Income could still find other buyers but investors may be cautious, say analysts after Allianz withdraws offer
After German employer Allianz withdrew its provide to acquire a majority stake, Income Insurance may also look for new customers, according to experts, but potential investors may presently act with caution.
Allianz’s announcement on Monday ( 16 December ) comes after the Singapore government intervened to halt the proposed agreement in October.
Under the proposed transaction, which was announced on Jul 17, Allianz would have a 51 per cent stake in Income for S$ 2.2 billion ( US$ 1.6 billion ).
Concerned about whether Income would carry on its social goal, the announcement sparked a public outcry.
In turn, the federal said the proposed deal, in its present form “would not be in the open attention”, but that it was open to new plans if the issues highlighted were fully addressed.
Finding other buyers is still on the tickets for Revenue after Allianz’s withdrawal, according to experts. But they noted that these owners may be aligned with Income’s long-term perspective.
Additionally, the ideal partner would not only help Income monetarily but also take in skills, technology, and innovation to modernize its operations and position the business for sustainable development in a market where insurance is increasingly expensive, according to Associate Professor Shinichi Kamiya from Nanyang Business School’s banking and finance division.  ,
Due to the country’s robust regulatory culture and exposure to the broader Eastern market, like partners may be foreign companies looking to establish a presence in the Singapore market.
Local people like DBS or Temasek might be able to compete with one another if a worldwide spouse may be found, according to Assoc Prof. Kamiya, who serves as the deputy director of Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Insurance Risk and Finance Research Center.
He did point out that while the likes of DBS and Temasek have the financial resources to invest in revenue, their contribution to the company’s corporate transformation properly be “more limited” than that of a worldwide insurer like Allianz.  ,
The important issue is not whether a purchaser can be found, but rather whether Revenue you find the right partner to drive operating innovation, such as utilizing artificial intelligence, enhancing product development, and enhancing online capabilities for long-term growth, he said.  ,
Similar to Professor Lawrence Loh of the business school at the National University of Singapore, Income” should be open” to being acquired as long as its social mission is realized and the S$$ 2 billion in surplus kept intact during corporatization.
Income requested and received a Co-operative Societies Act exemption in 2022, allowing it to transfer the surplus to the new corporate entity.
Prof Loh, who also pointed to DBS, said the bank may consider the acquisition to strengthen its portfolio in insurance, adding that a local acquirer may be “more acceptable” to stakeholders.
He added, however, that any commercial-based DBS decision should be taken.  ,
Finding a new buyer who is both willing and able to address the issues raised in the previous deal will also be challenging, according to assistant professor of economics Goh Jing Rong from the Singapore Management University.
He said the government’s decision to intervene and Allianz’s retreat highlight how crucial it is to make sure any upcoming transactions adhere to Income’s social mission and cooperative roots.  ,
Asst. Prof. Goh remarked,” These requirements may narrow the pool of interested investors willing to accept these conditions.”
He acknowledged, however, that this does not obstruct the development of a new acquirer, particularly one with a long-term perspective or a strong commitment to social goals.
