Change in regulation of ZIC Tied Assets

From 1 January 2024, changes to Swiss Insurance Supervisory Law will mean that Swiss insurance laws will not allow Zurich Insurance Company Ltd (ZIC) to set aside or use “Tied Assets” in Switzerland to cover policyholder liabilities of its foreign branches, including Zurich Insurance Company, Singapore Branch (“Zurich Singapore”). Zurich Singapore’s customers will continue to benefit from Zurich Singapore’s very strong and locally regulated balance sheet, backed by the Zurich Group’s AA financial strength.

The Swiss Tied Asset regime means that there is a distinct pool of assets attributable to the direct policyholders of ZIC’s Swiss business as well as ZIC’s foreign business. The amount of Tied Assets which are to be held is determined by a formula based on the underlying technical reserves and further insurance liabilities. For assets to be eligible as Tied Assets, the assets must comply with certain requirements set out by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) and be earmarked or held in segregated accounts. Policyholders who were covered by the Swiss Tied Assets regime would have first access to these Tied Assets should there be a general winding-up of the insurance business.

Policies issued by ZIC’s foreign business are backed by the technical reserves required by local rules and were additionally subject to Swiss Tied Asset rules in certain jurisdictions, including Singapore. However, upcoming regulatory changes will now prohibit ZIC from setting aside or using Tied Assets to cover the liabilities of the Zurich Singapore policyholders.

ZIC Singapore’s customers will continue to benefit from Zurich Singapore’s very strong and locally regulated balance sheet, backed by the Zurich Group’s AA financial strength.

For the avoidance of doubt, assets held by ZIC in its capacity as Group holding company and reinsurance entity, including relating to central capital and liquidity facilities, are not subject to the Swiss Tied Asset Rules.

  1. There is no change to the asset or liability position of Zurich Singapore’s financials.
  2. There is no change in the corporate structure. ZIC as the parent company of Zurich Singapore would be positioned to offer support. As of January 2023, the insurance financial strength rating of ZIC was 'AA/Stable' by Standard and Poor's Global Ratings, 'Aa3/positive' by Moody's, and 'A+(Superior)/ Stable by A.M. Best

We understand that this regulation was considered unnecessary as policyholders abroad were already protected through the respective local protective regimes including their local laws and regulations. The change also conforms Swiss Law to international regulations and the principle of equal treatment.

If you have any questions, please speak to your usual Zurich contact or reach us through contact us page.