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RS 961.015.2 Order of the Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority of 17 October 2012 on the Bankruptcy of Insurance Companies (FINMA Ordinance on Insurance Bankruptcy, OFA-FINMA)

Original Language Title: RS 961.015.2 Ordonnance de l’Autorité fédérale de surveillance des marchés financiers du 17 octobre 2012 sur la faillite des entreprises d’assurance (Ordonnance de la FINMA sur la faillite des assurances, OFA-FINMA)

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961.015.2

Order of the Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority on the Bankruptcy of Insurance Companies

(FINMA Ordinance on Insurance Bankruptcy, OFA-FINMA)

On 17 October 2012 (State 1 Er January 2013)

The Federal Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA),

See art. 54, para. 3, of the Act of 17 December 2004 on Insurance Supervision (ICA) 1 ,

Stops:

Section 1 General provisions

Art. 1 Purpose

This order implements the bankruptcy procedure under s. 53 to 59 LSA.

Art. 2 Scope of application

This order applies to all natural or legal persons performing an activity subject to supervision as an insurance undertaking under the ICA.

Art. 3 Universality

1 When a bankruptcy procedure is opened, it extends to all realizable assets belonging to the insurance undertaking at that time, whether they are in Switzerland or abroad.

2 All Swiss and foreign creditors of the insurance company and its foreign branches are, to the same extent and with the same privileges, authorized to participate in the open bankruptcy procedure in Switzerland.

3 The property of a Swiss branch of a foreign insurance business is considered to be all assets established in Switzerland and abroad by persons who have acted for that branch.

Art. 4 Publications and Communications

1 Publications are published in the Official Swiss Trade Sheet and on the FINMA website.

2 Communications are addressed directly to creditors whose names and addresses are known. FINMA may require creditors whose registered office or domicile is abroad to appoint an agent to receive communications in Switzerland if that contributes to the simplification of the procedure. It may waive direct communication in the event of an emergency or simplify the procedure.

3 The publication in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce is authentic for the calculation of time limits and legal consequences related to publication.

Art. 5 Viewing parts

1 Any person who makes it likely that he or she is directly affected in his or her own pecuniary interest by bankruptcy may consult the documents relating to that bankruptcy.

2 Consultation of documents may be limited to certain stages of the proceedings or may be restricted or refused due to overriding interests.

3 Any person who consults documents may use the information obtained only to preserve his own direct pecuniary interest.

4 Consultation of the documents may be subject to a declaration that the information consulted is used solely for the purpose of preserving the signatory's own direct pecuniary interest. It may be accompanied by the threat of penalties under s. 48 of the Act of 22 June 2007 on the supervision of financial markets 1 And 292 of the Penal Code 2 .

5 The liquidator of the bankruptcy and, after the closure of the bankruptcy proceedings, FINMA makes the decisions concerning the consultation of the coins.


Art. 6 Denunciation of FINMA

1 Any person who is affected in his or her interests by the decision, act or omission of a person to whom FINMA has assigned duties under this order may report the facts to FINMA.

2 The decisions taken by these persons are not decisions within the meaning of the Federal Act of 20 December 1968 on the administrative procedure (PA) 1 And the whistleblower does not have the quality of party within the meaning of the said Act.

3 FINMA appreciates the facts which are the subject of the denunciation, takes the necessary measures and makes a decision if necessary.


Art. 7 Use of a Liquidator of Bankruptcy

1 FINMA appoints a liquidator of the bankruptcy by way of a decision if it does not itself carry out the corresponding tasks.

2 If it appoints a liquidator of a bankruptcy, it shall ensure that the person selected is able, both temporally and technically, to exercise the mandate in a rigorous, effective and effective manner and to ensure that no conflict of interest Object to the allocation of the mandate.

3 It lays down the content of the mandate, in particular as regards costs, reporting and supervision of the liquidator of the bankruptcy.

