UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2007
or
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-9583
MBIA INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Connecticut | 06-1185706 | |
(State of Incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
113 King Street, Armonk, New York | 10504 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (914) 273-4545
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of October 31, 2007, 125,394,150 shares of Common Stock, par value $1 per share, were outstanding.
PAGE | ||||
Item 1. |
Financial Statements (Unaudited) MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries | |||
Consolidated Balance Sheets September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 | 3 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Income Three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 | 4 | |||
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders Equity Nine months ended September 30, 2007 | 5 | |||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 | 6 | |||
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 7 22 | |||
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 23 51 | ||
Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 52 | ||
Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures | 52 | ||
Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings | 52 55 | ||
Item 1A. |
Risk Factors | 55 | ||
Item 2. |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 55 | ||
Item 3. |
Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 55 | ||
Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 55 | ||
Item 5. |
Other Information | 55 | ||
Item 6. |
Exhibits | 56 | ||
57 |
2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts)
September 30, 2007 | December 31, 2006 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Investments: |
||||||||
Fixed-maturity securities held as available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $31,325,147 and $27,327,315)(2007 includes hybrid financial instruments at fair value $736,881) |
$ | 31,316,347 | $ | 27,755,667 | ||||
Investments held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $5,646,839 and $5,187,766) |
5,666,153 | 5,213,464 | ||||||
Investment agreement portfolio pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost $787,595 and $176,179) |
785,676 | 175,834 | ||||||
Short-term investments, at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) |
3,552,769 | 2,960,646 | ||||||
Other investments |
858,523 | 971,707 | ||||||
Total investments |
42,179,468 | 37,077,318 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
365,829 | 269,277 | ||||||
Accrued investment income |
614,712 | 526,468 | ||||||
Deferred acquisition costs |
466,927 | 449,556 | ||||||
Prepaid reinsurance premiums |
331,036 | 363,140 | ||||||
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses |
50,673 | 46,941 | ||||||
Goodwill |
79,406 | 79,406 | ||||||
Property and equipment, at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $130,499 and $124,919) |
98,555 | 105,950 | ||||||
Receivable for investments sold |
209,164 | 77,593 | ||||||
Derivative assets |
749,779 | 521,278 | ||||||
Other assets |
183,457 | 246,103 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 45,329,006 | $ | 39,763,030 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Deferred premium revenue |
$ | 3,117,699 | $ | 3,129,620 | ||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves |
545,079 | 537,037 | ||||||
Investment agreements |
15,063,102 | 12,482,976 | ||||||
Commercial paper |
848,353 | 745,996 | ||||||
Medium-term notes (2007 includes hybrid financial instruments at fair value $371,494) |
13,643,860 | 10,951,378 | ||||||
Variable interest entity floating rate notes |
1,372,470 | 1,451,928 | ||||||
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
727,613 | 169,432 | ||||||
Short-term debt |
13,383 | 40,898 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
1,220,736 | 1,215,289 | ||||||
Current income taxes |
11,268 | 6,970 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes, net |
232,054 | 476,189 | ||||||
Deferred fee revenue |
14,496 | 14,862 | ||||||
Payable for investments purchased |
520,223 | 319,640 | ||||||
Derivative liabilities |
922,104 | 400,318 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
545,211 | 616,243 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
38,797,651 | 32,558,776 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 10) |
||||||||
Shareholders' Equity: |
||||||||
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares10,000,000; issued and outstandingnone |
| | ||||||
Common stock, par value $1 per share; authorized shares400,000,000; issued shares 160,224,666 and 158,330,220 |
160,225 | 158,330 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
1,639,206 | 1,533,102 | ||||||
Retained earnings |
6,640,072 | 6,399,333 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax of $20,777 and $172,798 |
54,598 | 321,293 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (shares34,837,931 and 23,494,806) |
(1,962,746 | ) | (1,207,804 | ) | ||||
Total shareholders equity |
6,531,355 | 7,204,254 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 45,329,006 | $ | 39,763,030 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
3
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Three months ended September 30 |
Nine months ended September 30 |
|||||||||||||||
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | |||||||||||||
Insurance |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written |
$ | 249,535 | $ | 202,178 | $ | 714,723 | $ | 626,526 | ||||||||
Ceded premiums |
(24,459 | ) | (26,461 | ) | (72,353 | ) | (77,532 | ) | ||||||||
Net premiums written |
225,076 | 175,717 | 642,370 | 548,994 | ||||||||||||
Scheduled premiums earned |
185,024 | 170,112 | 530,457 | 506,957 | ||||||||||||
Refunding premiums earned |
18,169 | 42,215 | 103,901 | 128,005 | ||||||||||||
Premiums earned (net of ceded premiums of $31,016, $35,469, $104,459 and $109,533) |
203,193 | 212,327 | 634,358 | 634,962 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income |
145,458 | 164,134 | 437,749 | 447,886 | ||||||||||||
Fees and reimbursements |
4,879 | 17,046 | 19,681 | 29,239 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
6,411 | 4,195 | 38,455 | 12,566 | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(335,317 | ) | (4,706 | ) | (347,528 | ) | 1,356 | |||||||||
Total insurance revenues |
24,624 | 392,996 | 782,715 | 1,126,009 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment |
22,203 | 20,414 | 63,655 | 60,835 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
16,052 | 16,774 | 50,114 | 50,162 | ||||||||||||
Operating |
30,517 | 37,344 | 98,129 | 109,568 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
19,514 | 22,225 | 61,961 | 53,929 | ||||||||||||
Total insurance expenses |
88,286 | 96,757 | 273,859 | 274,494 | ||||||||||||
Insurance income (loss) |
(63,662 | ) | 296,239 | 508,856 | 851,515 | |||||||||||
Investment management services |
||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
434,872 | 308,473 | 1,187,281 | 860,978 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
(5,973 | ) | 361 | (1,949 | ) | 5,594 | ||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(17,407 | ) | 5,415 | (29,024 | ) | 8,723 | ||||||||||
Total investment management services revenues |
411,492 | 314,249 | 1,156,308 | 875,295 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
378,787 | 263,804 | 1,034,796 | 730,472 | ||||||||||||
Expenses |
25,425 | 19,062 | 70,883 | 55,113 | ||||||||||||
Total investment management services expenses |
404,212 | 282,866 | 1,105,679 | 785,585 | ||||||||||||
Investment management services income |
7,280 | 31,383 | 50,629 | 89,710 | ||||||||||||
Corporate |
||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
721 | 2,675 | 14,450 | 9,747 | ||||||||||||
Insurance recoveries |
| | 6,400 | | ||||||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
(749 | ) | 866 | (9,244 | ) | 2,333 | ||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
317 | 297 | 151 | 435 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
20,186 | 20,195 | 60,547 | 60,496 | ||||||||||||
Corporate expenses |
6,544 | 4,711 | 23,460 | 10,379 | ||||||||||||
Corporate loss |
(26,441 | ) | (21,068 | ) | (72,250 | ) | (58,360 | ) | ||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes |
(82,823 | ) | 306,554 | 487,235 | 882,865 | |||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
(46,183 | ) | 89,981 | 113,433 | 248,166 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
(36,640 | ) | 216,573 | 373,802 | 634,699 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| 1,374 | | 3,604 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (36,640 | ) | $ | 217,947 | $ | 373,802 | $ | 638,303 | |||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.63 | $ | 2.93 | $ | 4.78 | |||||||
Diluted |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.58 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 4.64 | |||||||
Net income (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.64 | $ | 2.93 | $ | 4.81 | |||||||
Diluted |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.59 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 4.67 | |||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
123,705,544 | 132,794,395 | 127,658,105 | 132,759,336 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
123,705,544 | 136,739,403 | 131,537,515 | 136,676,944 | ||||||||||||
Gross revenues from continuing operations |
436,405 | 711,083 | 1,950,780 | 2,013,819 | ||||||||||||
Gross expenses from continuing operations |
519,228 | 404,529 | 1,463,545 | 1,130,954 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (Unaudited)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Common Stock | Additional |
Retained |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
Treasury Stock | Total Shareholders Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2006 |
158,330 | $ | 158,330 | $ | 1,533,102 | $ | 6,399,333 | $ | 321,293 | (23,495 | ) | $ | (1,207,804 | ) | $ | 7,204,254 | |||||||||||
SFAS 155 transition adjustment |
| | | (1,928 | ) | | | | (1,928 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
| | | 373,802 | | | | 373,802 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation of investments net of change in deferred income taxes of $(145,795) |
| | | | (272,069 | ) | | | (272,069 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of derivative instruments net of change in deferred income taxes of $(9,161) |
| | | | (17,014 | ) | | | (17,014 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Change in foreign currency translation net of change in deferred income taxes of $2,935 |
| | | | 22,388 | | | 22,388 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(266,695 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income |
107,107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury shares acquired under share repurchase agreement, net |
| | | | (9,954 | ) | (659,944 | ) | (659,944 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
1,895 | 1,895 | 106,104 | | | (1,389 | ) | (94,998 | ) | 13,001 | |||||||||||||||||
Dividends (declared per common share $1.020, paid per common share $0.990) |
| | | (131,135 | ) | | | | (131,135 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2007 |
160,225 | $ | 160,225 | $ | 1,639,206 | $ | 6,640,072 | $ | 54,598 | (34,838 | ) | $ | (1,962,746 | ) | $ | 6,531,355 | |||||||||||
2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disclosure of reclassification amount: |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation of investments arising during the period, net of taxes |
$ | (242,178 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification adjustment, net of taxes |
(29,891 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation, net of taxes |
$ | (272,069 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Nine months ended September 30 | ||||||||
2007 | 2006 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations: |
||||||||
Net income |
$ | 373,802 | $ | 638,303 | ||||
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| (3,604 | ) | |||||
Income from continuing operations |
373,802 | 634,699 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations: |
||||||||
Amortization of bond discount (premium), net |
13,528 | 24,094 | ||||||
Increase in accrued investment income |
(88,244 | ) | (101,620 | ) | ||||
Increase in deferred acquisition costs |
(17,371 | ) | (10,537 | ) | ||||
Decrease in prepaid reinsurance premiums |
32,104 | 34,151 | ||||||
(Increase) decrease in reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses |
(3,732 | ) | 11,963 | |||||
Depreciation |
7,627 | 9,323 | ||||||
Decrease in salvage and subrogation |
59,968 | 47,530 | ||||||
Decrease in deferred premium revenue |
(11,921 | ) | (100,781 | ) | ||||
Increase in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves |
8,042 | 4,127 | ||||||
Increase in accrued interest payable |
140,047 | 120,837 | ||||||
Decrease in accrued expenses |
(28,001 | ) | (24,921 | ) | ||||
Decrease in penalties and disgorgement accrual |
(75,000 | ) | | |||||
Amortization of medium-term notes and commercial paper(premium) discount, net |
(12,093 | ) | (13,869 | ) | ||||
Net realized (gains) losses on sale of investments |
(27,262 | ) | (20,493 | ) | ||||
Net (gains) losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
376,401 | (10,514 | ) | |||||
Current income tax provision |
4,298 | 95,614 | ||||||
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision |
(91,662 | ) | 1,288 | |||||
Share-based compensation |
12,805 | 10,962 | ||||||
Other, net |
24,495 | 985 | ||||||
Total adjustments to net income |
324,029 | 78,139 | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations |
697,831 | 712,838 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations: |
||||||||
Purchase of fixed-maturity securities |
(23,777,848 | ) | (14,951,431 | ) | ||||
Sale of fixed-maturity securities |
18,777,069 | 10,774,055 | ||||||
Redemption of fixed-maturity securities |
44,383 | 318,912 | ||||||
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments |
(1,072,850 | ) | (459,956 | ) | ||||
Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments |
723,782 | 1,144,023 | ||||||
Net purchase of short-term investments |
(71,266 | ) | (32,189 | ) | ||||
Net (purchase) sale of other investments |
(44,410 | ) | 194,567 | |||||
Increase in receivable for investments sold |
(131,571 | ) | (52,349 | ) | ||||
Increase in payable for investments purchased |
200,583 | 83,585 | ||||||
Capital expenditures |
(4,386 | ) | (7,573 | ) | ||||
Disposals of capital assets |
4,188 | 614 | ||||||
Other, investing |
11,123 | 3,011 | ||||||
Net cash used by investing activities of continuing operations |
(5,341,203 | ) | (2,984,731 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities of continuing operations: |
||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of investment agreements |
7,007,284 | 4,289,445 | ||||||
Payments for drawdowns of investment agreements |
(4,558,455 | ) | (3,406,739 | ) | ||||
Increase (decrease) in commercial paper |
71,187 | (135,458 | ) | |||||
Issuance of medium-term notes |
5,272,029 | 3,647,592 | ||||||
Principal paydown of medium-term notes |
(2,667,430 | ) | (2,145,301 | ) | ||||
Issuance of variable interest entity floating rate notes |
| 300,000 | ||||||
Principal paydown of variable interest entity floating rate notes |
(77,085 | ) | (107,053 | ) | ||||
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net |
558,181 | 110,917 | ||||||
Dividends paid |
(130,306 | ) | (121,064 | ) | ||||
Capital issuance costs |
(3,997 | ) | (1,727 | ) | ||||
Net repayment of short-term debt |
(27,515 | ) | (17,847 | ) | ||||
Payments for derivatives |
(9,313 | ) | (24,077 | ) | ||||
Purchase of treasury stock |
(736,615 | ) | (28,259 | ) | ||||
Exercise of stock options |
37,516 | 22,243 | ||||||
Excess tax benefit on share-based payment |
6,937 | 1,181 | ||||||
Other, financing |
(2,494 | ) | (709 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations |
4,739,924 | 2,383,144 | ||||||
Discontinued operations: |
||||||||
Net cash used by operating activities |
| (822 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by investing activities |
| 174 | ||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
| 970 | ||||||
Net cash provided by discontinued operations |
| 322 | ||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
96,552 | 111,573 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalentsbeginning of period |
269,277 | 221,710 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalentsend of period |
$ | 365,829 | $ | 333,283 | ||||
Supplemental cash flow disclosures: |
||||||||
Income taxes paid |
$ | 197,352 | $ | 153,024 | ||||
Interest paid: |
||||||||
Investment agreements |
$ | 473,232 | $ | 370,730 | ||||
Commercial paper |
30,915 | 30,966 | ||||||
Medium-term notes |
464,466 | 287,123 | ||||||
Variable interest entity floating rate notes |
54,879 | 39,877 | ||||||
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase |
14,663 | 29,765 | ||||||
Other borrowings and deposits |
1,604 | 6,153 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
52,148 | 52,418 | ||||||
Non cash items: |
||||||||
Share-based compensation |
$ | 12,805 | $ | 10,962 | ||||
Dividends declared but not paid |
42,645 | 41,788 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
6
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTE 1: Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, accordingly, do not include all of the information and disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries (MBIA or the Company). The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), but in the opinion of management such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the Companys financial position and results of operations.
