About MSA Research Inc.

Market-Security Analysis &  Research Inc.  is a Canadian-owned, independent and impartial analytical research firm that is focused on the Canadian insurance industry. MSA’s mission is to provide Canada’s insurance professionals with comprehensive financial information, unparalleled analytical tools and rigorous research on a consistent basis.

MSA is the dominant provider of financial information relating to Canadian insurers. Its reports and software are used by over 90% of Canadian P&C insurers, reinsurers, reinsurance brokers, commercial brokers, all broker associations, all major audit/actuarial firms, equity research and investment banking shops, regulators, governments, TPA's, academics and many others.

MSA is also the organisation behind Canada's most prominent annual property & casualty insurance conference. The National Insurance Conference of Canada (NICC). Please click here for more on the NICC.  

MSA was founded by Joel Baker in 2003 and commenced operations in March 2004.

Biography of Joel Baker, President and CEO of MSA Research Inc.

Joel Baker has devoted his career to the insurance industry, gaining expertise as one of Canada’s leading authorities on insurance industry analytics. 

In 2003, he founded MSA Research Inc., the renowned analytical research and financial publishing firm entrusted to provide independent, accurate research and analysis to all those who have a stake in the Canadian insurance industry.  MSA Research Inc.’s clients include the overwhelming majority of Canada’s insurers, reinsurers, brokers, reinsurance brokerages, risk managers, industry associations, regulators, investment bankers and equity analysts.
 
Joel began his career in the insurance industry with the Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada, now part of R&SA Canada.  In 1994, recognition of his analytical capabilities resulted in him being offered the position of General Manager with the Canadian rating agency, TRAC Insurance Services Ltd., which he led until 1999. When the company was acquired by A.M. Best, he led A.M. Best Canada for four more years, during which time he was heavily involved in the rating process of property and casualty insurers, as well as life insurance companies.

Joel’s depth of understanding of the Canadian insurance industry makes him frequently called upon to comment on industry results.  He is often quoted on his unique perspective of the industry.

It was Joel’s commitment to the industry that prompted him to create a forum in which all of Canada’s insurance leaders could unite to share ideas, insights and initiatives that would strengthen the country’s property and casualty insurance industry.  In 2007, he launched the National Insurance Conference of Canada (NICC), which has quickly become the Canadian P&C industry’s pre-eminent leadership forum. The highly anticipated fourth NICC will be held in Montreal, from September 19-21, 2010.

Joel Baker is a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP).  He has an M.Sc. in Statistics and Stochastic processes (1991) and a B.Sc. in Mathematics (1989). Joel is a member of CFA Institute, The International Insurance Society, The Toronto CFA Society, The Insurance Institute of Canada and The Canadian Insurance Accountants Association.