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Unofficial and not binding translation of
the State Ordinance containing regulations
on the supervision of the insurance business
(State Ordinance Supervision Insurance Business)
(AB 2000 No. 82)
CHAPTER I
General Provisions
§ 1. Definitions
Article 1
For the purposes of this State Ordinance and the provisions based
there upon, the following terms shall be defined as stated below:
life insurance : an insurance contract concerning the payment
contract of cash benefits related to the life or death
of a person;
general insurance : an insurance contract, other than a life
contract insurance contract;
life insurance : the business of concluding and settlement of
business life insurance contracts for own account
irrespective of whether the project is to make
a profit;
general insurance : the business of concluding and settlement of
business general insurance contracts for own account,
irrespective of whether the object is to make
a profit;
insurance business : the life insurance business or the general
insurance business;
insurer : anyone engaged in the insurance business;
qualifying holding : a direct or indirect holding of more than ten
percent of the issued share capital of an
insurer or the ability to exercise directly
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or indirectly more than ten percent of the
voting rights in an insurer or the ability to
exercise directly or indirectly a comparable
degree of control;
money laundering : an offence as meant in Articles 2:404, 2:405
and 2:406 of the Criminal Code of Aruba;
terrorist financing : the criminal offense, meant in Article 2:55 of
the Criminal Code of Aruba;
auditor : a natural person who is not employed by an
insurer, and who is listed either in the
register of the Netherlands Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, as referred to
in Article 55 first paragraph, of the
Certified Public Accountants Act (Statute
Publication Gazette of the Netherlands 1962,
258), or is listed elsewhere with a similar
institute as the Netherlands Institute of
Certified Public Accountants, and who is
subject to a, in the opinion of the Bank,
similar regime of code of conduct,
professional code and discipline;
establishment : registered office, agency or branch, as
well as any other permanent presence of an
insurer on the territory of a state in the
form of an organization, managed by the
insurer's own personnel or by an independent
person who is authorized to engage in the
insurance business on behalf of the insurer;
branch : part of an insurer, not being a separate legal
entity;
the Bank : the Central Bank of Aruba;
Court : the Court of First Instance of Aruba;
Minister : the Minister of Finance.
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§ 2 Scope
Article 2
- The Bank supervises insurers incorporated under the Aruban
law and the branches and agencies in Aruba of insurers incorporated
outside Aruba.
- An insurer incorporated under the Aruban law shall have the
legal status of a public limited company (“naamloze vennootschap”), a
limited liability company (“vennootschap met beperkte
aansprakelijkheid”), an Aruba exempt corporation, or a mutual
insurance company.
- The Bank shall decide whether an action or a combination of
actions does or does not constitute as being engaged in the life
insurance business or the general insurance business, and whether an
action or a combination of actions does or does not constitute as
being engaged in the insurance business from an establishment in
Aruba.
- By State Decree containing General Administrative Measures,
having heard the Bank, categories of insurers may be designated, for
which this State Ordinance shall not be applicable in part or in
whole.
- The Establishment of Business Ordinance (AB 1990, no. GT 55)
shall not be applicable for insurers.
Article 3
- The general insurance business shall be divided into five
indemnity lines, viz.:
a. accident and health insurance;
b. motor vehicle insurance;
c. maritime, transport, and aviation insurance;
d. fire insurance and other property insurance;
e. other indemnity insurances.
- In the event that the nature of a general insurance contract
plays a part or may play a part in a dispute, the Bank shall decide on
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request of the interested party, to which of the indemnity lines
listed in the first paragraph a general insurance contract belongs.
Article 4
- The Bank may impose restrictions and attach stipulations and
conditions to licenses, permissions or exemptions issued by it within
the framework of the execution of this State Ordinance.
- The Bank may grant exemption from regulations laid down by,
or by virtue of, this State Ordinance, provided that in the Bank's
opinion this is not in conflict with the interests of the insurant,
the insured or other persons entitled to payment.
CHAPTER II
Admission to the insurance business
§ 1. In general
Article 5
- Without a license from the Bank it is prohibited to approach
the public in or from Aruba regarding the direct or indirect
engagement in the insurance business.
- A license is granted either to engage in the life insurance
business or the general insurance business. A license to engage in the
general insurance business shall be granted per line of insurance.
§ 2. Application for a license
Article 6
- The application for a license as referred to in Article 5,
first paragraph, shall be addressed to the Bank and shall at least
contain information on:
a. the identity, background, and a certificate of good conduct, as
well as other data to be determined by the Bank, based on which
the Bank can ascertain the integrity and suitability of:
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- the directors and other persons who determine or codetermine the policy of the applicant;
- the members of the board of supervisory directors or of the
body of the applicant that has a task similar to that of the
board of supervisory directors;
b. the identity, background, and a certificate of good conduct, as
well as other data to be determined by the Bank, based on which
the Bank can ascertain the integrity of those who hold a
qualifying holding in the applicant and, if the holder of a
qualifying holding is a legal entity, of the persons who
determine or co-determine the policy of this legal entity, as
well as the extent of the qualifying holding in question;
c. annual financial statements or an opening balance sheet, which
shall be accompanied by a declaration that the information
presents a true and fair view, signed by an auditor;
d. a program of activities which the applicant intends to conduct;
e. the envisaged management controls and administrative
organization, including the financial accounting system and the
internal controls;
f. the applicant's Deed of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation,
and By-laws.
