Articles by Thomas Mason
European bank execs talk up AI plans as focus on cost control intensifies
Pressure on European banks to enhance efficiency through greater AI adoption appears to have intensified in the early months of 2026, based on executive commentary during conference calls.
Banks meeting data center demand with billions in credit facilities, bonds
Demand for data center financing remains red-hot, offering a wellspring for lenders that have the domain expertise and, in many cases, a big enough balance sheet to handle it. Big banks are benefiting from the boom in data center construction, as they can accommodate the capital needs of hyperscalers and have investment banking arms that can run securitization offerings.
A Pyogenic Liver Abscess in the Setting of Fontan-Associated Liver Disease
Specialty Please choose I'm not a medical professional. Allergy and Immunology Anatomy Anesthesiology Biostatistics Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery Cardiology Critical Care Dentistry Dermatology Diabetes and Endocrinology Emergency Medicine Epidemiology and Public Health Family Medicine Forensic Medicine Gastroenterology General Practice Genetics Geriatrics Health Policy Hematology HIV/AIDS Hospital-based Medicine I'm not a medical professional.
Clean air bill championed by cross-party MPs
A proposed law is being championed by a cross-party group of London MPs to establish clean air as a human right. The bill is known as "Ella's Law", in memory of nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah who became the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. Since Brexit, the EU has pushed ahead with tighter air pollution targets than the UK. This bill would force England to follow suit, by meeting strict new World Health Organization limits by 2030.
Private school VAT hike 'unfair' for SEND pupils
September 22, 2024 at 8:19 PM Rebecca is worried VAT will make private school unaffordable for Maisie (left), Max (centre) & Ellia (right), who all have special educational needs [BBC] Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) might lose their extra support at private schools once a 20% VAT is introduced. Some parents of SEND pupils say they already at "breaking point" financially.
Depositories banking on rate cuts, but growing number marketing high-rate CDs
Research Depositories banking on rate cuts, but growing number marketing high-rate CDs Even though interest rates appear to have peaked, many depositories continue to use 1-year certificates of deposit with relatively high rates to attract and retain customers.
Monetary Policy: Narrowing Discretion, Improving Outcomes
8 Pages Posted: 29 Apr 2024 Date Written: April 22, 2024 Keywords: Federal Open Market Committee, Federal Reserve, monetary policy, financial crisis JEL Classification: E00, E42, E50, E52, E59 Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation Hoenig, Thomas, Monetary Policy: Narrowing Discretion, Improving Outcomes (April 22, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4811252 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4811252
US Insurtech Market Report: Direct channel stalls in personal auto
For many years, the growth of personal auto premiums written via the direct channel far outpaced that of the traditional market. But that dynamic changed in 2022 and 2023. While direct personal auto insurance writers are still growing, the rate of growth is lagging the rest of the market. In 2023, we estate direct channel premiums rose 10.3%, but the rest of the market grew 18.7%.
US Insurtech Market Report: AI needs to show its work
Generative artificial intelligence captivated the public in 2023, with Google Trends showing an explosion of searches for the term "ChatGPT." This was a huge leap forward for AI, but we think advances in explainable AI are just as important, if not more so, for the insurance industry. Explainable AI refers to techniques that help show, in ways humans can understand, how opaque models make predictions and decisions.
US Insurtech Market Report: Green shoots emerge
The US insurance technology space has grounds for optimism in 2024. Industry consolidation is well underway, and the companies strong enough to survive on their own have made progress on their expense reduction plans. Public market investors also seem less bearish on growth stocks, with many insurtech stocks rebounding in 2023. We expect the insurtech space to continue recovering in 2024, as the industry keeps consolidating and companies with the best prospects for profitability survive.
Smaller banks are using AI too
The largest US banks mention AI frequently during conference calls and company presentations, often emphasizing how it has improved internal efficiency and delivery systems for customers. But they are not the only ones. Several community banks have discussed using AI as well, based on our review of transcripts since the start of 2022, and we expect more to follow. The banking industry was an active user of AI even before the deluge of mainstream interest created by ChatGPT.
Banking as a service still boosts banks' deposits but has its risks
Banking as a service seems increasingly relevant in the face of banking industry liquidity pressures, as it continues to offer robust deposit growth. However, there are challenges that come with offering such a model. Below are some of the main pros and cons we see. In general, banking as a service (BaaS) seems an ideal partnership.
Banks still plan to increase tech spend in 2023 - S&P survey
A majority of banks do not plan to curtail their overall technology spending in the next 12 months, based on a recent survey conducted by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Roughly 65% of respondents expect a slight increase in tech spend between 1% and 9% and another 14% anticipate a significant increase of 10% or more.
