This paper investigates whether elections delay regulatory action against failing financial institutions by exploiting the cross-sectional and time-series heterogeneity in the exogenous electoral cycles of U.S. insurance regulators and governors. We find causal evidence that regulators delay...

A vast majority of insurers are regulated by each state in which they conduct business; however, a small subset of specialized firms, risk retention groups (RRGs), are largely exempt from most aspects of duplicative regulation no matter how many states they operate. This paper analyzes the...

We study whether digital technology streamlines the regulatory process and reduces the costs of complying with regulation. To identify the effect of digital technology on regulatory compliance costs, we leverage a quasi-experimental policy change which mandates the use of an internet-based flow...

We explore whether life insurers use a unique reinsurance arrangement to manage their regulatory capital. Typical reinsurance arrangements allow insurers to reduce their regulatory capital by transferring liabilities, and the associated assets, to reinsurers. With modified coinsurance, insurers...

"Enhances research and informs the debate on restructuring the framework for U.S. insurance regulation. Evaluates proposed legislation to create an Optional Federal Charter for insurance companies and agents. Also goes beyond discussion of OFC and lays out the broader context and need for...