Virginia Law

This chapter applies to and regulates the investments of all domestic insurers as defined in this chapter. Upon petition to, and approval by, the Commission, any one or more provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a domestic insurer in receivership in this Commonwealth pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 38.2-1500 et seq.) of this title. A foreign or alien insurer may invest its funds and assets in any investments that are permitted by the laws of its state or country of domicile and are of the same general character and quality as those authorized under this chapter. A foreign or alien insurer whose domiciliary jurisdiction does not regulate the investments of its insurers shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.1; 1986, c. 562; 1990, c. 893; 1992, c. 588; 1993, c. 55.

As used in this chapter:

"Admitted assets" means, for purposes of the limitations and standards imposed by Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter, the amount thereof as permitted to be reported on the statutory financial statement of the insurer most recently required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to §§ 38.2-1300 and 38.2-1301 or other similar provisions within this title, but excluding the assets allocated to separate accounts pursuant to Article 3 (§ 38.2-1443 et seq.) of this chapter.

"Business entity" means a corporation, association, partnership, joint venture, trust, church, or religious body.

"Cap" means an agreement obligating the seller to make payments to the buyer, with each payment based on the amount by which a reference price or level or the performance or value of one or more underlying interests exceeds a predetermined number, sometimes called the strike rate or strike price.

"Category 1 investment" means any investment complying with Article 1 (§ 38.2-1400 et seq.) and either Article 2 (§ 38.2-1412 et seq.) or 3 (§ 38.2-1443 et seq.), or both Articles 2 and 3, of this chapter.

"Category 2 investment" means any investment complying with Article 1, but with neither Article 2 nor Article 3, of this chapter.

"Claimants" means any owners, beneficiaries, assignees, certificate holders, or third-party beneficiaries of any insurance benefit or right arising out of and within the coverage of an insurance policy, annuity contract, benefit contract, or subscription contract.

"Collar" means an agreement to receive payments as the buyer of an option, cap, or floor and to make payments as the seller of a different option, cap, or floor.

"Counterparty exposure amount" means the amount of credit risk attributable to an over-the-counter derivative instrument, which amount of credit risk is equal to (i) the market value of the over-the-counter derivative instrument if the liquidation of the derivative instrument would result in a final cash payment to the insurer or (ii) zero if the liquidation of the derivative instrument would not result in a final cash payment to the insurer. However, if an over-the-counter derivative instrument is entered into under a written master agreement that provides for netting of payments owed by the respective parties, and the domicile of the counterparty is either within the United States or, if not within the United States, within a foreign jurisdiction listed in the Purposes and Procedures Manual of the Securities Valuation Office as eligible for netting, the amount of credit risk attributable to the over-the-counter derivative instrument shall be the greater of zero or the net sum of (a) the market value of the over-the-counter derivative instruments entered into under the agreement, the liquidation of which would result in a final cash payment to the insurer, and (b) the market value of the over-the-counter derivative instruments entered into under the agreement, the liquidation of which would result in a final cash payment by the insurer to the business entity. With respect to open transactions, the market value of the over-the-counter derivative instrument shall be determined at the end of the most recent quarter of the insurer's fiscal year and shall be reduced by the market value of acceptable collateral held by the insurer or placed in escrow by one or both parties.

"Date of investment" means the date on which funds are disbursed for an investment.

"Derivative instrument" means an agreement, instrument, or a series or combination thereof (i) to make or take delivery of, or assume or relinquish, a specified amount of one or more underlying interests or to make a cash settlement in lieu thereof or (ii) that has a price, performance, value, or cash flow based primarily upon the actual or expected price, level, performance, value, or cash flow of one or more underlying interests. Derivative instruments include options, warrants used in a hedging transaction and not attached to another financial instrument, caps, floors, collars, swaps, forwards, futures, and any other agreements, options, or instruments substantially similar thereto or any series or combination thereof and any agreements or instruments permitted under rules adopted under § 38.2-1428.

"Derivative transaction" means a transaction involving the use of one or more derivative instruments.

"Domestic governmental entity" means the United States, any state, or any municipality or district in any such state, or any political subdivision, civil division, agency or instrumentality of one or more of the foregoing.

"Fair market value" means the price that property will bring when (i) offered for sale by one who desires, but who is not obligated, to sell it; (ii) bought by one who is under no necessity of having it; and (iii) sufficient time has elapsed to allow interested buyers the opportunity to become informed of the offer for sale.

"Fixed charges" means actual interest incurred in each year on funded and unfunded debt, excluding interest on bank deposit accounts, and annual apportionment of debt discount or premium. Where interest is partially or entirely contingent upon earnings, "fixed charges" includes contingent interest payments.

"Floor" means an agreement obligating the seller to make payments to the buyer in which each payment is based on the amount by which a predetermined number, sometimes called the floor rate or price, exceeds a reference price, a level, or the performance or value of one or more underlying interests.

"Forward" means an agreement, other than a future, to make or take delivery of, or effect a cash settlement based on the actual or expected price, level, performance or value of, one or more underlying interests.

"Future" means an agreement, traded on a qualified exchange or qualified foreign exchange, to make or take delivery of, or effect a cash settlement based on the actual or expected price, level, performance or value of, one or more underlying interests and includes an insurance future.

"Hedging transaction" means:

1. A derivative transaction that is entered into and maintained to reduce:

a. The risk of a change in the value, yield, price, cash flow, or quantity of assets or liabilities that the insurer has acquired or incurred or anticipates acquiring or incurring; or

b. The currency exchange rate risk or the degree of exposure as to assets or liabilities that the insurer has acquired or incurred or anticipates acquiring or incurring; or

2. Any other derivative transaction specified as constituting a hedging transaction in rules adopted pursuant to § 38.2-1428.

"High grade obligations" means obligations which (i) are rated one or two by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or (ii) if not rated by the Securities Valuation Office, are rated in an equivalent grade by a national rating agency recognized by the Commission.

"Insurance future" means a future relating to an index or pool that is based on insurance-related items.

"Insurance futures option" means an option on an insurance future.

"Insurer" means a company licensed pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 38.2-1000 et seq.), 11 (§ 38.2-1100 et seq.), 12 (§ 38.2-1200 et seq.), 25 (§ 38.2-2500 et seq.), 26 (§ 38.2-2600 et seq.), 38 (§ 38.2-3800 et seq.), 39 (§ 38.2-3900 et seq.), 40 (§ 38.2-4000 et seq.), 41 (§ 38.2-4100 et seq.), 42 (§ 38.2-4200 et seq.), 43 (§ 38.2-4300 et seq.), 45 (§ 38.2-4500 et seq.), 46 (§ 38.2-4600 et seq.), 51 (§ 38.2-5100 et seq.), or 61 (§ 38.2-6100 et seq.) of this title.

"Life insurer" means any insurer authorized to transact life insurance or to grant annuities as defined in §§ 38.2-102 through 38.2-107 or authorized pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 38, 39, 40 or 41, or any other chapter of this title, to provide any one of the following contractual benefits in any form: death benefits, endowment benefits, annuity benefits or monument or tombstone benefits.

"Lower grade obligations" means obligations which (i) are rated four, five, or six by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or (ii) if not rated by the Securities Valuation Office, are rated in an equivalent grade by a national rating agency recognized by the Commission.

"Medium grade obligations" means obligations which (i) are rated three by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or (ii) if not rated by the Securities Valuation office, are rated in an equivalent grade by a national rating agency recognized by the Commission.

