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The Role of Internal Capital Markets in Financial Intermediaries: Evidence From Insurer Groups

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  • Lawrence S. Powell
  • David W. Sommer
  • David L. Eckles

Abstract

We exploit the transparency of internal capital markets (ICMs) within insurance groups to investigate the activity and efficiency of ICMs within insurance groups. Specifically, we compare the relationship between internal capital transfers and investment to that between capital from other sources and investment. The ability to track the actual ICM transactions allows for more direct analysis of ICM activity than most previous studies. Consistent with theory, we find evidence that ICMs play a significant role in the investment behavior of affiliated insurers. We then use these detailed data to execute a more direct test of ICM efficiency than currently exists in the literature. Consistent with ICM efficiency, results suggest that capital is allocated to subsidiaries with the best expected performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Lawrence S. Powell & David W. Sommer & David L. Eckles, 2008. "The Role of Internal Capital Markets in Financial Intermediaries: Evidence From Insurer Groups," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 75(2), pages 439-461, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jrinsu:v:75:y:2008:i:2:p:439-461
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6975.2008.00267.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Xin Che & Stephen G. Fier & Andre P. Liebenberg, 2019. "The effect of predation risk on cash holdings: Empirical evidence from the U.S. property‐liability insurance industry," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 22(3), pages 329-358, September.
    2. Courtney B. Baggett & Cassandra R. Cole, 2023. "Insurance groups, product diversification, and the role of surplus lines affiliation," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 26(1), pages 35-56, March.
    3. L. Lee Colquitt & Kathleen A. McCullough & David W. Sommer, 2011. "An Analysis of Contingent Commission Use by Property–Liability Insurers," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 14(2), pages 157-171, September.
    4. Stephen G. Fier & Andre P. Liebenberg, 2014. "The Market for Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 17(2), pages 215-239, September.
    5. Chia-Ling Ho & Gene Lai & Sangyong Han & Licheng Jin, 2022. "Organisational structure, corporate governance and reinsurance decisions in the U.S. property-liability insurance industry," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 47(4), pages 737-784, October.
    6. Hsiao, Ching-Yuan & Shiu, Yung-Ming, 2023. "Contingent factors of the coinsurance function of internal capital markets: Evidence from the US nonlife insurance industry," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    7. Chia‐Chun Chiang, 2020. "Does Having an Affiliated Bank Improve Life Insurer Performance in a Turbulent Market?," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 87(3), pages 627-664, September.
    8. Michelle L. Barnes & James Bohn & Cynthia Martin, 2015. "A post-mortem of the life insurance industry's bid for capital during the financial crisis," Current Policy Perspectives 15-8, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.
    9. Altuntas, Muhammed & Berry-Stölzle, Thomas R. & Wende, Sabine, 2015. "Does one size fit all? Determinants of insurer capital structure around the globe," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 251-271.
    10. Jeungbo Shim, 2011. "Mergers & Acquisitions, Diversification and Performance in the U.S. Property-Liability Insurance Industry," Journal of Financial Services Research, Springer;Western Finance Association, vol. 39(3), pages 119-144, June.
    11. Shan Ge, 2022. "How Do Financial Constraints Affect Product Pricing? Evidence from Weather and Life Insurance Premiums," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 77(1), pages 449-503, February.
    12. Fier, Stephen G. & McCullough, Kathleen A. & Carson, James M., 2013. "Internal capital markets and the partial adjustment of leverage," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 1029-1039.
    13. Hsiao, Ching-Yuan & Shiu, Yung-Ming, 2023. "Risk-sharing function in internal capital markets: Evidence from intragroup reinsurance activities," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    14. Hsiao, Ching-Yuan & Shiu, Yung-Ming, 2021. "Group firms’ access to internal capital markets: The contingent roles of group resources and affiliates’ financial weakness," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 135-156.
    15. Selim Mankaï & Aymen Belgacem, 2016. "Interactions Between Risk Taking, Capital, and Reinsurance for Property–Liability Insurance Firms," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 83(4), pages 1007-1043, December.
    16. Stephen G. Fier & Andre P. Liebenberg & Ivonne A. Liebenberg, 2017. "Insurer Growth Strategies," Risk Management and Insurance Review, American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 20(3), pages 309-337, December.
    17. Ching-Yuan Hsiao & Yung-Ming Shiu, 2019. "The effects of business mix on internal and external reinsurance usage," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 44(4), pages 624-652, October.
    18. Yun, Jiyeon, 2023. "The effect of enterprise risk management on corporate risk management," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 55(PB).
    19. Gyan, Alex Kwaku & Brahmana, Rayenda & Bakri, Abdul Karim, 2017. "Diversification strategy, efficiency, and firm performance: Insight from emerging market," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 1103-1114.
    20. Jiyeon Yun & James M. Carson & David L. Eckles, 2023. "Executive compensation and corporate risk management," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 90(2), pages 521-557, June.
    21. Thomas R. Berry-Stölzle & Robert E. Hoyt & Sabine Wende, 2013. "Capital Market Development, Competition, Property Rights, and the Value of Insurer Product-Line Diversification: A Cross-Country Analysis," Journal of Risk & Insurance, The American Risk and Insurance Association, vol. 80(2), pages 423-459, June.

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