31 C.F.R. PART 223—SURETY COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH THE UNITED STATES
Title 31 - Money and Finance: Treasury
Authority: 80 Stat. 379; 5 U.S.C. 301; 6 U.S.C. 8.
The regulations in this part will govern the issuance by the Secretary of the Treasury of certificates of authority to bonding companies to do business with the United States as sureties on, or reinsurers of, recognizances, stipulations, bonds, and undertakings, hereinafter sometimes called obligations, under the provisions of the Act of July 30, 1947 (61 Stat. 646, as amended; 6 U.S.C. 6–13), and the acceptance of such obligations from such companies so long as they continue to hold said certificates of authority. [28 FR 1039, Feb. 2, 1963, as amended at 40 FR 6499, Feb. 12, 1975; 40 FR 8335, Feb. 27, 1975] Every company wishing to apply for a certificate of authority shall address the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller, Financial Management Service, U.S. Department of Treasury, Washington, DC 20226, who will notify the company of the data which the Secretary of the Treasury determines from time to time to be necessary to make application. In accord with 6 U.S.C. 8 the data will include a copy of the applicant's charter or articles of incorporation and a statement, signed and sworn to by its president and secretary, showing its assets and liabilities. A fee shall be transmitted with the application in accordance with the provisions of §223.22(a)(i). [34 FR 20188, Dec. 24, 1969, as amended at 37 FR 1232, Jan. 27, 1972; 40 FR 6499, Feb. 12, 1975; 43 FR 12678, Mar. 27, 1978; 49 FR 47002, Nov. 30, 1984] (a) If, from the evidence submitted in the manner and form herein required, subject to the guidelines referred to in §223.9 the Secretary of the Treasury shall be satisfied that such company has authority under its charter or articles of incorporation to do the business provided for by the Act referred to in §223.1, and if the Secretary of the Treasury shall be satisfied from such company's financial statement and from any further evidence or information he may require, and from such examination of the company, at its own expense, as he may cause to be made, that such company has a capital fully paid up in cash of not less than $250,000, is solvent and financially and otherwise qualified to do the business provided for in said Act, and is able to keep and perform its contracts, he will, subject to the further conditions herein contained, issue a certificate of authority to such company, under the seal of the Treasury Department, to qualify as surety on obligations permitted or required by the laws of the United States to be given with one or more sureties, for a term expiring on the last day of June next following. The certificate of authority shall be renewed annually on the first day of July, so long as the company remains qualified under the law and the regulations in this part, and transmits to the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller by March 1 each year the fee in accordance with the provisions of §223.22(a)(3). (b) If a company meets the requirements for a certificate of authority as an acceptable surety on Federal bonds in all respects except that it is a United States branch of a company not incorporated under the laws of the United States or of any State, or it is limited by its articles of incorporation or corporate charter to reinsure business only, it may be issued a certificate of authority as a reinsuring company on Federal bonds. The fees for initial application and renewal of a certificate as a reinsuring company shall be the same as the fees for a certificate of authority as an acceptable surety on Federal bonds. [33 FR 8390, June 6, 1968, as amended at 34 FR 20188, Dec. 24, 1969; 37 FR 1232, Jan. 27, 1972; 40 FR 6499 Feb. 12, 1975; 40 FR 8335, Feb. 27, 1975; 42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977; 43 FR 12678, Mar. 27, 1978; 43 FR 39089, Sept. 1, 1978; 49 FR 47002, Nov. 30, 1984] No such company will be granted authority to do business under the provisions of the act referred to in §223.1 unless it shall have and maintain on deposit with the Insurance Commissioner. or other proper financial officer, of the State in which it is incorporated, or of any other State of the United States, for the protection of claimants, including all its policyholders in the United States, legal investments having a current market value of not less than $100,000. [36 FR 9630, May 27, 1971] (a) The company must engage in the business of suretyship whether or not also making contracts in other classes of insurance, but shall not be engaged in any type or class of business not authorized by its charter or the laws of the State in which the company is incorporated. It must be the intention of the company to engage actively in the execution of surety bonds in favor of the United States. (b) No bond is acceptable if it has been executed (signed and/or otherwise validated) by a company or its agent in a State where it has not obtained that State's license to do surety business. Although a company must be licensed in the State or other area in which it executes a bond, it need not be licensed in the State or other area in which the principal resides or where the contract is to be performed. The term other area includes the Canal Zone, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. [40 FR 6499, Feb. 12, 1975] Every company now or hereafter authorized to do business under the act of Congress referred to in §223.1 shall be subject to the regulations contained in this part. [38 FR 22779, Aug. 24, 1973] The cash capital and other funds of every such company must be safely invested in accordance with the laws of the State in which it is incorporated and will be valued on the basis set forth in §223.9. The