The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2007. The December 31, 2006 balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MBIA Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany balances have been eliminated and business segment results are presented net of all material intersegment transactions. Certain amounts have been reclassified in prior years financial statements to conform to the current presentation. This includes the reclassification of amounts related to MBIAs discontinued operations, which had no effect on net income, total assets, total liabilities or shareholders equity as previously reported.
NOTE 2: Significant Accounting Policies
The Company has disclosed its significant accounting policies in Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The following significant accounting policy provides an update to that included under the same caption in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Investments
The Company classifies its fixed-maturity investments as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. (SFAS) 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. Available-for-sale investments are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred taxes, reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders equity. Bond discounts and premiums are amortized using the effective yield method over the remaining term of the securities. For bonds purchased at a price above par value that also have call features, premiums are amortized to the call date that produces the lowest yield. For mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, discounts and premiums are adjusted quarterly for the effects of actual and expected prepayments on a retrospective basis. For pre-refunded bonds, the remaining term is determined based on the contractual refunding date. Investment income is recorded as earned. Realized gains or losses on the sale of investments are determined by utilizing the first-in, first-out method to identify the investments sold and are included as a separate component of revenues.
Held-to-maturity investments consist mainly of debt securities, loans, lease receivables and trade receivables for which the Company has the ability and intent to hold such investments to maturity. These investments are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost. Discounts and premiums are amortized using the effective yield method over the remaining term of the assets. Investment income is recorded as earned.
Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, and include all fixed-maturity securities with a remaining effective term to maturity of less than one year.
Other investments include the Companys interest in equity-oriented and equity method investments. In accordance with SFAS 115, the Company records its share of the unrealized gains and losses on equity-oriented investments, net of applicable deferred income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders equity when it does not have a controlling financial interest in or exert significant influence over an entity (generally a voting interest of less than 20%).
7
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
When the Company does not have a controlling financial interest in an entity but exerts significant influence over the entitys operating and financial policies (generally a voting interest of 20% to 50%) and has an investment in common stock or substance common stock, the Company accounts for its investments in accordance with the equity method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. (APB) 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock. The carrying amounts of equity method investments are initially recorded at cost and adjusted to recognize the Companys share of the profits or losses, net of any intercompany gains and losses, of the investees subsequent to the purchase date. Such profits and losses are recorded within net investment income in the consolidated statements of income. Dividends are applied as a reduction of the carrying amount of equity method investments.
MBIA regularly monitors its investments in which fair value is less than amortized cost in order to assess whether such a decline in value is other than temporary. In assessing whether a decline in value is other than temporary, the Company considers several factors, including but not limited to (a) the magnitude and duration of the decline and (b) the reasons for the decline, such as credit rating downgrades, issuer-specific changes in credit spreads, and the financial condition of the issuer. Based on this assessment, if the Company believes that either (a) the investments fair value will not recover to an amount equal to its amortized cost or (b) the Company does not have the ability and intent to hold the investment to maturity or until the fair value recovers to an amount at least equal to amortized cost, it will consider the decline in value to be other than temporary. If MBIA determines that a decline in the value of an investment is other than temporary, the investment is written down to its fair value and a realized loss is recorded in net income.
NOTE 3: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109. FIN 48 requires that the Company determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets this recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on the derecognition, classification and disclosure of tax positions. MBIA adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements. See Note 9: Income Taxes for disclosures required by FIN 48.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, which amends SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities and SFAS 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. SFAS 155 permits an entity to measure at fair value any financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that would otherwise require bifurcation. The fair value designation may be applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis; however, the election to apply fair value accounting is irrevocable. MBIA adopted the provisions of SFAS 155 on January 1, 2007 and elected the fair value option for certain structured investments and a medium-term note liability. The effect of adopting SFAS 155 resulted in a $1.9 million after-tax ($3.0 million pre-tax) decrease to opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2007, representing the difference between the fair values of the hybrid financial instruments and the reported carrying values as of December 31, 2006. The decrease in retained earnings includes after-tax gross gains of $0.3 million ($0.5 million pre-tax) and after-tax gross losses of $2.2 million ($3.5 million pre-tax). For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, changes in the fair value of hybrid financial instruments resulted in a net pre-tax loss of $8.9 million, which is included in Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange on the Companys consolidated statement of income.
Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods
In June 2007, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) on Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards. EITF Issue No. 06-11 requires that the tax benefit with respect to dividends or dividend equivalents for non-vested restricted shares or restricted share units that are paid to employees be recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital. MBIA currently records such tax benefit as a reduction of income tax expense. EITF Issue No. 06-11 is to be applied prospectively for tax benefits on dividends declared in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt the provisions of EITF Issue No. 06-11 in the fourth quarter of 2007 and believes that the adoption of EITF Issue No. 06-11 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.
8
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
In April 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FIN 39-1, Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39. FSP FIN 39-1 permits a reporting entity that is a party to a master netting agreement to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting agreement. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and is required to be applied retrospectively for all financial statements presented unless it is impracticable to do so. MBIA is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FSP FIN 39-1 on the Companys financial statements.
On April 18, 2007, the FASB issued an Exposure Draft (ED) entitled Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts, an interpretation of SFAS 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises. The ED clarifies how SFAS 60 applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts issued by insurance enterprises, including the methodologies to account for premium revenue and claim liabilities, as well as related disclosures. The proposals contained in the ED are not considered final accounting guidance until the FASB completes its due process procedures and issues a final statement, which could differ from the ED. Under the ED, MBIA would be required to recognize premium revenue only in proportion to contractual payments (principal and interest) made by the issuer of the insured financial obligation. The proposed recognition approach for a claim liability would require MBIA to recognize a claim liability when there is an expectation that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue (liability) on a policy basis based on the present value of expected cash flows. Additionally, the ED would require MBIA to provide expanded disclosures relating to factors affecting the recognition and measurement of financial guarantee contracts.
Following a 60 day comment period, the FASB held a discussion forum with interested parties in September 2007 and plans to begin redeliberations of the ED in the fourth quarter of 2007. The final statement is expected to be issued in the first quarter of 2008. The cumulative effect of initially applying the final statement will be recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. MBIA is in the process of evaluating how the exposure draft will impact its financial statements and has provided comments on the ED to the FASB. Until final guidance is issued by the FASB and is effective, MBIA will continue to apply its existing policies with respect to the establishment of both case basis and unallocated loss reserves and the recognition of premium revenue. A further description of the Companys loss reserving and premium recognition policies are included in Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS 159 provides the Company an irrevocable option to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, that otherwise are not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The option is applied, on a contract-by-contract basis, to an entire contract and not only to specific risks, specific cash flows or other portions of that contract. Upfront costs and fees related to a contract for which the fair value option is elected shall be recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. MBIA is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 159 and their potential impact on the Companys financial statements. MBIA will adopt the provisions of SFAS 159 beginning January 1, 2008.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. SFAS 157 requires that fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on the best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the model. SFAS 157 also clarifies that an issuers credit standing should be considered when measuring liabilities at fair value. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. MBIA is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 157 and their potential impact on the Companys financial statements. MBIA will adopt the provisions of SFAS 157 beginning January 1, 2008.
NOTE 4: Dividends Declared
Dividends declared by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $131.1 million.
9
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTE 5: Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the dilutive effect of all stock options and other items outstanding during the period that could potentially result in the issuance of common stock. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, there were 1,404,106 stock options and 2,019,394 restricted stock and units outstanding that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 there were 361,680 stock options outstanding that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, there were 1,699,934 and 1,742,823 stock options outstanding, respectively, that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive.
The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | ||||||||||||
In thousands except per share amounts |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax |
$ | (36,640 | ) | $ | 216,573 | $ | 373,802 | $ | 634,699 | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| 1,374 | | 3,604 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (36,640 | ) | $ | 217,947 | $ | 373,802 | $ | 638,303 | ||||
Basic weighted-average shares |
123,705,544 | 132,794,395 | 127,658,105 | 132,759,336 | |||||||||
Effect of common stock equivalents: |
|||||||||||||
Stock options |
| 1,821,760 | 1,712,521 | 1,794,360 | |||||||||
Restricted stock and units |
| 2,123,248 | 2,166,889 | 2,123,248 | |||||||||
Diluted weighted-average shares |
123,705,544 | 136,739,403 | 131,537,515 | 136,676,944 | |||||||||
Basic EPS: |
|||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.63 | $ | 2.93 | $ | 4.78 | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
| 0.01 | | 0.03 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.64 | $ | 2.93 | $ | 4.81 | ||||
Diluted EPS: |
|||||||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.58 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 4.64 | ||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations |
| 0.01 | | 0.03 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.59 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 4.67 | ||||
NOTE 6: Business Segments
MBIA manages its activities primarily through two principal business operations: insurance and investment management services. The Companys reportable segments within its business operations are determined based on the way management assesses the performance and resource requirements of such operations.
The insurance operations is a reportable segment and provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the payment of principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event that MBIA Corp. has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise, upon such acceleration by MBIA Corp. MBIA issues financial guarantees for municipal bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, investor-owned utility bonds, bonds backed by publicly or privately funded public-purpose projects, bonds issued by sovereign and sub-sovereign entities, obligations collateralized by diverse pools of corporate loans and pools of corporate and asset-backed bonds, and bonds backed by other revenue sources such as corporate franchise revenues, both in the new issue and secondary markets. Additionally, MBIA insures credit default swaps primarily on pools of collateral, which it considers part of its core financial guarantee business. This segment includes all activities related to global credit enhancement services provided principally by MBIA Insurance Corporation and its subsidiaries (MBIA Corp.).