- In the event that the applicant constitutes part of a
group, the data on the formal and factual control structures within
the group and a list of names of the persons who determine or codetermine the group's policy shall also be provided.
- An applicant who intends to conclude contracts covering
liabilities resulting from the use of motor vehicles, shall include
with its application a statement signed by it stating that its
insurance terms comply with the stipulations laid down in the State
Ordinance Motor Vehicles Liability Insurance (AB 1999, no. GT 12).
- The Bank shall decide on the application within thirteen
weeks after the date of receipt thereof. If further information
related to the application have been requested by the Bank, this
period shall start on the date of receipt of the additional
information.
- Exceeding the period referred to in the fourth paragraph
shall be similar to a refusal for granting the license.
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§ 3 Licensing conditions
Article 7
The Bank shall grant a license, as meant in Article 5, first
paragraph, provided it is evident to it that the following conditions
are met:
a. the applicant's day-to-day management is determined by at least
one natural person;
b. in so far it concerns a legal entity, the applicant has a
Supervisory Board or a similar body, consisting of at least three
natural persons;
c. the Bank is of the opinion that the integrity of one or more
persons, referred to in Article 6, first paragraph, subparagraph
a, is not beyond doubt;
d. the Bank is of the opinion that the suitability of one or more
persons, referred to in Article 6, first paragraph, subparagraph
a, is insufficient, individually or jointly, in connection with
the conduct of the insurance business, or the performance of the
duties in question at the insurer;
e. the Bank is of the opinion that the integrity of a holder of a
qualifying holding in the applicant, or, if the holder of a
qualifying holding is a legal entity, of the persons who
determine or also determine the policy of this legal entity is
not beyond doubt, or that there is or could be question,
otherwise, of undesirable influence on the policy of the
applicant as a result of a qualifying holding in the applicant;
f. the declaration, mentioned in Article 6, first paragraph, sub c.
implies that the annual financial statements or opening balance
sheet present a true and fair view of the size and composition of
the capital of the applicant;
g. in view of the data as mentioned in Article 6, first paragraph,
sub d and e, the applicant is able to realize its intentions, or
meet the requirements to be imposed on it in connection with the
supervision;
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h. the granting of a license to the applicant does not lead to an
undesirable development of the insurance sector, or to a
circumstance that could bring this about;
i. the applicant has a minimum solvency margin as mentioned in
Article 14, third paragraph.
Chapter III
Revocation of the license
Article 8
- The Bank shall revoke a license as mentioned in Article 5,
first paragraph, if the insurer:
a. so requests;
b. has ceased to operate in the life insurance business or the
concerned indemnity line.
- The Bank may revoke a license as mentioned in Article 5,
first paragraph, if the insurer:
a. no longer meets the regulations for obtaining the license laid
down by, or by virtue of, this State Ordinance;
b. in the opinion of the Bank fails to comply with statutory
regulations in force in Aruba or abroad concerning the engagement
in the insurance business;
c. fails to comply with a directive as mentioned in Article 15,
first paragraph;
d. has not commenced the business operations within six months after
the day the license was granted;
e. does not or not sufficiently comply with the regulations laid
down by or pursuant to the State Ordinance on the Prevention and
Combating of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AB 2011
No. 28) or any other statutory regulation on the prevention and
suppression of money laundering and terrorist financing in the
opinion of the Bank.
Article 9
- The revocation, mentioned in Article 8, shall only become
effective, after the pertinent decision has become irrevocable. As
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soon as the revocation has become effective, the Bank shall publish
the decision in the Government Gazette of Aruba.
2. The insurer shall wind up the part of its business, for
which the license was granted, within a term to be determined by the
Bank. During this term, for the purposes of this State Ordinance, the
insurer shall be put on a par with an insurer who has a license as
mentioned in Article 5, first paragraph.
CHAPTER IV
Supervision of the engagement in the
insurance business
§ 1. Management controls and administrative organization
Article 10
- The Bank may give insurers directives with regard to the
administrative organization and internal operational management,
including the financial accounts and internal control.
- The directives meant in the first paragraph may relate to the
implementation of rules in other State Ordinances.
- The Bank may give an insurance company instructions on the way
in which directives as meant in the first paragraph are to be
implemented.
