2018-01-01
The Financial Services Authority mandates that domestic insurers submit post-sale share acquisition information within 21 working days of transaction completion. This extension addresses the practical limitation that share sale data becomes available only after closing, ensuring compliance with Section 27 of the Insurance Act, 2008. Failure to meet this filing deadline constitutes a punishable offence under Section 119, while the Authority retains powers to demand shareholder particulars and requires separate notifications under both insurance and securities legislation.
Circular No. 2 of 2018 Date: 24th October, 2018 Notification of Sales of Shares of Listed Insurance Companies The Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) would like to draw the attention of Domestic Insurers to Section 27 of the Insurance Act, 2008; “No person shall without the approval of the Authority, acquire or hold such number ofsharesin an insurer so as to make that person a significant shareholder in that insurer” In line with the above, the Authority acknowledges the fact that any information pertaining to the sale or acquisition of shares can only be provided to the Authority after the sale or acquisition has been completed. In view of this practical limitation, all licensees will be granted a period of 21 working days, after the conclusion of sale, to submit all required information. Kindly note that if the above is not observed, the Authority has the necessary powers pursuant to section 29(1) of the Act to require an insurer to furnish to it, in such form, manner and medium as it may specify, with particulars and information concerning‐ (a) Its shareholders (b) The nominee of a shareholder (c) Any person according to whose instructions and directions a shareholder normally exercise its rights as such. Furthermore, licensees should note that the Insurance Act, 2008 and the Securities Act, 2007 are two separate legislations and hence, do notsupersede each other. Thus, any entity who is conducting business under either or both legislations are required to provide formal notifications as required under the respective law. Licensees are reminded that non‐compliance with the filing requirement under section 27 is a punishable offence under section 119 of the Act. Financial Services Authority