§ 58-19-15.  Acquisition of control of or merger with domestic insurer.

(a) No person other than the issuer shall make a tender offer for or a request or invitation for tenders of, or enter into any agreement to exchange securities, or seek to acquire, or acquire, in the open market or otherwise, any voting security of a domestic insurer, if, after the consummation thereof, the person would, directly or indirectly (or by conversion or by exercise of any right to acquire), be in control of the insurer, and no person shall enter into an agreement to merge with or otherwise to acquire control of a domestic insurer or any person controlling a domestic insurer unless the offer, request, invitation, agreement entered into, or acquisition is conditioned upon the approval of the Commissioner, and furnished on a Form A as prescribed by the Commissioner under this section. No such merger or other acquisition of control is effective until a statement containing the information required by this section has been filed with the Commissioner and all other provisions of this section have been complied with and the merger or acquisition of control has been approved by the Commissioner under this section. The statement containing the information required by this section shall also be filed with the domestic insurer when it is filed with the Commissioner.

(a1) For the purposes of this section a "domestic insurer" includes any person controlling a domestic insurer, unless the person, as determined by the Commissioner, is either directly or through its affiliates primarily engaged in business other than insurance. Further, for the purposes of this section, "person" does not include any securities broker holding, in the usual and customary broker's function, less than twenty percent (20%) of the voting securities of an insurance company or of any person that controls an insurance company.

(a2) Any acquisition of control of a domestic insurer must be completed not later than 90 days after the date of the Commissioner's order approving the acquisition under this section, unless the Commissioner grants an extension in writing on a showing of good cause for the delay. Any increase in a company's capital and surplus required under this Article as a result of the change of control of a domestic insurer must be completed not later than 90 days after the date of the Commissioner's order approving the change of control and before the company writes any new insurance business.

(a3) If the deadlines for completion in subsection (a2) of this section are not met, the person seeking to acquire control of the domestic insurer must resubmit the statement required by subsection (b) of this section, and the Commissioner may reconsider approval of acquisition of control under this section.

(a4) For purposes of this section, any controlling person of the domestic insurer seeking to divest its controlling interest in the domestic insurer, in any manner, shall file with the Commissioner, with a copy to the insurer, confidential notice of its proposed divesture at least 30 days prior to the cessation of control. The Commissioner shall determine those instances in which the party or parties seeking to divest or to acquire a controlling interest in an insurer, will be required to file for and obtain approval of the transaction. The information shall remain confidential until the conclusion of the transaction unless the Commissioner, in his discretion determines that confidential treatment will interfere with enforcement of this section. If the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section is otherwise filed, this subsection shall not apply.

(a5) With respect to a transaction subject to this section, the acquiring person must also file a pre-acquisition notification with the Commissioner on a Form E as prescribed by the Commissioner. In addition to the information required by the Form E, the Commissioner may require an expert opinion as to the competitive impact of the proposed acquisition at the acquiring person's expense. A failure to file the pre-acquisition notification may subject the insurer or other person who fails to make the filing and who also fails to demonstrate a good-faith effort to comply with this requirement to a fine of not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).

(b) The statement to be filed with the Commissioner under subsection (a) of this section shall be furnished on a Form A as prescribed by the Commissioner, made under oath or affirmation, and shall contain the following information:

(1) The name and address of each person by whom or on whose behalf the merger or other acquisition of control referred to in subsection (a) of this section is to be effected (hereinafter called "acquiring party"), and: (i) if such person is an individual, his principal occupation and all offices and positions held during the past five years, and any conviction of crimes other than minor traffic violations during the past 10 years; (ii) if such person is not an individual, a report of the nature of its business operations during the past five years or for such lesser period as such person and any predecessors thereof shall have been in existence; an informative description of the business intended to be done by such person and such person's subsidiaries; and a list of all individuals who are or who have been selected to become directors or executive officers of such person, or who perform or will perform functions appropriate to such positions. Such list shall include for each such individual the information required by sub-subdivision (1)(i) of this subsection.

(2) The source, nature, and amount of the consideration used or to be used in effecting the merger or other acquisition of control; a description of any transaction wherein funds were or are to be obtained for any such purpose, including any pledge of the insurer's stock, or the stock of any of its subsidiaries or controlling affiliates; and the identity of persons furnishing such consideration; provided, however, that where a source of such consideration is a loan made in the lender's ordinary course of business, the identity of the lender shall remain confidential, if the person filing such statement so requests.

