Chatswood serves the life and health insurance sector in New Zealand with market intelligence, data, and bespoke consulting services. Some of these are provided in conjunction with Quality Product Research Limited - a subsidiary that brings you Quotemonster.
We believe that good decisions are more likely to occur when we have good information about the market environment in which we operate. Intuitive leaps and creative decisions are always required, of course, but the more they are based on a firm foundation of observation, the better they tend to be.
KiwiSaver determined to be competitive
The latest Melville Jessup Weaver analysis has determined that KiwiSaver is statistically competitive.
The latest Melville Jessup Weaver analysis has determined that KiwiSaver is statistically competitive. Competitiveness, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), improved slightly year on year. There are 38 schemes and 34 providers available for kiwis to choose from, with the three largest owners (ANZ, ASB and Fisher) accounting for around half of scheme members and assets. There was a slight shift in favour of providers outside the 10 largest, who expanded their market share by 0.5% during the 12 months to March 31.
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FSC to hold member meeting on XRB Consultation
Banking Ombudsman Scheme received 6,054 cases
ANZ announce official partnership with Auckland Football Club
Southern Cross Health Society Group annual results released
Southern Medical Care Society Group has shared their annual results for the year ended 30 June 2024.
Southern Medical Care Society Group has shared their annual results for the year ended 30 June 2024. By the numbers:
Group deficit of $88.2 million after tax. $43.1 million of the deficit is attributable to a change in international financial reporting standards introduced this financial year. The balance of the deficit is driven by higher claims costs from a high inflationary environment combined with high member demand for private health services, particularly in the second half of the financial year.
Group reserves of $470.7 million.
Claims paid at a rate of $6 million per business day (up from $5.2 million in FY23).
15,196 net new members, with total membership now at 955,301.
This represents 60% of the New Zealand health insurance market by customer numbers but 71% per cent of the value of all health insurance claims paid.
99% of claims were submitted electronically.
Southern Cross Health Insurance
Reported a deficit of $99.1 million.
Paid $1.498 billion in claims from $1.605 billion received in premiums.
Claims costs increased 15% on FY23 (up 13.9% when adjusted for member growth).
Premiums increased 9% on FY23 (up 6.6% when adjusted for member growth).
93.4 cents paid in claims from every dollar received in premiums (compared to an industry average excluding Southern Cross) of 73 cents.
Operating costs grew by 4%, less than inflation.
3.2 million claims in FY24
50% of members claimed over the financial year.
39,326 virtual GP consultations with Care HQ.
4,635 annual health check-ups with MedPro.
4,016 online mental health sessions with Raise.
Net promoter score of 53.7%.
Nick Astwick, Chief Executive for Southern Cross Health Society said
“We have never been in more demand by our members as they prioritise their health needs, largely in the private system. In 2019 33% of our membership claimed, last year it was 50%.”
“The cost of claims in 2024 was steep and rapid, driven by a combination of price, volume, and the mix of claims. The growth in the volume of claims results from an increase in the number of members claiming, the frequency, and claims being made for more expensive procedures.”
More news:
Asteron Life announce MDRT Grant Programme recipients
NZFSG named as one of the Most Innovative Insurance Companies
Fidelity Life working to implement a data governance strategy
ANZ add BlinkPay to their approved third party payment providers
2024 Haven award winners announced
Committee recommended changes to the Contracts of Insurance Bill
Travis Hamilton says Total and permanent disability (TPD) cover is being underestimated
Jon-Paul Hale suggests ways insurers can improve systems for advisers
Tony Vidler recommends how advisers can value themselves appropriately
The Government has completed a cost-benefit analysis for potential third medical school
Wayne Langford appointed to the Board of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
Winners at the 2024 FSC Awards announced
Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and nominees at the 2024 Financial Services Council (FSC) Awards.
Congratulations to all the winners, finalists and nominees at the 2024 Financial Services Council (FSC) Awards. We’re lucky to work in an industry with so many dedicated, innovative people who have a passion for what they do; the awards recognise some of the best and brightest among us.
FSC Acting CEO Haydee Stroud said
“…it was a privilege to be able to see such a diverse range and high calibre of merit. Entrants contributions to the financial services sector and to the wider New Zealand community have all played a part in growing the financial confidence and wellbeing of all New Zealanders.”