Art. 8 Tasks and skills of the liquidator of the bankruptcy

The liquidator of the bankruptcy conducts the proceedings. In particular, it must:

A.
Establish the technical and administrative requirements for the proper conduct of the proceedings;
B.
Ensure the conservation and realization of assets;
C.
Ensure the management of the business to the extent necessary for the bankruptcy process;
D.
Representing the bankrupt estate before the courts and other authorities;
E.
Establish the claims secured by the related assets under insurance contracts;
F.
Ensure payment of the proceeds of the related capital under s. 54 A LSA.
Art. For bankruptcy

1 The bankruptcy court is at the head of the insurance company or branch of a foreign insurance company in Switzerland.

2 If a foreign insurance company has several branches in Switzerland, there is only one for bankruptcy. FINMA refers to this forum.

3 For natural persons, the forum for bankruptcy is instead of commercial exploitation at the time of the opening of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Art. 10 Accounts receivable and liabilities in books

A claim or undertaking by the insurance undertaking shall be regarded as validly entered if the books of the insurance undertaking are kept in accordance with the applicable requirements, and if the liquidator of the bankruptcy can effectively Be aware of the existence and amount of the debt or commitment.

Art. 11 Coordination

To the extent possible, FINMA and the liquidator of the bankruptcy coordinate their actions with the Swiss and foreign authorities and bodies.

Art. 12 Recognition of Bankruptcy and Foreign Measures

1 When FINMA recognizes, in accordance with s. 54 D The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to the heritage in Switzerland, as a result of a declaration of bankruptcy abroad.

2 Even in the absence of reciprocity, FINMA may accept a request for recognition to the extent that it serves the interests of the creditors concerned.

3 It refers to the unique forum for bankruptcy in Switzerland and the circle of creditors referred to in s. 54 D ICA and art. 37 G , para. 4, of the Act of 8 November 1934 on banks 1 .

4 It publishes the recognition and circle of creditors.

5 If it recognizes another measure of foreign insolvency, it shall determine the applicable procedure.


Section 2 Procedure

Art. 13 Publication and Appeal to Creditors

1 FINMA notifies the insurance company of the bankruptcy decision and publishes it at the same time as the call to creditors.

2 The publication should include the following information:

A.
The name of the insurance undertaking, its registered office and its branches;
B.
The date and time of the opening of the bankruptcy;
C.
For bankruptcy;
D.
The name and address of the liquidator;
E.
The summons to creditors and to persons who have claims to claim on property held by the insurance undertaking to be in the hands of the liquidator of the bankruptcy, within the time limit, their claims or claims, and Provide them with their evidence;
F.
Recall of claims that are deemed to have been produced within the meaning of s. 54 A , para. 1, LSA;
G.
A reminder of the obligation to advertise and make available within the meaning of s. 17 to 19.

3 If claims within the meaning of para. 2, let. E, are claims arising from insurance contracts, creditors must also indicate the basis thereof in the insurance contract.

4 The liquidator of the bankruptcy may deliver a copy of the publication to known creditors.

Art. 14 Assembly of Creditors

1 If the liquidator of the bankruptcy considers it appropriate to call a meeting of creditors, he or she makes the proposal to FINMA. The latter decides on the powers of the meeting of creditors, as well as the quorum of attendance and votes required for decision-making.

2 All creditors have the right to participate in or be represented in the meeting of creditors. In case of doubt, the liquidator decides on the admission of a person.

3 The liquidator of the bankruptcy conducts the proceedings and draws up a report on the state of the assets of the insurance undertaking as well as on the progress of the proceedings.

4 Creditors may also make decisions by way of a circular. A proposal by the liquidator of the bankruptcy is deemed to be accepted by a creditor if the creditor does not expressly reject it within the specified time limit.

Art. 15 Monitoring Committee

1 On the proposal of the liquidator of the bankruptcy, FINMA decides on the appointment and composition of a supervisory board and defines its tasks and competences.

2 FINMA appoints the chairperson, determines the procedure for making decisions and establishes compensation for members.

