The Impact of the Prudential Guidelines in the Insurance Industry

The Impact of the Prudential Guidelines in the Insurance Industry

Abstract of The Impact of the Prudential Guidelines in the Insurance Industry

This project work is aimed at giving an insight of what the prudential guidelines on insurance companies hold for the industry in the nearest future.

It is centered on the impact of issued guideline by the various regulatory bodies like the insurance.  Decree of 1976 and 1991 and the establishment of the various bodies like the NISB and others.

It also examine the performance apprisal of the insurance companies with a view of improving revenue profits, identifying the problems faced as a result of this prudential guidelines issued.

Hence the need to finding lasting solution to sanitize the insurance industry to bring about a more better future for its existence.

Chapter One of The Impact of the Prudential Guidelines in the Insurance Industry

INTRODUCTION

Insurance companies deal principally money and property.

According to Brettl. J. the subject matter of insurance is money and money only.  They act as mobilizers of funds from surplus units and channel them to deficit units.

This channeling can be refered to as indemnity.

This can be put in another way, that the primary purpose traditionally of insurance to spread the financial losses of insured members over the whole of the insuring uncertainty by compensating the unfortunate few from the contributions of all members.

Premium changed by the insurance company is its primary sources of manning income, therefore the insurance companies help on premium for its insured or person, financial rights or liability to mention but a few.

However, the financial compensation promised by the insurer is what is called the subject matter of the contract.

Insurance contract is subject to the general Principles of Nigerian Law of Contract as in any other commercial activity.  It these principles that makes for its validity.  Not only does it affect insurance but it operates in every other commercial aspect of life.

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

The role of insurance as one of the major economic activities of a nation has long received would acclamation.  It is not a dispute that insurance has attained a high degree of commercial sophistication.

Insurance business plays a major role in shaping the economic furtunes of the business enterprise institutions and individuals.

The economic profits of any country usually has an impact on both cost and benefits of insurance.  Thus one should consider the examination of the subject of insurance regulation timely in view of current economic climate.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS

It has been a concern within the insurance industry on the introduction of the prudential guidelines, as it affects the performance appraisal of the insurance companies.

This research work is geared towards investigating the impact of this guideline as it affects the insurance industry in Nigerian.

In 1979 there was an act guiding the operations of insurance and ie- insurance business in Nigeria.

This act stipulated that minimum of 25 percent of the total assets of the insurance companies should be held by government and semi-government securities.

Non life insurance companies should invest not less than 10 percent of their total assets in real estate,  while the minimum proportion for life insurance companies was fixed at 25 percent.

However, in recognition of the financial intimidation role of insurance companies by government the lending operation of the companies were brought under the control of the C.B.N with effect from April 1978.  From then an insurance companies required to render monthly returns of their operation to the bank within 30 days from the end of each month.

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

a.           To ascertain the impact of the prudential guidelines on insurance companies.

b.           To examine the facts contained in the prudential guidelines issues.

c.           To examine the performance of insurance companies with regards to premium income and profit since the introduction of the prudential guidelines.

d.           To identify the problems insurance companies face as a result of the introduction of prudential guidelines.

e.           To know whether insurance companies now send monthly report to regulatory bodies.

f.            Recommendations on the researcher’s findings.