FWD Group Holdings Limited (“FWD Group” or “FWD”) announced strong first quarter new business highlights for the three months ended 31 March 2026, reflecting consistent financial performance and growth across its pan-Asian markets. New business sales rose four per cent to US$720 million on an annualised premium equivalent (APE) basis compared to the same period in 2025. The new business contractual service margin reached US$556 million, a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent. The company introduced 11 new products across the region during the quarter.
Huynh Thanh Phong, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of FWD Group, said, “This is another strong set of results, reflecting our consistent track record of performance, growth, and the diversified pan-Asian footprint and distribution model of FWD Group. Japan and our Expansion Markets in Southeast Asia were key drivers of growth, alongside another solid performance from Hong Kong SAR, despite the high base effect from a record first quarter comparison in 2025.” He added that the long-term outlook for the rising middle class in Asia remains positive, and the high-net-worth segment served by FWD Private continues to benefit from strong financial hubs like Hong Kong SAR.
The Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR reporting segment delivered continued growth in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the record high first quarter in 2025, driven by both domestic and financial hub-related demand. Japan reported strong growth, boosted by its strategic expansion into the retirement and savings segment in mid-2025, alongside its long-standing protection business. The Expansion Markets segment—comprising Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam—posted excellent growth, driven by the broker and independent financial advisor channel and solid bancassurance results. In the Thailand & Cambodia segment, the focus on developing quality new business continued amid sustained growth headwinds from the lower rate environment in Thailand.
FWD Group’s consumer outlook survey, released in February 2026, indicated that the majority of Asia’s middle-class feel financially anxious and underprepared for retirement, underscoring the importance of FWD’s product innovations. The company also announced that Khun Knattapisit Krutkrongchai (KK) will join FWD as Chief Executive Officer, Thailand, effective 11 May 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. KK is a seasoned insurance executive with nearly 30 years of experience, most recently as Chief Executive Officer of Krungthai-AXA.
FWD Group is a pan-Asian life and health insurance business serving approximately 40 million customers across 10 markets, including BRI Life in Indonesia. The company is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 1828. For more information, visit www.fwd.com. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
