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Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
Primary Credit Analysts: Connie Wong, Singapore (65) 6239-6353; connie.wong@standardandpoors.com Xiaohong Chen, Beijing (86) 10-6569-2925; xiaohong.chen@standardandpoors.com Secondary Contacts: Terry Sham, CFA, FRM, Hong Kong (852) 2533-3590; terry.sham@standardandpoors.com Anna C Kong, Hong Kong (852) 2533-3571; anna.kong@standardandpoors.com
Table Of Contents
Capitalization Will Be Stretched Uncertain Growth Path For Life Insurers Non-Life Insurers Are Branching Out High Investment In Banking Raises Concentration Risk Evolving Regulations Will Be Largely Beneficial In The Long Run Appendix Related Criteria And Research
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Sector Review:
Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
China's insurance industry may not be able to match its stellar growth over the past decade, in which premiums have increased nine-fold. Regulatory changes, market competition, and scarcity of capital will likely curb ambitious expansion plans over the next two years, at least. A haltering economy is an additional brake. But that's not the end of the story. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services believes insurers are no longer just focused on pure growth. Many players are becoming more profit oriented, with a higher awareness of risk management and willingness to diversify into new product areas. And that should mean more sustainable growth in the longer term. Positive signs are already emerging. Recently released earnings results for the first nine months of the year show major life insurers are gradually recovering from a dip in profitability since 2011. Non-life players are performing even better, with likely premium growth of 15%-20% over the next 12-24 months. Underwriting performances are holding up well, as shown in an average combined ratio of 98% (a level below 100% indicates profitability). Overview We estimate that Chinese insurers could face a shortfall of RMB200 billion-RMB270 billion (US$32 billion-US$45 billion) over the next two years to keep capitalization at an adequate confidence level, based on our assumptions. We expect credit trends in the life industry to maintain a negative bias, reflecting dampened growth, capital constraints, and potential investment volatility. However, overall profitability has recently improved. Growth in the non-life sector remains strong, with support from auto sales. But the sector is subject to increasing catastrophe-risk exposure. Chinese insurers have high concentration risk in assets associated with the banking sector. Overall, investment appetites appear prudent. Tightening regulatory requirements are likely to benefit the industry in the long run.
We see a continued negative bias in credit trends for life insurers over the next 12 months because of the slower growth, volatile operating performances, and modest capitalization of many players. Restrictions on bancassurance products will likely continue to limit premium growth over the next two years. However, credit trends for the life sector may stabilize if recently improved operating performances and growth continue for the next year and capitalization levels don't significantly deteriorate. Credit trends in the non-life industry appear stable, given good operating performances and growth momentum. But modest capitalization levels and fierce competition remain moderating factors for many non-life players.
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
f--Forecast. *Based on 'BBB' confidence level capital analysis. Forecasts based on the assumptions listed in appendix.
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
Premium breakdown by distribution channel Individual agents Bancassurance Direct sales Intermediaries Total 52.4 34.3 12 1.3 100 42 48.9 8 1.1 100 43.8 47.8 6.6 1.8 100 41.1 50 7.1 1.8 100 44.6 47.8 5.7 1.9 100 48.6 41.5 7.4 2.5 100
*Revised accounting standards since 2011. Source: Annual reports of China's insurance markets.
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
Chart 1
Non-motor insurance business has also increased gradually in recent years as more players attempt to diversify their business portfolios. In particular, agricultural insurance in China has increased significantly. This business line is now profitable, and is likely to achieve rapid growth over the next few years. But the segment's performance can be volatile and subject to unexpected natural disasters. Inadequate pricing--or underestimated risk profiles--of commercial property and marine lines in China are likely to continue, in our view, because of stiff competition. However, we maintain our expectation that the sector's combined ratio will be 97%-98% over the next two years. We continue to expect good profitability in China's non-life sector over the next two years. Profit margins have declined modestly since 2012 due to a spike in claim payments and higher acquisition costs. For the next two years, underwriting costs are likely to continue to rise as a result of strong competition with a squeeze on profit margins. Higher claim costs arising from inflation and new regulations on claim practices could also cut into profits. However, we don't expect the overall industry performance to deteriorate significantly, given that the market doesn't freely set the premium rates of motor insurance, and more and more players focus on profitability rather than just pure growth. Meanwhile, under regulatory requirements, a uniform motor insurance information platform will be used to record the claims history for individual motor vehicles, which will work as a pricing reference. We expect the platform to help prevent excessive competition once the government deregulates motor insurance pricing.