"Minimum capital and surplus" means the minimum surplus to policyholders, or minimum net worth, a particular insurer must have to obtain and maintain its license to transact business in this Commonwealth pursuant to the applicable provisions of this title. In no case shall an insurer's minimum capital and surplus be less than zero.

"Net earnings available for fixed charges" means income minus operating expenses, maintenance expenses, taxes other than income taxes, depreciation, and depletion. Extraordinary nonrecurring income and expense items are excluded from the calculation of "net earnings available for fixed charges."

"Obligation" means a bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness.

"Option" means an agreement giving the buyer the right to buy or receive, sell or deliver, enter into, extend, terminate, or effect a cash settlement based on the actual or expected price, level, performance, or value of one or more underlying interests. "Option" includes an insurance futures option.

"Over-the-counter derivative instrument" means a derivative instrument that is entered into with a business entity other than through a qualified exchange or qualified foreign exchange or that is cleared other than through a qualified clearinghouse.

"Potential exposure" means the amount determined in accordance with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Annual Statement Instructions.

"Prohibited investment" means any investment prohibited by § 38.2-1407.

"Qualified clearinghouse" means a clearinghouse for, and that is subject to the rules of, a qualified exchange or a qualified foreign exchange, which clearinghouse provides clearing services, including acting as a counterparty to each of the parties to a transaction such that the parties no longer have credit risk as to each other.

"Qualified exchange" means:

1. A securities exchange registered as a national securities exchange, or a securities market regulated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. § 78a et seq.), as amended;

2. A board of trade or commodities exchange designated as a contract market by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any successor thereof;

3. Private Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages (PORTAL);

4. A designated offshore securities market as defined in Securities Exchange Commission Regulation S, 17 C.F.R. Part 230, as amended; or

5. A qualified foreign exchange.

"Qualified foreign exchange" means a foreign exchange, board of trade, or contract market located outside the United States:

1. That has received regulatory comparability relief under Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Rule 30.10 (as set forth in Appendix C to Part 30 of the CFTC's regulations at 17 C.F.R. Part 30);

2. That is, or whose members are, subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign futures authority that has received regulatory comparability relief under CFTC Rule 30.10 (as set forth in Appendix C to Part 30 of the CFTC's regulations at 17 C.F.R. Part 30) as to futures transactions in the jurisdiction where the exchange, board of trade, or contract market is located; or

3. Upon which foreign stock index futures contracts are listed that are the subject of no-action relief issued by the CFTC's Office of General Counsel, provided that an exchange, board of trade, or contract market that qualifies as a "qualified foreign exchange" only under this subsection shall only be a "qualified foreign exchange" as to foreign stock index futures contracts that are the subject of no-action relief.

"Replication transaction" means a derivative transaction that is intended to replicate the performance of one or more assets that an insurer is authorized to acquire under this chapter. A derivative transaction that is entered into as a hedging transaction shall not be considered a replication transaction.

"Reserve liabilities" means those liabilities which are required to be established by an insurer for all of its outstanding insurance policies, annuity contracts, benefit contracts and subscription contracts, in accordance with this title, as amended or as hereafter amended.

"Statement value" means the amount determined in accordance with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Annual Statement Instructions.

"Swap" means an agreement to exchange or to net payments at one or more times based on the actual or expected price, level, performance, or value of one or more underlying interests.

"Underlying interest" means the assets, liabilities, or other interests, or a combination thereof, underlying a derivative instrument, such as any one or more securities, currencies, rates, indices, commodities, or derivative instruments.

"Warrant" means an instrument that gives the holder the right to purchase an underlying financial instrument at a given price and time or at a series of prices and times outlined in the warrant agreement. Warrants may be issued alone or in connection with the sale of other securities.

"Wrap-around mortgage" means a loan made by an insurer to a borrower, secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real property encumbered by a first mortgage or first deed of trust, where the total amount of the obligation of the borrower to the insurer under the loan is not less than the sum of (i) the principal amount initially disbursed by the insurer on account of the loan and (ii) the unpaid principal balance of the obligation secured by the preexisting mortgage or deed of trust.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.2; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588; 1994, c. 503; 1998, c. 42; 2004, c. 668; 2008, c. 216; 2011, c. 198.

A. A domestic insurer may invest its funds and assets in accordance with this chapter. All investments of a domestic insurer shall be classified as (i) Category 1 investments, (ii) Category 2 investments, or (iii) prohibited investments.

B. The Commission, upon application by an insurer, may classify any investments made or proposed to be made and not otherwise specifically classified in Articles 1 (§ 38.2-1400 et seq.) and 2 (§ 38.2-1412 et seq.) of this chapter as a Category 1 investment.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.3; 1986, c. 562.

The value of Category 2 investments shall be excluded from the value of admitted assets to the extent the value of Category 2 investments exceeds seventy-five percent of the amount by which an insurer's surplus to policyholders exceeds its minimum capital and surplus.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.4; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588; 1998, c. 414.

Any investment held on July 1, 1983, that was permitted at the time it was made under former § 38.1-181 or former §§ 38.1-183 through 38.1-217, shall be classified as a Category 1 investment.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.5; 1986, c. 562.

A. The classification by investment category of each investment, based on type of investment as set forth in §§ 38.2-1415 through 38.2-1442, inclusive, shall be determined as of the date of investment.

B. In applying any percentage limitations based on the insurer's total admitted assets or surplus to policyholders, there shall be used as a base, without regard to percentage limitations, those assets or surplus to policyholders as shown by the insurer's most recent annual or quarterly statement on file with the Commission pursuant to §§ 38.2-1300 and 38.2-1301.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.6; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

Investments converted to a new form and resulting in a different investment classification under § 38.2-1402, at the election of the insurer, shall retain their previous investment classification for a period not exceeding three years unless the Commission prescribes in writing that a longer period is reasonable. Any prohibited investments shall be divested within that period. The investment conversions shall include those resulting (i) from investments acquired in satisfaction of or on account of loans, mortgages, liens, judgments, or other debts previously owing to the insurer in the course of its business, or (ii) from investments acquired through lawful distributions of assets, lawful plans of reorganization, or lawful and bona fide agreements of bulk reinsurance or of consolidation.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.7; 1986, c. 562.

A. No domestic insurer shall invest in or loan funds secured by:

1. Issued shares of its own capital stock without the Commission's approval. This approval shall be based on an evaluation that indicates the investment does not adversely affect the insurer or its policyholders. The insurer shall not invest in or own more than 20 percent of its outstanding issued stock, except for the purpose of mutualization;

2. Securities of an insolvent entity;

3. Securities that, by their terms, will subject the insurer to any assessment other than for taxes or for wages; however, the term "assessment" shall not include ordinary contractual payments or the transfer of collateral or margin made under derivative instruments invested in or owned under § 38.2-1428;

4. Investments that, as determined by the Commission, are designed to evade any prohibition of this title; or

5. Any obligation or investment prohibited by § 38.2-1411.2.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the Commission may order a domestic insurer to limit or withdraw from certain investments, or discontinue certain investment practices, to the extent the Commission finds that such investment or investment practice endangers the solvency of the insurer or is otherwise hazardous to policyholders, creditors or the public in this Commonwealth.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.8; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588; 2011, c. 198.

No domestic insurer shall make any loan, investment, or any sale or exchange of a loan or investment, except policy loans of an insurer issuing life insurance policies or annuities, unless authorized or approved. Authorization or approval shall be made by (i) its board of directors, or other governing body, or (ii) a committee authorized by the governing body or bylaws, to make investments, loans, sales or exchanges. The minutes of the committee shall be recorded, and reports of the investments, loans, sales or exchanges authorized or approved shall be submitted to the board or other governing body at its next meeting.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.9; 1986, c. 562.

