Universal Merchant Bank (UMB), a financial institution that has specialized in the provision of banking services, and SIC Life Limited, an insurance company that provides general or non-life insurance products, have launched two new life insurance solutions, namely the UMB Education Plan and the UMB Funeral plan.
The solutions, being marketed to the public as UMB Bancassurance were underwritten by SIC Life.
At the launch of the program, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UMB, Nana Dwemoh Benneh, communicated that the purpose of the launch of the new products marked another milestone for the two indigenous brands.
“It is interesting to note that SIC Life was founded in 1962 and UMB was founded in 1972, both as state policy financial institutions, to ensure that Ghanaians seize the commanding heights of this economy.
“Throughout SIC’s 60 years of existence and our 50 years of existence, we have stayed true to this principle, guided at all times by our aspiration to ensure that we provide a world-class solution. This is thus a happy occasion for indigenous Ghanaian enterprise as two leading Ghanaian brands are able to come together to offer a unique proposition to the market.”
Nana Dwemoh Benneh
Commenting on the new initiatives between both reputable organizations, the CEO of SIC Life, Mr. Kwaku Appiah-Menka, disclosed that both organizations had a shared heritage and outlook.
“This includes a desire to promote homegrown ingenuity in crafting products that meet the peculiar needs of the Ghanaian market. As we all know, due to our profile as a nation, education and funerals are critical needs for our customers and we are happy to develop a product that enables our customers to provide for risk.
“Today is a first step as we reinvigorate our partnership with UMB. We intend to roll out other exciting life products to Ghana, including products that provide for unserved parts of the markets, for example, the SME sector.”
Kwaku Appiah-Menka
Significance Of UMB Educational, Funeral Plan
The CEO’s speaking on the importance of the new initiatives launched, mentioned that the UMB Educational Plan is to ensure the account value at maturity is substantial enough to meet the educational expenses of the assured or their children. It also gives room for the assured to select at inception the term of the policy and the premium amount.
An added feature of this educational plan is that the minimum term of this product is 10 years, with the maximum term being 20 years subject to maturity age of 60 years, they stated.
They further indicated that the UMB Funeral Plan is designed to provide immediate cash payout to meet the funeral expenses of the assured or any other designated beneficiaries. Benefits of the UMB Funeral Plan include nominated beneficiaries being paid the updated death benefits upon the death of the assured.
Emphasizing on certain stimulative packages attached to the products launched, the CEOs further stated that another key innovation is a cash-back payment of 15% of the total of the last three years risk premiums, paid every three years when no claims are made subject to the primary assured being alive.
Bancassurance is an arrangement between a bank and an insurance company allowing the insurance company to sell its products through the bank’s distribution and service channels.
