk officers are navigating a rapidly evolving global risk landscape. Drawing on insights from more than 100 CROs and senior risk executives, the discussion explores how insurers are operating in a nonlinear, accelerated, volatile, and interconnected (NAVI) risk environment , where risks materialize faster, spread more widely, and interact in increasingly complex ways. The guests examine how this is reshaping the role of the CRO, with greater expectations for real-time insights, forward-looking analysis, and deeper integration into business decision-making. They highlight the continued dominance of cyber risk as the top near-term concern, alongside the growing importance of strategic risk , reflecting the expanding remit of risk leaders as organizations respond to geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, and market change. The conversation also focuses on how insurers are adapting their operating models and capabilities. AI and advanced analytics are moving from experimentation into core risk functions, driving both efficiency gains and new governance challenges, while prompting a shift toward capability-driven risk teams rather than simple headcount growth. At the same time, CROs are balancing near-term pressures with longer-term risks such as climate transition , data privacy and ethics , and evolving global financial dynamics, requiring more adaptive skill sets and a broader, more strategic approach to risk management. Together, these themes underscore a fundamental transition: from managing risk as a control function to positioning it as a central driver of resilience, insight, and decision-making across the insurance enterprise.

May 20, 202629 min

From Peak Pressure to Policy Reset — Insights From the Latest KPMG Regulatory Barometer

In this episode of the Global Regulatory Update podcast, host Philippe Brahin, Director, Insurance and NBFI Regulation and Policy at the IIF, speaks with three KPMG colleagues from the EMA Financial Services Regulatory Insight Centre, Michelle Adcock, Banking; Kate Dawson, Capital Markets; and Alisa Dolgova, Insurance Regulation Sector Heads, to discuss the findings of the latest KPMG Regulatory Barometer , which assesses the impact of regulatory and supervisory developments across the UK and EU financial sectors. Drawing on key insights from the Barometer, the discussion explores how overall regulatory pressure appears to have peaked and is now trending downward, with a growing focus on simplification, proportionality, and the review of existing frameworks rather than large new regulatory packages. The guests examine how this shift is being experienced in practice, such as early efforts to streamline reporting and processes and differences between UK and EU approaches. They also highlight how operational resilience remains a central priority, driven by external risks such as geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, and supply‑chain disruptions, while areas like private credit and private markets are drawing heightened supervisory attention due to their rapid growth and potential spillovers into the broader financial system. The conversation further looks at the growing importance of technology and digital innovation, with a particular focus on AI, digital assets, and tokenization, and the regulatory challenges associated with governance, concentration risk, and cross‑border alignment. The guests also reflect on the evolving role of sustainability and ESG in Europe, where declining regulatory pressure reflects a recalibration rather than a retreat, as institutions shift from compliance‑focused approaches toward embedding ESG into broader business strategy and long‑term resilience frameworks.

May 7, 202616 min

AMLA and the Next Era of EU Financial Crime Supervision

In this episode of the Global Regulatory Update, Martin Boer , General Manager and Chief Representative, Europe, speaks with Laurin Frommann , Managing Director & Partner, and Andreas Bürkli, Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), about the creation of the new European Anti-Money Laundering Authority, AMLA, and how it will reshape the AML/CFT supervisory landscape across Europe. Drawing on insights from the joint IIF–BCG white paper, The Evolution of the AML/CFT Landscape Under the New European Anti-Money Laundering Authority, the conversation explores how AMLA aims to replace years of fragmented national approaches with a more centralized supervisory framework rooted in risk‑based oversight and greater supervisory coherence. The discussion examines AMLA’s dual mandate to supervise high‑risk cross‑border institutions and support Financial Intelligence Units, as well as its ambition to become a data‑driven authority that improves reporting consistency and supports more intelligence‑led supervision. The podcast also looks at AMLA’s emphasis on technology‑enabled financial‑crime detection, including how supervisors and industry can work together to assess emerging tools such as AI and machine‑learning solutions. Laurin and Andreas discuss the importance of a proportionate, principles‑based approach across different sectors and customer segments to ensure supervisory expectations remain both effective and achievable. Another focus of the conversation is AMLA’s forthcoming direct supervision of 40 firms, designed to act as a “lighthouse” for broader EU supervisory practices. The guests reflect on how firms perceive this designation, the reputational sensitivities involved, and the operational and governance preparations already underway across the industry. The discussion concludes with AMLA’s potential global role: strengthening the EU’s voice in international AML/CFT standard setting, improving cross‑border coordination, and contributing to more outcome‑focused global frameworks, while also supporting the competitiveness of EU‑headquartered institutions.