10
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
The Companys investment management services operations provide an array of products and services to the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Such products and services are provided primarily through wholly owned subsidiaries of MBIA Asset Management, LLC (MBIA Asset Management) and include cash management, discretionary asset management and fund administration services and investment agreement, medium-term note and commercial paper programs related to funding assets for third-party clients and for investment purposes. The investment management services operations reportable segments consist of: asset/liability products, which include investment agreements and medium-term notes (MTNs) not related to the conduit program; advisory services, which consist of third-party and related-party fee-based asset management; and conduits.
The asset/liability products segment principally consists of the activities of MBIA Investment Management Corp. (IMC), MBIA Global Funding, LLC (GFL) and Euro Asset Acquisition Limited (EAAL). IMC, along with MBIA Inc., provides customized investment agreements, guaranteed by MBIA Corp., for bond proceeds and other public funds for such purposes as construction, loan origination, escrow and debt service or other reserve fund requirements. It also provides customized products for funds that are invested as part of asset-backed or structured product transactions. GFL raises funds through the issuance of MTNs with varying maturities, which are, in turn, guaranteed by MBIA Corp. GFL lends the proceeds of these MTN issuances to MBIA Inc. (GFL Loans). MBIA Inc. invests the proceeds of investment agreements and GFL Loans in eligible investments, which consist of investment grade securities with a minimum average double-A credit quality rating. MBIA Inc. primarily purchases domestic securities, which are pledged to MBIA Corp. as security for its guarantees on investment agreements and MTNs. Additionally, MBIA Inc. loans a portion of the proceeds from investment agreements and MTNs to EAAL. EAAL primarily purchases foreign assets as permitted under the Companys investment guidelines.
The advisory services segment primarily consists of the operations of MBIA Municipal Investors Service Corporation (MBIA-MISC), MBIA Capital Management Corp. (CMC) and MBIA Asset Management UK (AM-UK). MBIA-MISC provides investment management programs, including pooled investments products and customized asset management services. In addition, MBIA-MISC provides portfolio accounting and reporting for state and local governments, including school districts. MBIA-MISC is a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-registered investment adviser. CMC provides fee-based asset management services to the Company, its affiliates and third-party institutional clients. CMC is a SEC-registered investment advisor and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority member firm. AM-UK provides fee-based asset management services to the Companys foreign insurance affiliates and EAAL, and to third-party institutional clients and investment structures. AM-UK is registered with the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom (U.K.).
The Companys conduit segment administers three multi-seller conduit financing vehicles through MBIA Asset Finance, LLC. The conduits provide funding for multiple customers through special purpose vehicles that issue primarily commercial paper and medium-term notes.
The Companys corporate operations are a reportable segment and include revenues and expenses that arise from general corporate activities, such as net investment income, net gains and losses, interest expense on MBIA Inc. debt and general corporate expenses.
In December 2006, MBIA completed the sale of Capital Asset Holdings GP, Inc. and certain affiliated entities (Capital Asset) and MBIA MuniServices Company and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries (MuniServices). The sale of Capital Asset also included three variable interest entities (VIEs) established in connection with MBIA-insured securitizations of Capital Asset tax liens, which were consolidated within the Companys insurance operations in accordance with FIN 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Revised). MBIAs municipal services segment consisted of the activities of MuniServices and Capital Asset. As a result of the sale of MuniServices and Capital Asset, the Company no longer reports municipal services operations and the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities have been reported within discontinued operations for all periods presented prior to their sale in accordance with SFAS 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets. See Note 15: Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for information relating to the Companys discontinued operations.
Reportable segment results are presented net of material intersegment transactions. The following tables summarize the Companys operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
11
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Three months ended September 30, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Insurance | Investment Management Services |
Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 353,530 | $ | 434,872 | $ | 721 | $ | 789,123 | ||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
6,411 | (5,973 | ) | (749 | ) | (311 | ) | |||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(335,317 | ) | (17,407 | ) | 317 | (352,407 | ) | |||||||||
Total revenues |
24,624 | 411,492 | 289 | 436,405 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
19,514 | 378,787 | 20,186 | 418,487 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
68,772 | 25,425 | 6,544 | 100,741 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
88,286 | 404,212 | 26,730 | 519,228 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | (63,662 | ) | $ | 7,280 | $ | (26,441 | ) | $ | (82,823 | ) | |||||
Identifiable assets |
$ | 12,967,367 | $ | 31,702,852 | $ | 658,787 | $ | 45,329,006 | ||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Insurance | Investment Management Services |
Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 393,507 | $ | 308,473 | $ | 2,675 | $ | 704,655 | ||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
4,195 | 361 | 866 | 5,422 | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(4,706 | ) | 5,415 | 297 | 1,006 | |||||||||||
Total revenues |
392,996 | 314,249 | 3,838 | 711,083 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
22,225 | 263,804 | 20,195 | 306,224 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
74,532 | 19,062 | 4,711 | 98,305 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
96,757 | 282,866 | 24,906 | 404,529 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | 296,239 | $ | 31,383 | $ | (21,068 | ) | $ | 306,554 | |||||||
Identifiable assets(2) |
$ | 13,717,877 | $ | 23,646,910 | $ | 549,209 | $ | 37,913,996 | ||||||||
(1) |
Represents the sum of net premiums earned, net investment income, insurance-related fees and reimbursements, investment management fees and other fees. |
(2) |
At September 30, 2006, identifiable assets exclude $25.6 million related to the Companys discontinued operations. |
12
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Nine months ended September 30, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Insurance | Investment Management Services |
Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 1,091,788 | $ | 1,187,281 | $ | 20,850 | $ | 2,299,919 | ||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
38,455 | (1,949 | ) | (9,244 | ) | 27,262 | ||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(347,528 | ) | (29,024 | ) | 151 | (376,401 | ) | |||||||||
Total revenues |
782,715 | 1,156,308 | 11,757 | 1,950,780 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
61,961 | 1,034,796 | 60,547 | 1,157,304 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
211,898 | 70,883 | 23,460 | 306,241 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
273,859 | 1,105,679 | 84,007 | 1,463,545 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | 508,856 | $ | 50,629 | $ | (72,250 | ) | $ | 487,235 | |||||||
Identifiable assets |
$ | 12,967,367 | $ | 31,702,852 | $ | 658,787 | $ | 45,329,006 | ||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Insurance | Investment Management Services |
Corporate | Total | ||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 1,112,087 | $ | 860,978 | $ | 9,747 | $ | 1,982,812 | ||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
12,566 | 5,594 | 2,333 | 20,493 | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
1,356 | 8,723 | 435 | 10,514 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues |
1,126,009 | 875,295 | 12,515 | 2,013,819 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
53,929 | 730,472 | 60,496 | 844,897 | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
220,565 | 55,113 | 10,379 | 286,057 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
274,494 | 785,585 | 70,875 | 1,130,954 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | 851,515 | $ | 89,710 | $ | (58,360 | ) | $ | 882,865 | |||||||
Identifiable assets(2) |
$ | 13,717,877 | $ | 23,646,910 | $ | 549,209 | $ | 37,913,996 | ||||||||
(1) |
Represents the sum of net premiums earned, net investment income, insurance-related fees and reimbursements, investment management fees and other fees. |
(2) |
At September 30, 2006, identifiable assets exclude $25.6 million related to the Companys discontinued operations. |
13
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
The following tables summarize the segments within the investment management services operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
Three months ended September 30, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Asset/ Liability |
Advisory Services |
Conduits | Eliminations | Total Investment Management Services |
|||||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 352,255 | $ | 18,873 | $ | 71,527 | $ | (7,783 | ) | $ | 434,872 | |||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
(5,979 | ) | 6 | | | (5,973 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(12,664 | ) | (33 | ) | (4,710 | ) | | (17,407 | ) | |||||||||||
Total revenues |
333,612 | 18,846 | 66,817 | (7,783 | ) | 411,492 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
312,371 | | 67,388 | (972 | ) | 378,787 | ||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
15,181 | 15,179 | 1,973 | (6,908 | ) | 25,425 | ||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
327,552 | 15,179 | 69,361 | (7,880 | ) | 404,212 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | 6,060 | $ | 3,667 | $ | (2,544 | ) | $ | 97 | $ | 7,280 | |||||||||
Identifiable assets |
$ | 26,889,430 | $ | 49,925 | $ | 4,793,887 | $ | (30,390 | ) | $ | 31,702,852 | |||||||||
Three months ended September 30, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Asset/ Liability |
Advisory Services |
Conduits | Eliminations | Total Investment Management Services |
|||||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 247,866 | $ | 16,802 | $ | 51,297 | $ | (7,492 | ) | $ | 308,473 | |||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
354 | 7 | | | 361 | |||||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
10,364 | (2 | ) | (4,947 | ) | | 5,415 | |||||||||||||
Total revenues |
258,584 | 16,807 | 46,350 | (7,492 | ) | 314,249 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
218,978 | | 47,238 | (2,412 | ) | 263,804 | ||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
11,211 | 10,824 | 2,069 | (5,042 | ) | 19,062 | ||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
230,189 | 10,824 | 49,307 | (7,454 | ) | 282,866 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | 28,395 | $ | 5,983 | $ | (2,957 | ) | $ | (38 | ) | $ | 31,383 | ||||||||
Identifiable assets |
$ | 19,948,556 | $ | 140,650 | $ | 3,811,748 | $ | (254,044 | ) | $ | 23,646,910 | |||||||||
(1) |
Represents the sum of interest income, investment management services fees and other fees. |
14
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Nine months ended September 30, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Asset/ Liability |
Advisory Services |
Conduits | Eliminations | Total Investment Management Services |
|||||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 971,076 | $ | 56,150 | $ | 183,605 | $ | (23,550 | ) | $ | 1,187,281 | |||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
(1,705 | ) | 5 | (249 | ) | | (1,949 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(23,220 | ) | (74 | ) | (5,730 | ) | | (29,024 | ) | |||||||||||
Total revenues |
946,151 | 56,081 | 177,626 | (23,550 | ) | 1,156,308 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
867,404 | | 170,927 | (3,535 | ) | 1,034,796 | ||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
41,687 | 42,423 | 6,151 | (19,378 | ) | 70,883 | ||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
909,091 | 42,423 | 177,078 | (22,913 | ) | 1,105,679 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | 37,060 | $ | 13,658 | $ | 548 | $ | (637 | ) | $ | 50,629 | |||||||||
Identifiable assets |
$ | 26,889,430 | $ | 49,925 | $ | 4,793,887 | $ | (30,390 | ) | $ | 31,702,852 | |||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
Asset/ Liability |
Advisory Services |
Conduits | Eliminations | Total Investment Management Services |
|||||||||||||||
Revenues(1) |
$ | 680,726 | $ | 47,585 | $ | 155,204 | $ | (22,537 | ) | $ | 860,978 | |||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
5,587 | 7 | | | 5,594 | |||||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
12,252 | (114 | ) | (3,415 | ) | | 8,723 | |||||||||||||
Total revenues |
698,565 | 47,478 | 151,789 | (22,537 | ) | 875,295 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
598,250 | | 140,044 | (7,822 | ) | 730,472 | ||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
32,065 | 30,725 | 6,924 | (14,601 | ) | 55,113 | ||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
630,315 | 30,725 | 146,968 | (22,423 | ) | 785,585 | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before taxes |
$ | 68,250 | $ | 16,753 | $ | 4,821 | $ | (114 | ) | $ | 89,710 | |||||||||
Identifiable assets |
$ | 19,948,556 | $ | 140,650 | $ | 3,811,748 | $ | (254,044 | ) | $ | 23,646,910 | |||||||||
(1) |
Represents the sum of interest income, investment management services fees and other fees. |
A significant portion of premiums reported within the insurance segment is generated outside the United States. The following table summarizes net premiums earned by geographic location of risk for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006:
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||
In thousands |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||
Net premiums earned: |
||||||||||||
United States |
$ | 142,965 | $ | 158,996 | $ | 459,141 | $ | 460,259 | ||||
Non-United States |
60,228 | 53,331 | 175,217 | 174,703 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 203,193 | $ | 212,327 | $ | 634,358 | $ | 634,962 | ||||
15
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTE 7: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (LAE)
MBIA establishes two types of loss and LAE reserves for non-derivative financial guarantees: case basis reserves and an unallocated loss reserve. See Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for information regarding the Companys loss reserving policy. A summary of the case basis and unallocated activity and the components of the liability for loss and LAE reserves are presented in the following table:
In thousands |
3Q 2007 | 2Q 2007 | 1Q 2007 | |||||||||
Case basis loss and LAE reserves: |
||||||||||||
Beginning balance |
$ | 316,856 | $ | 333,906 | $ | 323,718 | ||||||
Less: reinsurance recoverable |
48,078 | 47,625 | 46,941 | |||||||||
Net beginning balance |
268,778 | 286,281 | 276,777 | |||||||||
Case basis transfers from unallocated loss reserve related to: |
||||||||||||
Current year |
1,975 | 6,047 | 2,602 | |||||||||
Prior years |
9,447 | 11,298 | 31,120 | |||||||||
Total |
11,422 | 17,345 | 33,722 | |||||||||
Net paid (recovered) related to: |
||||||||||||
Current year |
13 | 343 | (337 | ) | ||||||||
Prior years |
(487 | ) | 34,505 | 24,555 | ||||||||
Total net (recovered) paid |
(474 | ) | 34,848 | 24,218 | ||||||||
Net ending balance |
280,674 | 268,778 | 286,281 | |||||||||
Plus: reinsurance recoverable |
50,673 | 48,078 | 47,625 | |||||||||
Case basis loss and LAE reserve ending balance |
331,347 | 316,856 | 333,906 | |||||||||
Unallocated loss reserve: |
||||||||||||
Beginning balance |
203,224 | 199,867 | 213,319 | |||||||||
Losses and LAE incurred(1) |
22,203 | 20,968 | 20,484 | |||||||||
Channel Re elimination(2) |
(273 | ) | (266 | ) | (214 | ) | ||||||
Transfers to case basis and LAE reserves |
(11,422 | ) | (17,345 | ) | (33,722 | ) | ||||||
Unallocated loss reserve ending balance |
213,732 | 203,224 | 199,867 | |||||||||
Total |
$ | 545,079 | $ | 520,080 | $ | 533,773 | ||||||
(1) |
Represents the Companys provision for losses calculated as 12% of scheduled net earned premium. |
(2) |
Represents the amount of losses and LAE incurred that have been eliminated in proportion to MBIAs ownership interest in Channel Reinsurance Ltd. (Channel Re), which is carried on an equity-method accounting basis. |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, total net case basis activity transferred from the Companys unallocated loss reserve was $62 million. Net case basis activity primarily consisted of incurred activity related to the Student Loan Finance Corporation (SFC) and a multi-sector collateralized debt obligation (CDO) executed in the cash market, as well as insured obligations within the home equity loan (2000 vintage) and manufactured housing sectors. Partially offsetting these loss reserves were reversals of previously established case basis reserves within the aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs) sector. The unallocated loss reserve approximated $214 million at September 30, 2007, which represents the Companys estimate of losses associated with credit deterioration that has occurred in the Companys insured portfolio but has not been specifically identified and is available for future case-specific activity. The Company recorded $64 million in losses and loss adjustment expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 based on 12% of scheduled net earned premium.
