NIB Holdings Limited (NHF) said its policyholder growth rate for the year ending 30 June was 5.17%, or an extra 18,899 new policies. In April, the company said it was predicting a growth just above 4%.

NIB’s managing director, Mark Fitzgibbon, said the company was focused on maintaining policyholder growth despite the impacts of the current financial crisis and the prospect of increased unemployment.

“We have seen a higher than previously forecast increase in the number of policy sales in the past few weeks,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“Due to this growth being in the latter stages of the financial year, our FY09 premium revenue and earnings are not going to be materially impacted.”

Mr Fitzgibbon said that, as a result, the previous FY09 expected pre-tax underwriting guidance for the full year of $35 million to $40 million remains unchanged.

At 1013 AEST, NHF shares were up 1.5c to 90c.