Min Xin Insurance Company Limited Receives Strong Ratings from AM Best

Min Xin Insurance Company Limited Receives Strong Ratings

Min Xin Insurance Company Limited (MXIC) has recently received commendable credit ratings from AM Best. The organization assigned MXIC a Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb+" (Good), emphasizing a stable outlook for the credit ratings. This marks a significant acknowledgment of the company's financial health and operational capacity.

Understanding the Ratings

These ratings reflect a mix of elements contributing to MXIC's robust balance sheet strength, which AM Best identifies as strong. Additionally, the company's operating performance is rated as adequate, and while it has a limited business profile, its enterprise risk management practices are deemed appropriate.

Historical Background

Founded in 1974, MXIC has established itself in the competitive non-life insurance sectors of Hong Kong and Macau. The company operates fully owned by Min Xin Holdings Limited (MXHL), a holding company involved in various businesses including banking investments, microcredit services, and insurance. MXHL is under the larger umbrella of Fujian Investment & Development Group Co., Ltd. (FIDG), a state-owned enterprise supporting the provincial government of Fujian in China.

Diverse Portfolio and Market Position

MXIC boasts a diversified underwriting portfolio focused on property damage, motor accidents, employee compensation, travel and accidents. As of the latest financial period, approximately 62% of the company's premiums originate from Macau, with the remaining coming from Hong Kong. The firm holds a smaller market position relative to its peers, based on gross premium written statistics that regulators in the regions have disclosed. One of MXIC's marketing techniques is leveraging a bancassurance channel stemming from its affiliated banks, particularly in Macau. This strategic approach aids in sourcing profitable property damage business with future plans for strengthening this channel even further. In Hong Kong, the company seeks to forge partnerships with other intermediaries and bancassurance to augment its local business footprint.

Financial Strength Analysis

The strong assessment regarding MXIC’s balance sheet strength is significantly supported by its risk-adjusted capitalization at the strongest level, as calculated by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). Over the past decade, MXIC has attained substantial growth in capital and surplus, predominantly due to capital injections from MXHL and consistent retention of net profits. A healthy regulatory solvency position, excellent liquidity, and sufficient reinsurance arrangements also back this strength. However, challenges persist; these include investment concentration in key properties and a relatively modest capital and surplus size of HKD 318.3 million (USD 40.8 million) as applicable under HKFRS 17.

Operational Performance and Future Outlook

Despite these strengths, AM Best considers MXIC's overall operational performance as adequate. The company has consistently shown substantial growth in its revenue while maintaining net profits since 2018. In the most recent financial year, even with a slight average decrease in insurance service revenue under HKFRS 17, MXIC reported a net profit of HKD 4.9 million, reflecting a return-on-equity ratio of 1.5%. Notably, steady investment returns, bolstered by stable income generated from investment properties and interest from cash and bond investments, have driven the company’s bottom line. Yet, it is crucial to mention that MXIC’s underwriting profitability has remained thin due to high expenses relative to its limited premium scale. The performance in Macau has yielded stable underwriting profits over the past five years, contrasting with Hong Kong, where there was volatility leading to an underwriting loss this year.

Potential Future Ratings Changes

The potential for positive rating changes exists, contingent on MXIC obtaining ongoing support from its parent company. This support is essential for enhancing its market presence within the non-life insurance sectors of both Hong Kong and Macau. Further positive rating actions could depend on MXIC effectively executing its business strategy after regulatory premium cap adjustments, along with sustained improvements in its operational performance and maintaining strong risk-adjusted capitalization. Conversely, negative actions could stem from significant declines in risk-adjusted capitalization or deteriorating profitability, particularly if the company faces heavy underwriting losses or investment setbacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the recent ratings assigned to Min Xin Insurance?

AM Best assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B++ and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb+" to Min Xin Insurance Company Limited, indicating a stable outlook.

2. Who owns Min Xin Insurance Company Limited?

Min Xin Insurance Company Limited is 100% owned by Min Xin Holdings Limited, which is in turn majority-owned by Fujian Investment & Development Group Co., Ltd.

3. What sectors does Min Xin Insurance cover?

Min Xin Insurance primarily provides coverage for property damage, motor accidents, employee compensation, travel accidents, and other related areas.

4. How does Min Xin Insurance position itself in the market?

Although a small player in the non-life insurance markets of Hong Kong and Macau, Min Xin Insurance leverages strategic bancassurance channels to acquire profitable business.

5. What factors could lead to changes in Min Xin's credit ratings?

Changes in Min Xin's credit ratings could occur based on financial support from its parent company or shifts in operational performance, particularly profitability and capitalization levels.

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