16
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
NOTE 8: Derivative Instruments
The fair values of the Companys derivative instruments are estimated using observable market prices when they are available. Such observable market prices are typically obtained for regularly traded contracts in active markets. Most of the derivative contracts insured by MBIA are structured transactions that are not traded but rather insured to maturity by MBIA. As they are illiquid, there are no observable market prices for these derivative contracts. For these contracts, the Company estimates fair values using available market credit spreads for the underlying reference obligations within valuation models. The Company utilizes both vendor-developed and proprietary models, depending on the type and structure of contracts. The significant data that influence the Companys valuation models include market credit spreads, current interest rates, portfolio credit quality ratings and correlation assumptions within portfolios. Market data inputs are determined based on the specific attributes of each structured credit derivative. If observable market credit spreads are not available for the underlying reference obligations, then a market index is used that most closely resembles the underlying reference obligations, specified by asset class, credit quality rating and maturity of the underlying reference obligations. This data is obtained from recognized sources and is reviewed on an ongoing basis for reasonableness and applicability to the Companys derivative portfolio.
The fair values of insured structured credit derivatives within the Companys insurance portfolio are mostly derived from a valuation approach that uses actual market prices or market indices for underlying reference obligations within a proprietary valuation model utilizing a binomial expansion technique. This approach estimates the fair values of the Companys structured credit derivative contracts based on the key components of a transactions structure, of collateral portfolio credit quality and of market spread levels for the underlying reference obligations, in addition to other factors such as the diversity of the collateral portfolio and assumed recovery rates for defaulted collateral. The level of subordination below MBIAs exposure or credit tranche is a very significant factor that affects the estimated fair values of MBIAs exposure as subordination below MBIAs exposure absorbs all losses in the transactions underlying portfolio before any claim is made on MBIAs insurance policy. Most of MBIAs insured structured credit derivatives have subordination in excess of that required for the most senior triple-A rating within a transaction. The main drivers of changes in the estimated fair values of the Companys insured structured credit derivatives are changes in market spread levels of the underlying reference obligations, changes in credit quality ratings of the underlying reference obligations, and declines in the amounts of subordination. During the third quarter of 2007, the primary factor affecting changes in fair values produced by this valuation approach was the widening of underlying reference obligation credit spread levels.
The Company also considers arms-length transactions that reduce its exposure to insured credit derivatives, such as reinsurance, to be good measures of fair value when the transaction is negotiated independently of other transactions and when it is executed on or near the valuation date. In such cases, the premiums paid to the reinsurers are used to fair value the derivative contract.
The following table presents the net par outstanding as of September 30, 2007 and the related income statement net gain or loss for the three months ended September 30, 2007 by fair value technique of all insured credit derivatives within the Companys insurance portfolio.
In millions |
% of Net Par |
Net Par Outstanding |
Net Gain/(Loss) |
|||||||
Binomial expansion valuation model |
92.8 | % | $ | 128,351 | $ | (318 | ) | |||
Reinsurance transactions |
2.8 | 3,928 | 0 | |||||||
Specific dealer quotes |
0.7 | 921 | (21 | ) | ||||||
Other |
3.7 | 5,040 | (3 | ) | ||||||
Total |
100.0 | % | $ | 138,240 | $ | (342 | ) | |||
17
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
The Companys investment management services operations and corporate operations enter into OTC derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps and total return swaps, which predominately trade in liquid markets. The fair values for these derivatives are either based on specific dealer quotes or estimated using valuation models that combine observable market prices and market data inputs. The following table presents the net notional value outstanding as of September 30, 2007 and the related income statement net gain or loss for the three months ended September 30, 2007 by fair value technique of all credit and other derivatives within the Companys investment management services portfolio and two derivatives related to the corporate operations.
In millions |
% of Net Notional Value |
Net Notional Value Outstanding |
Net Gain/(Loss) |
|||||||
Valuation models using market prices |
86.4 | % | $ | 39,352 | $ | (9 | ) | |||
Specific dealer quotes |
13.6 | 6,217 | 23 | |||||||
Total |
100.0 | % | $ | 45,569 | $ | 14 | ||||
The use of market data within valuation models requires management to make assumptions on how the fair values of derivative instruments are affected by current market conditions. This is especially true during periods of market illiquidity, as was experienced during the third quarter of 2007. The availability of market data and the correlation of market data to a derivative instrument will determine the degree to which assumptions affect a derivative instruments fair value. Therefore, results can significantly differ between models due to differences among assumptions used by different participants in the markets.
The Company maintains an ongoing review of its valuation models and has ongoing control and cross-checking procedures for the approval and control of market and portfolio data inputs. During the third quarter of 2007, the Companys review of its valuation approach primarily focused on the source of market credit spreads used in the valuation of its insurance credit derivatives portfolio to ensure that these spreads were indicative of the current market environment, of the asset class of the underlying reference obligations within each transaction, and of the current credit ratings of the underlying reference obligations. As a result of this review, the Company expanded its sources of market price and data inputs in order to enhance the quality of inputs for certain types of contracts. The overall valuation technique, however, was unchanged. Additionally, on September 30, 2007, the Company reinsured certain insured credit derivative contracts on a quota share basis with two of its reinsurers and used the reinsurance prices to fair value its aggregate exposure to those derivative contracts. One of the reinsurers was Channel Re, a related party.
NOTE 9: Income Taxes
MBIAs tax policy is to optimize after-tax income by maintaining the appropriate mix of taxable and tax-exempt investments. In general, the effective tax rate fluctuates from time to time as the Company manages its investment portfolio on an after-tax total return basis. The effective tax rate, including tax related to discontinued operations, for the third quarter of 2007 was a benefit of 55.8% compared with a provision of 29.4% for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the effective tax rate, including tax related to discontinued operations, decreased to 23.3% from 28.2% for the same period in 2006. The changes in the Companys effective tax rates for the quarter and nine months were a result of mark-to-market net losses recorded on the Companys derivatives portfolio in the third quarter of 2007. The Company has calculated its year-to-date effective tax rate by treating these mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item. As such, the tax benefit of these net losses, calculated at the statutory tax rate of 35%, is an adjustment to the annual effective tax rate that the Company has estimated for all other pre-tax income. The Company believes that its decision to treat the mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item is appropriate given its inability to estimate these mark-to-market losses for the full year of 2007, which directly affects the Companys ability to estimate pre-tax income and the related effective tax rate for the full year of 2007.
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial statements. Prior to the adoption of FIN 48, the Company classified interest and/or penalties related to income taxes as a component of income from continuing operations. In connection with the adoption of FIN 48, the Company has elected to classify interest and penalties as components of income taxes. The total amount accrued for interest and penalties was $4.2 million at the date of adoption, and the interest and penalties recognized during the first nine months of 2007 amounted to $1.8 million.
18
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
MBIAs major tax jurisdictions include the United States (U.S.), the U.K. and France. MBIA and its U.S. subsidiaries file a U.S. consolidated federal income tax return. Federal income tax returns have been examined through 2003. Currently, the Company is under an examination for the 2004 and 2005 years by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, which is anticipated to be concluded in the fourth quarter of 2007. The U.K. tax matters have been substantially concluded through 2004 with the exception of MBIA UK Insurance Ltd., which is expected to be concluded in the first quarter of 2008. The French tax authority has concluded the examination through 2003 with the issue on the recognition of premium income for tax purposes pending resolution.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at the date of adoption of FIN 48 was $28.8 million, which was included in the tax reserves. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was approximately $3.4 million as of September 30, 2007.
In April 2005, the French tax authority commenced an examination of the Companys French tax return for 2002 and 2003. Upon completion of the audit, the Company received a notice of assessment in which the French tax authority has accelerated the way in which the Company recognizes earned premium for tax purposes, contrary to the French statutory method. The Company has protested and has filed for an appeal with respect to the assessment and the Companys position is currently under review. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the examination, the Company accrued the potential tax liability relating to the French tax audit for all open tax years through 2006 prior to the adoption of FIN 48. The total amount accrued with respect to the uncertain tax position is approximately $26.5 million and the related interest and penalties is approximately $4.2 million. It is reasonably possible that the French tax authority will rule in the Companys favor within the next 12 months at which time the entire amount accrued, including the interest and penalties, will be reversed.
NOTE 10: Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of operating its businesses, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings.
In July 2002, MBIA Corp. filed suit against Royal Indemnity Company (Royal) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, to enforce insurance policies that Royal issued on certain vocational student loan transactions that MBIA Corp. insured. To date, claims in the amount of approximately $355 million have been made under the Royal policies with respect to loans that have defaulted. MBIA Corp. expects that there will be additional claims made under the policies with respect to student loans that may default in the future. Royal had filed an action seeking a declaration that it is not obligated to pay on its policies. In October 2003, the court granted MBIA Corp.s motion for summary judgment and ordered Royal to pay all claims under its policies. Royal appealed the order, and, in connection with the appeal, pledged $403 million of investment grade collateral to MBIA Corp. to secure the entire amount of the judgment, with interest, and agreed to post additional security for future claims and interest.
On October 3, 2005, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the decision of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware insofar as it enforced the Royal insurance policies, but remanded the case to the District Court for a determination of whether the Royal policies cover all losses claimed under the policies. In particular, the Court of Appeals directed the District Court to consider whether the Royal policies would cover losses resulting from the misappropriation of student payments rather than from defaults by students. MBIA Corp. believes that the Royal policies would cover losses even if they result from misappropriation of student payments, but in any event it appears that all or substantially all of the claims made under the Royal policies relate to defaults by students rather than misappropriation of funds. Therefore, MBIA Corp. expected Royal to be required to pay all or substantially all of the claims made under its policies and to be reimbursed for any payments MBIA Corp. made under its policies.
