HONG KONG, April 30 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Chinese insurers have been raising funds from the domestic debt capital market in the form of capital supplementary bonds (CSBs) in recent years, highlighted by a 240% increase in issuances in 2023. However, according to a new AM Best report, as CSBs are not recognised as core capital under the C-ROSS Phase II solvency regime, the core solvency ratio, particularly among China’s life insurers, has experienced material downward pressure.
The Best’s Special Report, “Declining Investment Yields Pose Challenges to Meet Cost of Capital for China Insurers,” notes that many insurers applied for a three-year transition period, which will end at year-end 2024. In late 2023, the regulator announced the relaxation of some C-ROSS requirements, while some insurers raised capital through issuing perpetual bonds, which contribute towards the calculation of core solvency ratio. These measures helped stabilise the insurance industry’s solvency levels in 2023.