Secretary of the Treasury will periodically issue instructions for the guidance of companies with respect to investments and other matters. These guidelines may be updated from time to time to meet changing conditions in the industry. [42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977] (a) Every such company will be required to file with the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller on or before the last day of January of each year, a statement of its financial condition made up as of the close of the preceding calendar year upon the annual statement blank adopted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, signed and sworn to by its president and secretary. On or before the last days of April, July and October of each year, every such company shall file a financial statement with the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller as of the last day of the preceding month. A form is prescribed by the Treasury for this purpose. The quarterly statement form of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners when modified to conform to the Treasury's requirements, may be substituted for the Treasury's form. The quarterly statement will be signed and sworn to by the company's president and secretary or their authorized designees. (b) Every such company shall furnish such other exhibits or information, and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury may at any time require. [10 FR 2348, Mar. 1, 1945, as amended at 42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977; 49 FR 47002, Nov. 30, 1984] In determining the financial condition of every such company, its assets and liabilities will be computed in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Treasury's current Annual Letter to Executive Heads of Surety Companies. However, the Secretary of the Treasury may value the assets and liabilities of such companies in his discretion. Credit will be allowed for reinsurance in all classes of risks if the reinsuring company holds a certificate of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury, or has been recognized as an admitted reinsurer in accord with §223.12. [42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977] Except as provided in §223.11, no company holding a certificate of authority shall underwrite any risk on any bond or policy on behalf of any individual, firm, association, or corporation, whether or not the United States is interested as a party thereto, the amount of which is greater than 10 percent of the paid-up capital and surplus of such company, as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury. That figure is hereinafter referred to as the underwriting limitation. [34 FR 20188, Dec. 24, 1969] The limitation of risk prescribed in §223.10 may be complied with by the following methods: (a) Coinsurance. Two or more companies may underwrite a risk on any bond or policy, the amount of which does not exceed their aggregate underwriting limitations. Each company shall limit its liability upon the face of the bond or policy, to a definite specified amount which shall be within its underwriting limitation. (b) Reinsurance. (1) In respect to bonds running to the United States, liability in excess of the underwriting limitation shall be reinsured within 45 days from the date of execution and delivery of the bond with one or more companies holding a certificate of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury. Such reinsurance shall not be in excess of the underwriting limitation of the reinsuring company. Where reinsurance is contemplated, Federal agencies may accept a bond from the direct writing company in satisfaction of the total bond requirement even though it may exceed the direct writing company's underwriting limitation. Within the 45 day period, the direct writing company shall furnish to the Federal agency any necessary reinsurance agreements. However, a Federal agency may, at its discretion, require that reinsurance be obtained within a lesser period than 45 days, and may require completely executed reinsurance agreements in hand before making a final determination that any bond is acceptable. Reinsurance may protect bonds required to be furnished to the United States by the Miller Act (40 U.S.C. 270a through 270d) covering contracts for the construction, alteration, or repair of any public building or public work of the United States, as well as other types of Federal bonds. Use of reinsurance or coinsurance to protect such bonds is at the discretion of the direct writing company. Reinsurance shall be executed on reinsurance agreement forms (Standard Form 273 for Miller Act Performance bonds (formerly form No. TFS 6317), Standard Form 274 for Miller Act Payment bonds (formerly form No. TFS 6318), and Standard Form 275 for other types of Federal bonds (formerly form No. TFS 6319)). Federal bond-approving officers may obtain the forms by submitting a requisition in FEDSTRIP/MILSTRIP format to the General Services Administration regional office providing support to the requesting Government organization. In addition, the forms are available to authorized sureties and reinsurers from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Stop: SSMC, Washington, DC 20402. (2) In respect to risks covered by bonds or policies not running to the United States, liability in excess of the underwriting limitation shall be reinsured within 45 days from the date of execution and delivery of the bond or policy with: (i) One or more companies holding a certificate of authority from the Secretary of the Treasury as an acceptable surety on Federal bonds or one or more companies holding a certificate of authority as an acceptable reinsuring company on such bonds, or (ii) One or more companies recognized as an admitted reinsurer in accord with §223.12, or (iii) A pool, association, etc., to the extent that it is composed of such companies, or (iv) An instrumentality or agency of the United States which is permitted by Federal law or regulation to execute reinsurance contracts. (3) No certificate-holding company may cede to a reinsuring company recognized under §223.12 any risk in excess of 10 percent of the latter company's paid-up capital and surplus. (c) Other methods. In respect to all risks other than Miller Act performance and payment bonds running to the United States, which must be coinsured or reinsured in accord with paragraph (a) or (b)(1) of this section respectively, the excess liability may otherwise be protected: (1) By the deposit with the company in pledge, or by conveyance to it in trust for its protection, of assets admitted by the Treasury the current market value of which is at least equal to the liability in excess of its underwriting limitation, or (2) If such obligation was incurred on behalf of or on account of a fiduciary holding property in a trust capacity, by a joint control agreement which provides that the whole or a sufficient portion of the property so held may not be disposed of or pledged in any way without the consent of the insuring company. [34 FR 20188, Dec. 24, 1969, as amended at 40 FR 6499, Feb. 12, 1975; 41 FR 10605, Mar. 12, 1976; 42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977; 43 FR 39089, Sept. 1, 1978] (a) Application by U.S. company. Any company organized under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof, wishing to apply for recognition as an admitted reinsurer (except on excess risks running to the United States) of surety companies doing business with the United States, shall file the following data with the Assistant Comptroller for Auditing and shall transmit therewith the fee in accordance with the provisions of §223.22(a)(2): (1) A certified copy of its charter or articles of incorporation, and (2) A certified copy of a license from any State in which it has been authorized to do business, and (3) A copy of the latest available report of its examination by a State Insurance Department, and (4) A statement of its financial condition, as of the close of the preceding calendar year, on the annual statement form of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, signed and sworn to by two qualified officers of the company, showing that it has a capital stock paid up in cash of not less than $250,000, in the case of a stock insurance company, or has net assets of not less than $500,000 over and above all liabilities, in the case of a mutual insurance company, and (5) Such other evidence as the Secretary of the Treasury may determine necessary to establish that it is solvent and able to keep and perform its contracts. (b) Application by a U.S. branch. A U.S. branch of an alien company applying for such recognition shall file the following data with the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller and shall transmit therewith the fee in accordance with the provisions of §223.22(a)(2): (1) The submissions listed in paragraphs (a) (1) through (5) of this section, except that the financial statement of such branch shall show that it has net assets of not less than $250,000 over and above all liabilities, and (2) Evidence satisfactory to the Secretary of the Treasury to establish that it has on deposit in the United States not less than $250,000 available to its policyholders and creditors in the United States. (c) Financial reports. Each company recognized as an admitted reinsurer shall file with the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller on or before the first day of March of each year its financial statement and such additional evidence as the Secretary of the Treasury determines necessary to establish that the requirements of this section are being met. A fee shall be transmitted with the foregoing data, in accordance with the provisions of §223.22(a)(4). [34 FR 20189, Dec. 24, 1969, as amended at 37 FR 1232, Jan. 27, 1972; 40 FR 6499, Feb. 12, 1975; 43 FR 12678, Mar. 27, 1978; 49 FR 47002, Nov. 30, 1984] In determining the limitation prescribed in this part, the full penalty of the obligation will be regarded as the liability, and no offset will be allowed on account of any estimate of risk which is less than such full penalty, except in the following cases: (a) Appeal bonds; in which case the liability will be regarded as the amount of the judgment appealed from, plus 10 percent of said amount to cover interest and costs. (b) Bonds of executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, and other fiduciaries, where the penalty of the bond or other obligation is fixed in excess of the estimated value of the estate; in which cases the estimated value of the estate, upon which the penalty of the bond was fixed, will be regarded as the liability. (c) Credit will also be allowed for indemnifying agreements executed by sole heirs or beneficiaries of an estate releasing the surety from liability. (d) Contract bonds given in excess of the amount of the contract; in which cases the amount of the contract will be regarded as the liability. (e) Bonds for banks or trust companies as principals, conditioned to repay moneys on deposit, whereby any law or decree of a court, the amount to be deposited shall be less than the penalty of the bond; in which cases the maximum amount on deposit at any one time will be regarded as the liability. [Dept. Circ. 297, July 5, 1922] During the months of January, April, July, and October of each year every company will be required to report to the Secretary of the Treasury every obligation which it has assumed during the 3 months immediately preceding, the penal sum of which is greater than 10 percent of its paid up capital and surplus, together with