(3) Fully audited financial information as to the earnings and financial condition of each acquiring party for the preceding five fiscal years of each such acquiring party, or for such lesser period as such acquiring party and any predecessors thereof have been in existence; and similar unaudited information as of a date not earlier than 90 days prior to the filing of the statement.

(4) Any plans or proposals that each acquiring party may have to liquidate such insurer, to sell its assets or merge or consolidate it with any person, or to make any other material change in its business or corporate structure or management.

(5) The number of shares of any security referred to in subsection (a) of this section that each acquiring party proposes to acquire; the terms of the offer, request, invitation, agreement, or acquisition referred to in subsection (a) of this section; and a statement as to the method by which the fairness of the proposal was arrived at.

(6) The amount of each class of any security referred to in subsection (a) of this section that is beneficially owned or concerning which there is a right to acquire beneficial ownership by each acquiring party.

(7) A full description of any contracts, arrangements, or understandings with respect to any security referred to in subsection (a) of this section in which any acquiring party is involved, including transfer of any of the securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of loans, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profits, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies. Such description shall identify the persons with whom such contracts, arrangements, or understandings have been entered into.

(8) A description of the purchase of any security referred to in subsection (a) of this section during the 12 calendar months preceding the filing of the statement, by any acquiring party, including the dates of purchase, names of the purchasers, and consideration paid or agreed to be paid therefor.

(9) A description of any recommendations to purchase any security referred to in subsection (a) of this section made during the 12 calendar months preceding the filing of the statement, by any acquiring party, or by anyone based upon interviews or at the suggestion of such acquiring party.

(10) Copies of all tender offers for, requests, or invitations for tenders of, exchange offers for, and agreements to acquire or exchange any securities referred to in subsection (a) of this section, and any related additional soliciting material that has been distributed.

(11) The term of any agreement, contract, or understanding made with or proposed to be made with any third party in connection with any acquisition of control of or merger with a domestic insurer, and the amount of any fees, commissions, or other compensation to be paid to the third party with regard thereto.

(11a) An agreement by the person required to file the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section that it will provide the annual report, specified in G.S. 58-19-25, for so long as control exists.

(11b) An acknowledgement by the person required to file the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section that the person and all subsidiaries within its control in the insurance holding company system will provide information to the Commissioner upon request as necessary to evaluate enterprise risk to the insurer.

(12) Such additional information as the Commissioner may by rule prescribe as necessary or appropriate for the protection of policyholders of the insurer or in the public interest.

If the person required to file the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section is a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group, the Commissioner shall require that the information called for by subdivisions (1) through (12) of this subsection be given with respect to each partner of such partnership or limited partnership, each member of such syndicate or group, and each person who controls such partner or member. If any such partner, member, or person is a corporation or the person required to file the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section is a corporation, the Commissioner shall require that the information called for by subdivisions (1) through (12) of this subsection be given with respect to such corporation, each officer and director of such corporation, and each person who is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of more than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting securities of such corporation.

If any material change occurs in the facts set forth in the statement filed with the Commissioner and sent to such insurer pursuant to this section, an amendment setting forth such change, together with copies of all documents and other material relevant to such change, shall be filed with the Commissioner and sent to such insurer by the filer within two business days after the person learns of such change.

(c) If any offer, request, invitation, agreement, or acquisition referred to in subsection (a) of this section is proposed to be made by means of a registration statement under the Federal Securities Act of 1933, in circumstances requiring the disclosure of similar information under the Federal Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or under any State law requiring similar registration or disclosure, the person required to file the statement referred to in subsection (a) may utilize such documents in furnishing the information called for by that statement.

(d) The Commissioner shall approve any merger or other acquisition of control referred to in subsection (a) of this section unless, after a public hearing thereon, he finds any of the following:

(1) After the change of control, the domestic insurer referred to in subsection (a) of this section would not be able to satisfy the requirements for the issuance of a license to write the kind or kinds of insurance for which it is presently licensed.

(2) The effect of the merger or other acquisition of control would be substantially to lessen competition in insurance or tend to create a monopoly in this State.

(3) The financial condition of any acquiring party might jeopardize the financial stability of the insurer or prejudice the interest of its policyholders.

(4) Any plans or proposals that the acquiring party has to liquidate the insurer, sell its assets or consolidate or merge it with any person, or to make any other material change in its business or corporate structure or management, are unfair and unreasonable to policyholders of the insurer and not in the public interest.

