ADB signs deal with five global insurers

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement with five leading global insurers which will mobilise up to US$1 billion of cofinancing capacity to support lending to Financial Institutions (FIs) in Asia and the Pacific, reports BSS.

The Master Framework Programme for Financial Institutions will allow the ADB to increase its lending to both commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions in the region through the use of credit insurance.

ADB has signed an initial three-year partnership with Tokio Marine Group (Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd, and Tokio Marine HCC), AXA XL, Chubb, Liberty Specialty Markets, and Allianz Trade, said a press release here on Sunday.

The highly rated insurers participating in the programmeme will cover the risk of nonpayment on a portion of ADB's loans to the financial institutions. This will allow ADB to transfer credit risk from its portfolio to insurers' balance sheets, freeing up ADB's capital, managing its exposures and increasing its lending capacity.

"ADB has been a pioneer among multilateral development banks in partnering with private insurance companies to expand lending operations through the use of credit insurance," said Head of ADB's Guarantees and Syndications Unit Bart Raemaekers.

"The relationships we've built with insurers have allowed us to mobilise this additional source of private capital as cofinancing to help meet our client's needs," he added.

"Tokio Marine Group has always worked closely with multilateral development institutions like ADB with whom we share common goals and values, as Tokio Marine continues to pursue its vision To Be a Good Company," said Tokio Marine HCC Credit Group President Jerome Swinscoe.

"Our partnership with ADB has grown through the years. This landmark programme has come at an opportune time when we can all contribute to the economic recovery that Asia needs. We are honored to be a part of this endeavor," he added.

The programme streamlines the underwriting and approval process for risk transfers and will allow ADB to more efficiently mobilise cofinancing capacity. ADB's loans to the financial sector have included support for operational priorities such as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, gender equality, and efforts to address climate change.