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20.06.2019 Business & Finance

NIC Increases Insurance Companies' Minimum Capital Requirement By 300%

NIC Increases Insurance Companies' Minimum Capital Requirement By 300
20.06.2019 LISTEN

The minimum capital requirement of insurance companies has been increased by over 300 percent.

A statement issued by the National Insurance Commission has given affected institutions up to June 30, 2021, to meet the new requirements.

The Commission noted that the increment comes after series of consultations with stakeholders since 2017.

It said it also considered the developments within the financial landscape over the period.

For Life and Non-life insurance companies, the minimum capital requirement has been increased from GH¢15 million to GH¢ 50 million.

For reinsurance companies, the minimum capital requirement has been increased from GH¢ 40 million to GH¢125million.

For insurance broking companies and loss adjusters, the minimum capital requirement has been increased from GH¢300,000 to GH¢500,000.

The minimum capital requirement for reinsurance broking companies has however been maintained at GH¢ 1 million.

The National Insurance Commission said the affected institutions are expected to submit their initial recapitalization plan by August 31, 2019, but “injection of property will not be accepted.”

“Any unencumbered property that is introduced will have to be sold for cash by at least six months before the capitalization date,” the Commission said.

While giving assurances that it is doing its best to protect the interest of insurance policyholders by ensuring a strong industry, the National Insurance Commission said: “the new MCR [Minimum Capital Requirement] is one of the initiatives the Commission is taking to achieve this.”

“The Commission will work with all industry players and provide the needed assistance to help the industry meet the new MCR,” the statement said.

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