Subject to any applicable limitations and restrictions in this chapter, a domestic insurer may own, hold, maintain, manage, operate, lease, sell, convey, and collect and receive income from any property acquired as permitted in this chapter.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.10; 1986, c. 562.

In construing and applying this title, the following shall not be deemed prior liens or encumbrances: easements; rights-of-way; joint driveways; party wall agreements; current taxes and assessments not delinquent; restrictions as to building, use and occupancy unless there is a right of reentry or forfeiture for violation; instruments reserving mineral, oil, or timber rights; title matters for which the insurer is insured against loss by a title insurer; and leases under which rents are reserved to the owner of the real estate.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.11; 1986, c. 562.

Repealed by Acts 1992, c. 588.

A. Any securities described in 15 U.S.C. § 77r-1 shall be subject to all the limitations prescribed by this chapter for investments not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However, upon prior written application by an insurer, the Commission may, until July 1, 1992, at its discretion, allow such insurer to increase its investments in § 77r-1 securities to an amount not to exceed ten percent of the insurer's total admitted assets.

B. On and after July 1, 1992, investments made in any securities described in 15 U.S.C. § 77r-1 shall be subject to the percentage limitations and requirements set forth in this chapter.

1991, c. 283; 1992, c. 588.

A. No domestic insurer shall acquire, directly or indirectly, any medium grade or lower grade obligations of any business entity if, after giving effect to any such acquisition, the aggregate amount of all medium grade and lower grade obligations then held by the domestic insurer would exceed twenty percent of its admitted assets, provided that:

1. No more than ten percent of its admitted assets consists of lower grade obligations;

2. No more than three percent of its admitted assets consists of lower grade obligations rated five or six by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; and

3. No more than one percent of its admitted assets consists of lower grade obligations rated six by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Attaining or exceeding the limit of any one category shall not preclude an insurer from acquiring obligations in other categories subject to the specific and multi-category limits.

B. No domestic insurer may invest more than an aggregate of one percent of its admitted assets in medium grade obligations issued, guaranteed or insured by any one business entity nor may it invest more than one-half of one percent of its admitted assets in lower grade obligations issued, guaranteed or insured by any one business entity. In no event may a domestic insurer invest more than one percent of its admitted assets in any medium or lower grade obligations issued, guaranteed or insured by any one business entity.

C. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit a domestic insurer from acquiring any obligation which it has committed to acquire if the insurer would have been permitted to acquire that obligation pursuant to the provisions of this chapter on the date on which such insurer committed to purchase that obligation.

D. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a domestic insurer may acquire any obligation of a business entity in which the insurer already has one or more obligations, if the obligation is acquired in order to protect an investment previously made in the obligations of the business entity; however, all such acquired obligations shall not exceed one-half of one percent of the insured's admitted assets.

E. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit a domestic insurer from acquiring any obligation as a result of a restructuring of any obligation already held.

F. Nothing contained in this section shall require a domestic insurer to sell or otherwise dispose of any obligations legally acquired prior to July 1, 1992.

G. The Board of Directors of any domestic insurer which acquires or invests, directly or indirectly, more than two percent of its admitted assets in medium grade or lower grade obligations of any individual business entity, shall adopt a written plan for the making of such investments. The plan shall contain, in addition to guidelines with respect to the quality of the issues invested in, diversification standards including, but not limited to, standards for issuer, industry, duration, liquidity and geographic location.

H. If the Commission finds that economic or other conditions render any rating of any obligation by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners obsolete or unreflective of a diminished creditworthiness of the business entity issuing such obligations, the Commission may assign the obligations to a lower grade based on the findings of a national rating agency recognized by the Commission.

1992, c. 588; 2000, c. 187.

This article sets forth requirements for qualifying as a Category 1 investment. If an investment or portion thereof does not comply either with this article or Article 3 (§ 38.2-1443 et seq.) of this chapter, then that investment or portion of it shall be classified as a Category 2 investment or a prohibited investment, as provided in this chapter.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.15; 1986, c. 562.

A. No domestic insurer shall have at any one time any combination of investments in or loans upon the security of the property and securities of any one obligor or issuer aggregating an amount exceeding the lesser of five percent of the insurer's total admitted assets or twenty percent of the insurer's surplus to policyholders. The limitations prescribed by this section shall not apply to the following:

1. Investments in or loans upon the security of general obligations of the United States;

2. Investments in foreign securities made eligible by subsection A of § 38.2-1433;

3. Investments in mortgage pass-through securities made eligible by § 38.2-1437.1;

4. Deposits in institutions insured by a federal deposit insuring agency to the extent of coverage by such deposit insuring agency;

5. Investments in subsidiaries made eligible by § 38.2-1427.3;

6. Investments in obligations of an agency or instrumentality of the United States made eligible by subsection B of § 38.2-1415; provided that at no time shall the insurer invest pursuant to subsection B of § 38.2-1415 in excess of ten percent of its total admitted assets in any one obligor or issuer of such obligations; or

7. Other assets defined or classified by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners accounting practices and procedure manual, or any successor publication, as cash or cash equivalents or as a short term investment that is rated "AAA" or better or the equivalent rating by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., Standard & Poor's or Fitch IBCA, or any successor to the rating business of any of them, provided that at no time shall the amount of any such asset placed for or by the insurer in or with any one depository, issue, obligor, or issuer exceed the lesser of ten percent of the insurer's total admitted assets or twenty percent of the insurer's surplus to policyholders.

B. No domestic insurer shall invest in excess of one percent of its total admitted assets in any one issue of any obligations made eligible for investment under § 38.2-1423 or § 38.2-1424.

C. No domestic insurer shall invest in excess of one-half of one percent of its total admitted assets in any one loan made eligible by subdivision 3 of § 38.2-1434.

D. The principal loan amount disbursed, excluding advances made to enforce or protect the security for the loan, by a domestic insurer under any single wrap-around mortgage made pursuant to § 38.2-1435 shall not exceed one percent of its total admitted assets.

E. The amount loaned under § 38.2-1430 shall be subject to the limitations of this section applicable to the kinds of securities or obligations pledged in connection with the loan.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.16; 1986, c. 562; 1990, c. 893; 1992, c. 588; 1995, c. 60; 1998, c. 414; 2002, c. 73.

A. The portion of a domestic insurer's total admitted assets in the following types of investments shall not exceed:

1. Ten percent for the aggregate of investments made eligible by §§ 38.2-1416 and 38.2-1417;

2. Five percent for the investments in each agency made eligible by § 38.2-1418, and 10 percent for the aggregate of investments made eligible by § 38.2-1418;

3. Ten percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1419;

4. Ten percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1420;

5. For the aggregate of investments made eligible under §§ 38.2-1421 and 38.2-1422, (i) 90 percent for any life insurer and (ii) 40 percent for all other insurers;

6. Ten percent for the investments made eligible by subsection B of § 38.2-1421; and two percent for the investments made eligible by subsection C of § 38.2-1421;

7. Twenty percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1422;

8. Ten percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1423;

9. Five percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1424;

10. Five percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1425;

11. The lesser of 15 percent or the amount by which an insurer's surplus to policyholders exceeds its minimum capital and surplus for the aggregate of investments made eligible by §§ 38.2-1427, 38.2-1427.1 and 38.2-1427.2, of which no more than five percent of the total admitted assets shall be in investments made eligible by § 38.2-1427.1;

