Letter of credit means the method by which certain carriers, and their underwriters if authorized, receive recurring premium payments and contingency reserve payments by drawing against a commitment (certified by a responsible OPM official) which specifies a dollar amount available. For each carrier participating in the letter of credit arrangement for payment under this part, the terms ``carrier reserves,'' and ``special reserves'' include any balance in the carrier's letter of credit account. [53 FR 51783, Dec. 23, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 14359, Apr. 20, 1992. Redesignated at 62 FR 47574, Sept. 10, 1997]