a full statement of the facts which tend to bring it within the provisions of this part, on a form suitable for the purpose. [Dept. Circ. 297, July 5, 1922] The amount of paid up capital and surplus of any such company shall be determined on an insurance accounting basis under the regulations in this part, from the company's financial statements and other information, or by such examination of the company at its own expense as the Secretary of the Treasury may deem necessary or proper. [42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977] A list of qualified companies is published annually as of July 1 in Department Circular No. 570, Companies Holding Certificates of Authority as Acceptable Sureties on Federal Bonds and as Acceptable Reinsuring Companies, with information as to underwriting limitations, areas in which licensed to transact surety business and other details. If the Secretary of the Treasury shall take any exceptions to the annual financial statement submitted by a company, he shall, before issuing Department Circular 570, give a company due notice of such exceptions. Copies of the Circular are available from the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller upon request. Selection of a particular qualified company from among all companies holding certificates of authority is discretionary with the principal required to furnish bond. [34 FR 20189, Dec. 24, 1969, as amended at 40 FR 6499, Feb. 12, 1975; 42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977; 49 FR 47002, Nov. 30, 1984] Whenever it appears that a company is not complying with the requirements of 6 U.S.C. 6–13 and of the regulations in this part, the Secretary of the Treasury will: (a) In all cases notify the company of the facts or conduct which indicate such failure, and provide opportunity to the company to respond, and (b) In those cases where the public interest in the constant financial stability of such a company allows, also provide opportunity to the company to demonstrate or achieve compliance with those requirements. The Secretary shall revoke a company's certificate of authority with advice to it if: (1) The company does not respond satisfactorily to his notification of noncompliance, or (2) The company, provided an opportunity to demonstrate or achieve compliance, fails to do so. [34 FR 20189, Dec. 24, 1969. Redesignated at 38 FR 22779, Aug. 24, 1973, as amended at 42 FR 8637, Feb. 11, 1977] (a) Every company shall promptly honor its bonds naming the United States or one of its agencies or instrumentalities as obligee. If an agency's demand upon a company on behalf of the agency or laborers, materialmen, or suppliers (on payment bonds), for payment of a claim against it is not settled to the agency's satisfaction, and the agency's review of the situation thereafter establishes that the default is clear and the company's refusal to pay is not based on adequate grounds, the agency may make a report to the Secretary of the Treasury, including a copy of the subject bond, the basis for the claim against the company, a chronological resume of efforts to obtain payment, a statement of all reasons offered for non-payment, and a statement of the agency's views on the matter. (b) On receipt of such report from the Federal agency the Secretary will, if the circumstances warrant, notify the company concerned that the agency report may demonstrate that the company is not keeping and performing its contracts and that, in the absence of satisfactory explanation, the company's default may preclude the renewal of the company's certificate of authority, or warrant prompt revocation of the existing certificate. This notice will provide opportunity to the company to demonstrate its qualification for a continuance of the certificate of authority. [34 FR 20189, Dec. 24, 1969. Redesignated at 38 FR 22779, Aug. 24, 1973, as amended at 42 FR 8638, Feb. 11, 1977] (a) Request for informal hearing. If a company determines that the opportunity to make known its views, as provided for under §223.18(b), is inadequate, it may, within 20 business days of the date of the notice required by §223.18(b), request, in writing, that the Secretary of the Treasury convene an informal hearing. (b) Purpose. As soon as possible after a written request for an informal hearing is received, the Secretary of the Treasury shall convene an informal hearing, at such time and place as he deems appropriate, for the purpose of determining whether revocation of the company's certificate of authority is justified. (c) Notice. The company shall be advised, in writing, of the time and place of the informal hearing and shall be directed to bring all documents, records and other information as it may find necessary and relevant to substantiate its refusal to settle the claims made against it by the Federal agency making the report under §223.18(a). (d) Conduct of hearings. The hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the Secretary. The company may be represented by counsel and shall have a fair opportunity to present any relevant material and to examine the agency's evidence. Formal rules of evidence will not apply at the informal hearing. (e) Report. Within 30 days after the informal hearing, the hearing officer shall make a written report to the Secretary setting forth his findings, the basis for his findings, and his recommendations. A copy of the report shall be sent to the company. [38 FR 22779, Aug. 24, 1973] If, after review of the case file, it is the judgment of the Secretary that the complaint was unfounded, the Secretary shall dismiss the complaint by the Federal agency concerned and shall so notify the company. If, however, it is the judgment of the Secretary that the company has not fulfilled its obligations to the complainant agency, he shall notify the company of