(5) The competence, experience, and integrity of those persons who would control the operation of the insurer are such that it would not be in the interests of policyholders of the insurer and of the public to permit the merger or other acquisition of control.

(6) The acquisition is likely to be hazardous or prejudicial to the insurance-buying public.

(e) The public hearing referred to in subsection (d) of this section shall be held within 120 days after the statement required by subsection (a) of this section is filed, and the Commissioner shall give at least 30 days notice of the hearing to the person filing the statement, to the insurer, and to such other persons as may be designated by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall make a determination as expeditiously as is reasonably practicable after the conclusion of the hearing. At the hearing, the person filing the statement, the insurer, any person to whom notice of hearing was sent, and any other person whose interest may be affected by the hearing shall have the right to present evidence, examine and cross-examine witnesses, and offer oral or written arguments; and in connection therewith shall be entitled to conduct discovery proceedings at any time after the statement is filed with the Commissioner under this section and in the same manner as is presently allowed in the superior courts of this State. In connection with discovery proceedings authorized by this section, the Commissioner may issue such protective orders and other orders governing the timing and scheduling of discovery proceedings as might otherwise have been issued by a superior court of this State in connection with a civil proceeding. If any party fails to make reasonable and adequate response to discovery on a timely basis or fails to comply with any order of the Commissioner with respect to discovery, the Commissioner on the Commissioner's own motion or on motion of any other party or person may order that the hearing be postponed, recessed, convened, or reconvened, as the case may be, following proper completion of discovery and reasonable notice to the person filing the statement, to the insurer, and to such other persons as may be designated by the Commissioner.

If the proposed acquisition of control will require the approval of the insurance commissioners of more than one state, the public hearing referred to in this subsection may be held on a consolidated basis upon request of the person filing the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section. Such person shall file the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section with the NAIC within five days of making the request for a public hearing. A commissioner may opt out of a consolidated hearing and shall provide notice to the applicant of the opt out within 10 days of the receipt of the statement referred to in subsection (a) of this section. A hearing conducted on a consolidated basis shall be public and shall be held within the United States before the commissioners of the states in which the insurers are domiciled. Such commissioners shall hear and receive evidence. A commissioner may attend such hearing, in person or by telecommunication.

(f) The Commissioner may retain, at the acquiring person's expense, any attorneys, actuaries, economists, accountants, or other experts not otherwise a part of the Commissioner's staff as may be reasonably necessary to assist the Commissioner in reviewing the proposed acquisition of control.

(g) The expenses of mailing any notices and other materials required by this section shall be borne by the person making the filing. As security for the payment of such expenses, such person shall file with the Commissioner an acceptable bond or other deposit in an amount to be determined by the Commissioner.

(h) The provisions of this section do not apply to any offer, request, invitation, agreement, or acquisition that the Commissioner by order exempts therefrom as (i) not having been made or entered into for the purpose and not having the effect of changing or influencing the control of a domestic insurer, or (ii) as otherwise not comprehended within the purposes of this section. Any acquisition of stock of a former domestic mutual insurer by a parent company that occurs in connection with the conversion of a mutual insurer to a stock insurer under G.S. 58-10-10 is not subject to this section, provided that no person acquires control of the parent company.

(i) Each of the following are violations of this section:

(1) The failure to file any statement, amendment, or other material required to be filed pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of this section.

(2) The effectuation or any attempt to effectuate an acquisition of control of, divestiture of, or merger with a domestic insurer, unless the Commissioner has given his approval of the acquisition, divestiture, or merger.

(j) The courts of this State are vested with jurisdiction over every person not resident, domiciled, or authorized to do business in this State who files a statement with the Commissioner under this section; and the overall actions involving such person arising out of violations of this section and each such person is deemed to have performed acts equivalent to and constituting an appointment by such person of the Commissioner to be his true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all legal process in any action, suit, or proceeding arising out of violations of this section. Copies of all such process shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 58-16-30, 58-16-35, and 58-16-45. (1989, c. 722, s. 1; 1991, c. 681, ss. 31, 32; c. 720, s. 17; 1993, c. 452, ss. 26-29; c. 504, s. 12; c. 553, s. 16; 1995, c. 517, ss. 11, 12; 2001-223, s. 16.5; 2015-146, s. 1.3(a), (b); 2015-281, s. 13.)