险企加速“瘦身健体” 年内分支机构净退出1042个

Core Insights - The insurance industry is accelerating the closure of branch offices and marketing departments, with a net reduction of 1,042 branches in 2023 as of June 17, following a trend of decreasing branch numbers over the past five years [1][2][3] Group 1: Branch Network Changes - As of June 17, 2023, 179 new insurance branches were established while 1,221 were closed, resulting in a net decrease of 1,042 branches [2] - The trend of net reduction in branch numbers has been ongoing since 2021, with the highest net decrease exceeding 2,000 branches in 2022 [2][3] - Life insurance companies established 36 new branches but closed 964, leading to a net exit of 928 branches, while property insurance companies opened 143 and closed 257, resulting in a net exit of 114 branches [2] Group 2: Reasons for Branch Closures - The reliance on physical branch networks is diminishing due to advancements in information technology, allowing insurance companies to utilize big data and AI for risk assessment and customer service [3] - Increasing customer preference for online and mobile purchasing of insurance products is reducing the demand for traditional branch offices [3] - Insurance companies are adopting cost-cutting strategies to optimize their cost structures, with branch closures being an effective method to reduce operational expenses [3] Group 3: Balancing Online and Offline Services - The digital transformation is driving the potential of online insurance consumption, with rising online purchase rates across various demographics [4] - Insurance companies need to shift their service models to effectively integrate online and offline channels, recognizing that enhanced service capability does not solely rely on maintaining a large physical presence [4] - Future strategies will likely focus on optimizing branch networks while investing in online service platforms to improve customer experience and operational efficiency [4]