12. For the aggregate of investments made eligible by § 38.2-1427.3, when combined with the insurer's total investment in affiliates, the lesser of 10 percent of the insurer's admitted assets or 50 percent of the insurer's surplus to policyholders in excess of its minimum capital and surplus, provided that total investments in affiliates do not include investments made by the insurer in money market mutual funds made eligible by § 38.2-1432;

13. Fifteen percent for investments made eligible by subsection B of § 38.2-1433, and an amount equal to its deposit and reserve obligations incurred in a foreign country for the investments made eligible by subsection A of § 38.2-1433;

14. Two percent for the investments made eligible (including those that the insurer is obligated to make as well as those made) by subdivision 3 of § 38.2-1434;

15. Two percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1435;

16. Ten percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1436;

17. For the aggregate of investments made eligible by § 38.2-1437.1, when combined with the insurer's investments in mortgages under §§ 38.2-1434 through 38.2-1436 and § 38.2-1439, (i) 60 percent for any life insurer and (ii) 30 percent for all other insurers;

18. Two percent for the investments made eligible by § 38.2-1440; and

19. Twenty-five percent for the total of investments made eligible by § 38.2-1441, of which no more than five percent of the total admitted assets shall be in investments in real property to be used primarily for hotel purposes.

B. The amount loaned under § 38.2-1430 shall be subject to the limitations of this section applicable to the kinds of securities or obligations pledged in connection with the loan.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.17; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588; 1993, c. 47; 1995, c. 60; 1998, c. 414; 2014, cc. 159, 206.

A. United States obligations. A domestic insurer may invest in any bonds, notes, warrants, and other evidences of indebtedness which are direct obligations of the United States or for which the full faith and credit of the United States are pledged for the payment of principal and interest.

B. United States agencies obligations. A domestic insurer may invest in any bonds, notes, warrants and other evidence of indebtedness which are direct obligations for the payment of money, issued by an agency or instrumentality of the United States, or obligations for the payment of money to the extent guaranteed or insured as to the payment of principal and interest by an agency or instrumentality of the United States.

C. State government obligations. A domestic insurer may invest in direct, general obligations of any state of the United States for the payment of money, or obligations for the payment of money to the extent guaranteed or insured as to the payment of principal and interest by any state of the United States, on the following conditions:

1. The state has the power to levy taxes for the prompt payment of the principal and interest of its obligations;

2. The state is not in default in the payment of principal or interest on any of its direct, guaranteed or insured obligations as of the date of investment;

3. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than five percent of its admitted assets in obligations issued or guaranteed by any one state; and

4. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than thirty percent of its admitted assets.

D. Local government obligations. A domestic insurer may invest in direct, general obligations of any political subdivision, of any state of the United States, for the payment of money, or obligations for the payment of money, to the extent guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest, by any such political subdivision, on the following conditions:

1. The obligations are payable or guaranteed from ad valorem taxes;

2. Such political subdivision is not in default in the payment of principal or interest on any of its direct or guaranteed obligations;

3. No investment shall be made under this subsection in obligations which are secured only by special assessments for local improvements;

4. An insurer shall not invest more than five percent of its admitted assets in obligations issued or guaranteed by any one such political subdivision; and

5. An insurer shall not invest more than thirty percent of its admitted assets under this subsection.

E. Anticipation obligations. An insurer may invest in the anticipation obligations of any political subdivision of any state, all within the United States, including but not limited to bond anticipation notes, tax anticipation notes, preliminary loan anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and construction anticipation notes, for the payment of money within twelve months from the issuance of the obligation, on the following conditions:

1. The anticipation notes must be a direct obligation of the issuer under conditions set forth in subsection D of § 38.2-1415;

2. The political subdivision is not in default in the payment of the principal or interest on any of its direct general obligations or any obligation guaranteed by such political subdivision;

3. The anticipation funds shall be specifically pledged to secure the obligation;

4. An insurer shall not invest more than two percent of its admitted assets in the anticipation obligations issued by any one such political subdivision; and

5. An insurer shall not invest more than ten percent of its admitted assets under this subsection.

F. State or municipal revenue obligations. A domestic insurer may invest in obligations of any state of the United States, a political subdivision thereof, or a public instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing, for the payment of money, on the following conditions:

1. The obligations are payable from revenues or earnings of a public utility of such state, political subdivision, or public instrumentality which are specifically pledged therefor;

2. The law under which the obligations are issued requires that rates for service shall be charged and collected at all times such that they will produce sufficient revenue or earnings which, together with any other revenues or moneys pledged, are sufficient to pay all operating and maintenance charges of the public utility and all principal and interest on such obligations;

3. No prior or parity obligations payable from the revenues or earnings of that public utility are in default as of the date of the investment;

4. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than two percent of its admitted assets in the revenue obligations issued in connection with any one facility;

5. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than two percent of its admitted assets in revenue obligations payable from revenue or earning sources which are the contractual responsibility of any one single credit risk; and

6. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than twenty-five percent of its admitted assets.

G. Other revenue obligations of state and local governments. A domestic insurer may invest in other state and local government revenue obligations of any state of the United States, a political subdivision thereof, or a public instrumentality of any of the foregoing, for the payment of money, on the following conditions:

1. The obligations are payable from revenues or earnings, excluding revenues or earnings from public utilities, specifically pledged therefor by such state, political subdivision, or public instrumentality;

2. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than two percent of its admitted assets in the revenue obligations issued in connection with any one facility;

3. No prior or parity obligation of the same issuer payable from revenues or earnings from the same source has been in default as to principal or interest during the five years next preceding the date of such investment, but the issuer need not have been in existence for that period, and obligations acquired under this subsection may have been newly issued;

4. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than two percent of its admitted assets in revenue obligations payable from sources which are the contractual responsibility of any one single credit risk; and

5. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than twenty-five percent of its admitted assets.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.18; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588; 1998, c. 414.

A. Obligations of Canada. -- A domestic insurer may invest in bonds, notes, warrants, and other evidences of indebtedness which are direct obligations of the government of Canada or for which the full faith and credit of the government of Canada are pledged for the payment of principal and interest.

B. No domestic insurer shall invest in any obligation under this section unless the obligation is payable both as to principal and interest in lawful money of the United States or of Canada.

C. Obligations of provinces. -- A domestic insurer may invest in direct, general obligations of any province of Canada for the payment of money, or obligations for the payment of money to the extent guaranteed or insured as to the payment of principal and interest by any province of Canada, on the following conditions:

1. The province has the power to levy taxes for the prompt payment of the principal and interest of its obligations;

2. The province is not in default in the payment of principal or interest on any of its direct, guaranteed or insured obligations as of the date of investment; and

3. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than five percent of its admitted assets in obligations issued or guaranteed by any one province.

