Subdivision 1. Generally. An admitted asset or a reduction in liability for reinsurance ceded to an unauthorized assuming insurer providing a letter of credit pursuant to section 60A.093 shall only be allowed when the letter of credit meets the requirements of this section.
Subd. 2. Content. The letter of credit must be clean, irrevocable, and unconditional and issued or confirmed by a qualified United States financial institution as defined in section 60A.091. The letter of credit must contain an issue date and date of expiration and must stipulate that the beneficiary need only draw a sight draft under the letter of credit and present it to obtain funds and that no other document need be presented. The letter of credit must also state that it is not subject to any condition or qualification outside of the letter of credit. In addition, the letter of credit must not contain reference to any other agreements, documents, or entities, except as provided in subdivision 10, paragraph (a).
As used in this section, "beneficiary" means the domestic insurer for whose benefit the letter of credit has been established and any successor of the beneficiary by operation of law. If a court of law appoints a successor in interest to the named beneficiary, then the named beneficiary includes and is limited to the court appointed domiciliary receiver, including conservator, rehabilitator, or liquidator.
Subd. 3. Form. The heading of the letter of credit may include a boxed section which contains the name of the applicant and other appropriate notations to provide a reference for the letter of credit. The boxed section must be clearly marked to indicate that the information is for internal identification purposes only.
Subd. 4. Reimbursement contingency prohibited. The letter of credit must contain a statement to the effect that the obligation of the qualified United States financial institution under the letter of credit is in no way contingent upon reimbursement with respect to it.
Subd. 5. Expiration. The term of the letter of credit must be for at least one year and must contain an "evergreen clause" which prevents the expiration of the letter of credit without due notice from the issuer. The "evergreen clause" must provide for a period of no less than 30 days' notice before the expiration date or nonrenewal.
Subd. 6. Governing law. The letter of credit must state whether it is subject to and governed by the laws of this state or the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits of the International Chamber of Commerce (Publication 600) (UCP 600) or International Standby Practices of the International Chamber of Commerce Publication 590 (ISP98), or any successor publication, and that all drafts drawn under it shall be presentable at an office in the United States of a qualified United States financial institution.
Subd. 7. Extensions. If the letter of credit is made subject to the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits of the International Chamber of Commerce (Publication 600), or any successor publication, then the letter of credit must specifically address and make provision for an extension of time to draw against the letter of credit in the event that one or more of the occurrences specified in Article 36 of Publication 600, or any other successor publication, occur.
Subd. 8. MS 2016 [Repealed by amendment, 2018 c 125 s 5]
Subd. 9. Additional requirements. If the letter of credit is issued by a financial institution authorized to issue letters of credit, other than a qualified United States financial institution as described in section 60A.093, then the following additional requirements must be met:
(1) the issuing financial institution shall formally designate the confirming qualified United States financial institution as its agent for the receipt and payment of the drafts; and
(2) the "evergreen clause" must provide for no less than 30 days' notice before the expiration date or nonrenewal.
Subd. 10. Reinsurance agreements provisions. (a) The reinsurance agreement in conjunction with which the letter of credit is obtained may contain provisions which:
(1) require the assuming insurer to provide letters of credit to the ceding insurer and specify what they are to cover;
(2) stipulate that the assuming insurer and ceding insurer agree that the letter of credit provided by the assuming insurer pursuant to the provisions of the reinsurance agreement may be drawn upon at any time, notwithstanding any other provisions in the agreement, and must be utilized by the ceding insurer or its successors in interest only for one or more of the following reasons: to reimburse the ceding insurer for the assuming insurer's share of premiums returned to the owners of policies reinsured under the reinsurance agreement on account of cancellations of these policies; to reimburse the ceding insurer for the assuming insurer's share of surrenders and benefits or losses paid by the ceding insurer under the terms and provisions of the policies reinsured under the reinsurance agreement; to fund an account with the ceding insurer in an amount at least equal to the deduction, for reinsurance ceded, from the ceding insurer's liabilities for policies ceded under the agreement, including but not limited to, amounts for policy reserves, claims and losses incurred, and unearned premium reserves; and to pay any other amounts the ceding insurer claims are due under the reinsurance agreement; and
(3) provide that all of the provisions of this paragraph should be applied without diminution because of insolvency of the ceding insurer or assuming insurer.
(b) Nothing in this subdivision precludes the ceding insurer and assuming insurer from providing for:
(1) an interest payment, at a rate not in excess of the prime rate of interest, on the amounts held under paragraph (a), clause (2); and
(2) the return of any amounts drawn down on the letters of credit in excess of the actual amounts required or, in the case of paragraph (a), clause (2), any amounts that are subsequently determined not to be due.
(c) When a letter of credit is obtained in conjunction with a reinsurance agreement covering risks other than life, annuities, and health, where it is customary practice to provide a letter of credit for a specific purpose, then the reinsurance agreement may, in lieu of paragraph (a), clause (2), require that the parties enter into a "trust agreement" which may be incorporated into the reinsurance agreement or be a separate document.
