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Top 5 Firms That Provide Underwriting Support for Banks

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Terry Lazow
Top 5 Firms That Provide Underwriting Support for Banks

An underwriting agency is an insurance agent or broker who is granted underwriting authority by an insurer and can administer programmes and negotiate contracts on their behalf.


The functions of an underwriting agency include binding coverage, underwriting support, settling claims and appointing retail agents in a specific region, all of which are usually handled by insurers. At its core, an underwriting agency manages all or a portion of an insurer’s insurance business and acts as an insurance agent or broker for the insurer, acting as an intermediary between insurers, agents and/or insureds.


1. Brokers


Private firms of stockbrokers have always been underwriting issues. However, their participation has been sporadic as they refrain from underwriting activities at times. Their primary focus is on the market potentiality of issues rather than their viability. Brokers primarily assist in the placement of issues and rarely perform the actual job of underwriting.


They typically do not assume risk or guarantee the purchase of an issue in the event of non-subscription. Furthermore, private brokers are only interested in short-term gains and not in holding securities for an extended period. Even when they are required to purchase shares or debentures as part of their underwriting obligations, they sell them to promoters or others instantaneously.


2. Private investment and insurance companies



Many private investment firms, trusts and insurance companies offer underwriting services in India and across the globe.


As the managing agency system was abolished in India in 1970, these companies and trusts have been acting as underwriters. The nature of the underwriting support services provided by private investment companies is similar to that of brokers, and they are the market’s major sub-underwriters.



3. Commercial banks


Commercial banks have also played an important role in providing underwriting support. However, going by their resources, their participation in the underwriting business has been minimal. Commercial banks are usually not interested in holding underwritten shares or debentures for an extended period.


4. Development banks and other financial institutions


Development banks and several other lending direct financial institutions have emerged as a significant group of underwriters. In addition to providing direct financing to businesses, they underwrite capital issues.


The nature and purpose of their underwriting of capital issues are slightly different from that of other underwriters. Their primary focus is on the long-term viability of the issuing company rather than the marketability of securities. These institutions assist businesses by holding underwritten shares or debentures that have not been purchased by the public for an extended period.


5. Consortium underwriting


Various financial institutions and banks have begun underwriting capital issues in recent years through consultations and collaborations with one another. Even though there is no formal syndicate or consortium, it has become an important method to underwrite capital issues.


Underwriting support is one of the most important functions in the financial industry as it involves an individual or an institution taking on the risk of a venture, an investment, or a loan in exchange for a premium. Underwriters work in the banking, insurance and stock markets.


Acuity Knowledge Partners is a competitive provider of high-end research, analytics and business intelligence to the financial services sector. It also specialises in underwriting services to world-class clients.



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