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WHAT REGULATORS WANT. November 13, 2007. Disclaimer.
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WHAT REGULATORS WANT November 13, 2007
Disclaimer The opinions expressed in this presentation are the opinions of the presenters and should not be construed to represent all situations or options and required actions may vary substantially depending on the domicile. Contact your regulator for additional information.
Panel of Regulators Craig Watanabe, Hawaii Shanna Lespere, Bermuda Dean Wickens, Cayman Islands Jeff Kehler, South Carolina
Before You Come To The Regulator Presented by Craig Watanabe
Identify objective of meeting with the regulator (1) Cordial “Meet & Greet” (2) General inquiry and consultation (3) Obtain consensus from Regulator to proceed with formal application process
b. Do your homework (1) Be prepared to talk about the organizers. Proficient understanding and knowledge of parent company / organizers. (a) Nature and scope of operations, financial position, ownership structure & corporate philosophy
(2) Be prepared to talk about proposed captive. Proficient understanding of proposed captive program (a) Objectives of captive program (short and long term) (b) Organizational structure (c) Operational requirements (including major service providers) (d) Funding approach (e) Insurance/reinsurance program design/structure (f) Timing requirements for implementation
c. Retain appropriate professional to coordinate & attend meeting (recommended) d. Prepare any relevant questions for the regulator
Getting Your Captive Approved Presented by Shanna Lespere
Getting your Captive Approved • Regulating bodies recognize the importance in ensuring the efficiency and stability in the insurance market -strict conditions governing the formal approval of insurance companies are necessary to protect policy holders • Review of the insurance application, acceptability of proposed business and ongoing operations are considered
Reviewing Process • Bermuda's Assessment and Licensing Committee -Recommends to SOI eligibility to register • Determines conditions of Registration
Minimum Application Requirements • business plan • proforma income statements • actuarial support • letters of intent (business relationships) • regulatory letters • certificate of good standing • information on principals (co or individuals) • audited financial statements of parent • acceptance letters of service providers
Scope of License • Class structure • General lines/long term • Intermediary
Minimum Capital • Capital requirements (quality) • Limits and risk coverage • Future development
Business Plan • Description of proposed business • Sound financial situation • Types of obligation • Reinsurance/ Rating • Agents/Brokers • Fronted • Solvency/Liquidity • Business volume and structure, premiums, commissions, admin/claims expenses, Investment income and tax
Suitability of Key Personnel • Directors/ Senior Directors Qualifications • Prudent Conduct of Business
Suitability of Owners • Ability for Sound and Prudent Management • Professionally Qualified • Reliable/ Good Repute • Transparent Structure
Other Considerations • Affiliation contracts and outsourcing • Product control and General Policy Conditions • Actuaries, Auditors, Loss Reserve Specialists, Principal Representative
The Ongoing RelationshipThe Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Captives Presented by Dean Wickens
Insurance licence confers responsibilities. Captive's relationship with its regulator is different... A good on-going relationship with your regulator is essential / fundamental / integral (delete as applicable).
Habit Number 1 • Understand your regulator’s role • Current and future policyholders • Jurisdiction's reputation
Habit Number 2 • Maintain open dialogue • Take advantage of opportunities to meet with your regulator. • Advantages of open dialogue: • Reports to the main board • Allay regulator’s suspicions • Kept advised of developments
Habit Number 3 • Know the legislation in your captive's jurisdiction. • Identify issues relevant to the parent • Notification or approval?
Habit Number 4 • Ensure the captive complies with legislative requirements
Habit Number 5 • Run off / exit plans
Habit Number 6 • When problems do occur...
Habit Number 7 • Think Win/Win
What To Do When Things Go Wrong Presented by Jeff Kehler
Inform your regulator immediately • Sooner rather than later • Phone to initiate discussion • Formal follow-up with letter or e-mail
Provide factual details • When did you discover it? • Precise details as you know them • Why and how did it happen? • What is being done about right now? • Make arrangements to meet with regulator
Meeting with regulators • Depending on severity of situation • Teleconference with captive manager and captive owners • Face to face meeting with all parties • Provide details of the situation • Discuss options and work-out plan • Consider future viability
Prepare Detailed Work-out Plan • Summary of current situation • How it happened and time frame • Be as precise as possible • Explain immediate actions taken to remediate the situation • Provide detailed action plan • Actionable items • Milestones • Timeframe
Prepare for regulatory action • Depending on the severity of the situation • Whack on the knuckles • Cease & Desist • Voluntary or mandatory • Supervision • Confidential or public • Rehabilitation • Liquidation
Cooperate fully with regulator • Prompt replies to all requests • Phone calls, e-mails, letters, documents • Make available • Books, records, and accounts • Do not: • Obstruct • Interfere • Otherwise delay or sidetrack
Examples of things gone wrong • Minor • Failure or late notification of non-material changes to plan of operation • Change of service provider • Change of captive director or officer • Incidental change to investment policy • Change of location
Examples of things gone wrong • Material • Unauthorized payment of dividend • Unauthorized loan to parent or affiliate • Loss of front company • Cancellation of reinsurance • Increased exposure to captive, e.g., higher retentions, change in policy terms
Examples of things gone wrong • Major • Financial impairment • Illegal dealings • Evidence of embezzlement • Operation hazardous to policyholders
Summary • When things go wrong • Contact your regulator immediately • Work closely with them to resolve the situation • Learn from it • What can be done to avoid it in the future?
This program fulfills 1/3rd of the teleconference requirement for the completion of the Associate in Captive Insurance (ACI) designation. It also counts as 100 minutes of continuing education (2 CPE credits) for CPAs via ICCIE’s certification through the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), as well as 2 continuing education credits for ACI designation recipients. It also counts as 2 contact hours through the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management for the FASRHM and DFASHRM designations, as well as for CPHRM renewal.