§ 2. Statements
Article 11
- Within six months after the end of each financial year the
insurer shall send the Bank statements, which provide a clear picture
of the management carried out by the insurer and of its financial
position.
- The insurer shall submit the statements accompanied by an
auditor's declaration stating that they present a true and fair view.
As evidence that the statements have been audited by him or, if the
statements as mentioned in the third paragraph were included in his
audit, the auditor shall certify the statements. When giving the audit
assignment, the insurer shall authorize the auditor in writing to
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provide the Bank all information that may be reasonably considered
necessary to carry out the duty imposed on the Bank by, or by virtue
of, this State Ordinance.
3. In so far applicable one of the statements shall consist of
the actuarial report, which shall be provided with an actuarial
certification. With his certification the actuary shall confirm that
he has ascertained that the provisions stated in the actuarial report
have been assessed correctly. He shall be authorized to amplify his
certification or to make reservations on any point.
4. The Bank shall determine the models of the statements
mentioned in the first paragraph.
§ 3. Annual report
Article 12
- Each year, within six months after the end of the financial
year, an insurer shall submit its annual financial statements and
annual report to the Bank. The annual report shall present a true and
fair view of the position on the balance sheet date and of the
business transactions during the financial year.
- The annual financial statements and annual report of an
insurer domiciled outside Aruba shall concern the entire business.
§ 4. Technical provisions
Article 13
- An insurer shall maintain adequate technical provisions
which are fully covered by assets. The Bank may raise objections
against the nature and valuation of these assets, which objections
shall be promptly met by the insurer.
- The Bank may provide general guidelines with regards to the
contents and the magnitude of the technical provisions, mentioned in
the first paragraph.
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§ 5. Solvency margin
Article 14
- An insurer engaged in the life insurance business must have
a solvency margin amounting to eight percent of the provision for
insurance obligations at the end of the preceding financial year,
without taking the reinsurance of these obligations into account.
- An insurer engaged in the general insurance business must
have a solvency margin equal to the highest outcome of one of the
following calculations:
a. fifteen percent of the gross premiums booked in the preceding
financial year, or
b. fifteen percent of the average gross claims booked in the past
three financial years.
- The Bank may give general guidelines with regards to the
solvency margin, in which among other things may be indicated, what
amount of solvency margin must at least be maintained.
- By State Decree, containing General Administrative Orders,
special solvency margins may be prescrbed for certain categories of
insurers.
§ 6. Structural supervision
Article 14a
- Without the permission from the Bank, a natural person or a
legal entity is not allowed:
a. to hold, acquire, or increase a qualifying holding in an insurer;
b. to exercise any control associated with a qualifying holding in an
insurer.
- The Bank shall grant permission requested as referred to in the
first paragraph, unless the Bank is of the opinion that the integrity
of the applicant or, if the applicant is a legal entity, of the
persons who determine or also determine the policy of this legal
entity is not beyond doubt, or that there is or could be question,
otherwise, of undesirable influence on the policy of the enterprise or
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institution as a result of a qualifying holding in the enterprise or
institution.
3. If a qualifying holding in an insurer is held, acquired, or
increased without having obtained permission for this act, or without
having observed the restrictions imposed when granting the permission,
the infringing natural person or legal entity shall reverse the act
performed within a period to be determined by the Bank or shall
observe the restrictions as yet. This obligation shall cease to apply,
if permission is given for the act in question as yet, or the
restrictions not observed are withdrawn.
4. If the exercise of any control, associated with a qualifying
holding in an insurer, takes place without having obtained permission
for this act, or without having observed the restrictions or
conditions imposed when granting the permission, a decision made also
based on the control exercised can be annulled by the Court, on the
demand of the Bank, if the decision would have been different or would
not have been made, if the control in question had not been exercised,
unless permission is granted as yet, or the restrictions or conditions
not observed are observed as yet. Insofar as necessary, the Court
shall provide for the consequences of the annulment.
5. If a natural person or a legal entity does not comply with all
regulations or conditions attaching to the permission as referred to
in the first paragraph, the Bank may set a period within which that
natural person or legal entity shall comply with the regulations or
conditions not complied with as yet.
Article 14b
- Article 6, first paragraph, subparagraphs a, b, f, and second,
fourth, and fifth paragraph shall be equally applicable to an
application for permission as referred to in Article 14 a, first
paragraph.
- The issue of the permission as referred to in Article 14a,
first paragraph, shall be announced in the Official Gazette of Aruba,
as well as in one or more newspapers to be determined by the Bank,
unless the Bank is of the opinion that the announcement thereof would
or could lead to disproportionate favoring of, or prejudice to parties
involved in the decision or third parties.
