Life insurance confidence falls for second quarter consecutively although life companies satisfied with business conditions

This is the 41st quarterly survey measuring relative confidence in the life insurance industry. The research is conducted by the Bureau for Economic Research in Stellenbosch.

 

The survey, which covers a broad range of financial services companies, found that financial services confidence fell again in the third quarter, led by retail banks, which remain the least confident across the financial services sector. Asset management confidence remains strong, led by a robust stock market, and despite global emerging market uncertainty.’

 

Malcolm Rapson, EY’s Africa Insurance Sector Leader points out that the lower confidence is in line with a gloomier economic outlook and slowing premium growth. "Although premium growth remains positive, it is slower than previous quarters. Ultimately, slower GDP growth will impact premiums, and may ultimately slow earnings, as operational revenue growth slows.”

 

He adds, "Life insurers are not unique in this regard. Bank confidence has also been declining since the first quarter of 2013, and retail banks in particular face the same strong headwinds that life insurers face. South Africa’s GDP growth for the first half of 2013 averaged 2% below its longer term average levels. In this environment, with zero employment growth, it is to be expected that revenue flows will ultimately be pressured.”

 

The survey also found that investment income growth remains positive as well. This is in line with a strong JSE return this past year, and despite global emerging market turmoil, which resulted in considerable currency depreciation across a number of countries, including South Africa. Rapson comments that "the rapidly depreciating currency ironically played a role in supporting investment income, as currency weakness supported stronger equities, as local investors resorted to Rand hedge stocks.”

 

Rapson adds that life insurers expect the same trends to continue into the fourth quarter of 2013. "Premium income growth is likely to remain positive but subdued by recent standards, with investment income likely to grow somewhat more moderately. As a result, bottom line profits growth may start to slow in the last quarter of 2013.”

 

Other survey findings include:

• Consistent improvements in lapses and improving policy surrender trends, supporting improved profitability.

• A much stronger bias towards and increasing profitability of risk-based products, with investment related premiums virtually flat.

• Life insurers continue to shrink their headcount, both in terms of administrative support and agents marketing policies.

• Slower administrative cost growth than the previous four quarters, in line with the lower employee numbers.

 

Rapson believes that the improving lapse and surrender trends are a result of a strong focus over many years to address these indicators and is a good outcome for the industry and policyholders. "A number of life companies have commented over a long period of time about their intention to focus on writing better quality business (to reduce lapses), and to simultaneously slow policy surrenders. These efforts often take a while before the benefits are felt, and we have seen for a few quarters that lapse rates remain moderate, whilst surrenders growth has slowed.”

 

With regards the shift to greater risk-based business, Rapson points out that this is also part of a longer term re-focusing of insurers. "There is a much larger spread of competing product suppliers that life insurers are up against in the investment space. By comparison, traditional risk-based premiums are one product line that only life companies have the expertise to provide. Life insurers have intensified their efforts in this space, and are benefitting from strong growth in what is a profitable niche segment.”

 

He concludes, "Despite the weaker confidence, nearly seven of every ten life companies remain satisfied with business conditions. Inflows are growing at a more moderate pace than they were in the first half of 2013, but growth remains positive. With a continued strong focus on rationalising costs, the expectation is that profits growth will similarly remain positive, albeit slower. Given the subdued economic growth prospects that South Africa faces, this is a comfortable position for the sector overall.”