Finance Ministry directs public sector banks to act as insurance brokers

24 Dec 2013 Evaluate

In order to increase the insurance distribution network and to avoid mis-selling of insurance products in the country, Finance Ministry has directed public sector banks to act as insurance brokers by floating a subsidiary from January 15. 

Meanwhile, as per the RBI guidelines, banks with large bad loans, low capital and losses may not qualify to start insurance broking firms. The RBI has noted that banks with more than 3% of non-performing loans cannot get into selling multiple products, eliminating PSU banks such as Central Bank of India, Allahabad Bank and United Bank of India. Currently, banks are allowed to sell products of one life, one nonlife and one health insurance company. Furthermore, earlier in August, the insurance regulator had also released the final guidelines on bancassurance under which banks must not have more than a 50% exposure to any one client. It may also not be acceptable for foreign joint venture partners of life insurance companies such as PNB Metlife Insurance and SBI-IAG General Insurance, which have paid hefty premium for exclusive bank distribution network.

On the other hand, banks are not keen to acts as an insurance broker as the banking industry is of the view that under this model, banks are likely to see a substantial decrease in their premium collections. As corporate agents, banks can earn up to 35 percent of the first-year premium but as brokers they would be entitled to a maximum of 30 percent. Further, banks also fear that floating a subsidiary to sell insurance products and ending the exclusive arrangements with insurance companies will be difficult.

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