“新存款”年化8.5%?实为保费融资“换皮”

Core Viewpoint - The recent trend of "new deposits" with high annualized returns, such as 8.5%, is actually a repackaged old model of premium financing, which carries multiple hidden risks despite its attractive presentation [2][4]. Summary by Sections Phenomenon - Social media videos promoting "new deposits" often use phrases like "guaranteed returns" and "low thresholds" to attract viewers, leading to a surge in interest and inquiries [3][4]. Investigation - The so-called "new deposits" are essentially premium financing, where policyholders take loans from banks to purchase insurance policies, using the policies as collateral. This means that any benefits from the policy are first used to pay off the loan and interest before any remaining amount is given to the policyholder [4][5]. Industry Insights - Premium financing has been less popular in recent years due to market changes and regulatory scrutiny. Experts warn that while it can amplify potential returns, it also significantly increases risks, especially if policies are surrendered early [5][6]. Consumer Behavior - The enthusiasm of financial advisors in promoting premium financing is often linked to the client's investment capacity. Advisors show more interest in clients with higher budgets, while those with lower budgets receive less attention [6][7]. Regulatory Concerns - The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has issued warnings about the risks associated with premium financing, highlighting issues such as misleading sales practices and the potential for clients to misunderstand the nature of their financial commitments [8][9].