FWD Group Holdings Limited (1828.HK) reported strong first quarter new business highlights for the three months ended 31 March 2026, with new business sales rising four percent to US$720 million on an annualised premium equivalent (APE) basis compared to the same period in 2025. The company's new business contractual service margin reached US$556 million, reflecting year-on-year growth of 18 percent. These results underscore FWD's consistent track record of financial performance and growth across its pan-Asian footprint.
Huynh Thanh Phong, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of FWD Group, attributed the performance to the company's diversified distribution model and regional strengths. "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 said. FWD Group also introduced 11 new products around the region during the quarter. A consumer outlook survey released by the company in February 2026 indicated that the majority of Asia's middle-class feel financially anxious and underprepared for retirement, reinforcing the need for innovative insurance solutions.
Breaking down the results by segment, the Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR reporting segment delivered continued growth compared to the record high first quarter in 2025, driven by both domestic demand and the region's role as a financial hub. Japan reported strong growth, boosted by its strategic expansion into the retirement and savings segment in mid-2025, complementing 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 company focused on developing quality new business amid sustained growth headwinds from the lower rate environment in Thailand. FWD announced that Khun Knattapisit Krutkrongchai (KK), a seasoned insurance executive with almost 30 years of experience, will join as Chief Executive Officer, Thailand, effective 11 May 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
FWD Group's long-term confidence in the rising middle-class trend in Asia remains strong, despite near-term external shocks. The outlook for the high-net-worth segment served by FWD Private is positive, particularly given the strength of financial hubs like Hong Kong SAR, where the company is headquartered. FWD Group is a pan-Asian life and health insurance business serving approximately 40 million customers across 10 markets, including BRI Life in Indonesia. Established in 2013, the company operates in some of the fastest-growing insurance markets globally, with a vision of changing the way people feel about insurance. For more information, visit www.fwd.com. The original release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