Royal filed a petition with the Third Circuit requesting that the case be reheard, which was denied in April 2006. In April 2006, Royal filed a motion with the District Court seeking a release of the collateral it pledged in connection with its appeal of the District Court judgment against it in 2003.
On April 2, 2007, MBIA announced that MBIA Corp. reached an agreement with Royal to settle the outstanding litigation. The amount paid by Royal under the terms of the settlement was sufficient to repay the approximately $362 million of outstanding par amount of the bonds insured by MBIA as well as to reimburse MBIA for a portion of the claims that MBIA has paid to date under its insurance policies. As a result of the settlement, MBIA incurred approximately $20 million in losses in the first quarter of 2007. The loss represents a reduction to MBIAs expected recoveries for claims it has paid to date under its policies and will be covered by MBIAs unallocated loss reserves.
19
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
The District Court in Delaware entered a final judgment in the case implementing the settlement on March 30, 2007. The approximately $362 million of outstanding par amount of the bonds insured by MBIA were repaid in full during the second quarter of 2007.
In November 2004, the Company received identical document subpoenas from the SEC and the New York Attorney Generals Office (NYAG) requesting information with respect to non-traditional or loss mitigation insurance products developed, offered or sold by the Company to third parties from January 1, 1998 to the present. While the subpoenas did not identify any specific transaction, subsequent conversations with the SEC and the NYAG revealed that the investigation included the arrangements entered into by MBIA Corp. in 1998 in connection with the bankruptcy of the Delaware Valley Obligated Group, an entity that is part of Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation (AHERF).
On March 9, 2005, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York (U.S. Attorney) seeking information related to the agreements it entered into in connection with the AHERF loss. Thereafter, the Company has received additional subpoenas, substantively identical to each other, and additional informal requests, from the SEC and the NYAG for documents and other information.
On August 19, 2005, the Company received a Wells Notice from the SEC indicating that the staff of the SEC is considering recommending that the SEC bring a civil injunctive action against the Company alleging violations of federal securities laws arising from MBIAs action to retroactively reinsure losses it incurred from the AHERF bonds MBIA had guaranteed, including, but not limited to, its entering into excess of loss agreements and quota share agreements with three separate counterparties.
On January 29, 2007, the Company announced that it and its principal operating subsidiary MBIA Corp. (together with MBIA, the Companies) had concluded civil settlements with the SEC, the NYAG, and the New York State Insurance Department (NYSID) with respect to transactions entered into by the Companies in 1998 following defaults on insured bonds issued by AHERF.
The terms of the settlements, under which the Companies neither admit nor deny wrongdoing, include:
| A restatement, which was completed and reported in MBIAs third quarter 2005 earnings release, of the Companys GAAP and statutory financial results for 1998 and subsequent years related to the agreements with AXA Re Finance S.A. and Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellshaft, as discussed in Note 2: Restatement Of Consolidated Financial Statements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (the 2005 10-K) in Part II, Item 8 and Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 in the 2005 10-K; |
| Payment of penalties and disgorgement totaling $75 million, of which $60 million will be distributed to MBIA shareholders pursuant to the Fair Fund provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and $15 million will be paid to the State of New York. MBIA accounted for the $75 million in penalties and disgorgement as a charge in the third quarter of 2005; |
| The Companies consent to a cease and desist order with respect to future violations of securities laws; |
| A report by the Companys independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to MBIAs Board of Directors, the SEC staff, the NYAG and the NYSID concerning the Companys accounting for and disclosure of advisory fees and the assets of certain conduits; and |
| Retention of an Independent Consultant to review and report to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID on the evaluation previously undertaken at the direction of the Audit Committee of MBIAs Board of Directors by Promontory Financial Group LLC of the Companys controls, policies and procedures with respect to compliance, internal audit, governance, risk management and records management; the Companys implementation of Promontorys recommendations; the Companys accounting for and disclosure of its investment in Capital Asset Holdings GP, Inc.; and the Companys accounting for and disclosure of its exposure to the US Airways 1998-1 Repackaging Trust and any other transaction in which the Company paid or acquired all or substantially all of an issue of insured securities other than as a result of a claim under the related policy. |
20
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
The foregoing summary description of the terms of the settlements is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibits 10.82-10.85 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
On July 25, 2007, the Company announced that the Independent Consultant retained by the Company in connection with the regulatory settlements completed his review. The Independent Consultant concluded that MBIAs accounting and disclosures concerning these matters were consistent with GAAP and the federal securities laws. The Independent Consultant also reported to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID on the evaluation previously undertaken at the direction of the Audit Committee of MBIAs board of directors by Promontory Financial Group LLC. Promontorys review included a comprehensive assessment of the Companys compliance organization and monitoring systems, internal audit functions, governance process and other controls, including risk management and records management policies and procedures. The Independent Consultant examined the design of Promontorys review and the Companys implementation of Promontorys recommendations. The Independent Consultant found that both the Promontory review and MBIAs implementation of Promontorys recommendations were reasonable and concluded that no further changes or improvements to MBIAs policies and procedures were necessary to achieve best practices.
The Independent Consultant reported his findings to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID, and to MBIAs board of directors. As the Company announced on July 25, 2007, the regulatory agencies have completed their review of the Independent Consultants report. The Company does not expect any further enforcement actions in connection with the matters covered by the Independent Consultants report.
The Company was named as a defendant in private securities actions consolidated as In re MBIA Inc. Securities Litigation; (Case No. 05 CV 03514(LLS); S.D.N.Y.) (filed October 3, 2005). Joseph W. Brown, the Companys former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gary C. Dunton, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Ferreri, the Companys former Chief Financial Officer, Neil G. Budnick, formerly a Vice President of the Company and the Companys former Chief Financial Officer and Douglas C. Hamilton, the Companys Controller were also named as defendants in the suit, as were former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David H. Elliott and former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Juliette S. Tehrani. The plaintiffs asserted claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The lead plaintiffs purport to be acting as representatives for a class consisting of purchasers of the Companys stock during the period from August 5, 2003 to March 30, 2005 (the Class Period). The allegations contained in the lawsuit included, among other things, violations of the federal securities laws arising out of the Companys allegedly false and misleading statements about its financial condition and the nature of the arrangements entered into by MBIA Corp. in connection with the AHERF loss, and about the effectiveness of the Companys internal controls. The plaintiffs alleged that, as a result of these misleading statements or omissions, the Companys stock traded at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period.
The defendants, including the Company, filed motions to dismiss this lawsuit on various grounds. On February 13, 2007, the Court granted those motions, and dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety, on the grounds that these claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The Court did not reach the other grounds for dismissal argued by the Company and the other defendants. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on March 14, 2007. The Company does not expect the outcome of the private securities litigation to have a material adverse affect on its financial condition, although the outcome is uncertain and no assurance can be given that the Company will not suffer a loss.
Certain current and former officers of the Company and certain members of the Companys Board of Directors were named as defendants in a shareholder derivative action filed in the Supreme Court of New York, Westchester County on November 9, 2005: Robert Purvis, Derivatively on Behalf of Nominal Defendant MBIA, Inc. v. Joseph W. Brown, Neil G. Budnick, C. Edward Chaplin, David C. Clapp, Clifford D. Corso, Gary C. Dunton, Claire L. Gaudiani, Daniel P. Kearney, Laurence H. Meyer, Debra J. Perry, John A. Rolls, and Ruth M. Whaley (Case No. 20099-05) (the Purvis Litigation). The plaintiff asserted claims for the benefit of the Company to redress injuries suffered by the Company as a result of alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by the named defendants in connection with the Companys accounting for certain transactions, including the AHERF loss. In addition, the plaintiff alleged that the officer defendants were unjustly enriched as a result of such alleged breach. The lawsuit was dismissed on December 21, 2006, pursuant to court order and an agreement among all parties.
21
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Certain current and former officers of the Company and certain current and former members of the Companys Board of Directors have been named as defendants in a shareholder derivative action filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, on April 24, 2006: J. Robert Orton Jr., Derivatively on Behalf of Nominal Defendant MBIA, Inc. v. Joseph (Jay) W. Brown, Gary C. Dunton, Neil G. Budnick, Nicholas Ferreri, Douglas C. Hamilton, Juliette S. Tehrani, Richard L. Weill, David H. Elliott, Claire L. Gaudiani, Daniel P. Kearney, David C. Clapp, John A. Rolls, C. Edward Chaplin, Debra J. Perry, Laurence Meyer, Jeffrey W. Yabuki, Pierre-Henri Richard, William H. Gray III, Freda S. Johnson and James A. Lebenthal (Case No. 06 CV 3146) (the Orton Litigation). The plaintiff asserts claims for the benefit of the Company to redress injuries suffered by the Company as a result of alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, insider trading, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment and violations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by some or all of the named defendants in connection with alleged false statements in the Companys financial statements arising from improper accounting for certain transactions, including agreements to reinsure the AHERF loss. The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of the Company that includes disgorgement of certain compensation granted to such officers, unspecified damages, restitution of profits and compensation, legal costs, an order directing the Company to implement certain governance procedures and other equitable relief.
A Special Litigation Committee of three independent directors of MBIA Inc. has determined after a good faith and reasonable investigation that pursuit of the Orton Litigation is not in the best interests of MBIA and its shareholders, and has moved to dismiss the action. The lawsuit was dismissed on September 18, 2007, pursuant to court order and an agreement among all parties.
There are no other material lawsuits pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.
22
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD-LOOKING AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
This quarterly report of MBIA Inc. (MBIA or the Company) includes statements that are not historical or current facts and are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words believe, anticipate, project, plan, expect, intend, will likely result, looking forward or will continue, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. MBIA cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only to their respective dates. The following are some of the factors that could affect financial performance or could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates contained in or underlying the Companys forward-looking statements:
| fluctuations in the economic, credit, interest rate or foreign currency environment in the United States (U.S.) and abroad; |
| level of activity within the national and international credit markets; |
| competitive conditions and pricing levels; |
| legislative or regulatory developments; |
| technological developments; |
| changes in tax laws; |
| changes in the Companys credit ratings; |
| the effects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; and |
| uncertainties that have not been identified at this time. |
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statement if it later becomes aware that such results are not likely to be achieved.
OVERVIEW
MBIA is a leading provider of financial guarantee products and specialized financial services. MBIA provides innovative and cost-effective products and services that meet the credit enhancement, financial and investment needs of its public- and private-sector clients worldwide. MBIA manages its activities primarily through two principal business operations: insurance and investment management services. The Companys corporate operations include revenues and expenses that arise from general corporate activities.
MBIAs insurance operations are principally conducted through MBIA Insurance Corporation and its subsidiaries (MBIA Corp.). MBIA Insurance Corporation has triple-A financial strength ratings from Standard and Poors Corporation (S&P), Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys), Fitch Ratings Ltd. (Fitch) and Rating and Investment Information, Inc. Additionally, MBIA Insurance Corporations insurance subsidiaries have triple-A financial strength ratings from at least S&P and Moodys. MBIA Corp. issues financial guarantees for municipal bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, investor-owned utility bonds, bonds backed by publicly or privately funded public-purpose projects, bonds issued by sovereign and sub-sovereign entities, obligations collateralized by diverse pools of corporate loans and pools of corporate and asset-backed bonds, and bonds backed by other revenue sources such as corporate franchise revenues, both in the new issue and secondary markets. Additionally, MBIA Corp. insures credit default swaps primarily on pools of collateral, which it considers part of its core financial guarantee business. The financial guarantees issued by MBIA Corp. provide an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event that MBIA Corp. has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise, upon such acceleration by MBIA Corp.
MBIAs investment management services operations provide an array of products and services to the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Such products and services are provided primarily through wholly owned subsidiaries of MBIA Asset Management, LLC (MBIA Asset Management) and include cash management, discretionary asset management and fund administration services and investment agreement, medium-term note and commercial paper programs related to funding assets for third-party clients and for investment purposes.
