The ax has fallen. In September, the French withdrew 11.5 billion euros in their contracts of life insurance in order to invest in alternative investments. With a collection of 9.7 billion euros, the "preferred placement of French" displays so a net outflow of 1.8 billion euros. "Financially, there is a stabilization of outstanding, grade Pierre de Villeneuve, president of the commission life of the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA) and Chief Operating Officer of BNP Paribas' Cardif. The outflow is offset by the capitalization of assets. "
This net outflow nevertheless a very symbolic event for the world of insurance. This is the second time this has happened since the publication of a monthly indicator in 1997.In the panic of the fall of Lehman Brothers, the purchase of contracts had exceeded the collection in October and December 2008.
The new episode of outflow was expected, the movement of withdrawals flying for several months. Several factors explain this cold snap. "The environment encourages individuals to anxiety out of stock or bonds to promote short-term investments or stone," said Jean Berthon, president of the Federation of Independent human savers for retirement (Faider) . Hesitations about the tax life insurance at the beginning of the year have also left its mark.
Banks are active
In this context, investors do not have particularly appreciated the booklet A faxless payday advance. Despite its attractive net salary of 2.25%, in September it displays a modest collection of 1.13 billion euros.Investments flagship autumn are to be sought in bank books boosted short-term offer of 3.5% to 6%, for periods of three to twelve months. Banks, ordered to adapt very quickly to new regulatory requirements of Basel III, should not relax their efforts to build up a stock of customer deposits.
Insurers temper the consequences of withdrawal. Indeed, if an individual purchases a life insurance company invests in securities with face holding horizon is closer to the life of the contract, that is to say very often in bonds.The outflow thus results for insurance companies by sales of bonds, exposing companies in an environment of rising interest rates to a realization of unrealized losses.
"The life insurance companies have tools to deal with exceptional events: the capitalization reserve, the reserve for surplus and unrealized gains …" insists Pierre de Villeneuve. As for the outflow, or it should not affect investment returns, or the results of companies. This is a good opportunity to show the flexibility of life insurance to meet the needs of some investors. "
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