Subd. 11. Limitation on use. A letter of credit may not be used to reduce any liability for reinsurance ceded to an unauthorized assuming insurer in financial statements required to be filed with the commissioner unless an acceptable letter of credit with the filing ceding insurer as beneficiary has been issued on or before the date of filing of the financial statement. Further, the reduction for the letter of credit may be up to the amount available under the letter of credit but no greater than the specific obligation under the reinsurance agreement which the letter of credit was intended to secure.
Subd. 12. MS 2016 [Repealed by amendment, 2018 c 125 s 5]
1994 c 426 s 2; 2018 c 125 s 5
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 59A - 79A — Insurance
Chapter 60A — General Insurance Powers
Section 60A.03 — Commissioner Of Commerce.
Section 60A.031 — Examinations.
Section 60A.032 — Commissioner's Orders, Report.
Section 60A.033 — Scheduling Conference And Order.
Section 60A.035 — Government Controlled Or Owned Company Prohibited From Transacting Business.
Section 60A.052 — Certificates Of Authority; Enforcement Actions.
Section 60A.06 — Kinds Of Insurance Permitted.
Section 60A.07 — Authorization And Requirements.
Section 60A.078 — Short Title.
Section 60A.0782 — Definitions.
Section 60A.0783 — Insurable Interest Required.
Section 60A.0784 — Prohibited Practices.
Section 60A.0785 — Prohibition; Entry Into Settlement Contracts.
Section 60A.0786 — Presumption Of Stoli Practices.
Section 60A.0787 — Processing Change Of Ownership Or Beneficiary Requests.
Section 60A.0788 — Fraudulent Acts.
Section 60A.08 — Contracts Of Insurance.
Section 60A.081 — Aircraft Insurance.
Section 60A.0811 — Breach Of Insurance Policy; Recovery Of Interest.
Section 60A.082 — Group Insurance; Benefits Continued If Insurer Changed.
Section 60A.084 — Notification On Group Policies.
Section 60A.085 — Cancellation Of Group Coverage; Notification To Covered Persons.
Section 60A.086 — Retroactive Termination Of Coverage Under Group Policies Prohibited.
Section 60A.09 — Limits Of Risk; Reinsurance.
Section 60A.091 — Definition; Qualified United States Financial Institution.
Section 60A.092 — Reinsurance Credit Allowed A Domestic Ceding Insurer.
Section 60A.0921 — Credit For Reinsurance; Certified Reinsurers.
Section 60A.095 — Reinsurance Agreements Affected.
Section 60A.096 — Qualifying Letter Of Credit.
Section 60A.097 — Qualifying Trust Agreements.
Section 60A.10 — Deposits For Protection Of Policyholders.
Section 60A.11 — Investments Permitted For Domestic Companies.
Section 60A.112 — Investment Policy Required.
Section 60A.12 — Assets And Liabilities.
Section 60A.121 — Valuations; Definitions.
Section 60A.122 — Required Written Procedures For Valuations.
Section 60A.123 — Valuation Procedure.
Section 60A.124 — Independent Audit.
Section 60A.125 — Appraisal By Independent Appraiser.
Section 60A.126 — Reports To Board; Valuations.
Section 60A.127 — Independent Appraisals Of Certain Properties.
Section 60A.1285 — Other Impairments.
Section 60A.1291 — Annual Audit.
Section 60A.1295 — Actuarial Opinion Of Reserves And Supporting Documentation.
Section 60A.1296 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.13 — Annual Statement, Inquiries, Renewal Licenses.
Section 60A.131 — Other Business And Insurance Interests, Disclosure.
Section 60A.135 — Report; Certain Transactions.
Section 60A.136 — Acquisitions And Dispositions Of Assets.
Section 60A.137 — Nonrenewals, Cancellations, Or Revisions Of Ceded Reinsurance Agreements.
Section 60A.139 — Electronic Notices And Documents.
Section 60A.1391 — Corporate Governance Annual Disclosure.
Section 60A.16 — Mergers And Consolidations.
Section 60A.161 — Insurer Domestication And Conversion.
Section 60A.172 — Insurance Agency Contracts; Cancellation.
Section 60A.173 — Effective Date.
Section 60A.174 — Severability.
Section 60A.175 — Agent Commissions.
Section 60A.1755 — Agent Errors And Omissions Insurance; Choice Of Source.
Section 60A.176 — Definitions.
Section 60A.177 — Involuntary Termination Of An Agent By The Insurer.
Section 60A.178 — Life Or Health Insurance Sales Quotas.
Section 60A.179 — Life Or Health Insurance Sales Quotas For Exclusive Agents.
Section 60A.19 — Foreign Companies.
Section 60A.196 — Definitions.
Section 60A.197 — Rates And Forms.
Section 60A.198 — Transaction Of Nonadmitted Insurance.
Section 60A.199 — Examinations.
Section 60A.201 — Placement Of Insurance By Broker.
Section 60A.202 — Evidence Of Placement Of Insurance By Broker.
Section 60A.203 — Retention Of Records.
Section 60A.204 — Fees And Commissions.
Section 60A.205 — Compensation.
Section 60A.206 — Qualification As Eligible Surplus Lines Insurer.
Section 60A.207 — Policies To Include Notice.
