- Posts maiden profit of Rs 9.24 crore
IDBI Federal Life Insurance has achieved break-even in 2012-13, its fifth year of operations. The company has reported a maiden profit of Rs 9.24 crore in 2012-13, thus making it one of the fastest to break-even in the Life Insurance industry. In an industry challenged by falling margins, shrinking new business volumes, high cost ratios and low profitability, this is a significant achievement.
IDBI Federal started its operations in March 2008 and is amongst the most successful start-ups in the Indian Life Insurance market. A pioneer in product innovation, IDBI Federal’s approach is very innovative and reflects a fresh way of looking at and thinking about life insurance. The Company’s innovative products with trademarked names such as WealthsuranceTM, IncomesuranceTM, RetiresuranceTM, etc have been well-received by its customers and have been an important contributing factor to its success.
IDBI Federal’s New Business Premium (APE) grew by 23% in 2012-13, which compares with the negative growth of -15% posted by the industry. The company also witnessed a 44% increase in the number of new business policies sold as compared to the previous year. IDBI Federal has also been driving profitability through the right product mix.
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| Mr Aneesh Khanna, Head Marketing & Product Management (right) congratulates Mr G V Nageswara Rao, Company's MD & CEO on crossing the unique milestone |
Mr. G V Nageswara Rao, Managing Director & CEO, IDBI Federal Life Insurance, said, “I am extremely happy to announce that IDBI Federal has recorded its maiden profit of Rs 9.24 crore in 2012-13. Achieving break-even in the fifth year is a significant landmark. We have pursued profitable growth as our company strategy. Our new business premium growth of 23% compares with negative growth of -15% reported by the industry. Our growth rate is one of the highest in the industry, with a large number of companies posting negative growth. What is even more satisfying is the fact that this achievement comes at a time when the entire Life Insurance industry is facing many challenges and growth is hard to come by.”
IDBI Federal has a healthy solvency ratio at 491% as against the regulatory requirement of 150%. Mr. Rao said, “I am delighted to say that IDBI Federal enjoys a comfortable solvency ratio to take care of its next phase of growth. As we have reached the profit-making state, we will not require any further capital infusion. Our AUM has moved up by 24% from Rs. 2,208 crores to Rs 2,732 crores during the current year.” IDBI Federal has paid-up share capital of Rs 800 crore.
The company recorded a 13th month persistency rate of 76% which is among the top 5 in the industry. In terms of 25th, 37th and 49th month persistency rates, IDBI Federal is among the top 3. IDBI Federal’s strong persistency record is testimony to the quality of its sales and the confidence the customers have shown in the company’s products and its investment performance. For the calendar year 2012, IDBI Federal’s Equity Fund raked No 1 in its investment performance among the 72 ulip funds in the industry against which it is benchmarked internally. IDBI Federal’s customer complaints, as reported by IRDA, is among the lowest in the industry.
A strong focus on cost discipline ensured a drop in IDBI Federal’s cost ratio from 26% in 2011-12 to 24% in 2012-13, which is among the lowest expense ratios in the industry.
IDBI Federal Life Insurance’s performance has been a result of its better than industry business growth, better persistency experience, more profitable product-mix, robust investment performance as well as lower cost ratio. In a fast-changing industry landscape, IDBI Federal was quick to realize the challenges and act on them. Today’s announcement validates its success in meeting these challenges.
“A customer centric approach is at the heart of IDBI Federal. We have introduced various measures to ensure that the policyholder’s interests are upheld at all times. We recognize the role of long term planning through life insurance and thus focus our efforts in selling regular premium long term products. Pre-Issuance calling to confirm all sales ensures that the customer is being sold the right product as per his needs. All this has resulted in value creation for the customer and is reflected in our high persistency rates. In fact, as a result, our customer complaints are also much lower than the industry average,” Mr. Rao said.
Mr. Rao added, “This performance is testimony to our constant focus towards innovation, offering tailor-made financial solutions that create value for our customers and help them to realize their dreams and aspirations. We entered as the 18th player in the industry and differentiation was the key to our success. Our approach of product branding is unique in the industry and has helped us achieve a strong mindshare among target audiences.”
