Allianz receives CBIRC approval for preparatory establishment of China’s first fully-owned foreign insurance holding company

Allianz today announced that it has received approval from the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) for the preparatory establishment of an insurance holding company in China.  The company - Allianz (China) Insurance Holding Company Limited - will be China’s first-ever wholly-owned insurance holding company by a foreign insurer, and will be based in Shanghai. 

This holding structure will anchor Allianz Group’s long-term commitment to China by enhancing its strategic and financial flexibility to capture business opportunities and drive long-term success in the market.  When fully established, Allianz (China) Insurance Holding Company Limited will be strongly capitalized according to its application.

The regulatory approval follows a series of measures recently announced by the Chinese government to further open up and encourage investment in China by foreign financial insurance institutions.  This development follows the long-term positive bilateral relationship between China and Germany, and furthers its continued cooperation and collaboration. 

Oliver Bäte, Chairman and CEO, Allianz Group said, “Allianz is proud to be the first foreign insurer to commence the establishment of a holding company in China - a significant milestone for us to expand our presence in this strategic market.  Today’s announcement also follows the positive long-term cooperation between China and Germany, allowing our Chinese and international clients to be able to enjoy Allianz’s comprehensive financial and risk management solutions and services, and benefit from the continued growth and liberalization of China’s financial markets.”

George Sartorel, Regional CEO for Asia Pacific, Allianz, said, “China is central to our growth strategy for Asia, this development positions Allianz strongly to combine our global knowledge with deep insights into local consumer and industry needs. We look forward to contributing to the continued development and innovation of China’s fast-growing insurance sector, as well as to better serve Chinese customers and communities.

This marks the latest milestone for Allianz in China, a market it has served since the early 1910s. Today, with its 2,000 employees and affiliates in the country, Allianz offers the full spectrum of protection, risk management and asset management solutions and services in China. Allianz expects China to continue setting the pace for global insurance market growth, with premiums expected to rise 14 per cent per annum in the coming decade.

Allianz expects the holding company to be established in 2019, and will work on the necessary preparatory work under the guidance and assistance of the regulatory authorities. 

The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with around 125 million* private and corporate customers in nearly 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 737 billion euros** on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage about 1.7 trillion euros** of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are among the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2023, over 157,000 employees achieved total business volume of 161.7 billion euros and an operating profit of 14.7 billion euros for the group.
* Including non-consolidated entities with Allianz customers.
** As of December 31, 2023.
Asia is one of the core growth regions for Allianz, characterized by a rich diversity of cultures, languages and customs. Allianz has been present in the region since 1910, when it first provided fire and marine insurance in the coastal cities of China. Today, Allianz is active in 14 markets in the region, offering its core businesses of property and casualty insurance, life, protection and health solutions, as well as asset management. With its more than 32,000 staff, Allianz serves the needs of over 18 million customers in the region across multiple distribution channels and digital platforms.
Christian Kroos
Allianz SE
Nora Xu
Allianz China
Sean Ottley
Allianz Asia (Singapore)
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