Section 60A.208 — Broker Association.
Section 60A.2085 — Surplus Lines Association Of Minnesota.
Section 60A.2086 — Licensee's Duty To Submit Documents; Penalty.
Section 60A.209 — Insurance Procured From Ineligible Insurers.
Section 60A.2095 — Construction.
Section 60A.21 — Unauthorized Insurers Process Act.
Section 60A.23 — Miscellaneous.
Section 60A.236 — Stop Loss Regulation; Small Employer Coverage.
Section 60A.24 — Exemptions From Insurance Laws Of This State.
Section 60A.25 — Insolvent Companies.
Section 60A.26 — Suspension Of Insurers; Notifications And Reports.
Section 60A.27 — Discipline Of Insurer By Another State; Notice To Commissioner.
Section 60A.28 — Documents Filed With Commissioner, Verification.
Section 60A.29 — Nonprofit Risk Indemnification Trust Act.
Section 60A.315 — Expedited Form And Rate Filing.
Section 60A.32 — Rate Filing For Crop Hail Insurance.
Section 60A.351 — Renewal Of Insurance Policy With Altered Rates.
Section 60A.352 — Workers' Compensation Insurance.
Section 60A.36 — Midterm Cancellation.
Section 60A.38 — Interpretation And Penalties.
Section 60A.39 — Certificates Of Insurance.
Section 60A.41 — Subrogation Against Insureds Prohibited.
Section 60A.42 — Disability Income Coverage; Prohibited Provision.
Section 60A.52 — Company Action Level Event.
Section 60A.53 — Regulatory Action Level Event.
Section 60A.54 — Authorized Control Level Event.
Section 60A.55 — Mandatory Control Level Event.
Section 60A.57 — Access To And Use Of Rbc Information.
Section 60A.58 — Supplemental Provisions.
Section 60A.59 — Foreign Health Organizations.
Section 60A.61 — Risk-based Capital Reports.
Section 60A.62 — Company Action Level Event.
Section 60A.63 — Regulatory Action Level Event.
Section 60A.64 — Authorized Control Level Event.
Section 60A.65 — Mandatory Control Level Event.
Section 60A.67 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.68 — Supplemental Provisions; Rules; Exemption.
Section 60A.69 — Foreign Insurers.
Section 60A.705 — Definitions.
Section 60A.715 — Required Contract Provisions; Reinsurance Intermediary-brokers.
Section 60A.72 — Books And Records; Reinsurance Intermediary-brokers.
Section 60A.725 — Duties Of Insurers Utilizing The Services Of A Reinsurance Intermediary-broker.
Section 60A.73 — Required Contract Provisions; Reinsurance Intermediary-managers.
Section 60A.735 — Prohibited Acts.
Section 60A.74 — Duties Of Reinsurer Utilizing The Services Of A Reinsurance Intermediary-manager.
Section 60A.745 — Examination Authority; Reinsurance Intermediary - Broker.
Section 60A.76 — Purpose And Scope.
Section 60A.761 — Glossary Of Technical Terms Used.
Section 60A.762 — Categories Of Reserves.
Section 60A.763 — Claim Reserves.
Section 60A.764 — Premium Reserves.
Section 60A.765 — Contract Reserves Required.
Section 60A.766 — Minimum Standards For Contract Reserves.
Section 60A.767 — Reinsurance.
Section 60A.768 — Specific Standards For Morbidity, Interest, And Mortality.
Section 60A.803 — Life And Health Reinsurance Agreements.
Section 60A.91 — Filing Requirements.
Section 60A.93 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.94 — Revocation Of Certificate Of Authority.
Section 60A.951 — Definitions.
Section 60A.952 — Disclosure Of Information.
Section 60A.953 — Enforcement; Refusal To Cooperate With An Investigation.
Section 60A.954 — Insurance Antifraud Plan.
Section 60A.955 — Claim Forms To Contain Fraud Warning.
Section 60A.956 — Other Law Enforcement Authority.
Section 60A.957 — Definitions.
Section 60A.9572 — License And Bond Requirements.
Section 60A.9573 — License Revocation And Denial.
Section 60A.9574 — Approval Of Viatical Settlement Contracts And Disclosure Statements.
Section 60A.9575 — Reporting Requirements And Privacy.
Section 60A.9577 — Disclosure To Viator.
Section 60A.9579 — General Rules.
Section 60A.9581 — Prohibited Practices And Conflicts Of Interest.
Section 60A.9583 — Fraud Prevention And Control.
Section 60A.9585 — Unfair Trade Practice.
Section 60A.975 — Definitions.
Section 60A.976 — Annuity Issuers Financial Requirements.
Section 60A.985 — Definitions.
Section 60A.9851 — Information Security Program.
Section 60A.9852 — Investigation Of A Cybersecurity Event.
Section 60A.9853 — Notification Of A Cybersecurity Event.
Section 60A.9854 — Power Of Commissioner.
Section 60A.9855 — Confidentiality.
Section 60A.9856 — Exceptions.
Section 60A.9858 — Exclusivity.
Section 60A.99 — Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact.
Section 60A.991 — Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact Opt Out Administration.