A major UK insurance company under scrutiny for low solvency margins would be monitored by?

The correct answer centers on the role of the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in overseeing insurance companies in the UK. The PRA is specifically tasked with the regulation of financial institutions to ensure their safety, soundness, and stability. Its primary focus includes assessing the capital adequacy and solvency margins of insurance firms, which are essential for ensuring they can meet their obligations to policyholders.

Given that low solvency margins indicate potential issues with a company's ability to fulfill its financial commitments, the PRA would closely monitor such firms to protect policyholders and the wider financial system. They assess solvency through rigorous standards and ensure that firms maintain sufficient capital buffers to withstand financial shocks.

While the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also regulates financial firms, its focus is more oriented towards conduct regulation, ensuring that companies treat their customers fairly and operate in a manner that promotes competition and protects consumers. HM Treasury oversees the overall financial policy and framework but is not directly involved in the day-to-day regulatory oversight of individual insurance companies. Thus, the scenario clearly aligns with the responsibilities of the PRA in this context.