Dutch ICMIF member Achmea yesterday announced the issuance of a new senior bond. This bond will be used to refinance a senior unsecured bond of EUR 750 million that matures in November 2020.

Achmea published its annual figures on 12 March and reported a solvency ratio of 219% and liquidity of EUR 732 million. In the light of the global Covid-19-pandemic, Achmea confirmed that its Q1 2020 capital and liquidity positions are robust and that the solvency ratio is substantially above target levels. Depending on the duration and intensity of the outbreak, Achmea says it sees potential negative effects on the financial results of the non-life and health insurance business for 2020 in addition to a negative impact on the investment portfolio from the financial markets.

In its first press release issued on Monday 18 May, the cooperative insurer said that the negative impact from financial markets per Q1 2020 is manageable as a result of a prudent investment portfolio and limited sensitivities to developments on financial markets. Although the financial markets developed sharply negative, the changes in solvency are limited and in line with previously disclosed sensitivities.

In addition, Achmea sees a relatively low impact on insurance operations in Q1 based on the below information from this week’s press release.

• At Non-life, Travel and Event insurance policies are resulting in increased claims and payments for the time being. Claims in Income and Absenteeism are so far in line with previous years but could increase over time if the pandemic and resulting cases of illness last longer. Meanwhile, we are currently seeing lower claims in the Motor and Fire portfolios. The combined net impact on Non-life and Income is expected to be small, but this depends on the duration, development and nature of the government measures.
• In Health, we are seeing a lower demand for elective care combined with higher hospital and ICU admissions as a result of Covid-19. However, total claims will depend on the duration and intensity of the pandemic as well as the effect of the sector-wide agreed upon measures that are currently still being worked out in further detail.
• The effect at Pension & Life is limited as a result of the composition of the portfolio and a higher longevity than mortality risk.
• The impact on International and Other activities has been limited to a decrease in sales volume, with the commercial consequences depending partly on the duration and intensity of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Achmea said that thanks to the company’s diversified profile, there are positive and negative effects as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Combined with a prudent investment policy and a robust capital position, Achmea believes it has a strong position to weather this crisis.

In a second press release yesterday, Achmea confirmed that it had successfully issued EUR 750 million Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Notes”). The bond has a maturity of 7 years (maturity date: 26 May 2027) and will be used for the redemption of the 2.5% EUR 750 million Senior Unsecured bond maturing in November 2020.

The Notes have been priced at 185 basis points above 7 year mid-swaps with a coupon of 1.5%. The bond are expected to be rated BBB+ by S&P and A- by Fitch and will be listed on Euronext Dublin. The bond has been placed by a syndicate comprised of the following banks: HSBC, MUFG, Société Générale, NatWest Markets, ING and ABN Amro.

Michel Lamie, member of the Executive Board and Chief Financial Officer of Achmea: “The transaction has been well-received and was oversubscribed more than 2 times. More than 100 investors participated in the issuance. This is once again a sign that investors have faith in Achmea.”