23
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In December 2006, MBIA completed the sale of Capital Asset Holdings GP, Inc. and certain affiliated entities (Capital Asset) and MBIA MuniServices Company and certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries (MuniServices). The sale of Capital Asset also included three variable interest entities (VIEs) established in connection with MBIA-insured securitizations of Capital Asset tax liens, which were consolidated within the Companys insurance operations in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. (FIN) 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Revised). MBIAs municipal services operations consisted of the activities of MuniServices and Capital Asset. As a result of the sale of MuniServices and Capital Asset, the Company no longer reports municipal services operations and the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities have been reported within discontinued operations for all periods presented prior to their sale in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. (SFAS) 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-lived Assets. See Note 15: Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for information relating to the Companys discontinued operations.
The Companys results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are discussed in the Results of Operations section included herein. Results of operations are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
On July 25, 2007, MBIA announced that the Independent Consultant, who was retained by MBIA pursuant to its previously announced settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the New York Attorney Generals Office (NYAG) and the New York State Insurance Department (NYSID), has completed his review. The Independent Consultant was retained to assess MBIAs accounting and disclosures for its investment in Capital Asset Holdings GP, Inc., and for its exposure on notes issued by the US Airways 1998-1 Repackaging Trust. The Independent Consultant has concluded that MBIAs accounting and disclosures concerning these matters were consistent with GAAP and the federal securities laws.
The Independent Consultant also reported to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID on the evaluation previously undertaken at the direction of the Audit Committee of MBIAs board of directors by Promontory Financial Group LLC (Promontory). Promontorys review included a comprehensive assessment of the Companys compliance organization and monitoring systems, internal audit functions, governance process and other controls, including risk management and records management policies and procedures. The Independent Consultant examined the design of Promontorys review and the Companys implementation of Promontorys recommendations. The Independent Consultant found that both the Promontory review and MBIAs implementation of Promontorys recommendations were reasonable and concluded that no further changes or improvements to MBIAs policies and procedures were necessary to achieve best practices.
The Independent Consultant has reported his findings to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID, and to MBIAs board of directors. The regulatory agencies have now completed their review of the Independent Consultants report. The Company does not expect any further enforcement actions in connection with the matters covered by the Independent Consultants report.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Company has disclosed its critical accounting estimates in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The following critical accounting estimates provide an update to and should be read in conjunction with those included under the same caption in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
The Companys financial guarantee insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee of the payment of the principal of, and interest or other amounts owing on, insured obligations when due or, in the event that the Company has the right, at its discretion, to accelerate insured obligations upon default or otherwise, upon such acceleration by the Company. Loss and loss adjustment expense (LAE) reserves are established by the Companys Loss Reserve Committee, which consists of members of senior management, and require the use of judgment and estimates with respect to the occurrence, timing and amount of a loss on an insured obligation.
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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Company establishes two types of loss and LAE reserves for non-derivative financial guarantees: an unallocated loss reserve and case basis reserves. The unallocated loss reserve is established with respect to the Companys entire non-derivative insured portfolio. The Companys unallocated loss reserve represents the Companys estimate of losses that have or are probable to occur as a result of credit deterioration in the Companys insured portfolio but which have not yet been specifically identified and applied to specific insured obligations.
The Company establishes specific reserves in an amount equal to the Companys estimate of identified or case basis reserves with respect to specific policies. A number of variables are taken into account in establishing specific case basis reserves for individual policies that depend primarily on the nature of the underlying insured obligation. These variables include the nature and creditworthiness of the underlying issuer of the insured obligation, whether the obligation is secured or unsecured and the expected recovery rates on the insured obligation, the projected cash flow or market value of any assets that support the insured obligation and the historical and projected loss rates on such assets. Factors that may affect the actual ultimate realized losses for any policy include the state of the economy, changes in interest rates, rates of inflation and the salvage values of specific collateral. The Company does not believe that reasonably likely changes to these factors would materially change the amount of the Companys case basis loss reserves.
As of September 30, 2007, the Companys total net loss reserves of $545 million represent 0.05% of its outstanding net debt service insured of $1,009 billion. We believe that these reserves are adequate to cover ultimate net losses. Given that the reserves are based on estimates, there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not exceed such estimates resulting in the Company recognizing additional loss and loss adjustment expense in earnings. While the underlying principles applied to loss reserving are consistent across the financial guarantee industry, differences exist with regard to the methodology and measurement of loss reserves. Alternative methods may produce different estimates than the method used by the Company. Additionally, the accounting for non-derivative financial guarantee loss reserves is possibly subject to change. See Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for a description of the Companys loss and loss adjustment expense accounting policy.
FAIR VALUE OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
MBIA issues insurance policies insuring payments due on derivative instruments and directly enters into derivative instruments for purposes of hedging risks associated with existing assets and liabilities and forecasted transactions. The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended, which requires that all such contracts be recorded on the Companys balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded each period in current earnings within Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange or in shareholders equity within Accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether the derivative is designated as a hedge, and if so designated, the type of hedge. All of the Companys derivative contracts are transacted as over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives.
Through MBIA Corp., the Company regularly insures derivative instruments as part of its core financial guarantee business, which represent the majority of the Companys notional derivative exposure. These derivative instruments do not qualify for the financial guarantee scope exception under SFAS 133. MBIA has insured credit derivatives that reference primarily structured pools of cash securities and credit default swaps. The Companys insured credit derivatives generally provide credit default swap protection on the most senior liabilities of structured finance transactions, and the Companys exposure generally has more subordination than needed to achieve triple-A ratings from credit rating agencies (referred to as Super Triple-A exposure). The underlying reference obligations of these cash securities and credit default swaps principally consist of corporate, asset-backed, residential mortgage-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities.
The fair values of the Companys derivative instruments are estimated using observable market prices when they are available. Such observable market prices are typically obtained for regularly traded contracts in active markets. Most of the derivative contracts insured by MBIA are structured transactions that are not traded but rather insured to maturity by MBIA. As they are illiquid, there are no observable market prices for these derivative contracts. For these contracts, the Company estimates fair values using available market credit spreads for the underlying reference obligations within valuation models. The Company utilizes both vendor-developed and proprietary models, depending on the type and structure of contracts. The significant data that influence the Companys valuation models include market credit spreads, current interest rates, portfolio credit quality ratings and correlation assumptions within portfolios. Market data inputs are determined based on the specific attributes of each structured credit derivative. If observable market credit spreads are not available for the underlying reference obligations, then a market index is used that most closely resembles the underlying reference obligations, specified by asset class, credit quality rating and maturity of the underlying reference
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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
obligations. This data is obtained from recognized sources and is reviewed on an ongoing basis for reasonableness and applicability to the Companys derivative portfolio.
The fair values of insured structured credit derivatives within the Companys insurance portfolio are mostly derived from a valuation approach that uses actual market prices or market indices for underlying reference obligations within a proprietary valuation model utilizing a binomial expansion technique. This approach estimates the fair values of the Companys structured credit derivative contracts based on the key components of a transactions structure, of collateral portfolio credit quality and of market spread levels for the underlying reference obligations, in addition to other factors such as the diversity of the collateral portfolio and assumed recovery rates for defaulted collateral. The level of subordination below MBIAs exposure or credit tranche is a very significant factor that affects the estimated fair values of MBIAs exposure as subordination below MBIAs exposure absorbs all losses in the transactions underlying portfolio before any claim is made on MBIAs insurance policy. Most of MBIAs insured structured credit derivatives have subordination in excess of that required for the most senior triple-A rating within a transaction. The main drivers of changes in the estimated fair values of the Companys insured structured credit derivatives are changes in market spread levels of the underlying reference obligations, changes in credit quality ratings of the underlying reference obligations, and declines in the amounts of subordination. During the third quarter of 2007, the primary factor affecting changes in fair values produced by this valuation approach was the widening of underlying reference obligation credit spread levels.
The Company also considers arms-length transactions that reduce its exposure to insured credit derivatives, such as reinsurance, to be good measures of fair value when the transaction is negotiated independently of other transactions and when it is executed on or near the valuation date. In such cases, the premiums paid to the reinsurers are used to fair value the derivative contract.
The following table presents the net par outstanding as of September 30, 2007 and the related income statement net gain or loss for the three months ended September 30, 2007 by fair value technique of all insured credit derivatives within the Companys insurance portfolio.
In millions |
% of Net Par |
Net Par Outstanding |
Net Gain/(Loss) |
|||||||
Binomial expansion valuation model |
92.8 | % | $ | 128,351 | $ | (318 | ) | |||
Reinsurance transactions |
2.8 | 3,928 | 0 | |||||||
Specific dealer quotes |
0.7 | 921 | (21 | ) | ||||||
Other |
3.7 | 5,040 | (3 | ) | ||||||
Total |
100.0 | % | $ | 138,240 | $ | (342 | ) | |||
The Companys investment management services operations and corporate operations enter into OTC derivatives, such as interest rate swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps and total return swaps, which predominately trade in liquid markets. The fair values for these derivatives are either based on specific dealer quotes or estimated using valuation models that combine observable market prices and market data inputs. The following table presents the net notional value outstanding as of September 30, 2007 and the related income statement net gain or loss for the three months ended September 30, 2007 by fair value technique of all credit and other derivatives within the Companys investment management services portfolio and two derivatives related to the corporate operations.
In millions |
% of Net Notional Value |
Net Notional Value Outstanding |
Net Gain/(Loss) |
|||||||
Valuation models using market prices |
86.4 | % | $ | 39,352 | $ | (9 | ) | |||
Specific dealer quotes |
13.6 | 6,217 | 23 | |||||||
Total |
100.0 | % | $ | 45,569 | $ | 14 | ||||
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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The use of market data within valuation models requires management to make assumptions on how the fair values of derivative instruments are affected by current market conditions. This is especially true during periods of market illiquidity, as was experienced during the third quarter of 2007. The availability of market data and the correlation of market data to a derivative instrument will determine the degree to which assumptions affect a derivative instruments fair value. Therefore, results can significantly differ between models due to differences among assumptions used by different participants in the markets.
The Company maintains an ongoing review of its valuation models and has ongoing control and cross-checking procedures for the approval and control of market and portfolio data inputs. During the third quarter of 2007, the Companys review of its valuation approach primarily focused on the source of market credit spreads used in the valuation of its insurance credit derivatives portfolio to ensure that these spreads were indicative of the current market environment, of the asset class of the underlying reference obligations within each transaction, and of the current credit ratings of the underlying reference obligations. As a result of this review, the Company expanded its sources of market price and data inputs in order to enhance the quality of inputs for certain types of contracts. The overall valuation technique, however, was unchanged. Additionally, on September 30, 2007, the Company reinsured certain insured credit derivative contracts on a quota share basis with two of its reinsurers and used the reinsurance prices to fair value its aggregate exposure to those derivative contracts. One of the reinsurers was Channel Reinsurance Ltd. (Channel Re), a related party.
The fair value of the Companys derivatives portfolio may be materially affected by several factors in the processes described above, including changes in market credit spread levels, the availability of new or improved market spread data relative to the underlying reference obligations within MBIAs transactions, changes in specific contract data due to transaction performance or from enhancements to the Companys valuation models. There is no market-standard modeling technique for fair valuing the illiquid types of structured credit derivative contracts within the Companys insurance operations. Therefore, the techniques used by other market participants to estimate fair values for similar contracts could produce materially different valuations.
MBIA typically insures all structured credit derivative instruments to their contractual maturity. Upon maturity of a contract, any gain or loss recorded in the Companys financial statements will be reduced to zero. The Company may periodically establish offsetting positions, which have primarily been executed in the reinsurance market. These positions provide a hedging benefit to MBIAs risk exposure. When the Company enters into an offsetting position at a different price than its original position, the net position can result in a gain or loss for the Company. Also, in the unlikely event circumstances require the termination and settlement of a contract prior to maturity, any resulting gain or loss upon settlement will be recorded in the Companys financial statements.
For further information regarding the Companys credit derivative portfolio, see the Market Risk section included herein.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109. FIN 48 requires that the Company determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets this recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on the derecognition, classification and disclosure of tax positions. MBIA adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material impact on the Companys consolidated financial statements. See Note 9: Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures required by FIN 48.
