, South Korea
/Konstantin Planinski from Unsplash

KDB Life grapples with high leverage, Fitch reports

The insurer’s CSM increased in 2023, reflecting a focus on profitable policies.

The sour outlook by Fitch Ratings reflects KDB Life's tightened capital buffer and high financial leverage, alongside uncertainty surrounding potential ownership changes.

Capitalisation fell below 'adequate' levels at end-2023, primarily due to reduced shareholders' capital and regulatory actuarial assumption changes. The financial leverage ratio remained high at 51% at end-2023.

ALSO READ: DB Insurance to keep competitive spot in Korea’s market – S&P Global

KDB Life increased allocation to alternative investments but may shift to lower-risk assets. Despite challenges, KDB Life's new business contractual service margin (CSM) increased in 2023, reflecting a focus on profitable policies. Net income was KRW 23.9 billion.

Overall, KDB Life is positioned as a mid-sized life insurer in South Korea, with a moderately diversified portfolio and business risk profile.

Follow the links for more news on

Join Insurance Asia community
Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you dight and create an advertising campaign, in print and digital, on this website and in print magazine.

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

Exclusives

Indonesia enters era of digital insurance distribution
Industry executives at Insurance Asia Forum 2024 push the digital mindset in developing an efficient ecosystem.
Indonesia needs a little tech to boost insurance penetration
When compared to GDP, insurance penetration in Indonesia is 1.4%, which is low relative to ASEAN.
How Grandtag secures the bag for Asia’s richest
Grandtag Financial’s regional CEO spills how ‘jumbo life insurance’ attracts UHNWIs in Asia.