This case examines the key issues facing MetLife, a major company in life and annuity (L&A) and-to a lesser extent-property and casualty (P&C) insurance. The case provides an opportunity to analyze the business models of insurance companies, the main risks they face, and the broad investment strategies they pursue. The case also discusses how technology (including insurtech), regulation, and risk affect MetLife and insurance companies in general, and describes MetLife's history and recent developments. Finally, the case presents an opportunity for a simple valuation of an insurance company using multiples.
The case examines the development and launch of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) based on JUST Capital's socially responsible corporate ranking methodologies. The case provides a market overview of Environment, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) and socially responsible investing (SRI), what has driven growth in those areas worldwide, and several best-practice investment approaches. Following the overview, the case describes the founding and development of JUST Capital, explores JUST Capital's ranking methodologies, and presents the decision point faced by the CEO: requisite selection of one of three strategies in order for JUST Capital to generate "self-sustaining" revenue.
This case is used in Darden's second-year "Financial Institutions and Capital Markets," elective. Using Invesco Ltd. (Invesco) as an example, the case examines the strategic challenges facing the asset management industry. Marty Flanagan, Invesco's CEO, must position Invesco to compete in an industry undergoing systemic change, including active and passive products and flows, lower levels of organic growth, fee compression, softening revenues and profitability, shifting profit pools, channel dynamics and preferences, and legacy operating models.
The case describes a hypothetical hedge fund manager who is examining whether to invest in bitcoin or not. The case discusses potential risks and rewards for investing in bitcoin, the role of bitcoin and digital currencies more broadly, as well as financial innovation in the space, such as ICOs. The case can be taught as part of a second-year MBA elective course in investments, financial institutions/capital markets, or fintech.
This technical note explains what blockchain is, what it allows, as well as discusses its advantages and potential issues to consider further. It also provides an example of an application in which blockchain technology is used and describes regulatory and governance considerations. It can be used in a financial institutions or fintech course along with a case on digital currencies.