Section 3 Assets of the Bankruptcy

Art. 16 Inventory Count

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy shall carry out an inventory of the assets forming part of the bankrupt estate.

2 If the insurance company is a branch of a foreign insurance company, the liquidator of the bankruptcy registers a possible bond in the inventory.

3 Unless otherwise provided in this order, the taking of inventory shall be carried out in accordance with Art. 221-229 of the Federal Act of April 11, 1889 on the Prosecution of Debts and Bankruptcy (LP) 1 .

4 Property belonging to related assets shall be recorded in separate sections as part of the inventory. If there are several related fortunes, they will be kept in separate sections.

5 The liquidator of the bankruptcy shall submit to FINMA the measures necessary for the conservation of the assets of the estate.

6 He submits the inventory to a person selected by the owners of the insurance company as an officer. He invited him to declare whether she considered the inventory to be accurate and complete. This person's declaration must be recorded in the inventory.


Art. 17 Obligation to make available and advertise

1 The debtors of the insurance undertaking, as well as persons who hold property of the insurance undertaking as a pledge or in any capacity, have an obligation to announce them to the liquidator of the bankruptcy within the period of Production referred to in s. 13, para. 2, let. E, and make them available to them.

2 Debts must also be announced when they are compensated.

3 Any right of preference shall be extinguished if the advertisement or making available is unjustifiably omitted.

Art. 18 Exceptions to the obligation to make available

1 The securities and other financial instruments used as security rights shall not be surrendered to the extent that the legal conditions for their realization by the beneficiary of the security rights are met.

2 These assets, as well as the proof of the right to their realization, must, however, be announced to the liquidator of the bankruptcy, who must mention them in the inventory.

3 The beneficiary of the security rights must agree with the liquidator of the bankruptcy on the calculation of the proceeds of the realization of those assets. A possible surplus is paid to the bankrupt estate.

Art. 19 Exceptions to the obligation to advertise

FINMA may provide that the claims of the insurance undertaking listed in its books shall not be announced by the debtor.

Art. Third Party Claims

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy determines whether the goods claimed by third parties must be returned to them.

2 If it considers a claim to be valid, it offers the creditors the opportunity to request the assignment of the right to challenge it within the meaning of s. 260, para. 1 and 2, LP 1 And sets a reasonable period of time for this purpose.

3 If it considers that a claim is unfounded or if the creditors have requested the assignment of the right to challenge it, it fixes the claim for a time limit during which the creditor may refer the claim to the judge of the bankruptcy court. The claim is deemed to have waived its claim if it does not act within the prescribed time limit.

4 In the case of an assignment of the right, the claim action must be directed against the creditors who have surrendered the right. The liquidator of the bankruptcy informs the claim of the identity of the assignees at the time of setting the deadline for action.


Art. Claims, Claims and Revocations

1 The debts due to the estate are cashed by the liquidator of the bankruptcy, if necessary by the track of the suit.

2 The liquidator of the bankruptcy examines the claims of the estate on the securities that are in the possession or co-session of a third party, or on real property that is entered in the land registry on behalf of a third party.

3 It examines whether legal acts can be revoked in accordance with art. 285 to 292 LP 1 The duration of a remediation or a security measure within the meaning of s. 51, para. 1, in relation to para. 2, let. A, b and i, LSA before the opening of the bankruptcy shall not enter into the calculation of the time limits referred to in Art. 286 to 288 LP.

4 If the liquidator of the bankruptcy intends to bring to justice a disputed claim or a claim of mass within the meaning of paras. 2 or 3, he asks FINMA for his authorization and the necessary instructions.

5 If the creditor does not take any action, he or she may offer the creditors the opportunity to apply for an assignment under s. 260, para. 1 and 2, LP or to carry out the claims concerned and the other claims in accordance with Art. 30.

6 If it offers the creditors the opportunity to apply for the assignment, it sets a reasonable period of time for that purpose.

