Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 125.148 - SecurityThe security required in § 125.134(d)(2) (relating to decision on application) shall be in one of the following forms:
(1) A surety bond on a form prescribed by the Bureau issued by a company authorized to transact surety business in this Commonwealth by the Insurance Department. (i) The surety company shall possess a current A.M. Best Rating of B+ or better or a Standard and Poor's rating of claims paying ability of A or better.(ii) The fund shall replace the bond with a new bond issued by a surety company with an acceptable rating or with another acceptable form of security if the surety company's rating falls below the acceptable rating after the bond is issued. If the bond is not replaced within 60 days, the Bureau will have discretion to draw on the surety bond and deposit the proceeds with the State Treasurer to secure the fund's obligation.(2) A security deposit held under a trust agreement prescribed by the Bureau. (i) The deposit shall consist of cash; bonds or other evidence of indebtedness issued, assumed or guaranteed by the United States, or by an agency or instrumentality of the United States; investments in common funds or regulated investment companies which invest primarily in United States Government or Government agency obligations; or bonds or other security issued by the Commonwealth and backed by the Commonwealth's full faith and credit.(ii) The securities shall be held in a Commonwealth chartered bank and trust company or trust company as defined in section 102 of the Banking Code of 1965 (7 P. S. § 102) or a Federally chartered bank or foreign bank with a branch office and trust powers in this Commonwealth.(3) An irrevocable letter of credit using language required by the Bureau issued by and payable at a branch office of a commercial bank located in the continental United States, Alaska or Hawaii. The letter of credit shall state that the terms of the letter of credit automatically renew annually unless the letter of credit is specifically nonrenewed by the issuing bank 60 days or more prior to the anniversary date of its issuance.(i) At the time of issuance of the letter of credit, the issuing bank or its holding company shall have a B/C or better rating or 2.5 or better score by Thomson BankWatch or the issuing bank shall have a CD rating of BBB or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation.(ii) The fund shall replace the letter of credit with a new letter of credit issued by a bank with an acceptable credit rating, or with another acceptable form of security, if the bank's rating falls below the acceptable rating after the letter of credit is issued. If the letter of credit is not replaced within 60 days, the Bureau will draw on the letter of credit and will deposit the proceeds to secure the fund's obligations.(iii) The fund shall execute a standby trust agreement on a form prescribed by the Bureau with a Commonwealth chartered bank and trust company or trust company as defined in section 102 of the Banking Code of 1965 or a Federally chartered bank or foreign bank with a branch office and trust powers in this Commonwealth. The trust agreement will accommodate proceeds from a letter of credit drawn on by the Bureau.The provisions of this §125.148 amended October 23, 1998, effective 10/24/1998, 28 Pa.B. 5459, apply to applicants, self-insurers, runoff self-insurers, group self-insurance funds and runoff funds, 28 Pa.B. 5459.