The Bermuda Stock Exchange has retained its position as the world's leading venue for insurance-linked securities listings, capturing the majority of global ILS issuance through the first nine months of the year, according to industry data.
The Hamilton-based exchange continues to dominate the catastrophe bond and ILS listing space, building on Bermuda's long-established role as the premier jurisdiction for alternative risk transfer. The island's combination of an experienced regulatory framework, deep pool of service providers and proximity to major reinsurance markets has made the BSX the default listing destination for sponsors and arrangers worldwide.
Market participants say the strong pipeline of catastrophe bond issuance this year has reinforced the exchange's standing, with new deals and renewals flowing steadily onto the BSX's boards. The growth of the ILS sector overall — driven by investor appetite for uncorrelated returns and insurers' demand for capital-efficient protection — has further entrenched Bermuda's position at the centre of the market.
The performance underscores the island's broader significance to the global reinsurance industry, where Bermuda-registered entities account for a substantial share of catastrophe bond and collateralised reinsurance capacity. Local industry figures have pointed to the BSX's ILS leadership as a key pillar of the island's financial services economy, supporting employment across law firms, corporate services, fund administration and insurance management.
With the fourth-quarter renewal season underway, observers expect listing activity to remain robust as sponsors continue to bring new structures to market.
Bermuda