Bangkok--18 Sep--PwC Thailand
A new survey charting the top risks in the global insurance sector shows that cyber risk and interest rates are now among the top risks for insurers. Their entry, new into the rankings of this fifth successive survey, are indicative of how high a concern they have become for the industry when looked at in conjunction with regulatory developments and the broader macro-economy.
The CSFI's latest 'Insurance Banana Skins 2015' survey, conducted in association with PwC, polled over 800 insurance practitioners and industry observers in 54 countries, to find out where they saw the greatest risks over the next 2-3 years.
The survey results included two respondents from Thailand.
Regulatory risk emerged as the overall top risk for participants in the survey for the third successive time, underlining the deep impact regulatory change is having.
Anothai Leekitwattana, Partner and Insurance Leader at PwC Thailand, said: "The overall tone of the response was more negative this year. Regulation is once again a No. 1 issue across the industry
"This tells us that while the advantages of stronger regulation are acknowledged globally, the speed and sheer breadth of regulatory change is hitting the insurance industry with costs and distractions."
The report says that new rules governing solvency and market conduct could swamp the industry with costs and compliance problems. It could also distract management from the task of running healthy businesses at a time when the industry faces radical structural change.
The EU's Solvency 2 Directive, to be introduced next year, was the focus of strongest concern, but many other countries are introducing similar measures, often modelled on Solvency 2. While the beneficial impact of tighter regulation was acknowledged, the survey responses showed regulation is also widely seen as excessive and overbearing.
This view was held both by practitioners and outside observers of the industry (academics, consultants, analysts etc.) Typical responses from insurance company directors included: "A sound regulatory environment is absolutely essential. At the same time, over-regulation potentially strangles perfectly good and sound insurers from conducting good and sound business."
Globally, a second cluster of concerns surrounds macro-economic risk, where respondents were cautious about the outlook for growth, as well as for interest rates whose low levels have depressed investment yields and made savings products more difficult to manage and sell.
A third cluster of risks is emerging in the area of industry change, particularly the impact of new technology on security, product delivery and data management. Cyber risk appears for the first time since the survey was initiated in 2007, and is highly placed at No. 4 overall (ranked 1st for non-life insurance), reflecting rapidly growing concern about cybercrime and data security.
"Risks associated with technological changes, namely data security breaches, hacking and software failure, are becoming more acute than before. Now, insurers are more vulnerable to the large-scale cyber criminals, making it a top priority to increase vigilance and mitigate risk when it happens," Anothai said.
Interestingly, for the Far East Pacific region, human talent also emerged among the top five highest risks in the survey. That's much higher than the global average of 15.
"With greater mobility and rising competition for talent in the region, it's becoming harder than ever to attract and retain the right people," she said.
The digitisation of the industry also threatens traditional business models in the areas of distribution, new entrants and client interface. Many respondents expect to see major structural change in the industry in the coming years.
Globally, a number of risks have receded, among them the quality of management and corporate governance in insurance companies, where marked improvements are seen to have taken place. These were once ranked among the top risks facing the industry. Also declining is reputation risk as insurers become more pro-active in public relations, though the growth of social media is seen as a rising threat to reputation management.
The 2015 Banana Skins Index, which measures the level of anxiety in the industry, is at a record high despite the improving global situation. David Lascelles, survey editor, said: "The insurance industry faces enormous challenges in the growth of regulation, a difficult operating environment, and the looming threat of structural change. This is reflected in the negative sentiment behind this survey".
Stephen O'Hearn, PwC Global Insurance Leader, commented: "The long-term prospects for insurers are positive as people around the world live longer and have more wealth to protect. Yet they also face the disruptive impact of new technology, changing customer expectations, more exacting regulation and enduring economic uncertainty. Insurers' ability to identify and manage emerging as well as familiar risks will be one of the key differentiators for success in this volatile competitive environment."
PwC Thailand's Anothai concluded that while the industry is facing challenges on many fronts – from talent shortage to cyber risk to stricter regulations – it's important that insurers adapt to manage those risks efficiently if they want to succeed.
"Our industry certainly cannot be left behind. While we're committed to high standards of professionalism and ethical behaviour, operators must be ready to embrace changes and stay agile in an ever-changing business environment like today."