D. Local government obligations. -- A domestic insurer may invest in direct, general obligations of any political subdivision of any province of Canada for the payment of money, or obligation for the payment of money, to the extent guaranteed as to the payment of principal and interest, by any such political subdivision, on the following conditions:

1. The obligations are payable or guaranteed from ad valorem taxes;

2. Such political subdivision is not in default in the payment of principal or interest on any of its direct or guaranteed obligations;

3. No investment shall be made under this subsection in obligations which are secured only by special assessments for local improvements; and

4. An insurer shall not invest more than two percent of its admitted assets in obligations issued or guaranteed by any one such political subdivision.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.19; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may invest in obligations issued, assumed or guaranteed by any solvent corporation created or existing under the laws of Canada, or any province of Canada. However, those obligations shall meet the standards specified in § 38.2-1421 for obligations of any business entity created or existing under the laws of the United States or any state.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.20; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may invest in valid and legally authorized high grade obligations issued, assumed or guaranteed by an international development bank of which the United States is a member.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.21; 1985, c. 370; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may invest in obligations secured by first mortgages, first deeds of trust or other similar liens upon terminal, depot or tunnel property, including lands, buildings and appurtenances, used in the service of transportation by one or more railroad corporations whose obligations are eligible as investments under § 38.2-1421. However, these obligations shall be (i) the direct obligation of the corporation or corporations, or (ii) guaranteed by endorsement by, or guaranteed by endorsement assumed by the corporation for the payment of principal and interest of those obligations. If the guarantee or assumption of guarantee is by two or more of the corporations, it shall be joint and several as to each. No such investment shall be made if there has been any default in the payment of principal or interest since the issuance of the obligations but not to exceed five years from the date of investment.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.22; 1986, c. 562.

A domestic insurer may invest in adequately secured equipment trust certificates or other adequately secured instruments evidencing (i) an interest in transportation equipment wholly or partly within the United States and (ii) a right to receive determined portions of rental, purchase or other fixed obligatory payments for the use or purchase of the transportation equipment.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.23; 1986, c. 562.

A. High grade. A domestic insurer may invest in any high grade obligations issued, assumed or guaranteed by any solvent business entity that is not in default as to principal or interest on the date of investment and which is created or existing under the laws of the United States or any state.

B. Medium grade. A domestic issuer may invest in medium grade obligations issued, assumed or guaranteed by any solvent business entity that is not in default as to principal or interest on the date of investment and which is created or existing under the laws of the United States or any state.

C. Lower grade. A domestic insurer may invest in lower grade obligations rated 4 by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or, if not rated by the Securities Valuation Office, rated in an equivalent grade by a national rating agency recognized by the Commission that are issued, assumed or guaranteed by any solvent business entity that is not in default as to principal or interest on the date of investment and which is created or existing under the laws of the United States or any state.

D. As used in this section, "business entity obligations" shall not include any mortgage pass-through securities described in § 38.2-1437.1.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.24; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588; 1998, c. 414.

A. A domestic insurer may invest in obligations of any solvent company other than companies referred to in § 38.2-1419, incorporated under the laws of the United States or of any state if:

1. The obligations are secured by an assignment to the insurer of a lease, and the rents payable under the lease, of real or personal property or both to (i) a domestic governmental entity; (ii) Canada, or any province of Canada; or (iii) one or more companies incorporated under the laws of the United States, any state, Canada or any province of Canada;

2. The rentals assigned are sufficient to repay the indebtedness within the unexpired term of the lease, excluding any term that may be provided by an enforceable option of renewal;

3. The lessee on any lease securing an obligation under this section, or the guarantor of the lease, is an entity whose obligations would be eligible for investment by an insurer in accordance with §§ 38.2-1415, 38.2-1421 or § 38.2-1425;

4. The lessee or guarantor has not defaulted in payment of interest or principal on any of its obligations during the five fiscal years immediately preceding the date of investment; and

5. A first lien on the interest of the lessor in the unencumbered leased property is obtained as additional security for any obligation acquired pursuant to this section.

B. No domestic insurer shall invest under this section more than two percent of the insurer's admitted assets in the obligations of any one business entity or in the obligations secured by leases to any one business entity.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.25; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may invest in preferred stocks of any company incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state if:

1. a. The preferred stock under consideration is not in arrears as to dividends if cumulative, or

b. Full dividends on the preferred stock under consideration have been paid in the last three years, or since issue if issued less than three years before the date of investment, if noncumulative;

2. Required sinking fund payments are on a current basis; and

3. The preferred stock is rated highest quality, high quality, or medium quality by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or if not rated by the Securities Valuation Office, is rated in an equivalent grade by a national rating agency recognized by the Commission.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.26; 1986, c. 562; 1998, c. 414; 2008, c. 93.

A domestic insurer may invest in stocks guaranteed by a solvent company incorporated under the laws of the United States or of any state if for the past three years the guarantor's net earnings available for meeting fixed charges is at least 1 1/4 times the sum of (i) the fixed charges of the guarantor and (ii) the dividends on the guaranteed stock.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.27; 1986, c. 562.

A. A domestic insurer may invest in the common capital stock of any bank or trust company that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

B. No domestic insurer shall invest in more than ten percent of the actually issued and outstanding common capital stock of any one such bank or trust company.

C. For the purpose of this section, the term "bank" includes a registered bank holding company as defined by the Federal Bank Holding Act of 1956, as amended, and a registered bank holding company shall be considered a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation if all its subsidiary banks are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.28; 1986, c. 562; 2000, c. 155.

If the issuing, assuming or guaranteeing business entity has not been in operation for the entire period for which earnings are being applied pursuant to § 38.2-1424, the earnings tests shall be based upon pro forma statements incorporating statements of any predecessor or constituent business entity for that portion of the earnings tests period that the current business entity was not in operation, if:

1. The current business entity was formed as a consolidation or a merger of two or more business entities, at least one of which was in operation at the beginning of the period; or

2. The current business entity has acquired all of the assets of a business entity or any division or other unit of a business entity that was in operation at the beginning of the test period.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.29; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588; 2000, c. 155; 2002, c. 147.

A. A domestic insurer may invest in the common capital stock of any company incorporated under the laws of the United States or any state, if the common capital stock of the corporation is traded on a securities exchange or on an over-the-counter market regulated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

B. A domestic insurer also may write exchange-traded, covered call options on shares of common capital stock it owns.

C. No domestic insurer shall invest, pursuant to this section, in more than ten percent of the issued and outstanding common capital stock of any one corporation or issuer.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.30; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may become a limited partner in a partnership organized and governed under the laws of the United States or any state for the purpose of making or participating in investments otherwise permissible for domestic insurers under the provisions of this chapter.

1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may invest in shares of common stock or units of beneficial interest issued by any solvent business corporation or trust incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States, or of any state of the United States, under the following conditions:

1. If the issuing corporation or trust is advised by an investment advisor which is the insurer or an affiliate of the insurer, the issuing corporation or trust shall have assets of $100,000 or more (which may be provided by the insurer or affiliate), or if the issuing corporation or trust has an unaffiliated investment advisor, the issuing corporation or trust shall have net assets of ten million dollars or more, and

2. The issuing corporation or trust is registered as an investment company with the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

1992, c. 588; 2002, c. 147.

A domestic insurer may invest in common stock, preferred stock, debt obligations, and other securities of a subsidiary.

For investments in subsidiary corporations made prior to July 1, 1995, July 1, 1995, may be deemed the date of investment.

1992, c. 588; 1993, c. 47; 1995, c. 60.

A. A domestic insurer may engage in derivative transactions under this section subject to the following general conditions:

1. A domestic insurer may use derivative instruments under this section to engage in hedging transactions and replication transactions.

2. Each domestic insurer utilizing derivative instruments shall establish written guidelines with respect to derivative transactions stating the insurer's objectives for engaging in derivative transactions and derivative strategies, permissible derivative strategies and the relationship of those strategies to the insurer's operations, and such other details as the Commission may from time to time require. The insurer's board of directors or committee thereof charged with the responsibility of overseeing investments shall approve the written guidelines and any amendment thereto and shall establish a procedure to determine, at least annually, that all derivative transactions were made in accordance with such guidelines. The guidelines established pursuant to this section, and any amendment thereto, shall be submitted to the Commission for prior approval. The Commission shall, in writing, either approve the guidelines or amendment, request any additional information needed to approve the guidelines or amendment, or deny the guidelines or amendment within (i) 90 days of receipt of the guidelines or (ii) 60 days of receipt of any amendment; otherwise the guidelines or amendment shall be deemed approved.