7 Realization under s. 30 is excluded:

A.
For revocation claims within the meaning of para. 3; and
B.
For claims of liability against:
1.
Founders,
2.
Bodies responsible for the management of the enterprise, senior management, supervision and control, and
3.
Audit companies designated by the insurance undertaking.

Art. Continuation of civil trials and administrative procedures

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy examines the claims of the estate which, at the time of the opening of the bankruptcy, were already the subject of a civil trial or administrative procedure, and made a proposal to FINMA as to their prosecution.

2 If FINMA decides not to pursue such a trial or proceeding, the liquidator of the bankruptcy offers the creditors the opportunity to request the assignment of the rights under s. 260, para. 1 and 2, LP 1 And sets a reasonable period of time for this purpose.


Art. Suspension due to lack of assets

1 If the assets are not sufficient to carry out the bankruptcy proceedings, the liquidator of the bankruptcy proposes to FINMA to suspend the procedure due to lack of assets.

2 In exceptional cases, FINMA continues the procedure, even in the absence of sufficient assets, in particular if it is of particular interest.

3 If FINMA intends to suspend the proceedings, it will inform FINMA by publishing it. It mentioned that the procedure would be continued if a creditor provided, within a certain period of time, the security rights required for proceedings fees that were not covered by the assets. FINMA sets the time limit and determines the type and amount of security rights.

4 If the security rights required are not provided within the specified time limit, each secured creditor may request the completion of its pledge within the time limit specified by the FINMA. FINMA mandates a liquidator of the bankruptcy for the realization of the guarantees.

5 FINMA orders the realization of the assets of a legal entity when no secured creditor has requested it to be carried out within the specified time limit. If a product remains after payment of the costs of realization and the charges on the realised assets, it shall be paid to the Confederation after coverage of the expenses of FINMA.

6 If the bankruptcy proceedings against a natural person have been suspended due to lack of assets, s. 230, para. 3 and 4, LP 1 Applies to the prosecution procedure.


Section 4 Bankruptcy liabilities

Art. 24 Audit of claims

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy examines the claims produced as well as those arising out of the law. In this context, it may conduct its own investigations and request creditors to provide additional evidence.

2 In particular, it checks to what extent and to what property linked according to Art. 17 LSA claims may be allowed.

3 The following are considered to be derived from the Act:

A.
Claims recorded in the land registry, including current interest; and
B.
Claims recorded in the books of the insurance business under s. 10.

4 The liquidator of the bankruptcy shall consult the person designated by the owners as an officer of the insurance undertaking in respect of claims which are not recorded in the books of the insurance undertaking.

Art. 25 Collocation

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy decides on the acceptance of a claim, its amount and rank and establishes the state of collocation.

2 If a building is part of the estate, the liquidator of the bankruptcy establishes a statement of the related charges, such as real estate, easements, land charges and annotated personal rights. The condition of the charges is an integral part of the state of collocation.

Art. 26 Collocation of claims arising from insurance contracts

1 To the extent that, in accordance with Art. 17 LSA, a related asset must guarantee claims, these are colloked before the first class according to Art. 219, para. 4, LP 1 Under a separate title by referring to the linked wealth according to the inventory. The amount not covered is colloqued in the order specified in art. 219, para. 4, P.

2 If the insurance company has several related fortunes, the claims are colloked in so many different sections.


Art. 27 Claims under civil or administrative proceedings

1 Claims which were already the subject of civil proceedings or an administrative procedure in Switzerland at the time of the opening of the bankruptcy are initially mentioned for memory in the condition of collocation.

2 If the liquidator of the bankruptcy renounces the civil proceedings or the administrative procedure, it provides the creditors with an opportunity to request the transfer of the rights under s. 260, para. 1, LP 1 .

3 If neither the estate nor the transferee creditors continue the civil proceedings or the administrative procedure, the claim is considered to be recognized, and the creditors no longer have the right to bring an action against the condition of collocation.

4 If grantee creditors continue the civil process or the administrative procedure, the amount by which the losing creditor's share is reduced is vested in the said grantors up to the amount of their production and Their procedural costs. A possible surplus shall be paid to the bankrupt estate or, where appropriate, to the corresponding related capital.