April 10, 202623 min

The Risk Agenda at a Turning Point: Insights From the 15th IIF/EY CRO Survey

In this episode of the IIF Global Regulatory Update Podcast, Martin Boer, General Manager and Chief Representative, Europe, speaks with EY global financial practice leaders - Tom Campanile , Global and Americas Financial Services Risk Consulting Leader, Chris Woolard , Chair of the Global Regulatory Network, and Jim Barkley , Americas Banking and Capital Markets Enterprise Protection Lead - about the findings of the 15th Annual EY/IIF Global Bank Risk Management Survey - Shifting Priorities: CRO Agendas in a Time of Uncertainty and Innovation . Drawing on the survey’s latest results, the discussion explores how banks are navigating an environment characterized by persistent volatility , regulatory complexity , and a widening mix of financial, operational, technological, and geopolitical risks . The guests reflect on how the role of the CRO has evolved over the past decade, the growing tension between resilience and competitiveness , and why risks such as operational resilience , cyber risk , and geopolitical uncertainty continue to feature prominently year after year. They also examine whether banks are becoming more effective at prioritizing among multiple risks—or still reacting to the latest shock. The conversation further addresses the gap between strong frameworks and real‑world outcomes, including where banks may be overestimating their maturity in areas such as data , third‑party risk , and crisis response . Tom, Chris, and Jim discuss how institutions can move beyond a compliance‑driven mindset, whether existing supervisory tools are fit for today’s uncertainty, and what risk capabilities CEOs should be investing in now to remain resilient over the next three to five years. The episode concludes with reflections on what success should look like as global bank risk management approaches the next decade.

March 6, 202634 min

Inside the NAIC’s 2026 Agenda: Resilience, Capital, and AI Oversight

In this episode of the Global Regulatory Update podcast , the IIF’s Philippe Brahin, Director of Insurance and NBFI Regulation and Policy, speaks with Virginia Insurance Commissioner and newly elected President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) , Scott A. White , about the supervisory, macroprudential, and structural forces shaping U.S. insurance oversight in 2026. Commissioner White outlines the NAIC’s strategic priorities for the year ahead, including reinforcing resilience in the property and casualty market under growing climate related stress, managing increasingly complex investment risk profiles in the life sector, and navigating federal-state dynamics as Washington reconsiders its role in insurance policy. He connects these priorities to rising pressure around natural catastrophe losses, digital transformation, operational risks, and the continued evolution of insurer balance sheets. The discussion then turns to cross‑border coordination and international standard‑setting . Commissioner White walks through the NAIC’s work with the IAIS and the FSB as global bodies refine expectations around recovery and resolution planning, including the implications of the FSB’s expanded list of insurers subject to resolution planning standards. He also offers a detailed overview of progress on the Aggregation Method , recognized as comparable to the ICS in 2024, and outlines how U.S. regulators are addressing remaining issues such as interest‑rate sensitivity and supervisory intervention. The conversation also covers the NAIC’s broader capital‑framework modernization, including the RBC Guiding Principles adopted in 2025 and the ongoing gap analysis aimed at updating a framework that has not undergone major structural revision since the 1990s. Finally, Commissioner White examines two areas drawing heightened global attention: alternative asset growth and asset‑intensive reinsurance , and the widening natural catastrophe protection gap . He discusses the supervisory responses underway, from enhanced review of asset‑backed securities and offshore reinsurance treaties to expanded market‑level data collection and mitigation‑focused consumer education. The episode concludes with a deep dive into the NAIC’s emerging AI oversight architecture, including the 10‑state pilot of the new AI Systems Evaluation Tool , and the regulatory tensions arising from federal proposals that would centralize or preempt AI governance across industries.

May 23, 202535 min

Key Findings from the Second Annual IIF-EY Global Insurance Risk Management Survey

In this episode of the Global Regulatory Update podcast, we host Stu Doyle, U.S. Insurance Risk & Regulation Leader at EY, to discuss findings from the second annual IIF/EY Global Insurance Risk Management Survey. Drawing from insights from over 80 institutions across the insurance sector, the 2025 survey reveals that cybersecurity and geopolitical risks continue to intensify while organizations increasingly prioritize third-party risk management, AI governance, and regulatory compliance. Our conversation explores this year's key findings and how they've evolved since the inaugural 2024 survey. We examine the expanding role of Chief Risk Officers (CROs) as they drive organizational transformation and embed risk culture throughout their institutions. Stu also contrasts the insurance survey results with findings from the Global Bank Risk Management Survey, highlighting sector-specific risk priorities. The discussion covers how CROs are navigating emerging technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence, balancing innovation with risk management while preparing their organizations for unforeseen challenges ahead. The full IIF/EY Global Insurance Risk Management Survey can be found here.

May 7, 202539 min

Trends in Climate Stress Testing: From Niche to Business as Usual

In this episode of the GRU Podcast, we are delighted to be joined by Jean Boissinot, the Director of Risk and Regulation at the Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Resolution (ACPR) - the regulatory authority responsible for supervising the banking and insurance sectors in France - and former Head of Secretariat at the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). Katie and Jean discuss a variety of timely topics within climate stress testing and climate scenario analysis. Jean reviews the key developments in the field – in relation to scenario development, data and metrics, and modelling techniques – over the past five years, what we have learned in that time and the key challenges and open questions for the next five years.