Data Science Might Explain Insurtech Startup’s Expansion Strategy
On the face of it, a San Francisco-based insurance technology company starting out in a different state — Colorado — might seem puzzling. But if one digs into data on the Centennial State, it starts to make sense. Colorado had the third-highest percentage increase in private auto direct premiums written in 2018 and has favorable characteristics in terms of population and the amount that people drive.
Wealthfront's $1.4B sale could prompt Betterment, Acorns to consider selling
Introduction Wealthfront Corp. 's sale to UBS Group AG supports our view that fellow U.S. digital investment advisers Betterment LLC and Acorns Grow Inc. might explore sales, if they are not already doing so, given that both entities have built notable customer bases that likely would attract the attention of buyers, as described in our recently published U.S. Digital Investing Market Report.
Direct Channel In US Private Auto Insurance Growing Faster Than Broader Industry
Growth in U.S. private auto premiums written via the direct channel has outpaced that of the broader industry in recent years, and S&P Global Market Intelligence expects that trend to continue. The 2019 U.S. Insurtech Market Report includes our historical estimates and five-year projections for the amount of U.S. private auto premiums written directly.
Less Hype Could Be Positive For Blockchain Technology
The hype around blockchain seems to have subsided of late within the U.S. financial services world — and that might not be a bad thing. As discussed in S&P Global Market Intelligence's 2019 U.S. Financial Services Blockchain Market Report, institutions now seem to have a more realistic assessment of what blockchain can do and have become savvier in terms of where to apply it.
Higher-Revenue Companies More Likely To Buy Small Biz Insurance Directly
For those selling small business insurance online, the most effective customer acquisition strategy might not be to target tech startups — like the Brex Inc. model in payments — but to instead go after clients with larger revenue bases. Higher-revenue businesses were more likely to purchase small business insurance online from an insurance carrier (a.k.a. directly) than lower-revenue clients, according to a survey recently commissioned by S&P Global Market Intelligence.
Insurtech Startup's $3.65B Valuation Seems Rich
While insurtech startup Root Inc. is growing quickly, its latest valuation seems on the high side, not only relative to incumbent personal lines insurers, but even to fellow insurtech unicorn Oscar Insurance Corp. Root Inc. announced Sept. 9 that it is raising $350 million at a $3.65 billion valuation, confirming an Aug. 19 report from The Wall Street Journal. This valuation would represent an approximately 50x multiple to the net premiums written by its underwriting arm, Root Insurance Co., in 2018.
Machine learning methods getting approval in P&C rate filings
Introduction A few insurers have applied machine learning techniques to ratemaking and gained regulatory approval to do so, based on a review of U.S. property and casualty product filings from 2019 to 2021. We expect more insurers to follow their lead, as the data science field progresses and regulators become more comfortable with machine learning approaches to statistical analysis.
Venture capital funding to US fintechs roughly doubled in 2021
Venture capital funding to U.S. financial technology companies soared in 2021, both in transaction value and volume. While we anticipated "another strong year," the magnitude of the increase — a near doubling in transaction value — was surprising. U.S. fintech funding had a banner year in 2021, but it will be a tough act to follow. Sagging valuations in the public equity market and potential interest rate hikes do not bode well for future investing activity.
Retail stock trading still above pre-pandemic levels in US
Though U.S. retail stock trading has declined since the first quarter of 2021, the public remains more active in the market than they were prior to the pandemic. We expect this overall heightened level of retail engagement to persist, though sudden rallies in single stock names now seem less likely, as discussed in our recently published U.S. Digital Investing Market Report. Retail trading activity in the U.S. has declined since the first two months of 2021 but remains above pre-pandemic levels.
Do different means of recording sexual orientation affect its relationship with health and wellbeing?
RESEARCH ARTICLE Sean Urwin, Corresponding Author sean.urwin@manchester.ac.uk orcid.org/0000-0002-9084-8368 Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Correspondence Sean Urwin, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research and Primary Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Williamson Building, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
SMPTE Hollywood To Host Panel on Standards
Front Page SMPTE Hollywood To Host Panel on Standards SMPTE Hollywood To Host Panel on Standards Panel participants shown clockwise from top left: JiNan Glasgow George, Bruce Devlin, Maureen O'Rourke and Thomas Bause Mason --(SPW)-- At its July virtual meeting, SMPTE Hollywood will host a panel of experts for a discussion on the critical importance of standards in the motion picture and television industry.
U.S. Fintech Funding Still Going Strong
As predicted, U.S. fintech funding in 2020 outpaced 2019 in both amount raised and volume of transactions, despite — and in some ways due to — the COVID-19 pandemic. S&P Global Market Intelligence foresees another strong year in 2021, which has already burst out of the gates due to Robinhood Markets Inc.’s $3.4 billion raise amid the GameStop Corp. frenzy. Get The Full Henry Singleton Series in PDF Get the entire 4-part series on Henry Singleton in PDF.
