Korean insurers can own foreign banks under new regulations

Korean insurers can own foreign banks under new regulations | Insurance Business Asia

Insurance News

Korean insurers can own foreign banks under new regulations

The FSC is planning to significantly expand the scope of overseas subsidiaries that homegrown companies can own

Insurance News

By
Kenneth Araullo

Financial authorities in South Korea are significantly easing restrictions on overseas subsidiary investment to support the expansion of domestic companies. These looser restrictions will result in further investments in foreign financial companies, with insurers being able to own foreign banks under new regulations.

During the 8th Financial Regulation Reform Meeting, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Korea discussed regulatory improvement measures to facilitate the overseas expansion of financial companies. One of the key changes discussed is the expansion of scope of overseas subsidiaries that financial companies can own.

According to a report from Business Korea, restrictions on investing in overseas financial and non-financial companies by banks, insurers, and others will be eased within the limits allowed by local laws overseas. The intent is to enable Korean financial institutions to be competitive in overseas markets with the diversification of their businesses to match local financial demands.

Under these new regulations, an insurance company could be permitted to own a foreign bank, or for a fintech subsidiary to acquire an overseas subsidiary that conducts investment advisory and asset management businesses. The FSC is also looking to ease restrictions on capital support to overseas subsidiaries.

Insurers will also be allowed to provide collateral for their subsidiaries. Domestic insurers can provide government bonds and similar securities as collateral to local banks, with local banks then guaranteeing the debt of overseas subsidiaries. This, in turn, enables a substitution for operating funds through this guarantee-based system. Under current regulations, insurers in South Korea can only guarantee debt for their subsidiaries.

What are your thoughts on this story? Please feel free to share your comments below.