Contribution to Community Award – Toi Ora - nib and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
Emerging Trailblazer Award – Leigh Bennett, Fidelity Life
Excellence in Governance Award – The Compliance Company
Workplace Savings Award – Bruce Kerr, Professional Trustee
Excellence in Sustainability Practices Award – AIA New Zealand
Excellence in Wellbeing & Inclusion Award – Southern Cross Health Insurance
Team of the Year Award – Operations Team, Sharesies
Chair’s Award for Services to the Industry – Ana-Marie Lockyer: Chief Executive Officer, Pie Funds
More news:
Steve Wright questions why we index life insurance but not health insurance
Financial Services Federation welcome CCCFA reforms
FAMNZ to launch the Adviser Elevate series on 2 October
The FMA plans to review the mortgage advice sector
Report estimates additional value advisers add
ASB wins Excellence in Social Purpose Driven Marketing Strategy at the New Zealand Marketing Awards
ASB sponsor the Climate Change & Business Conference 2024
Kiwibank report $202 million after-tax profit
Kiwibank posted a record $202 million after-tax profit for the year to June 30 2024, up 15% from the previous year.
Kiwibank has featured in the news a lot recently, from the Commerce Commission’s recommendation that the Government should consider what is necessary to make Kiwibank a disruptive competitor, to the release of Kiwibank’s latest financial results.
Kiwibank posted a record $202 million after-tax profit for the year to June 30 2024, up 15% from the previous year. Kiwibank were able to grow their lending book by 9.3% to $32.4 billion. Impressively, home lending grew 2.7 times faster than the market and business lending grew 3 times faster than the market. Deposits increased by $2.4 billion, growing the deposit book by 9.4% to $28.2 billion
Steve Jurkovich, Kiwibank CEO, has said a $500 million capital infusion would
“give us a lot of runway to keep growing as fast as we are now, which is 9.5%, 10% [per annum], which is pretty large gains. That sort of investment over the next three, four years would give good runway.”
"With the right support and delivery of the right business plan and right initiatives, I think we could double our size in five years.”
Jurkovich has also said it may not be essential for the bank to remain 100% NZ owned, pointing to other examples of successful majority owned businesses like Air New Zealand. Jurkovich cautions that any requirement to pay sizeable dividends could impact their ability to grow, given that capital growth to date has mainly been via retained earnings.
Mortgage advisers now account for around 35% of Kiwibank’s total mortgage book, having originated 71% of Kiwibank home loans this year. Kiwibank’s accredited advisers have grown to about 1,000 now, up from 250 at June 30, 2022.
More news:
Report on the MAS 2024 Annual General Meeting released
Antonia Watson says the big banks can't afford to be NZ owned
TSB respond to the Commerce Commission’s banking study
FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2025 is on 11 March 2025
Investment News release their KiwiSaver annual report
Study finds a majority of New Zealanders feel financially uncomfortable
FSCL sees significant increase in complaints over the past year
Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL) has revealed that complaints rose by 6% in the last year, to 1,426.
Financial Services Complaints Limited (FSCL) has revealed that complaints rose by 6% in the last year, to 1,426. Of these, complaints against financial advisers were up by 18% and complaints against insurers were up by 14.5%. The biggest driver of complaints was against lenders, particularly involving car, personal and small business loans. In all, new disputes involving formal investigations by FSCL increased by 10% to 359.
FSCL Financial Ombudsman Susan Taylor has said
“We expect this high level of complaints to persist as long as economic conditions remain difficult. The new rules increasing our financial loss compensation to $500,000 (previously $350,000), which took effect in July, could also lead to a further rise.”
More news:
Quotemonster has added a KiwiSaver comparison and research service
Russell Hutchinson writes about issues insuring those with complex incomes
Financial Advice NZ webinar 'How the latest Dispute Resolution Scheme rules affect you' 14 August
MAS Annual General Meeting 2024 is on 21 August
Asteron Life offers four $5,000 grants to advisers who attended MDRT annual meeting
ANZ has announced that Nagaja Sanatkumar will join its board
ANZIIF has released an IT outage preparedness video
Gallagher Insurance support the Poipoia te Kākano Programme
Westpac announce their first third party Open Banking integration is live
Partners Life appoints new Chief Risk Officer
Partners Life has appointed James Greig as Chief Risk Officer.
Partners Life has appointed James Greig as Chief Risk Officer. Greig joins from Southern Cross Health Society, where he is the Head of Risk. Greig has more than 20 years’ experience across insurance and business roles in both New Zealand and Australia. He has held senior positions across strategy, operations, technology and risk roles, including six years as Director of Supervision at the Financial Markets Authority.
More news:
Nominations open for Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards
NZUAC's 2024 Auckland Expo is on August 27
ANZ is being investigated by ASIC over allegations it manipulated Australian government bond sales
The Government hints they’re open to selling Kiwibank to enable it to grow
Lending and investment company Squirrel has been the target of a cyber attack
AIA release their 2023 Sustainability Report
AIA has released its 2023 Sustainability Report: Sustaining Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.