Online Brokerage Space Should Remain Rich Source Of M&A
The online brokerage arena will likely remain fertile ground for mergers in the years ahead, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence's 2020 U.S. Digital Investing Market Report. Future M&A activity should be driven by an ongoing urge to consolidate among incumbents, the rapid growth of Robinhood Markets Inc., and the burgeoning interest that some large banks and fintech companies have in the space.
US fintech funding on pace to end year higher than 2019
Investor interest in private U.S. financial technology companies has remained evergreen in the face of the economic downturn wrought by the coronavirus. Funding is on track to end the year higher than 2019, both in terms of dollars raised and number of transactions: As of the first half of 2020, the amount raised was up 30.2% versus the prior-year period and volume was 14.2% higher.
Pricey Plaid Deal A Boon For US Fintech Sector
The $5.3 billion that Visa Inc. is shelling out to acquire Plaid Inc. is small compared to Visa's roughly $440 billion enterprise value. But for U.S. financial technology startups, it is a big deal. The transaction demonstrates that the paper valuations of companies like Stripe Inc. ($35.3 billion) and Robinhood Financial LLC ($7.6 billion) are not merely theoretical. It also provides an attractive exit for Plaid's investors, which could help lure additional money into the sector.
Lemonade IPO The Latest Sign Of Insurtech's Threat To Incumbents
A string of U.S. insurtech developments in recent weeks demonstrates the continuing maturation of the sector and the increasing competitive threat it poses to incumbent property and casualty insurance carriers. The most recent was Lemonade's June 8 announcement that it filed for an IPO. The New York-based homeowners insurance carrier has made no bones about its desire to shake up the industry and has explicitly named GEICO, State Farm and Liberty Mutual among its rivals.
Digital Agencies Attracting Insurtech Investor Dollars In The US
Investors are backing digital agencies more than any other insurtech category tracked by S&P Global Market Intelligence, based on U.S. private placement funding trends through the first nine months of 2019. S&P Global Market Intelligence defines digital agencies as companies that have a tech-focused approach and that, like traditional insurance agencies, sell policies but do not pay out claims.
VC Capital Flooding Into China, A Potential Harbinger For Other Countries
A March rebound in funding for private Chinese companies seems like good and bad news for other countries. China saw a staggering 150% month-over-month increase in the dollar amount of private placement transactions in March. On the one hand, this bodes well for a quick recovery elsewhere once the catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can be contained.
U.N. Arms Trade Treaty gives away rights of Americans
ANALYSIS/OPINION: Another of President Obama’s brazen acts as he leaves office is a “parting shot” at American gun owners by submitting the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty to the U.S. Senate for ratification. For the uninitiated, the term refers to turning around in your saddle as you ride away from a losing battle and firing one last round at your enemy. The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) was negotiated from 2006, during the Bush administration, through 2013 with the Obama administration.
General election 2019: Latest updates from the campaign trail
Posted at 17:1817:18 PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Donations to the Conservative Party far outstripped those to the other parties in the third week of the election campaign. From 20 to 26 November, the Tories reported donations totalling £3.59m, the Electoral Commission said. Every party is obliged to report any donation over £7,500 to the commission.
General election 2019: Latest updates from the campaign trail
Posted at 16:4916:49 REUTERS/Russell CheyneCopyright: REUTERS/Russell Cheyne SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is calling on supporters of all parties to "come together" to "lock Boris Johnson out of power". Speaking while touring the country in her campaign bus - emblazoned with the slogan "stop Brexit" - Ms Sturgeon says the prime minister has been "evading scrutiny" during the election campaign.
General election 2019: Latest updates from the campaign trail
Posted at 13:0613:06 Posted at 12:4812:48 Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Mr Corbyn was asked during his visit to a school in Peterborough whether - if he was to become prime minister - he would consider handing over Chequers, the prime ministerial country retreat in Buckinghamshire, to a homeless family. "I'm not even sure who owns Chequers actually because I'm trying to work that out. I've never been there. I don't know what the place is like," the Labour leader said.
General election 2019: Latest updates from the campaign trail
Posted at 12:4812:48 Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Mr Corbyn was asked during his visit to a school in Peterborough whether - if he was to become prime minister - he would consider handing over Chequers, the prime ministerial country retreat in Buckinghamshire, to a homeless family. "I'm not even sure who owns Chequers actually because I'm trying to work that out. I've never been there. I don't know what the place is like," the Labour leader said.
General election 2019: Latest updates from the campaign trail
Posted at 12:0212:02 PA WireCopyright: PA Wire Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is visiting a school in Peterborough as his party announces its education proposals. He was pictured talking to pupils in a classroom at Fulbridge Academy. Labour's proposals include limiting class sizes and recruiting more teachers.