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3. The Bank may modify or revoke the permission as referred to in
Article 14a, first paragraph, in whole or in part:
a. at the written request of the holder;
b. if the data or documents provided for obtaining the declaration
have turned out to be incorrect or incomplete to such an extent
that a different decision would have been made on the application,
if, at the time of assessing the application, the correct
circumstances had been fully known;
c. if not all regulations or conditions laid down in the declaration
are complied with within the period referred to in Article 14a,
fifth paragraph;
d. if the holder does not comply with an instruction as referred to
in 15b.
In that case, the second paragraph shall be equally applicable.
Article 14c
- A natural person or legal entity whose qualify holding in an
insurer changes in such a way that the extent of this holding falls
below 10, 20, 33, or 50 percent, shall notify the Bank thereof in
writing.
- Each year in the month of July, an insurer shall notify the
Bank in writing of the identity of each natural person or legal entity
holding a qualifying holding in that institution, insofar as these
data are known to it. As soon as this becomes known to it, an insurer
shall also notify the Bank in writing of each acquisition or disposal
of, or change to a qualifying holding in that institution, by which
the extent of the holding exceeds or falls below 10, 20, 33, or 50
percent.
§ 7. Integrity supervision
Article 14d
- An insurer shall pursue adequate policy for an ethical
conduct of its business and shall set up its operational management in
such a way that the ethical conduct of its business is safeguarded.
- At any rate, the policy and the operational management,
referred to in the first paragraph, shall be aimed at:
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a. the countering of conflicts of interests;
b. the suppression of money laundering and terrorist financing;
c. the compliance with rules laid down by or pursuant to the State
Ordinance on the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering
and Terrorist Financing and other statutory regulations on the
prevention and combating of money laundering and terrorist
financing;
d. the prevention of punishable offenses or other violations of the
law by the insurer or its employees, which could prejudice the
confidence in the enterprise or in the financial markets;
e. the countering of relationships with clients or other business
relationships, which could prejudice the confidence in the
enterprise or in the financial markets;
f. the countering of other acts by the insurer or its employees,
which are in conflict with generally accepted standards according
to unwritten law to such an extent, that this could prejudice the
confidence in the enterprise or in the financial markets.
3. The Bank may give insurers directives with regard to:
a. the ethical conduct of the insurance business;
b. the way in which it is determined whether the integrity of a
person, referred to in Article 5, first paragraph, subparagraph a,
is beyond doubt, and whether such person is suitable, and which
facts and circumstances are to be taken into consideration for
that purpose.
4. The directives, referred to in the third paragraph, may be
related to the implementation of the regulations of other State
Ordinances. They shall only be given or modified after consulting the
representative organization involved.
Article 14e
- An insurer shall not be associated through persons or legal
entities in a formal or factual control structure:
a. that is intransparent to such an extent that it constitutes or can
constitute an obstacle to the adequate exercise of supervision of
that enterprise;
b. if foreign law applies to these persons or legal entities, and
this foreign law constitutes or can constitute an obstacle to the
adequate exercise of supervision of that enterprise.
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CHAPTER V
Special measures
§ 1. Right to give directives
Article 15
- If an insurer does not meet the regulations for obtaining the
license laid down by, or by virtue of, this State Ordinance, or if the
Bank establishes that an insurer does not comply with the provisions
laid down by, or by virtue of, Articles 10 through 14, 14c, second
paragraph, 14d and 14e, or if the Bank perceives other signs, that in
its opinion endanger or might endanger an insurer's solvency, it can
give this insurer a directive to comply again, within a term to be
determined by the Bank, with these regulations or with the provisions
laid down by, or by virtue of, Articles 10 through 14, 14c, second
paragraph, 14d and 14e, or to ensure that the solvency is brought
again to a level to be determined by the Bank.
- If within two weeks after the date of the directive the Bank
has not received an answer from the insurer which it regards as
satisfactory, or if in its opinion the directive has not or not
adequately been complied with, it may, without prejudice to its
authorization for revocation of a license pursuant to Article 8, to
impose a penalty charge order pursuant to Article 16, first paragraph,
and to impose an administrative fine pursuant to Article 16, second
paragraph:
a. notify the insurer in writing that as from a certain date all or
certain of its bodies may only exercise their powers after
approval by one or more persons appointed by the Bank, which
notification shall take immediate effect;
b. notify the insurer in writing that the Bank will proceed to
publication of the directive in the Government Gazette of Aruba.
- If the cases mentioned in the first paragraph require
immediate intervention, the Bank may without applying the first
paragraph, immediately implement the second paragraph, sub a, after it
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has given the insurer the opportunity to present its views about the
immediate enforcement.
4. The bodies, mentioned in the second paragraph, sub a, shall
give the persons appointed by the Bank full cooperation. For losses
resulting from acts performed in contravention of a notification as
mentioned in the second paragraph, sub a, the persons who perform
these acts as a body of the insurer shall be personally liable towards
the insurer.
5. The decision to publish a directive shall only become
effective after it has become irrevocable. If after the publication
the insurer complies with the directive as yet, or if the Bank
withdraws the directive, this shall be published by the Bank in the
Government Gazette of Aruba.