Art. 28 Lookup Collocation Status

1 Creditors may consult the condition of collocation within the limits set out in s. 5 for at least 20 days.

2 The liquidator of the bankruptcy shall publish the date on which the state of collocation can be consulted and in what form.

3 It may provide that the consultation will take place with the bankruptcy office in the case of bankruptcy.

4 It shall communicate to each creditor whose claim has not been colloqued as it was produced or as recorded in the books of the insurance undertaking or in the land register the reasons for which its production was wholly or Partially discarded.

Art. Action to challenge the collocation status

1 Actions to challenge the condition of collocation are governed by s. 250 LP 1 .

2 The time limit for bringing the action starts from the moment when it becomes possible to consult the state of collocation.


Section 5 Realization

Art. Realization mode

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy decides on the mode and timing of the realization and proceeds to the realization.

2 Property on which a lien exists may be made other than by public auction only with the agreement of the winning creditors.

3 Goods can be made without delay:

A.
If they fall under the tied wealth;
B.
They are exposed to rapid depreciation;
C.
They cause unreasonably high administrative costs;
D.
They are negotiated in a representative market; or
E.
If they have no significant value.
Art. Public Auction

1 Public auctions are conducted in accordance with Art. 257 to 259 LP 1 , unless otherwise provided for in this order.

2 The liquidator of the bankruptcy organizes the auction. It may set in auction conditions a minimum auction price for the first auction.

3 It states in the publication that it is possible to consult the conditions of the auction. It may provide that the consultation will take place at the Office of Bankruptcy or the prosecution of the place where the object is located.


Art. 32 Assignment of Rights

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy defines in the certificate of assignment the rights of the bankrupt estate within the meaning of s. 260 LP 1 The period during which the assignee must open the action to claim the claim. If it does not use it during that period, the assignment is then lapsed.

2 The transferee creditors shall inform the liquidator of the bankruptcy without delay and, after the closure of the bankruptcy proceedings, FINMA of the result of the action taken.

3 If no creditor requests the assignment of rights or if no creditor makes use of it during the period set for initiating an action, the liquidator of the bankruptcy and, after the closure of the bankruptcy proceedings, FINMA decides on a possible Realization of these rights.


Art. 33 Action against achievements

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy shall periodically draw up a plan of achievements which provides information on the assets to be carried out and on how to proceed.

2 Achievements that can be made without delay within the meaning of s. 30, para. 3, should not be mentioned in the plan of achievement.

3 An assignment of rights within the meaning of s. 32 is not considered a realization.

4 The liquidator of the bankruptcy communicates the plan of achievement to the creditors by providing them with a time limit during which they can ask the FINMA to make a decision subject to appeal for each intended achievement.

Section 6 Distribution and closing

Art. 34 Mass Ducks

1 The following are covered first by the bankrupt estate and in the following order:

A.
The commitments entered into by the bankrupt estate during the course of the proceedings;
B.
All costs for the opening and winding up of the bankruptcy proceedings.

2 The costs of inventory, management and enforcement of the related assets of the related assets shall be covered first by the product resulting from the sale of those assets. If the remaining bankrupt estate is not sufficient for this purpose, other debts of the estate may be covered in proportion by the proceeds from the sale of the tied wealth.

Art. 35 Distribution of proceeds from the sale of tied wealth

1 Once the commitments are covered by s. 34, para. 2, and before creditors of the first class under s. 219, para. 4, LP 1 , the proceeds of the sale resulting from the realization of the assets of a related capital shall allow the repayment of the claims covered by the corresponding related capital on a pro rata basis.

2 The liquidator of the bankruptcy may, with the agreement of FINMA, make the allocation according to para. 1 before the entry into force of the state of collocation.

3 It specifies the extent to which each claim is covered by proceeds from the sale of assets under a related asset. Unsecured claims by a related capital and the unhedged amount of claims secured by a related capital are covered by the product resulting from the bankrupt estate in the order specified in Art. 219 LP.