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, which amends SFAS 133 and SFAS 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Financial Liabilities. SFAS 155 permits an entity to measure at fair value any financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that would otherwise require bifurcation. The fair value designation may be applied on an instrument-by-instrument basis; however, the election to apply fair value accounting is irrevocable. MBIA adopted the provisions of SFAS 155 on January 1, 2007 and elected the fair value option for certain structured investments and a medium-term note liability. The effect of adopting SFAS 155 resulted in a $1.9 million after-tax ($3.0 million pre-tax) decrease to opening retained earnings as of January 1, 2007, representing the difference between the fair values of the hybrid financial instruments and the reported carrying values as of December 31, 2006. The decrease in retained earnings includes after-tax gross gains of $0.3 million ($0.5 million pre-tax) and after-tax gross losses of $2.2 million ($3.5 million pre-tax). For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, changes in the fair value of hybrid financial instruments resulted in a pre-tax loss of $8.9
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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
million, which is included in Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange on the Companys consolidated statement of income.
Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods
In June 2007, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) on Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards. EITF Issue No. 06-11 requires that the tax benefit with respect to dividends or dividend equivalents for non-vested restricted shares or restricted share units that are paid to employees be recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital. MBIA currently records such tax benefit as a reduction of income tax expense. EITF Issue No. 06-11 is to be applied prospectively for tax benefits on dividends declared in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects to adopt the provisions of EITF Issue No. 06-11 in the fourth quarter of 2007 and believes that the adoption of EITF Issue No. 06-11 will not have a material impact on its financial statements.
In April 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FIN 39-1, Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39. FSP FIN 39-1 permits a reporting entity that is a party to a master netting agreement to offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting agreement. FSP FIN 39-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and is required to be applied retrospectively for all financial statements presented unless it is impracticable to do so. MBIA is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FSP FIN 39-1 on the Companys financial statements.
On April 18, 2007, the FASB issued an Exposure Draft (ED) for public comment entitled Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts, an interpretation of SFAS 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises. The proposals contained in the ED are not considered final accounting guidance until the FASB completes its due process procedures and issues a final statement, which could differ from the ED. The FASBs due process procedures include obtaining the comments from its constituency, including preparers of financial statements, users of financial statements such as investors and rating agencies, and other interested parties such as auditors and regulators. Following a 60 day comment period, the FASB held a discussion forum with interested parties in September 2007 and plans to begin redeliberations of the ED in the fourth quarter of 2007. The final statement is expected to be issued in the first quarter of 2008.
Under the ED, MBIA would be required to recognize premium revenue only in proportion to contractual payments (principal and interest) made by the issuer of the insured financial obligation. The proposed recognition approach for a claim liability would require MBIA to recognize a claim liability when there is an expectation that a claim loss will exceed the unearned premium revenue (liability) on a policy basis based on the present value of expected cash flows. Additionally, the ED would require MBIA to provide expanded disclosures relating to factors affecting the recognition and measurement of financial guarantee contracts.
While certain provisions of the ED are still being analyzed by the Company, MBIA believes that the cumulative effect of initially applying the premium recognition provisions of this ED would be material to its financial statements. Additionally, the proposed changes to premium and claim liability recognition would be substantially different than our current premium revenue and claim liability recognition methodologies.
Until final guidance is issued by the FASB and is effective, MBIA intends to continue to apply its existing policy with respect to the establishment of both case basis and unallocated loss reserves and the recognition of premium revenue. A further description of the Companys loss reserving and premium recognition policies are included in Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS 159 provides the Company an irrevocable option to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, that otherwise are not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards. The option is applied, on a contract-by-contract basis, to an entire contract and not only to specific risks, specific cash flows or other portions of that contract. Up front costs and fees related to a contract for which the fair value option is elected shall be recognized in earnings as incurred and not deferred. SFAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. MBIA is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 159 and their potential impact on the Companys financial statements. MBIA will adopt the provisions of SFAS 159 beginning January 1, 2008.
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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. SFAS 157 requires that fair value measurement reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on best information available. Assumptions include the risks inherent in a particular valuation technique (such as a pricing model) and/or the risks inherent in the inputs to the model. SFAS 157 also clarifies that an issuers credit standing should be considered when measuring liabilities at fair value. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. MBIA is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 157 and their potential impact on the Companys financial statements. MBIA will adopt the provisions of SFAS 157 beginning January 1, 2008.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
The following table presents highlights of the Companys consolidated financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. Items listed under Other per share information (effect on net income) are items that we commonly identify for the readers of our financial statements because they are a by-product of the Companys operations or due to general market conditions beyond the control of the Company.
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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||||
In millions except per share amounts |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | ||||||||||
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||
Insurance |
$ | 25 | $ | 393 | $ | 783 | $ | 1,126 | ||||||
Investment management services |
411 | 314 | 1,156 | 875 | ||||||||||
Corporate |
| 4 | 12 | 13 | ||||||||||
Gross revenues from continuing operations |
436 | 711 | 1,951 | 2,014 | ||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||||
Insurance |
88 | 97 | 274 | 275 | ||||||||||
Investment management services |
404 | 283 | 1,106 | 785 | ||||||||||
Corporate |
27 | 24 | 84 | 71 | ||||||||||
Gross expenses from continuing operations |
519 | 404 | 1,464 | 1,131 | ||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes |
(46 | ) | 90 | 113 | 248 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax |
(37 | ) | 217 | 374 | 635 | |||||||||
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| 1 | | 3 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (37 | ) | $ | 218 | $ | 374 | $ | 638 | |||||
Net income (loss) per share information:(1) |
||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | (0.30 | ) | $ | 1.59 | $ | 2.84 | $ | 4.67 | |||||
Other per share information (effect on net income (loss)): |
||||||||||||||
Accelerated premium earned from refunded issues |
$ | 0.09 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.56 | ||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.03 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.10 | ||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
$ | (1.85 | ) | $ | 0.00 | $ | (1.86 | ) | $ | 0.05 | ||||
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.03 |
(1) |
All per share calculations are diluted. |
Consolidated revenues in the third quarter of 2007 decreased 39% to $436 million from $711 million in the third quarter of 2006. The decline in consolidated revenues was primarily due to a $352 million net loss on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange in the third quarter of 2007, which was the result of changes in the fair value of the Companys insurance credit derivative portfolio, compared with $1 million of net gains on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange in the third quarter of 2006. For a further discussion of net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, see the following Net Gains and Losses section. Insurance revenues also declined due to a decrease in net investment income, fees and reimbursements and premiums earned. The increase in investment management services revenues was due to a substantial increase in investment management services interest income resulting from strong growth in asset/liability products, partially offset by net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange and net realized losses. Corporate revenues decreased primarily due to a decline in net investment income. Consolidated expenses in the third quarter of 2007 increased 28% to $519 million from $404 million in the third quarter of 2006. This increase was principally due to an increase in investment management services interest expense, which was commensurate with the increase in interest income. The decrease in insurance expenses primarily resulted from a decrease in operating expenses and interest expense, partially offset by an increase in loss and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) incurred. The increase in corporate expenses primarily resulted from an increase in costs allocated from the insurance operations and intercompany interest expense, partially offset by a decrease in costs related to the retention of the Independent Consultant and other legal expenses associated with the regulatory investigations.
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MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Company recorded a net loss in the third quarter of 2007 of $37 million compared with net income of $218 million in the third quarter of 2006. The net loss per diluted share for the third quarter of 2007 was ($0.30) compared with net income per diluted share of $1.59 for the same period in 2006. The decrease in net income per diluted share was due to the decline in net income partially offset by a decline in the number of diluted shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases by the Company in prior quarters under the share repurchase program.
Consolidated revenues for the first nine months of 2007 declined 3% to $1,951 million from $2,014 million in the first nine months of 2006. The decline in consolidated revenues was primarily due to the net losses in the Companys insurance credit derivatives portfolio recorded in the third quarter of 2007. Insurance revenues also declined due to a decrease in net investment income and fees and reimbursements, partially offset by an increase in net realized gains on sales of securities. Investment management services revenues increased due to a substantial increase in investment management services interest income resulting from strong growth in asset/liability products, partially offset by net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange and net realized losses. The decline in corporate revenues resulted from net realized losses, partially offset by an increase in net investment income and insurance recoveries. Insurance recoveries represent the reimbursement of a portion of expenses incurred in connection with the regulatory investigations of the Company and related litigation. Consolidated expenses in the first nine months of 2007 increased 29% to $1,464 million from $1,131 million in the first nine months of 2006. This increase was principally due to an increase in investment management services interest expense, which was commensurate with the increase in interest income. The decrease in insurance expenses was due to a decline in operating expenses, partially offset by an increase in interest expense and loss and LAE incurred. The increase in corporate expenses primarily resulted from an increase in costs allocated from the insurance operations, costs related to the retention of the Independent Consultant and other legal expenses associated with the regulatory investigations.
Net income in the first nine months of 2007 of $374 million was 41% lower compared with the first nine months of 2006. Net income per diluted share for the first nine months of 2007 was $2.84 compared with $4.67 for the same period in 2006. The decrease in net income per diluted share was due to the decline in net income partially offset by a decline in the number of diluted shares outstanding as a result of the share repurchases by the Company.
The Companys book value at September 30, 2007 was $52.09 per share, compared with $53.43 at December 31, 2006. The decrease was principally driven by an increase in treasury stock as a result of the share repurchases by the Company and a decline in the unrealized appreciation of the Companys investment portfolio, partially offset by net income from operations and an increase in additional paid-in capital due to stock-based compensation activity.
INSURANCE OPERATIONS
The Companys insurance operations principally comprise the activities of MBIA Corp. MBIA Corp. issues financial guarantees for municipal bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, investor-owned utility bonds, bonds backed by publicly or privately funded public purpose projects, bonds issued by sovereign and sub-sovereign entities, obligations collateralized by diverse pools of corporate loans and pools of corporate and asset-backed bonds, both in the new issue and secondary markets. Additionally, MBIA Corp. insures credit default swaps primarily on pools of collateral, which it considers part of its core financial guarantee business.
The municipal obligations that MBIA Corp. insures include tax-exempt and taxable indebtedness of states, counties, cities, utility districts and other political subdivisions, as well as airports, higher education and healthcare facilities and similar authorities and obligations issued by private entities that finance projects which serve a substantial public purpose. The asset-backed and structured finance obligations insured by MBIA Corp. typically consist of securities that are payable from or which are tied to the performance of a specified pool of assets that have an expected cash flow. Securities of this type include residential and commercial mortgages, a variety of consumer loans, corporate loans and bonds, trade and export receivables, aircraft, equipment and real property leases and infrastructure projects. MBIA also provides guarantees on portfolios of credit default swaps, which are directly tied to the performance of underlying reference obligations. Underlying reference obligations typically include residential mortgage-backed, commercial mortgage-backed, asset-backed, and corporate securities.
In certain cases, the Company may be required to consolidate entities established as part of securitizations when it insures the assets or liabilities of those entities. These entities typically meet the definition of a VIE under FIN 46(R). We do not believe there is any difference in the risks and profitability of financial guarantees provided to VIEs compared with other financial guarantees written by the Company. Additional information relating to VIEs is contained in the Variable Interest Entities section included herein.
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of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Companys gross premiums written (GPW), net premiums written (NPW) and net premiums earned for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 and 2006 are presented in the following table:
Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | 3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||||||
In millions |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | ||||||||||||
Gross premiums written: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 184 | $ | 133 | $ | 471 | $ | 383 | 38 | % | 23 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
66 | 69 | 244 | 244 | (5 | )% | 0 | % | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 250 | $ | 202 | $ | 715 | $ | 627 | 23 | % | 14 | % | ||||||
Net premiums written: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 172 | $ | 120 | $ | 439 | $ | 349 | 44 | % | 26 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
53 | 56 | 203 | 200 | (5 | )% | 2 | % | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 225 | $ | 176 | $ | 642 | $ | 549 | 28 | % | 17 | % | ||||||
Net premiums earned: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 143 | $ | 159 | $ | 459 | $ | 460 | (10 | )% | 0 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
60 | 53 | 175 | 175 | 13 | % | 0 | % | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 203 | $ | 212 | $ | 634 | $ | 635 | (4 | )% | 0 | % |
GPW reflects premiums received and accrued for in the period and does not include the present value of future cash receipts expected from installment premium policies originated during the period. GPW was $250 million in the third quarter of 2007, up 23% from the third quarter of 2006. The increase in GPW resulted primarily from an increase in the volume of U.S. public finance deals written in the third quarter of 2007 compared with 2006. In addition, both U.S. and non-U.S. structured finance GPW increased compared with the same period in 2006. These increases were partially offset by a decline in non-U.S. public finance GPW in the third quarter of 2007 compared with 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, GPW increased 14% due to an increase in the number of deals and the average deal size written compared with the same period of 2006.
