13 Jul 2005
CITIC Prudential becomes the leading foreign insurance company in China in terms of city licences
Prudential's life insurance joint venture in China, CITIC Prudential Life, has been awarded a further two city licences, taking its total to ten and making it the largest foreign life insurer in the country in terms of licences.
These new licences will enable CITIC Prudential Life to sell its portfolio of products, which include traditional life/term assurance and unit-linked life policies as well as accident and health products in Nanjing and Shenzhen, with a combined population of 12 million.
Mark Norbom, Chief Executive, Prudential Corporation Asia, said today:
"China is an extremely attractive market with compelling demographics. The two new licences we have announced today give CITIC Prudential a significant geographic lead over other foreign insurers in this growth market.
"Our strategy is to continue to expand geographically by acquiring further city licences and to focus on building scale businesses through product innovation and multi-channel distribution backed up by top quality, cost-efficient servicing."
The Chinese life insurance industry has experienced dramatic rates of growth in recent years with life premiums growing on average by more than 37 per cent between 1980 and 1997. Several factors suggest that the growth will continue:
- Life insurance penetration in China as a percentage of GDP is still only 2.3 per cent.
- Of the £21 billion market for Life Gross premiums that was recorded in 2004, foreign insurers accounted for approximately £544 million — around 3 per cent of the total.
CITIC Prudential was awarded its first city licence in October 2000. In addition to the ten city licences, CITIC Prudential also has a licence to sell group life insurance in China. In 2004 APE sales for CITIC Prudential in China increased by 70 per cent on the previous year and the company now employs more than 8,000 staff and agents.
ENDS
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Investors / analysts |
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| Jon Bunn |
020 7548 3559 |
James Matthews |
020 7548 3561 |
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Marina Lee-Steere |
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Notes for Editors
- Nanjing has a population of over 5.8 million and is situated 300 kilometres west of Shanghai on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in the economically significant Jiangsu province. In 2004 the city's GDP was £12.7 billion, an increase of around 17 per cent over the previous year.
- Shenzhen has a population of approximately 6 million and is located in Guangdong province, less than an hour by train from Hong Kong. Shenzhen is China's first Special Economic Zone and has developed into the country's fastest growing commercial centre. The city attracts more than one third of China's total foreign direct investment. In 2004 the GDP of Shenzhen was £24 billion, a 17.3 per cent increase from 2003.
About CITIC Prudential Life
CITIC Prudential Life combines Prudential's 150 years of industry experience with CITIC's nationwide distribution network, excellent financial credentials and in depth knowledge of the local market.
To expand its market share, CITIC Prudential has focused on understanding the needs of Chinese consumers and developing a range of savings, protection and investment products to meet these needs. The company offers both traditional life/term assurance and unit-linked life products as well as a portfolio of accident and health products, sold on their own or as supplements to life policies.
CITIC Prudential has continued to build a presence in China since 2000.
| City |
Province |
Date licence granted |
Launch date |
| Guangzhou |
Guangdong |
April 2000 |
October 2000 |
| Beijing |
Direct Administration Zone |
March 2003 |
August 2003 |
| Suzhou |
Jiangsu |
March 2004 |
September 2004 |
| Shanghai |
Direct Administration Zone |
November 2004 |
May 2005 |
| Foshan |
Guangdong |
February 2005 |
March 2005 |
| Dongguan |
Guangdong |
February 2005 |
March 2005 |
| Wuhan |
Hubei |
March 2005 |
Q3 2005* |
| Zhongshan |
Guangdong |
April 2005 |
May 2005 |
| Nanjing |
Jiangsu |
June 2005 |
Jul 2005 |
| Shenzhen |
Guangdong |
April 2005 |
Jul 2005 |
* estimated launch date
About Prudential
Prudential plc is a leading international financial services group, providing retail financial services and fund management in its chosen markets: the United Kingdom, the United States, Asia and continental Europe.
Prudential has been writing life insurance in the United Kingdom for over 150 years and has had the largest long-term fund in the United Kingdom for over a century. Today, Prudential has over 16 million customers worldwide and over £187 billion (as of 31 December 2004) of funds under management.
In the United Kingdom Prudential is a leading life and pensions provider offering a range of retail financial products. M&G is Prudential's UK & European Fund Manager, with around £126 billion of funds under management. Jackson National Life, acquired by Prudential in 1986, is a leading provider of long-term savings and retirement products to retail and institutional customers throughout the United States. Egg plc, in which Prudential has a 78 per cent shareholding, provides banking, insurance and investment products through its internet site www.egg.com.
Prudential is the leading European-based life insurer in Asia with operations in 12 countries.
*Prudential plc, a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in the United Kingdom, and its affiliated companies constitute one of the world's leading financial services groups. It provides insurance and financial services directly and through its subsidiaries and affiliates throughout the world. It has been in existence for over 150 years and has over US$340 billion in assets under management, as at 31 December 2004. Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc, a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America.
About CITIC Group (China International Trust and Investment Corporation)
CITIC was established on October 4 1979 by Rong Yiren. The creation of CITIC was initiated and approved by Deng Xiaoping, chief architect of China's reform.
CITIC is a window on the way China has opened to the outside world. Since its inception, CITIC has always adhered to the principle of innovation. In line with government laws, regulations and policies, CITIC has attracted and utilized foreign capital, introduced advanced technologies, and adopted advanced and scientific international practices in operations and management. CITIC has established successful, strong performing businesses in many fields. As a result, CITIC has made significant contributions to the country's reform and opening up drive and has improved China's reputation both domestically and abroad.
CITIC has grown into a large multinational conglomerate. It now owns 44 subsidiaries in countries including Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The company has also set up representative offices in Tokyo, New York and Frankfurt. CITIC's core business ranges from financial services to service industries. By the end of 2004, CITIC had total assets of over RMB 701.6 billion (US$84 billion).