Article 15a
- If the Bank is of the opinion that an auditor or actuary does
not provide or no longer provides the necessary guarantees that he can
fulfill his task properly in relation to an insurance company, the
Bank may decide that this auditor or actuary is no longer authorized
to sign the reports meant in this State Ordinance in relation to that
insurance company.
- The Bank will notify the insurance company in question
immediately of a decision as meant in the first paragraph.
Article 15b
The Bank may give the holder of a qualifying holding in an
insurer, as regards to whom the condition of Article 7, subparagraph
e, is no longer fulfilled in its opinion, an instruction to take a
certain course of action with regard to specified issues.
§2. Administrative sanctions
Article 16
- For the violation of the provisions laid down by or pursuant to
Articles 4, 5, first paragraph, 9, second paragraph, 10, 11 through
15b, 17, 22, first and third paragraph, 24b, third, fourth, and fifth
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paragraph, 25, sixth paragraph, and 27a, first paragraph, 27b, the
Bank may impose a penalty charge order.
2. For the offenses referred to in the first paragraph, the Bank
may also impose an administrative fine not exceeding Afl. 1,000,000.-
per separate violation.
3. Violations can be committed by natural persons and legal
entities. Article 1:127, second and third paragraph, of the Criminal
Code of Aruba shall be equally applicable.
4. The Bank shall adopt guidelines for the exercise of the powers,
referred to in the first and second paragraph, and shall record them
in a policy document. The policy document shall at any rate contain a
description of the procedures to be followed when exercising the
powers, referred to in the first and second paragraph. The policy
document, referred to in the first sentence, as well as all
modifications to be introduced to same afterwards shall be announced
in advance in a manner to be determined by the Bank.
5. By State Decree containing General Administrative Orders, rules
shall be laid down with regard to the principles for the determination
of the amount of the penalty charge order and the administrative fine
per violation. The violations shall be classified into categories
based on the severity of the violation, with the corresponding basic
amounts, minimum amounts, and maximum amounts.
6. Forfeited penalties and administrative fines shall accrue to
the Bank.
Article 16a
- If, at the time of committing a violation, a period of five
years has not yet expired since an administrative fine was imposed on
the violator for a similar violation, the amount of the administrative
fine, referred to in Article 16, second paragraph, shall be doubled
for each separate violation.
- Notwithstanding Article 16, second paragraph, the Bank may set
the amount of the administrative fine at a maximum of twice the amount
of the benefit obtained by the violator as a result of the violation,
if his benefit exceeds Afl. 1,000,000.-.
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Article 16b
- If the Bank intends to impose an administrative fine, it shall
notify the person concerned thereof, stating the grounds on which the
intention is based.
- The Bank shall give the person concerned the opportunity to
express his view, either in writing or orally, within a reasonable
period, before imposing the administrative fine by decision.
- If, after the person concerned has expressed his view, the Bank
decides that no administrative fine will be imposed for the violation,
the person concerned shall be informed hereof in writing.
Article 16c
- At the request of the violator, the Bank may cancel a penalty
charge order, suspend the duration thereof for a specific period, or
reduce the penalty, in case the violator is permanently or temporarily
unable in whole or in part to comply with his obligations.
- Furthermore, at the request of a violator, the Bank may cancel
a penalty charge order, if the decision has been effective one year
without having forfeited the penalty.
Article 16d
Anyone in respect of whom the Bank has performed an act from which
he could reasonably infer that an administrative fine will be imposed
on him for violation of the provisions laid down by or pursuant to
this State Ordinance will not be required to make any statement in
that regard. He shall be notified to this effect before being asked to
provide information.
Article 16e
- The administrative fine is due within six weeks after the date
of the decision by which it was imposed.
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2. Statutory interest will be added to the fine, to be counted
from the day after the six weeks have elapsed since the notification
of the decision.
Article 16f
- The power to impose an administrative fine will lapse:
a. if criminal prosecution has been instituted for the infringement,
and the court hearings has started, or if the right to prosecute
has ceased to exist pursuant to Article 1:149 of the Criminal
Code of Aruba;
b. three years after the day the non-compliance with the rule was
discovered.
- The period meant in the first paragraph, sub b will be
interrupted by a notification of the order by which the administrative
fine was imposed.
Article 16g
- The Bank is authorized, for the purpose of protection of the
financial system and preventing money laundering and terrorist
financing, to publish the offence for which the order subject to a
penalty or the administrative fine was imposed, the infringed rule, as
well as the name, address and domicile of the person on whom the
administrative fine was imposed.
- The Minister may lay down rules on the exercise of the
authority meant in the first paragraph.
- The order to publish shall take effect on the day on which the
offence is made public, without suspension of the effect for the
duration of the period for appeal or, if appeal has been brought, of
the appeal, if the address of the person concerned is not known and it
cannot be obtained either with reasonable efforts.