4 Any surplus resulting from the realization of the assets of a linked asset falls into the bankrupt estate. The allocation of such excess to another related capital of the same insurance undertaking is excluded.


Art. 36 Distribution of the rest of the wealth

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy may provide for interim distributions. For this purpose, it shall draw up a provisional distribution table and submit it for the approval of FINMA.

2 When all assets have been completed and all proceedings relating to the asset and liability setting of the estate have been completed, the liquidator of the bankruptcy shall draw up the final liquidation table and the final account and submit them To the approval of FINMA. It is not necessary to await the outcome of individual proceedings by grantee creditors within the meaning of s. 260 LP 1 .

3 After approval of the distribution board, the liquidator of the bankruptcy proceeds to the payment of the creditors.

4 No payment is made for claims:

A.
The amount of which cannot be definitively fixed;
B.
Whose right holders are not definitively known;
C.
Which are partly covered by unrealised foreign guarantees or which are covered by Art. 18; or
D.
In respect of which rights holders are likely to be partially disinterested in a foreign forced execution procedure in relation to bankruptcy.

Art. Final Report and Logging

1 The liquidator of the bankruptcy sends a final report to FINMA summarising the bankruptcy proceedings.

2 The final report of the liquidator of the bankruptcy also contains:

A.
A presentation on the composition and extent of the related fortunes and the claims covered in full or in part by the proceeds of the sale of the related fortunes;
B.
A statement on the outcome of each trial relating to the determination of the assets and liabilities of the mass;
C.
Data on the status of the rights assigned to creditors under s. 260 LP 1 ; and
D.
A list of dividends not paid with the indication of the reasons for which the payment could not be made.

3 FINMA shall adopt the necessary provisions on the recording of dividends not paid.

4 FINMA publishes the closure of the bankruptcy proceedings.


Art. 38 Deficiency Act

1 Creditors may request from the liquidator of the bankruptcy and, after the closure of the bankruptcy proceedings, with FINMA, against payment of a lump-sum contribution, an act of default of property for the unpaid amount of their claim, Pursuant to s. 265 LP 1 .

2 The liquidator of the bankruptcy reports this possibility to the creditors upon payment of their share.


Art. 39 Retention of Parts

1 FINMA decides how the parts of the bankruptcy and commercial activity of the insurance undertaking are to be retained after the closure or suspension of the bankruptcy proceedings.

2 The bankruptcy and commercial activity of the subsisting insurance undertaking must be destroyed on the order of FINMA after a period of ten years after the closure or suspension of the bankruptcy proceedings has expired.

3 The specific legal provisions to the contrary that govern the conservation of certain parts are reserved.

Art. 40 Discovered Assets and Returnable Goods

1 If property or other claims that have not been included in the bankrupt estate are discovered within ten years of the end of the bankruptcy proceedings, FINMA instructs a liquidator of the bankruptcy to resume the bankruptcy proceedings Without further formality.

2 The property or claims discovered later are distributed to the creditors who have suffered a loss and whose data are known to the liquidator of the bankruptcy. The latter may invite creditors to inform them of their current data, indicating that in default they will be deprived of their rights. It sets a reasonable time limit for this purpose.

3 FINMA may renounce the resumption of the bankruptcy procedure if it is clear that the costs incurred by this recovery will not be covered or will be only slightly exceeded by the expected product of the realization of the assets discovered Later. She then transferred the assets discovered later to Confederation.

4 Returnable assets that become available or have not been withdrawn within ten years are also made according to para. 1 and distributed according to para. 2, subject to a special legal basis to the contrary. L' al. 3 is reserved.

Section 7 Final provisions

Art. Transitional Provision

The provisions of this order shall apply to proceedings in progress at the time of its entry into force.

Art. Entry into force

This order shall enter into force on 1 Er January 2013.



RO 2012 6015



State 1 Er January 2013