the facts or conduct which indicate such failure and allow the company 20 business days from the date of such notification to demonstrate or achieve compliance. If no showing of compliance is made within the period allowed, the Secretary shall either preclude renewal of a company's certificate of authority or revoke it without further notice. [38 FR 22779, Aug. 24, 1973, as amended at 42 FR 8638, Feb. 11, 1977] If, after one year from the date of the expiration or the revocation of the certificate of authority, under §223.20 a company can show that the basis for the non-renewal or revocation has been eliminated and that it can comply with the requirements of 6 U.S.C. 6–13 and the regulations in this part, a new certificate of authority shall be issued without prejudice. [38 FR 22779, Aug. 24, 1973, as amended at 42 FR 8638, Feb. 11, 1977] (a) Fees shall be imposed and collected, for the services listed in paragraphs (a) (1) through (4) of this section which are performed by the Treasury Department, regardless of whether the action requested is granted or denied. The payee of the check or other instrument shall be the Financial Management Service, Treasury Department. The amount of the fee will be based on which of the following categories of service is requested: (1) Examination of a company's application for a certificate of authority as an acceptable surety on Federal bonds or for a certificate of authority as an acceptable reinsuring company on such bonds (see §223.2); (2) Examination of a company's application for recognition as an admitted reinsurer (except on excess risks running to the United States) of surety companies doing business with the United States (see §223.12(a) and (b)); (3) Determination of a company's continuing qualifications for annual renewal of its certificate of authority (see §223.3); or (4) Determination of a company's continuing qualifications for annual renewal of its authority as an admitted reinsurer (see §223.12(c)). (b) In a given year a uniform fee will be collected from every company requesting a particular category of service, e.g., determination of a company's continuing qualifications for annual renewal of its certificate of authority. However, the Treasury Department reserves the right to redetermine the amounts of fees annually. Fees are determined in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–25, as amended. (c) Specific fee information may be obtained from the Assistant Commissioner, Comptroller at the address shown in §223.2. In addition, a notice of the amount of a fee referred to in §223.22(a) (1) through (4) will be published in the [43 FR 12678, Mar. 27, 1978, as amended at 49 FR 47001 and 47002, Nov. 30, 1984]
Title 31: Money and Finance: Treasury
PART 223—SURETY COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH THE UNITED STATES
Section Contents
§ 223.1 Certificate of authority.
§ 223.2 Application for certificate of authority.
§ 223.3 Issuance of certificates of authority.
§ 223.4 Deposits.
§ 223.5 Business.
§ 223.6 Requirements applicable to surety companies.
§ 223.7 Investment of capital and assets.
§ 223.8 Financial reports.
§ 223.9 Valuation of assets and liabilities.
§ 223.10 Limitation of risk.
§ 223.11 Limitation of risk: Protective methods.
§ 223.12 Recognition as reinsurer.
§ 223.13 Full penalty of the obligation regarded as the liability; exceptions.
§ 223.14 Schedules of single risks.
§ 223.15 Paid up capital and surplus for Treasury rating purposes; how determined.
§ 223.16 List of certificate holding companies.
§ 223.17 Revocation.
§ 223.18 Performance of agency obligations.
§ 223.19 Informal hearing on agency complaints.
§ 223.20 Final decisions.
§ 223.21 Reinstatement.
§ 223.22 Fees for services of the Treasury Department.
§ 223.1 Certificate of authority.
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§ 223.2 Application for certificate of authority.
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§ 223.3 Issuance of certificates of authority.
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§ 223.4 Deposits.
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§ 223.5 Business.
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§ 223.6 Requirements applicable to surety companies.
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§ 223.7 Investment of capital and assets.
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§ 223.8 Financial reports.
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§ 223.9 Valuation of assets and liabilities.
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§ 223.10 Limitation of risk.
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§ 223.11 Limitation of risk: Protective methods.
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§ 223.12 Recognition as reinsurer.
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§ 223.13 Full penalty of the obligation regarded as the liability; exceptions.
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§ 223.14 Schedules of single risks.
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§ 223.15 Paid up capital and surplus for Treasury rating purposes; how determined.
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§ 223.16 List of certificate holding companies.
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§ 223.17 Revocation.
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§ 223.18 Performance of agency obligations.
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§ 223.19 Informal hearing on agency complaints.
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§ 223.20 Final decisions.
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§ 223.21 Reinstatement.
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§ 223.22 Fees for services of the Treasury Department.
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