Big Four banks to invest in insurance
May 09, 2009 | BY
clpstaff &clp articles &Pilot programmes to begin soon
China's banking and insurance regulators have approved investment in insurance companies by commercial banks. The news comes three months after the regulators signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to strengthen and deepen their cross-industry co-operation.
Lai Xiufu, an official from the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) announced on April 13 that his authority had reached an agreement with the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) to allow insurance investment by banks. The following day, the CIRC said that Beijing Bank and Bank of Communications would be allowed to invest in two insurance companies, China Life-CMG Insurance Co and Pacific-Antai Life Insurance Co.
On January 16, the regulators published their Memorandum of Understanding between CBRC and CIRC on Strengthening In-depth Co-operation and Regulatory Co-operation between Banking and Insurance Industries (关于加强银保深层次合作和跨业监管合作谅解备忘录). Under this memorandum, the regulators have now agreed on a basic framework for items including entry qualification, approval procedures, regulatory organisations and risk management.
The so-called Big Four state-controlled banks (Beijing Bank, Bank of Communications, China Construction Bank and ICBC) have now applied to take part in a pilot programme to make equity investments in insurance companies.
The extent of investment allowed is not yet clear. Although the China Daily reported that the Big Four will “run their own insurance company”, lawyers say they do not believe a bank will be allowed to entirely own an insurance company.
“Chinese authority inclines to move gradually ... [A] wholly bank-owned insurance company is too much forward,” said one lawyer.
It is not known exactly when the pilot investment programmes will start.
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