Article 16h
The Bank shall keep record of the acts carried out in the context of
an investigation prior to the imposition of an administrative fine,
stating the persons who carried out those acts.
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Article 16i
- If a forfeited penalty or fine is not paid within the period
set by the Bank, a demand will be made to the infringer to pay the
amount of the penalty or fine, plus the costs of the demand, within
two weeks.
- In the absence of payment, the amount and the costs, referred
to in the first paragraph, shall be augmented by the collection costs,
collected by the Bank by writ of execution.
3.The writ of execution shall be published by serving a process as
referred to in the Code of Civil Procedure of Aruba and shall
constitute entitlement to enforcement, which may be enforced while
applying the provisions of this Code.
4.The writ of execution shall at any rate state:
a. the words ‘writ of execution’ in the heading;
b. the amount of the collectable principal sum, augmented by the
statutory interest due;
c. the order or the statutory provision from which the amount due
arises;
d. the costs of the demand and of the writ of execution;
e. that it may be enforced for the account of the violator.
5.For a period of six weeks after the date of service, an
objection may be lodged against the writ of execution. Objection shall
be lodged against the Bank with the Court and in the manner stipulated
for filing claims. Provided it has been lodged in a timely fashion and
in the prescribed manner, the objection shall suspend the enforcement.
§ 3. Appointment of certain positions
Article 17
An insurer shall not appoint persons to positions as referred to
in Article 7, sub a and b, prior to having obtained the approval
thereof from the Bank.
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CHAPTER VI
The register
Article 18
- The Bank shall keep a register in which all insurers are
entered, which have obtained a license as mentioned in Article 5,
first paragraph. The register shall be organized in a way to be
determined by the Bank and shall be available for everyone for
inspection at the Bank's office, free of charge.
- The Bank shall ensure the removal from the register of every
insurer whose license as mentioned in Article 5, first paragraph, is
revoked.
Article 19
- The entry in or removal from the register shall be published
by the Bank in the Government Gazette of Aruba and in two local
newspapers within two weeks after the day on which it took place.
- Each year in the month of January, a transcript of the
register showing the position as per December 31 of the preceding
year shall be published by the Bank in the Government Gazette of
Aruba and in two local newspapers.
CHAPTER VII
Emergency regulation and bankruptcy
§ 1. Emergency regulation
Article 20
- In the event that the solvency of an insurer entered in the
register shows signs of a dangerous development or there are otherwise
signs, that threaten the continued existence of an insurer, and no
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improvement in this development may be expected in reason, the Court
may, on petition of the Bank declare that the insurer is in a position
that in the interests of the combined creditors requires a special
measure.
2. In case of a declaration as mentioned in the first
paragraph, the Court shall appoint on the Bank's recommendation one or
more administrators, who shall be authorized to liquidate all or part
of the insurance agreements concluded by the insurer as well as to
proceed to transfer all or part of its rights and obligations under or
by virtue of insurance agreements.
3. By State Decree, containing General Administrative Orders,
regulations may be laid down concerning the way of performing the
duties, mentioned in the second paragraph. By this decree, one or
more provisions of the Bankruptcy Ordinance may be declared applicable
and may be deviated from regulations of that state ordinance.
§ 2. Bankruptcy and liquidation
Article 21
- The Bank may file a petition at the Court to adjudicate an
insurer bankrupt, if it appears to it that the insurer has a negative
proprietors’ equity capital and either the purpose to be achieved by
the measure, described in Article 20, can not or no longer be
realized, or, if this measure was not previously requested, there is
no longer a reasonable prospect that the purpose to be achieved by
this measure may be realized as yet.
- In deviation from Article 1 of the Bankruptcy Ordinance the
bankruptcy shall be adjudicated, irrespective of whether the insurer
is in a position of having ceased to make payments.
- If a petition to adjudicate bankrupt is filed by another
than the Bank, including an insurer's own petition, this shall not be
decided on until after the Court has given the Bank the opportunity to
express its opinion on this matter.
- An insurer entered in the register that has decided to
liquidate its business in whole or in part, or to dissolve it, shall
notify the Bank at least thirteen weeks before the decision will be
executed of the way in which the liquidation, respectively the
dissolution, will take place.
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CHAPTER VIII
Special provisions
§ 1. Transfer of rights and obligations
Article 22
- An insurer shall only transfer its rights and obligations
from all or part of the insurance agreements without the permission of
the persons who can derive rights from these agreements to another
insurer by written agreement and with written permission of the Bank.
- In deviation from the first paragraph, an insurer shall be
authorized to transfer its rights and obligations from an individual
insurance agreement at the insurant's written request.
- The Bank may give general guidelines with regards to the
transfer of rights and obligations from insurance agreements.