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
Ongoing challenges include insurers' increasing risk profiles resulting from more frequent unexpected natural disasters, together with relatively high information risks.
Table 3
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
higher proportion of their funds to the industrial sectors through investments in corporate bonds and common stock. In such cases, concentration risks should be lower than those with significant investment exposure to banks. But their credit risks may increase. We believe the concentration risk is high for insurers with extremely high deposits and investments in banks, and could expose these companies to systemic risk in the event of a crisis. However, this is likely to be a remote scenario over the next two years.
Table 4
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
the industry to be more resilient over the long run as the industry continues to expand and faces increasing complexity of risks. As risk management is still developing in the sector, risk controls are still not fully tested through a cycle. The regulator's initiative to encourage risk management through guidance and requirements has improved insurers' awareness of risk management. We believe most insurers have good grasp of setting risk limits for underwriting, assets, and liabilities. However, most management teams still do not clearly articulate the companies' overall risk appetite with reference to their risk limits. Clear articulation of risk tolerance is an important element for a more sophisticated risk management control. Risk controls at most insurers in China are still relatively traditional, with silo-based risk controls across departments. Insurers' risk management is focused on being compliant with required regulations. In the meantime, the relaxing of controls over investments and premium pricing for certain classes should increase the flexibility for insurers to seek higher investment yields and profit margins from investment and products. That would help the industry enhance their profits, but potentially at a higher risk profile. Increasing risk management requirements could mitigate that issue. The regulatory changes are likely to push less-capitalized, smaller, and fast-growing insurers to beef up their capital. And this could result in consolidation over time.
Appendix
Table 5
Key Assumptions For Our Assessment Of The Capital Needs Of Chinese Insurers
Investment risk factors Cash and bank deposits Government bonds Financial bonds Corporate bonds Common stocks Funds Other equity-related investments Policy loans Infrastructure bonds Property investments Long term equity Shares in related companies Others Other chargeable assets Charges (%) 0.05 0.90 1.22 4.20 55.00 34.00 55.00 0.00 16.97 18.00 55.00 100.00 5.00 5.00 Assume non-group related Infrastructure bonds at 'BB' category with maturity of 5-10 years Assumptions for charges at 'BBB' adequacy level Bank ratings at 'A-' or above Government bonds at average 'AA' category with maturity of 5-10 years Financial bonds at average 'A' category with maturity of 5-10 years Financial bonds at average 'BBB' category with maturity of 5-10 years The risk charge for the China market Same charge as hedge funds Same as equity charges
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Sector Review: Chinese Insurers Seek Shelter In Slower But More Sustainable Growth Models
Table 5
Key Assumptions For Our Assessment Of The Capital Needs Of Chinese Insurers (cont.)
Property & casualty - underwriting and reserving risks Premiums Liabilities 15.00 15.00 Assume mostly in motor insurance, hence average of portfolio Assume mostly in motor insurance, hence average of portfolio
Life insurance - key liabilities and PVIF assumptions ALM Net sum at risks (use premiums as proxy) Liabilities PVIF assumption (use life liabilities as proxy - 8% of life liabilities. Then apply 50% haircut) 10.54 0.19 2.00 50.00 Assume 7 years' mismatch Use premiums as proxy, charges mainly rlate to the mortality risks for medium developed life market Participating product charge
Table 6
Related research
China's Reform Initiatives Could Improve The Credit Profiles Of Insurance Companies, Says S&P, Nov. 28, 2013 Asia-Pacific Insurers' ERM Continues To Improve, But Still Lags Behind The More Developed Markets, Sept. 19, 2013 Asia-Pacific Insurers Are On Firm Footing As Economic Conditions Shift, Sept. 3, 2013 Recent Pricing Reforms Will Have A Limited Impact On China's Life Insurance Industry, Aug. 8, 2013 Insurance Industry Risks Vary Widely Across The Asia-Pacific Region, July 18, 2013
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