AIA has released its 2023 Sustainability Report: Sustaining Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Key highlights include:
Achieved Toitū carbonreduce certification
Paid 92% of claims received, totalling $734.8M in 2023
Grew to 55,000+ AIA Vitality members, encouraging members to improve their physical and mental wellbeing
Invested into the Betashares Global Sustainability Leaders and Australian Sustainability Leaders funds
Began transitioning fleet to hybrid vehicles to reduce fuel usage
2023 Gallup Engagement Survey Top Quartile in global finance and insurance industry benchmark
Partnered with the Sustainable Business Council, hosting a webinar highlighting their Environment and Our Health Report.
AIA was recognised for its sustainability efforts, winning the 2023 Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance Awards for Excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Change, and the Financial Services Council of New Zealand Award for Excellence in Sustainable Practices.
Nick Stanhope, AIA NZ CEO, said
“At AIA NZ, our dream is for New Zealand to be one of the healthiest and best protected nations in the world. We understand that environmental sustainability not only has an impact on the wellbeing of our planet, but on our physical and mental health as well.
By rolling out initiatives and practices which support our ESG goals, we’re demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding the environment and the health of our communities.”
More news:
Fidelity Life offer premium waivers to those affected by extreme weather
Partners Life 3-day Training Course starts 19 August
External Reporting Board hold Sandbox Session for Assurance Practitioners
ANZ introduces behavioural biometrics collection, an anti-scam measure
Five strategies for advisers to navigate a high-rate environment
Fidelity Life appoint new Independent Director
Scott Pickering has been appointed as an Independent Director on Fidelity Life's board.
Scott Pickering has been appointed as an Independent Director on Fidelity Life's board. Pickering has a wealth of governance and insurance experience, currently serving on the boards of IAG New Zealand, IAG Australia and Bowls New Zealand, and he was previously on the board of Chubb Life in New Zealand and Australia.
Fidelity Life Interim Chair Lindsay Smartt says,
“Scott’s passion for the insurance industry and his dedication to mentoring make him a perfect fit for Fidelity Life.
His leadership and strategic insight will be invaluable as we begin deploying our new strategic plan, and chart a course for long term success.”
More news:
Chubb makes multi-benefit discount permanent, extends 2 months’ FREE and 15% Lifetime Reward offers
Jon-Paul Hale espouses the need for Golden Life policies
The federal treasurer has approved of the sale of Suncorp Bank to ANZ
BNZ provides targeted support for customers affected by severe weather
Derek Chen has joined Strategi Group as Head of AML/CFT
ASB is teaching students how to spot fraud and scams in its new ScamWise workshop in schools
Bill could modernise insurance law
On March 21st, a Member’s Bill was drawn that, if passed, could modernise insurance law. Labour Party MP Duncan Webb, a former insurance lawyer, says his Insurance Contracts Bill will require “…insurance contract terms to be both clear and fair”.
If the Bill is passed, it would introduce penalties for insurers who failed to act in good faith, such as not completing a claim in a timely manner. The Bill requires polices be clearer and in plain language, to better help consumers understand the terms of the insurance they’re signing up for.
We’ll keep an eye on this and report back as the situation progresses.
More daily news:
Clive Fernandes talks about Generative and Customer-Facing AI impact on financial advisers
Steve Wright talks about how advisers need to be wary of the Dunning Kruger effect
Jeff Royle says banks have been slow to disclose to customers about clawbacks
The Financial Services Council has launched Empower Women
TSB receive three Canstar awards for their credit cards
Jon-Paul Hale talks of how identity fraud and paper document security concerns are on the rise
Gallagher Bassett publish annual insurer survey report The Carrier Perspective: 2024 Claims Insights
Chubb Life has partnered with Kiwi charity Keep New Zealand Beautiful
The latest ANZ Business Outlook Survey shows business confidence levels fell 12 points
Survey finds 44% of insurance advisers in Australia are charging clients for advice
Quarterly rate review results in rising premiums at nib
nib has reviewed its health insurance premiums. Current members’ premiums are reviewed annually at their policy anniversary, with the increases ranging from 9% to 16%, as per below.
Premiums for prospective new members will be updated from 1 April 2024, with new rates being automatically updated in nibAPPLY.
You can find out more in their frequently asked questions here.
More daily news:
mySolutions webinar 'Ark Adventures' 9am 27 March
Craig Tyson leaves head of Australasian listed property role at ANZ investments
Maaike van Tol leaves head of asset allocation role at ANZ investments
FSC publish KiwiSaver Industry Spotlight December 2023