General election 2019: Latest updates from the campaign trail
Posted at 11:2311:23 Nick Eardley Political correspondent The announcement is another blow in what has been a tough election for the Brexit Party - squeezed as it has been by the Conservatives under Boris Johnson. Nigel Farage and the party leadership have faced lots of internal criticism - with concern their decision to put up so many candidates in this election will make a Conservative majority less likely - and thus risk Brexit itself.
General election 2019: Latest updates from the campaign trail
Posted at 11:2011:20 Three Brexit Party MEPs have quit the party to back Boris Johnson's Brexit deal and the Conservatives instead.
Investors Gave A Toast To Payments Companies In Q1
A $250 million series E raise from point-of-sale payments platform provider Toast Inc. in March helped the payments sector close out the first quarter of 2019 as the most well-funded, in terms of dollar amount, among the different U.S. financial technology sectors that S&P Global Market Intelligence tracks. Stripe's $100 million round in January was another major contributor to the payment sector's total.
Investigating the relationship between formal and informal care: An application using panel data for people living together
The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.
Insurtech Startup Root Is Growing Like A Weed
It would be difficult for Root Inc. to repeat the explosive premium growth it experienced in 2018, especially after a fourthquarter spike in claims, but we expect the insurtech startup to have another strong showing in 2019, given a number of key steps it has taken to bolster its operations. Root Inc.'s underwriting subsidiary, Root Insurance Co., offers personal auto policies that rely on telematics data, similar to Progressive Corp.'s Snapshot.
Did paying drugs misuse treatment providers for outcomes lead to unintended consequences for hospital admissions? Difference‐in‐differences analysis of a pay‐for‐performance scheme in England
Introduction The evidence base on pay‐for‐performance (P4P) schemes adopted in healthcare settings internationally has grown over the past 15 years without a consensus as to their effects [1-11]. Schemes have tended to link payment to care processes, because linking to outcomes can be more problematic (particularly for potentially rare health outcomes) [12-15]. Overall, there is no evidence that P4P schemes have a consistent effect on intermediate health outcomes [5].
Stripe tops list of highest-valued US fintech startups
With a $20 billion valuation, payment processor Stripe Inc. is the clear leader among private U.S. financial technology startups in terms of implied value. Stripe's valuation is now so high that it rivals tech companies even outside the fintech space. Ride-hailing company Lyft Inc., for instance, was valued at $15.1 billion in June 2018. Critics have argued that Stripe is overvalued, which seems valid based on a comparison with publicly traded payment processors.
SNL: Data Dispatch: PIMCO funds relatively popular among health insurers
Data feature produced by S&P Global Market Intelligence research groups in cooperation with the news department to highlight emerging trends and topics of interest. Insurers may not be the biggest clients for Pacific Investment Management Co. LLC, but some health insurers have concentrated a significant portion of their investments in funds run by the asset manager.
“I like my app” say 6 in 10
Customers that engage in branchless banking seem to like their mobile bank apps, based on the results of a survey of U.S. mobile bank app users commissioned by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Among those that have a branchless checking or savings account and believe their bank apps are lacking certain desirable features, only 37% would be interested in switching from their current bank to one that had an app with more features. For all survey respondents, meanwhile, the percentage is 51%.
Redemption is Possible for Disgraced Journalist Seeking To Practice Law
Why am I seeing this? LexisNexis® is now the exclusive third party online distributor of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® customers will be able to access and use ALM's content by subscribing to the LexisNexis® services via Lexis Advance®.
Keeping Consumers in the Know: Help Us Update the Model Privacy Notice
As ever more sophisticated retail health technology – like exercise trackers, wearable health technologies, or mobile applications that help individuals monitor various body measurements – comes into widespread use, it is increasingly important for consumers to be aware of companies’ privacy and security policies, including data sharing practices.
SNL: Data Dispatch: AIG's overhaul under Benmosche
By Matt Blumenfeld and Terry Leone and Thomas Mason Robert Benmosche has left his successor at American International Group Inc. with a far different insurer than the one he inherited. When Benmosche came aboard in 2009, AIG was in dire straits and a focal point of the financial crisis. During the next five years, Benmosche reinvented the company by shedding a number of businesses and emphasizing others.
SNL: Data Dispatch: Will FSOC make MetLife's old boss its new boss?
Data feature produced by SNL's research groups in cooperation with the news department, leverages SNL's unrivaled data resources to highlight emerging trends and topics of interest. Rules and Regulations issued by United States Department of the Treasury on April 11. If the Financial Stability Oversight Council designates "How can you have a nonbank SIFI without any SIFI rules?" Sandler O'Neill & Partners analyst Edward Shields told SNL.
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