Any insurance company, with the consent of the commissioner, may reduce its capital stock to such extent, and change the par value of its shares to such amount, as is approved by at least two-thirds of its board of directors, notwithstanding any limitations contained in its charter, by a majority vote of the stockholders present at a meeting called for the purpose, and may transfer the amount of such reduction to the surplus or reserve accounts of the company as the stockholders and directors may determine. A copy of such vote of the stockholders, together with a vote of approval of the board of directors, certified under the corporate seal by the secretary and with the approval of the commissioner endorsed thereon, shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the State. The directors, after such reduction of capital, may require each stockholder to surrender his certificate and in lieu thereof may issue a new certificate for the number of shares to which he is entitled. Such company may, thereafter, increase its capital stock to any amount not exceeding the amount authorized by its charter.