3. The Commission may adopt reasonable rules and regulations for derivative transactions including, but not limited to, rules and regulations that impose financial solvency standards, valuation standards, and reporting requirements.

B. A domestic insurer may enter into hedging transactions if:

1. The domestic insurer is able to demonstrate to the Commission the intended hedging characteristics and the ongoing effectiveness of the derivative transaction or combination of the transactions through cash flow testing or other appropriate analyses; and

2. As a result of and after giving effect to the hedging transaction:

a. The aggregate statement value of options, caps, floors, and warrants not attached to another financial instrument purchased and used in hedging transactions then engaged in by the domestic insurer does not exceed 7.5 percent of its admitted assets;

b. The aggregate statement value of options, caps, and floors written in hedging transactions then engaged in by the domestic insurer does not exceed 3 percent of its admitted assets; and

c. The aggregate potential exposure of collars, swaps, forwards, and futures used in hedging transactions then engaged in by the domestic insurer does not exceed 6.5 percent of its admitted assets.

C. A domestic insurer may enter into replication transactions if the asset being replicated shall comply with all of the provisions and limitations specified in this article with respect to investments by the insurer, as if such replicated asset constituted a direct investment by the insurer in the asset being replicated. The aggregate statement value of all assets being replicated shall not exceed 10 percent of the insurer's admitted assets.

D. The counterparty exposure amount under a derivative instrument entered into pursuant to this section shall be deemed an obligation of a business entity to which the insurer is exposed to credit risk for the purpose of determining compliance with the limitations of §§ 38.2-1411.2 and 38.2-1413.

E. Pursuant to rules promulgated under § 38.2-223, the Commission may approve additional transactions involving the use of derivative instruments in excess of the limits set forth in this section or for other risk management purposes.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.31; 1985, c. 36; 1986, c. 562; 2001, c. 387; 2011, c. 198.

A. A domestic insurer may lend securities held by it pursuant to §§ 38.2-1415 through 38.2-1427.2 if:

1. Simultaneously with the delivery of the securities, the insurer receives collateral from the borrower consisting of cash or consisting of securities issued, assumed or guaranteed by the United States, an agency of the United States or any state. The securities shall have a present market value of at least 102 percent of the market value of the securities loaned;

2. The securities are loaned only for the purpose of making delivery of securities in the case of short sales, in the case of failure to receive securities requested for delivery or in other similar cases;

3. Prior to the loan, the borrower furnishes the insurer with the most recent statement of the borrower's financial condition and a representation by the borrower that there has been no material adverse change in its financial condition since the date of that statement;

4. The insurer receives a reasonable fee related to the value of the borrowed securities and to the duration of the loan;

5. The loan is made pursuant to a written loan agreement; and

6. The borrower is required to furnish by the close of each business day during the term of the loan a report of the market value of all collateral and the market value of all borrowed securities as of the close of trading on the previous business day. If at the close of any business day the market value of the collateral is less than 102 percent of the market value of the securities loaned, then the borrower shall deliver by the close of the next business day an additional amount of cash or securities. The market value of these additional securities, together with the market value of all previously delivered collateral, shall equal at least 102 percent of the market value of the securities loaned.

B. For the purposes of this section, "market value" includes accrued interest.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.32; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may make loans secured by securities eligible for investment under this article. At the date of investment, the loan shall not exceed eighty percent of the market value of the collateral pledged. However, if the collateral consists of obligations issued, assumed or guaranteed by the United States, the loan may equal the market value of the collateral pledged.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.33; 1986, c. 562.

A domestic insurer issuing life insurance policies or annuities may loan any sum not exceeding the cash surrender value specified in the policy to its policyholder upon the pledge of the policy as collateral.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.34; 1986, c. 562.

A domestic insurer may invest in any of the following:

1. Interest-bearing checking or savings accounts, certificates of deposit, or other short-term investments made available or issued by any solvent bank or trust company that is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;

2. Interest-bearing savings or share accounts, certificates of deposit or any other short-term investments made available or issued by any solvent building and loan or savings institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or other federal insurance agency;

3. Bankers acceptances of the kinds and maturities made eligible by law for rediscount with Federal Reserve Banks, provided that these securities are accepted by a bank or trust company that is a member of the Federal Reserve System;

4. Money market mutual funds, provided that the Commission has granted prior written approval to the insurer with respect to its investment in any money market mutual fund sponsored by affiliates of the insurer and that such money market fund sponsored by affiliates meets the requirements set forth in subdivisions 1 and 2 of § 38.2-1427.2; or

5. United States government bond mutual funds.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.35; 1986, c. 562; 1990, c. 3; 1995, c. 60; 1996, c. 77.

A. A domestic insurer transacting the business of insurance in a foreign country may invest in securities of or issued in that country of substantially the same kinds, classes, and investment grades as the insurer may acquire in the United States.

B. A domestic insurer may invest in securities of or issued in a foreign country of substantially the same kinds, classes and investment grades as the insurer may acquire in the United States, provided (i) all such securities are rated medium grade or higher by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or by a national rating agency recognized by the Commission and no more than one percent of the insurer's admitted assets are invested in such securities which are rated medium grade, and (ii) the aggregate amount of foreign investment held by the insurer under this section for a single foreign jurisdiction does not exceed (a) five percent of the insurer's admitted assets as to a foreign jurisdiction that has a sovereign debt rating of SVO 1 by the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or (b) three percent of the insurer's admitted assets as to any other foreign jurisdiction.

C. Investments made eligible by this section shall be payable in lawful currency of the United States, except (i) where payment in other lawful currencies is required to match obligations denominated in such other lawful currencies or (ii) if the investment is denominated in other lawful currency, the investment is effectively hedged, substantially in its entirety, against the lawful currency of the United States in accordance with § 38.2-1428.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.36; 1986, c. 562; 1998, c. 414; 2014, cc. 159, 206.

Subject to the provisions of § 38.2-1437, a domestic insurer may invest in:

1. Obligations secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust on improved unencumbered real property located in the United States;

2. Obligations secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust upon leasehold estates on improved and otherwise unencumbered real property where:

a. The leasehold interest lasts for a term of not less than ten years beyond the maturity of the loan as made or as extended; and

b. The mortgagee is subrogated to all the rights of the lessee on foreclosure or on taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure; or

3. Obligations secured by first mortgages or first deeds of trust on unimproved and unencumbered real property in the United States for the purpose of financing the construction of a building or other improvements on the real property subject to the mortgage or deed of trust, if:

a. These obligations mature not more than sixty months from the effective date of the mortgage or deed of trust and are the unlimited and unconditional liability of the obligor;

b. The obligor provides the insurer with a completion bond for the building or improvements at the time of making the loan; and

c. The insurer at or prior to the making of the loan (i) enters into an agreement with another party to provide permanent financing or (ii) agrees to provide permanent financing upon completion of the building or other improvement.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.37; 1986, c. 562.

A domestic insurer may invest in obligations secured by second mortgages or second deeds of trust on real property encumbered only by a first mortgage or first deed of trust complying with §§ 38.2-1434 and 38.2-1437, subject to either of the following conditions:

1. The insurer also owns the obligation secured by the first mortgage or first deed of trust, and the aggregate value of both loans does not exceed the applicable loan-to-value ratio specified in § 38.2-1437; or

2. The obligation is secured by a wrap-around mortgage where:

a. Only one preexisting mortgage or deed of trust encumbers the real property;

b. The mortgage or deed of trust securing the loan is (i) recorded and (ii) insured for at least the total amount of the obligation of the borrower to the insurer by title insurance; and

c. The insurer agrees to make the payments due under the first mortgage or first deed of trust upon receipt of payments due from the borrower under the wrap-around mortgage.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.38; 1986, c. 562.

Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 13.1-627 and 13.1-826, a domestic insurer may acquire or sell participation interests in any loans secured by a mortgage or deed of trust qualifying under § 38.2-1434 if the insurer has all or substantially all the rights of a first mortgagee.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.39; 1986, c. 562.

A. The amount of any loan secured by a mortgage or deed of trust referred to in §§ 38.2-1434 through 38.2-1436 shall not exceed the following percentages of the fair market value of the real estate:

1. Seventy-five percent for a leasehold loan made pursuant to subdivision 2 of § 38.2-1434;

2. Ninety percent for a loan made to an employee of the insurer, other than a director or trustee thereof, whether such loan be made in connection with the initial employment of the employee or in connection with the transfer of the place of employment of the employee; or

3. Eighty percent for all other loans.

However, the percentage limits specified in this subsection may be exceeded if the excess is (i) insured or guaranteed or is to be insured or guaranteed by the United States, any state or any agency of either or (ii) insured by an insurer licensed to insure mortgage guaranty risks in this Commonwealth.

B. Any loan made pursuant to §§ 38.2-1434 through 38.2-1436 not in compliance with the requirements of subsection A of this section shall be classified as a Category 2 investment in its entirety.

C. The fair market value of the real estate interest mortgaged shall be determined by a written appraisal of at least one competent real estate appraiser as of the date of the initial loan commitment, which appraiser shall not be an employee of the insurer nor an employee of any company controlled by or under common control with the insurer. If the loan commitment is revised to reflect a change in the value of the real estate, the fair market value shall be determined as of the date of that revision.

D. Buildings and other improvements on the mortgaged premises shall be insured against fire loss for the benefit of the mortgagee in an amount not less than the lesser of their insurable value or the unpaid principal balance of the obligation.

E. The maximum term of any mortgage or deed of trust referred to in §§ 38.2-1434 through 38.2-1436 secured by real property primarily improved by a single-family residence shall not exceed thirty years.

F. A domestic insurer shall not invest, under §§ 38.2-1434 through 38.2-1436, more than two percent of its admitted assets, directly or indirectly, in mortgages covering any one secured location, nor more than four percent in the mortgages of any one obligor.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.40; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may invest in mortgage pass-through securities backed by a pool of mortgages of the kind, class and investment quality as those eligible for investment under §§ 38.2-1434 through 38.2-1437, under the following conditions:

1. The servicer of the pool of mortgages shall be a business entity created under the laws of the United States or any state;

2. The pool of mortgages is assigned to a business entity, other than a sole proprietorship, having a net worth of at least five million dollars, as trustee for the benefit of the holders of the securities;

3. A domestic insurer shall not invest under this section more than two percent of its admitted assets in securities backed by any single mortgage pass-through pool;

4. All mortgage pass-through securities acquired by a domestic insurer under this section shall provide for flow-through of both principal and interest payments payable on the underlying mortgage loan assets; mortgage pass-through securities promising principal-only, interest-only or residual interests-only in the underlying mortgage assets shall not be acquired; and

5. The securities on the date of investment shall be high grade obligations.

1992, c. 588; 1999, c. 483.

Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a domestic insurer from renewing or extending, or consenting to the renewal or extension of, evidences of indebtedness secured by real property or leasehold estates for the original or a lesser amount when a decrease in value of the property or estate causes the indebtedness to exceed the applicable loan-to-value ratio specified by § 38.2-1437. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a domestic insurer from accepting as part payment for any real property or leasehold estate sold by it, a mortgage or other lien on the real property or leasehold estate securing a loan that exceeds the applicable loan-to-value ratio specified in § 38.2-1437.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.41; 1986, c. 562.

A. In connection with a mortgage loan on the security of real property designed and used primarily for residential purposes and acquired pursuant to § 38.2-1434, a domestic insurer may make a loan on the security of a chattel mortgage, deed of trust or other appropriate lien. The chattel mortgage or other lien may be created separately or in combination with the mortgage loan on the real estate. It shall not exceed five years and shall constitute a first and prior lien, except for taxes not then delinquent, on personal property comprised of durable equipment owned by the mortgagor and kept and used on the mortgaged premises.

B. The term "durable equipment" includes only mechanical refrigerators, mechanical laundering machines, heating and cooking stoves and ranges, mechanical kitchen aids, vacuum cleaners, and fire extinguishing devices; and, for apartment houses and hotels, may also include room furniture and furnishings.

C. Before any loan or investment is made under this section, the items of property included in the security shall be separately appraised by a competent appraiser and the fair market value of the items determined. No loan made under this section shall exceed the lesser of (i) an amount obtained by multiplying the loan to the value ratio applicable to the companion loan on the real property by the fair market value of the personal property or (ii) an amount equal to twenty percent of the amount secured by the lien on the real property.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.42; 1986, c. 562.

A. A domestic insurer may invest in interests in tangible personal property for the production of income, evidenced by trust certificates or other instruments.

B. The investments shall be accompanied by (i) a right to receive rental, charter hire, purchase or other payments for the use or purchase of the personal property, (ii) a valid, binding and enforceable contract or lease for the purchase or use of the tangible personal property, and (iii) a provision for contractual payments to be made that will return the cost of the property and provide earnings on the investments within the anticipated useful life of the property which shall be at least three years.

C. The payments must be made payable or guaranteed by one or more domestic governmental entities or business entities whose obligations would qualify for investment under § 38.2-1421.

D. The unit cost of such property shall not be less than $25,000, and the cost of all property covered by any single contract or lease shall not be less than $100,000.

E. The tangible personal property shall not include furniture or fixtures.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.43; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A. A domestic insurer may invest in real estate, as set forth in subsections B, C and D of this section, unless the property is to be used primarily for agricultural, horticultural, ranch, recreational, amusement or club purposes. The term "real estate" as used in this section shall include a leasehold of real estate having an unexpired term of not less than twenty years.

B. A domestic insurer may invest in dwellings, offices and other properties (including leasehold estates) for the production of income, other than real estate which is the subject of subsection C, situated in the United States, and the construction thereon of improvements, under the following conditions:

1. The insurer shall either directly or through a land trust own the entire property, except that it may share ownership with one or more insurers authorized to do business in this state, or other business entities, excluding sole proprietorships, having a net worth of at least five million dollars under agreements that will assume concerted action in management and control of the property in case of the insolvency of any participating company, provided that each investment made pursuant to this subsection by the insurer and by each participant shall not be less than $100,000;

2. The insurer alone or in conjunction with participants qualified under subdivision B 1 may let contracts for construction and pay costs of construction and leasing, hold, maintain, lease, and manage the property, collect rents and other income therefrom, and sell the property in whole or in part;

3. The property may be encumbered by lease to tenants and by rights-of-way, easements, mineral reservations, building restrictions, and restrictive covenants, provided none of them can interfere substantially with the use of the property or result in a forfeiture of the property, unless a policy of title insurance, issued by a responsible title insurer qualified to do business in the state wherein the property is located, insures the insurer against loss or damage arising from such encumbrances or reversionary rights; and

4. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than four percent of its admitted assets in any one property or in any one grouping of contiguous properties.