- Secrecy
Article 23
- Anyone who performs or performed any duty for the purposes of
this State Ordinance or a decision made pursuant to this State
Ordinance is not allowed to use data or information provided or
obtained pursuant to this State Ordinance or received from a foreign
body as referred to in Article 24, first paragraph, further or
differently or to make it known further or differently than required
for the performance of his duty or by this State Ordinance.
- Notwithstanding the first paragraph, the Bank shall be
authorized to make statements by using data or information obtained in
the performance of its duty pursuant to this State Ordinance, provided
these data or that information cannot be traced back to separate
persons or institutions.
- The first paragraph shall not affect the obligation to make a
statement, in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure of Aruba
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(AB 1996 No. 75), as a witness in criminal cases with regard to data
or information obtained in the performance of the duty assigned to him
pursuant to this State Ordinance. Likewise, it shall not affect the
obligation to make a statement, in accordance with the Code of Civil
Procedure of Aruba (AB 2005 No. 34), as a witness or a party in a
personal appearance of parties in civil cases with regard to data or
information obtained in the performance of the duty assigned to him
pursuant to this State Ordinance, and this on the understanding that
such an obligation shall only apply, insofar as it concerns an insurer
that has been declared bankrupt or that has been dissolved by court
decision, and that it does not apply to data or information related to
enterprises or institutions that are or were involved in an attempt to
enable the insurer in question to continue its business.
§ 3. Exchange of data
Article 24
- Notwithstanding Article 23, first paragraph, the Bank shall
be authorized to exchange data and/or information obtained in the
performance of the duties assigned to it pursuant to this State
Ordinance with bodies designated by foreign public authorities, which
are charged with:
a. the supervision of persons and institutions that are active in the
financial markets, or
b. the supervision of the compliance with legislation and regulations
concerning the prevention and suppression of money laundering and
terrorist financing.
- The power, referred to in the first paragraph, shall not be
exercised, if:
a. the purpose for which the data or information will be used has not
been sufficiently specified;
b. the contemplated use of the data or information is not in line
with the supervision of financial markets or persons working in
these markets;
c. provision of the data or information is contrary to public order
or the laws of Aruba;
d. the secrecy of the data or information has not been sufficiently
guaranteed;
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e. provision of the data or information is or could be contrary in
reason to the interests this State Ordinance intends to protect;
f. it has not been sufficiently guaranteed that the data or
information will not be used for a purpose other than for which
they are provided.
3. Insofar as the data or information, referred to in the first
paragraph, have been obtained from a foreign supervisory body, the
Bank shall not provide them to another foreign supervisory body,
unless the body from which the data or information have been obtained
approved the provision of the data and information and, if applicable,
approved the use for a purpose other than for which the data or
information have been provided.
4. If a foreign supervisory body requests the Bank to use data or
information, which the Bank provided pursuant to the first or second
paragraph, for a purpose other than for which they have been provided,
the Bank shall only comply with that request, if:
a. the contemplated use is not contrary to the first or second
paragraph; or
b. the supervisory body concerned could obtain these data or
information from Aruba, for that other purpose, in a way other
than provided for in this State Ordinance, with due observance
of the applicable legal procedures.
Article 24a
Notwithstanding Article 23, first paragraph, the Bank shall be
authorized to provide data or information obtained in the performance
of the duties assigned to it pursuant to this State Ordinance to
persons and bodies charged with the exercise of criminal-law powers
pursuant to the Code of Criminal Procedure of Aruba.
Article 24b
- For the performance of its duty pursuant to this paragraph, the
Bank may demand information from anyone, if this is necessary for the
performance of the duty of a body referred to in Article 24, first
paragraph. Article 25, third through sixth paragraph, shall be equally
applicable.
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2. At the request of a body as referred to in the first paragraph,
the Bank may ask data and information from or conduct an investigation
or cause same to be conducted at an insurer or at anyone who can be
suspected in reason of disposing of data or information that may be
important to the requesting body.
3. The person who has been asked for data or information as
referred to in the second paragraph shall provide same within a
reasonable period to be set by the Bank.
4. The person at whom an investigation as referred to in the
second paragraph is conducted shall give all cooperation necessary for
the proper conduct of that investigation. Article 25, third and fourth
paragraph, shall be equally applicable.
5. The Bank may allow that an officer of a body as referred to
in Article 24, first paragraph, participates in the implementation of
a request as referred to in the second paragraph. The officer referred
to in the first sentence shall comply with the instructions of the
employee of the Bank, charged with the implementation of the request.
The order referred to in the fourth paragraph shall also apply to the
officer referred to in the first sentence.
Article 24c
- The Bank shall be authorized to consult the registers of and to
ask all information from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the
Department of Land Surveying and Real Estate Registration, the Civil
Registry, as well as other bodies to be designated by State Decree
containing General Administrative Orders.
