Chapter III-1 Insurance Enterprises |
| Article 18- 1 |
Article 18-1 An insurance enterprise under Article 22-12, paragraph 1 of the Act applying to establish an offshore insurance branch in the ROC shall meet the following requirements:
1. For domestic insurance enterprises, the ratio of equity capital to risk-based capital at the end of the most recent period is more than 250%; for foreign insurance enterprises, their head office meets the home country's requirements for debt paying ability; and
2. The insurance enterprise is in compliance with the law, soundly managed, and has not been subject to any disciplinary action for any material violation during the 3 years before application, or, it has received a disciplinary action but the circumstances resulting in the violation have been materially improved and the improvement is recognized by the FSC or the CBC. |
| Article 18- 2 |
An insurance enterprise applying to establish an offshore insurance branch shall submit the following documents to the FSC:
1. Application form and the list of business items applied for approval.
2. Articles of incorporation or equivalent documentation.
3. Business license of the insurance enterprise; for foreign insurance enterprises, a document issued by the regulator of the home country evidencing the approved scope of business of the insurance enterprise.
4. The meeting minutes of the board of directors; for foreign insurance enterprises, a document issued by the regulatory authority of the home country and a document issued by the board of directors of the enterprise approving the establishment of an offshore insurance branch in the ROC.
5. The CPA-audited and certified balance sheets and statements of comprehensive income for the most recent three years.
6. Business plan specifying planned scope of business, business principles and directions, future development plan, financial projections for the next five years, division of labor within the organization, and allocation of personnel.
7. Operational risk assessment, benefit analysis and specific risk management plan.
8. Internal control and internal audit system and management rules.
9. Documents evidencing the qualifications of the designated manager.
10. Documents evidencing that the insurance enterprise meets the qualification requirements set out in the subparagraphs of Article 18-1:
(1) For domestic insurance enterprises, CPA-audited or examined capital adequacy report for the most recent period; for foreign insurance enterprises, authenticated calculation of the insurance enterprise's ratio of equity capital to risk-based capital at the end of the most recent period issued by the regulatory authority or a practicing CPA in the home country; and
(2) For both domestic and foreign insurance enterprises, a self-assessment analysis of the compliance and soundness of the branch's business operations, including an explanation of any regulatory violations, fraud, or sanctions imposed within the past 3 years.
11. Other information or documents as may be required by the competent authority.
After the FSC accepts the application documents, it will review the application in conjunction with the CBC.
After the insurance enterprise's application is approved in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the FSC will issue a license for the establishment of an offshore insurance branch and the CBC will issue a certificate for the operation of offshore insurance business. |
| Article 18- 3 |
An offshore insurance branch shall allocate working capital for its operation at the minimum amount of US$2 million.
The FSC may adjust the minimum amount of the working capital referred to in the preceding paragraph in view of domestic economic and financial circumstances. |
| Article 18- 4 |
Articles 10 and 11 shall apply mutatis mutandis to an offshore insurance branch. |