C. A domestic insurer may invest in real estate, including leasehold estates, for the convenient accommodation of the insurer's business operations, including home office, branch office and field office operations, under the following conditions:

1. Any parcel of real estate acquired under this subsection may include excess space for rent to others if it is reasonably anticipated that the excess will be required by the insurer for expansion or if the excess is reasonably required in order to have one or more buildings that will function as an economic unit;

2. The real estate may be subject to a mortgage;

3. An insurer shall not invest under this subsection more than ten percent of the insurer's admitted assets, except with the permission of the Commission if it is found that such percentage of the insurer's admitted assets is insufficient to provide convenient accommodation for the insurer's business; and

4. The permission of the Commission shall be obtained by an insurer prior to the purchase of any real estate under this subsection if the insurer has been authorized in this Commonwealth for a period of less than five years.

D. Real property serving as the residence of an employee of any domestic insurer, other than a director or trustee of the insurer, may be acquired only in connection with the (i) relocation by the insurer of the place of employment of the employee, or (ii) any relocation in connection with the initial employment of the employee. The purchase price shall not exceed the fair market value of the property as determined by written appraisals of at least two competent independent real estate appraisers for the purpose of the acquisition. The employee shall have made reasonable efforts otherwise to dispose of the property for a period of not less than one month immediately prior to the acquisition.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.44; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A domestic insurer may invest in any obligation not in default of the Virginia Life, Accident and Sickness Insurance Guaranty Association issued pursuant to subdivision L 3 of § 38.2-1704 or the Virginia Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association issued pursuant to subdivision 2 of subsection B of § 38.2-1606.

1986, c. 562; 2010, c. 510.

The amounts allocated to separate accounts for variable life insurance and variable annuities, pursuant to the provisions of § 38.2-3113, and accumulations on them, may be invested and reinvested by a domestic insurer in any type of Category 1 investment. Any percentage limitations based on the insurer's total admitted assets or surplus to policyholders shall not apply to investments made pursuant to this section.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.45; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A. Unless otherwise provided by regulation, the amounts allocated to separate accounts for modified guaranteed life insurance and modified guaranteed annuities pursuant to the provisions of § 38.2-3113.1, and for funding agreements pursuant to the provisions of § 38.2-3100.2, and accumulations on them, may be invested and reinvested by a domestic insurer in any type of Category 1 investment.

B. Investments made pursuant to this section shall be taken into account in applying the investment limitations of §§ 38.2-1413 and 38.2-1414 to investments made by the insurer, by combining the investments under this section with all other investments subject to such limitations. In addition to the general account meeting these investment limitations, both the separate account and the general account together shall meet these investment limitations. The limitations of §§ 38.2-1413 and 38.2-1414 shall not otherwise apply to investments made pursuant to this section.

1992, c. 210; 2008, c. 216.

A. A domestic insurer, after adoption of a resolution by its board of directors and certification of that adoption to the Commission, may allocate to one or more separate accounts, in accordance with the terms of a written agreement, any amounts paid to or held by the insurer in connection with a pension, retirement or profit-sharing plan. The plan may provide (i) retirement benefits pursuant to the terms of the agreement or under the insurer's policies or contracts and (ii) other benefits incidental to the agreement or policies. The retirement benefits may vary according to the terms of the agreement, policies or contracts and any standards incorporated in them. Any income and any realized or unrealized gain or loss on each account shall be credited to or charged against that account in accordance with the agreement, without regard to the other income, gains or losses of the insurer.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision in this title, the amounts allocated to the accounts and accumulations on them may be invested and reinvested in any kinds of investment specified in the agreement other than those prohibited by § 38.2-1407. The investments shall not be taken into account in applying the investment limitations of this chapter to investments made by the insurer.

C. Amounts allocated by an insurer to separate accounts pursuant to this section shall be owned by the insurer, and the insurer shall not be, nor hold itself out to be, a trustee for the amounts. The insurer's liability under the accounts shall be limited to the amount of funds in the account.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.46; 1986, c. 562.

All investments made in compliance with this article shall be deemed Category 1 investments except that nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect or apply to any insurer licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 42 (§ 38.2-4200 et seq.) or 45 (§ 38.2-4500 et seq.) of this title.

1983, c. 457, § 38.1-217.47; 1986, c. 562; 1992, c. 588.

A. Every domestic insurer subject to the provisions of this chapter shall at all times have and maintain free and unencumbered admitted assets in an amount equal to the sum total of its reserve liabilities and minimum capital and surplus, and no such insurer shall pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise encumber its assets in an amount in excess of the amount of its surplus to policyholders; nor shall such insurer pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber more than five percent of its admitted assets. However, the Commission, upon written application, may approve the hypothecation or encumbrance of any of the assets of such an insurer in any amount upon a determination that such hypothecation or encumbrance will not adversely affect the solvency of such insurer.

B. Any such insurer which pledges, hypothecates, or otherwise encumbers any of its assets shall within ten days thereafter report in writing to the Commission the amount and identity of the assets so pledged, hypothecated, or encumbered and the terms and conditions of such transaction. In addition, each such insurer shall annually, or more often if required by the Commission, file with the Commission a statement sworn to by an executive officer of the insurer that (i) title to assets in an amount equal to the reserve liability and minimum capital and surplus of the insurer that are not pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered is vested in the insurer, (ii) the only assets of the insurer that are pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered are as identified and reported in the sworn statement and no other assets of the insurer are pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered, and (iii) the terms and limitations of any such transaction of pledge, hypothecation or encumbrance are as reported in the sworn statement.

C. Any person who accepts a pledge, hypothecation or encumbrance of any asset of a domestic insurer as security for a debt or other obligation of such insurer not in accordance with the terms and limitations of this article shall be deemed to have accepted such asset subject to a superior, preferential and automatically perfected lien in favor of claimants; however, such superior, preferential and automatically perfected lien in favor of claimants shall not apply to assets of a company in receivership pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 38.2-1500 et seq.) of this title, if the receiver approves the pledge, hypothecation or encumbrance of such assets.

D. In the event of involuntary or voluntary liquidation of any domestic insurer subject to this chapter, claimants of such insurer shall have a prior and preferential claim against all assets of the insurer except those that have been pledged, hypothecated or encumbered in accordance with the terms and limitations of this article. All claimants shall have equal status and their prior and preferential claim shall be superior to any claim or cause of action against the insurer by any person, corporation, association or legal entity.

1992, c. 588; 2002, c. 147.

A. This article shall not apply to those assets of any insurer that are held, deposited, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered as provided herein to secure, offset, protect, or meet those reserve liabilities of such insurer which are established, incurred, or required under the provisions of a reinsurance agreement whereby such insurer has reinsured the insurance policy liabilities of a ceding insurer, provided:

1. The ceding insurer and the reinsurer are both licensed to transact business in this Commonwealth; and

2. Pursuant to a written agreement between the ceding insurer and the reinsurer, reserve assets substantially equal to the reserve liabilities required to be established by the ceding insurer on the reinsured business are either (i) deposited by or are withheld from the reinsurer and are in the custody of the ceding insurer as security for the payment of the reinsurer's obligations under the reinsurance agreement, and such assets are held subject to withdrawal by and under control of the ceding insurer or (ii) are deposited and held in a trust account for such purpose and under such conditions with a qualified United States financial institution defined as eligible to act as a fiduciary of a trust by § 38.2-1316.1.

B. The Commission shall have the right to examine any such assets, reinsurance agreements, or deposit arrangements at any time in accordance with its authority to make examinations of insurers as conferred by other provisions of this title.

1992, c. 588.