China's insurance and bank regulators have issued a joint circular of Regulations on Insurance sold through banks to protect the interests of policyholders and promote cooperation between insurers and banks.

The circular prohibits insurers from paying any extra fees except commissions prescribed by agreements and requires them to provide training fees for their sales staff working in bank outlets.

Banks are allowed to serve as agents to sell insurance products when banks and insurers enter into partnership agreements.

The circular requires sales representatives in bank outlets selling investment-linked and universal insurance products and other products to hold insurance agent certificates after Oct. 1.

The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) said insurance premiums via banks were expected to drop in the short term, but it was conducive to the sustainable and healthy growth of the insurance business.

Official figures show insurance premiums via banks accounted for one third of the country's total life insurance premiums.

However, the rapid development of insurance sold through banks has seen emerging problems such as unfair commission competition, illegal payment of fees and misleading sales approaches in some outlets.

Meanwhile, the China Insurance Association will encourage insurers to sign self-discipline agreements to set the upper limit of procedure fees.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2006)