Every association shall set up and maintain reserves for the purpose of absorbing losses and shall maintain such portion of its assets in cash and other liquid assets as required by the commissioner. If an association has obtained insurance of accounts by the federal savings and loan insurance corporation, or by any other insurer approved by the commissioner, any portion of the loss reserves of the association may be considered as constituting a portion of the insurance reserves required by the insurer and may be set up as an insurance reserve account on the books of the association.