Kurnia Group
Kurnia Asia records healthy profit
11 May 2010
Petaling Jaya, 11 May 2010 – Kurnia Asia Berhad (KAB) released its
unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2010 (Q1)
for the financial year ending 31 December 2010 (FYE 2010) at its corporate
head office in Menara Kurnia.
KAB successfully achieved an underwriting surplus of RM10.76 million for Q1
FYE 2010, which was a notable improvement of 160.9% over the same period last
year. The underwriting success was mostly driven by improvements in the management
of its claims and management expenses.
KAB’s Executive Chairman, Tan Sri Dato’ Paduka Kua Sian Kooi,
said: “Our improvements and achievements were accomplished through our
on-going internal transformation programs, namely Transformation of Operations
and Performance (TOP) and Mission 15, which focus on more stringent business
risk selection, better claims management and prudent cost management, among
others. We are constantly working hard in accordance with the transformation
initiatives to build a more efficient and resilient organization to provide
excellent services and support to our customers and valued agents.”
In accordance with KAB’s strategy to grow its non-motor business, the
Group posted a 23.8% increase in premium to RM55.28 million for Q1 FYE 2010
compared with the previous corresponding period. As a result, KAB’s non-motor
business now comprises 22% of its total business portfolio for this quarter
compared with 17% for the corresponding quarter last year.
KAB recorded a net profit of RM23.81 million for Q1 of the FYE 2010. The net
profit dropped year-on-year from last year’s net profit of RM26.39 million
mainly due to the significantly higher tax expenses of RM11.24 million compared
with RM0.07 million for the previous corresponding period. Profit before tax
was higher at RM35.04 million, an increase of 32.5% from RM26.46 million in
the previous corresponding period.
Net investment income for KAB for the quarter under review stood at RM29.58
million, with an investment yield of 6.6%, which was higher than last year’s
yield of 5.9%. Additionally, KAB’s net asset value for Q1 FYE 2010 also
improved by 10.5% to RM331.69 million compared with the previous corresponding
period.
“As it can be seen in our financial performance for the past 18 months
and the quarter under review, we have constantly delivered positive results.
We expect this to continue as we are committed to deliver the best to our customers
and valued agents in pursuit of a sustainable value creation for our shareholders.” commented
Tan Sri Kua.
As a testimony to its commitment, KAB’s flagship company, Kurnia Insurans
(Malaysia) Berhad (KIMB), has centralized its operations support processes
for a faster and more convenient way of doing business with their agents. The
centralization aims to position KIMB as the preferred business partner for
agents, who can then provide a better service for their customers.
Tan Sri Kua concluded: “Bank Negara Malaysia expects Malaysia's insurance
market to register improved results in 2010 on the back of the economic recovery
and increasing awareness of insurance as a protection and financial planning
tool. The year 2010 will also witness structural changes to the motor insurance
scheme and eventually a more liberalized operating environment in the insurance
industry. Additionally, the total car sales for January-March 2010 saw a growth
of 22% over the same period in 2009. These positive developments shall bode
well for us as we expect KIMB to benefit from them. We will continue to enhance
our operations and value-added services to promote efficiency and productivity,
which will help us succeed in growing our businesses this year.”