- The bodies mentioned in the first paragraph shall give the Bank
all cooperation free of charge and within the reasonable period set by
it, as requested pursuant to the first paragraph.
§ 4. Supervision
Article 25
- The persons employed by the Bank and designated for this
purpose by the President of the Bank shall be charged with supervising
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the compliance with the provisions laid down by or pursuant to this
State Ordinance. Such State Decree shall be announced in the Official
Gazette of Aruba.
2. The persons designated pursuant to the first paragraph may
exercise the supervision in a risk-oriented manner. They shall report
on the exercise of the powers mentioned in the third paragraph to the
President of the Bank or to the executives within the Bank to be
designated in writing by the President.
3. The employees of the Bank, designated by virtue of the first
paragraph, shall be authorized, exclusively in as far as this is
necessary in reason for the performance of their duties:
a. to request all information;
b. to demand inspection of all books, documents, and other
information carriers concerning the business and to make
transcripts thereof or copies thereof or to take these along
temporarily for this purpose;
c. to enter all places, except for dwelling houses without specific
permission of the occupant, accompanied by persons to be
designated by them.
4. If necessary, access to a place as mentioned in the third\
paragraph, sub c, shall be gained with the assistance of the police.
5. By State Decree, containing General Administrative Orders,
rules shall be laid down regarding the way in which the employees of
the Bank, designated by virtue of the first paragraph, perform their
duties.
6. Everyone shall give the persons, designated by virtue of the
first paragraph, the cooperation required pursuant to the third
paragraph.
CHAPTER IX
Penal provision
Article 26
- The person who violates a regulation, condition, or
limitation laid down by or pursuant to Articles 4, 5, first paragraph,
9, second paragraph, 10, 11 through 15b, 17, 22, first and third
paragraph, 24b, third, fourth, and fifth paragraph, 25, sixth
27
paragraph, and 27a, first paragraph, 27b, shall be punished with
imprisonment not exceeding one year, or with a fine of the fourth
category.
2. Acting intentionally in violation of any provision, laid down in
or in pursuance of the Articles, mentioned in the first paragraph,
shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding six years or a fine
of the sixth category.
3. The punishable acts, mentioned in the first paragraph are
punishable offenses; the punishable acts, mentioned in the second
paragraph are criminal offenses.
CHAPTER X
Final provisions
Article 27
This State Ordinance is not applicable for institutions that are
established by state ordinance and that conduct activities similar or
almost similar to the engagement in the insurance business.
Article 27a
- By State Decree containing General Administrative Orders,
funeral insurance companies with in-kind benefits, reinsurers, and
insurance agents may be placed under the supervision of the Bank in
accordance with rules to be laid down by this State Decree. One or
more Articles of this State Ordinance may then be declared equally
applicable.
- A funeral insurance company with in-kind benefits shall be
understood to be anyone, not being a life insurer, whose business is
to conclude funeral insurances with in-kind benefits for own account
and to complete these funeral insurances with in-kind benefits.
Funeral insurance with in-kind benefits shall be understood to be
insurance in connection with the funeral arrangements of a natural
person, while the insurer undertakes to deliver a performance that
does not also imply paying a financial benefit.
- A reinsurer shall be understood to be anyone whose business is
to conclude reinsurances for own account and to complete these
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reinsurances. Reinsurance shall be understood to be insurance under
which risks are accepted that are transferred by an insurer.
4. An insurance agent shall be understood to be anyone who, other
than on account of an employment contract, acts as an intermediary in
the conclusion, surrender, or payment of a life insurance contract or
a nonlife insurance contract.
Article 27b
- It is not allowed for anyone to act as an intermediary in the
conclusion, surrender, or payment of a life insurance contract or a
nonlife insurance contract with an enterprise or institution domiciled
in or outside Aruba, which does not dispose of a license as referred
to in Article 5 for the conduct of the insurance business.
- Without prejudice to Article 4, second paragraph, the Bank may
grant an exemption from the prohibition referred to in the first
paragraph, on a request to that effect, if the Bank is of the opinion
that this is not contrary to the interests this State Ordinance
intends to protect.
Article 28
Each year, before July 1, the Bank shall report to the Minister
on the enforcement of this State Ordinance, with due observance of
Article 23.
Article 29
By Ministerial Regulation an organization may be designated, that
represents a thereby indicated group of insurers with regard to the
enforcement of this State Ordinance.
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Article 30
Costs related to the enforcement of this State Ordinance, by
Ministerial Decree, having heard the Bank and the organization as
mentioned in Article 29, may be fully or partially charged to certain
groups of insurers.
Article 31
By State Decree, containing General Administrative Orders, having
heard the Bank, further rules may be laid down for the enforcement of
this State Ordinance.
Article 32
- This State Ordinance shall become effective on a date to be
determined by or by virtue of a state ordinance.
- It may be cited as State Ordinance Supervision Insurance
Business.