FWD new business sales rise 4% to $720m in Q1

FWD is confident that the rising middle-class trend in Asia will continue long-term.

FWD Group’s new business sales went up 4% year-on-year (YoY) to $720m in Q1 2026, according to the insurer’s business highlights for the three months ended 31 March.

New business contractual service margin was $556m, 18% YoY higher.

Japan and the expansion markets in Southeast Asia were key drivers of growth, alongside solid performance from Hong Kong SAR, despite the high base effect from a record Q1 2025, said Huynh Thanh Phong, group CEO and executive director of FWD Group.

FWD is confident that the rising middle-class trend in Asia will continue long-term, Phong said.

“The outlook for the high-net-worth segment, served by FWD Private, remains positive, particularly given the strength and confidence in financial hubs in the region like Hong Kong SAR where we are headquartered,” he said.

The Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR reporting segment delivered continued growth in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the record high first quarter in 2025, reflecting both domestic and financial hub related demand, FWD Group said in its highlights.

The Expansion Markets segment—which is comprised of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam—also reportedly posted excellent growth, driven by the broker and independent financial advisor channel and solid bancassurance results.