NPW represents gross premiums written net of premiums ceded to reinsurers. Reinsurance enables the Company to cede exposure and comply with its single risk and credit guidelines, although the Company continues to be primarily liable on the reinsured policies. NPW increased 28% to $225 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $176 million in the third quarter of 2006. The increase in the third quarter of 2007 was a result of the increase in GPW as well as a decrease in premiums ceded to reinsurers. Premiums ceded to reinsurers from all insurance operations were $24 million or 10% of GPW in the third quarter of 2007 compared to $26 million or 13% of GPW in the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, NPW increased 17% as a result of the increase in GPW and a decrease in premiums ceded to reinsurers. Premiums ceded to reinsurers in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $72 million or 10% of GPW compared with $78 million or 12% of GPW in the first nine months of 2006.
Net premiums earned include scheduled premium earnings, as well as premium earnings from refunded issues. Net premiums earned in the third quarter of 2007 of $203 million decreased 4% from $212 million in the third quarter of 2006. The decrease in net premiums earned was due to a 57% decrease in refunded premiums earned, partially offset by a 9% increase in scheduled premiums earned. In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net premiums earned were $634 million, a slight decrease compared with $635 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in net premiums earned was due to a 19% decrease in refunded premiums earned partially offset by a 5% increase in scheduled premiums earned.
MBIA evaluates the premium rates it charges for insurance guarantees through the use of internal and external rating agency quantitative models. These models assess the Companys premium rates and return on capital results on a risk adjusted basis. In addition, market research data is used to evaluate pricing levels across the financial guarantee industry for comparable risks, when available. Our pricing levels indicate continued acceptable trends in overall portfolio profitability under all models, and we believe the pricing charged for our insurance products produces results that meet our long-term return on capital targets.
32
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
When an MBIA-insured obligation is refunded or retired early, the related remaining deferred premium revenue is earned at that time. The level of refundings and calls is influenced by a variety of factors such as prevailing interest rates, the coupon rate of the issue, the issuers desire or ability to modify covenants and applicable regulations under the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, the Company may receive premiums upon the early termination of installment-based policies, which are earned when received and included in premiums from refunded issues. Given the variety of factors that influence the level of refundings and early terminations of insured obligations, premium earnings from such insured obligations may vary from period to period.
CREDIT QUALITY Financial guarantee companies use a variety of approaches to assess the underlying credit risk profile of their insured portfolios. MBIA uses both an internally developed credit rating system as well as third-party rating sources in the analysis of credit quality measures of its insured portfolio. In evaluating credit risk, the Company obtains, when available, the underlying rating of the insured obligation before the benefit of its insurance policy from nationally recognized rating agencies (Moodys, S&P and Fitch). All references to insured credit quality distributions contained herein reflect the underlying rating levels from these third-party sources. Other companies within the financial guarantee industry may report credit quality information based upon internal ratings that would not be comparable to MBIAs presentation.
Total net par insured rated A or above before giving effect to MBIAs guarantee was 82% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with 76% for the same period of 2006. The increase in the percentage of net par insured rated A or above reflects a change in the mix of business written among sectors that typically have differing credit rating levels. At September 30, 2007, 82% of the Companys outstanding net par insured was rated A or above before giving effect to MBIAs guarantee, compared with 81% at September 30, 2006.
GLOBAL PUBLIC FINANCE MARKET MBIAs premium writings and premium earnings in both the new issue and secondary global public finance markets are presented in the following table:
Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | 3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||||||
Global Public Finance In millions |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | ||||||||||||
Gross premiums written: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 108 | $ | 65 | $ | 262 | $ | 192 | 66 | % | 37 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
29 | 36 | 137 | 144 | (18 | )% | (5 | )% | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 137 | $ | 101 | $ | 399 | $ | 336 | 36 | % | 19 | % | ||||||
Net premiums written: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 105 | $ | 63 | $ | 257 | $ | 187 | 67 | % | 38 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
24 | 31 | 118 | 123 | (23 | )% | (4 | )% | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 129 | $ | 94 | $ | 375 | $ | 310 | 38 | % | 21 | % | ||||||
Net premiums earned: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 77 | $ | 102 | $ | 277 | $ | 293 | (24 | )% | (5 | )% | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
30 | 26 | 87 | 89 | 15 | % | (3 | )% | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 107 | $ | 128 | $ | 364 | $ | 382 | (16 | )% | (5 | )% |
Global public finance GPW increased 36% to $137 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $101 million in the third quarter of 2006. U.S. GPW increased 66% as a result of business written in the transportation and utilities sectors. Non-U.S. GPW decreased 18% resulting from a decline in deal volume and the termination of two installment policies. NPW increased 38% to $129 million in the third quarter of 2007 as a result of the increase in GPW as well as a lower cession rate. The overall cession rate for business written during the third quarter of 2007 was 6% compared with 7% in the third quarter of 2006. In the third quarter of 2007, global public finance net premiums earned decreased 16% to $107 million from $128 million in the third quarter of 2006. The decrease principally resulted from a $24 million decrease in refunded premiums earned and a $1 million decrease in scheduled premiums earned from U.S. business, offset by a $4 million increase in scheduled premiums earned from non-U.S. business.
33
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, global public finance GPW increased 19% to $399 million compared with $336 million in the first nine months of 2006. U.S. GPW increased 37% as a result of business written in the utilities, higher education and transportation sectors. Non-U.S. GPW decreased 5% primarily due to the impact of a $55 million non-U.S. public finance upfront policy written in the second quarter of 2006 with no comparatively large upfront policy written in the first nine months of 2007. However, several large policies written in the utilities and healthcare sectors primarily in the first quarter of 2007 partially offset the decline. NPW increased 21% to $375 million in the first nine months of 2007 as a result of the increase in GPW and a lower cession rate. The overall cession rate for business written during the first nine months of 2007 was 6% compared with 8% in the first nine months of 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, global public finance net premiums earned decreased 5% to $364 million from $382 million in the first nine months of 2006. The decrease resulted from a $14 million decrease in refunded premiums earned from U.S. business, an $11 million decrease in refunded premiums earned from non-U.S. business and a $2 million decrease in scheduled premiums earned from U.S. business. These decreases were partially offset by an $8 million increase in scheduled premiums earned from non-U.S. business.
Total net par insured rated A or above before giving effect to the Companys guarantee represented 85% of global public finance business written in the first nine months of 2007, up from 82% in the first nine months of 2006. At September 30, 2007, 83% of the outstanding global public finance net par insured was rated A or above before the Companys guarantee, compared with 82% at September 30, 2006.
GLOBAL STRUCTURED FINANCE MARKET MBIAs premium writings and premium earnings in both the new issue and secondary global structured finance markets are presented in the following table:
Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | 3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||||||
Global Structured Finance In millions |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | ||||||||||||
Gross premiums written: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 76 | $ | 68 | $ | 209 | $ | 191 | 12 | % | 10 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
37 | 33 | 107 | 100 | 9 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 113 | $ | 101 | $ | 316 | $ | 291 | 11 | % | 8 | % | ||||||
Net premiums written: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 66 | $ | 57 | $ | 182 | $ | 162 | 17 | % | 12 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
30 | 25 | 85 | 77 | 17 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 96 | $ | 82 | $ | 267 | $ | 239 | 17 | % | 12 | % | ||||||
Net premiums earned: |
||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
$ | 66 | $ | 57 | $ | 182 | $ | 167 | 15 | % | 9 | % | ||||||
Non-U.S. |
30 | 27 | 88 | 86 | 11 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||||
Total |
$ | 96 | $ | 84 | $ | 270 | $ | 253 | 14 | % | 7 | % |
Global structured finance GPW increased 11% in the third quarter of 2007 to $113 million from $101 million in the third quarter of 2006 as a result of increases in both U.S. and non-U.S. business written. The increase in U.S. business written was primarily within the collateralized debt obligation (CDO) and residential mortgage-backed sectors and the increase in non-U.S. business written was primarily within the CDO sector. In the third quarter of 2007, NPW increased 17% due to the increase in GPW and a lower overall cession rate. The overall cession rate for business written during the third quarter of 2007 was 15% compared with 19% in the third quarter of 2006. In the third quarter of 2007, global structured finance net premiums earned of $96 million were 14% higher than the third quarter of 2006. The increase in net premiums earned primarily resulted from a $9 million and $3 million increase in scheduled premiums earned from U.S. and non-U.S. business, respectively.
34
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In the first nine months of 2007, global structured finance GPW increased 8% to $316 million compared with $291 million in the first nine months of 2006 as a result of increases in both U.S. and non-U.S. business written. The increase in U.S. and non-U.S. business written was due to an increase in the volume of policies written during the first nine months of 2007, primarily in the CDO and residential mortgage-backed sectors, compared with the first nine month of 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, NPW increased 12% due to the increase in GPW and a lower cession rate. The overall cession rate for business written during the first nine months of 2007 was 15% compared with 18% in 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, global structured finance net premiums earned of $270 million were 7% higher compared with $253 million in the first nine months of 2006. The increase in net premiums earned primarily resulted from a $15 million and $3 million increase in scheduled premiums earned from U.S. business and non-U.S. business, respectively.
MBIAs global structured finance net par insured rated A or above before giving effect to the Companys guarantee was 81% in the first nine months of 2007, up from 70% in the same period of 2006. At September 30, 2007, 80% of the outstanding global structured finance net par insured was rated A or above before giving effect to the Companys guarantee, compared with 78% at September 30, 2006.
As of September 30, 2007, MBIA had $4.7 billion of net par outstanding from direct exposure to the subprime mortgage sector, representing less than 1% of total insured net par outstanding. Over half of the exposure written in this sector was insured by MBIA in 2005, 2006 and the first three quarters of 2007 and was exclusively insured in the secondary market. Additionally, all of the exposure insured during 2005, 2006 and the first nine months of 2007 had credit quality ratings of triple-A before the benefit of MBIAs insurance at the time the exposure was insured. As of September 30, 2007, 91.9% of MBIAs total net par outstanding from direct exposure to the subprime mortgage sector had an underlying average credit quality rating of single A or better.
INVESTMENT INCOME The Companys insurance-related net investment income for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 and 2006 and ending asset balances at amortized cost as of September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 are presented in the following table:
Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | 3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||||||
In millions |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | ||||||||||||
Pre-tax income |
$ | 145 | $ | 164 | $ | 438 | $ | 448 | (11 | )% | (2 | )% | ||||||
After-tax income |
$ | 114 | $ | 126 | $ | 341 | $ | 349 | (10 | )% | (2 | )% | ||||||
Ending asset balances at amortized cost |
$ | 11,112 | $ | 11,951 | (7 | )% |
The Companys insurance-related net investment income, excluding net realized gains and losses, decreased 11% to $145 million in the third quarter of 2007 and decreased 2% to $438 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared with the same periods of 2006. After-tax net investment income decreased 10% to $114 million in the third quarter of 2007 and decreased 2% to $341 million in the first nine months of 2007. Investment income in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 included $13 million and $17 million, respectively, related to Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates, compared with zero and $5 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. The Company received the Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates in connection with a remediation and sold the certificates in the second quarter of 2007. See the Risk Management section for additional information on the Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates. Investment income related to consolidated VIEs increased $4 million to $19 million in the three months ended September 30, 2007 and $15 million to $55 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with the same periods of 2006. VIE interest income is generated from interest bearing assets held by such entities and supports the payment of interest expense on debt issued by these entities.
Excluding interest income related to VIEs and the Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates, insurance-related net investment income decreased 4% on a pre-tax basis and 3% on an after-tax basis in the first nine months of 2007 compared with the first nine months of 2006. These decreases were attributable to a decline in average invested assets as a result of dividends paid from MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. in December 2006 and April 2007 and claim payments made in the fourth quarter of 2006 to call two MBIA-insured transactions. Average investment yields declined for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared with the same period in 2006. However, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, average investment yields increased compared with 2006. Ending asset balances at amortized cost, excluding VIE and Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates assets, were $9.8 billion at September 30, 2007 compared with $9.6 billion at December 31, 2006. Tax-exempt investments represented 57% of ending asset balances, excluding VIE and Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates assets, at September 30, 2007 compared with 55% at December 31, 2006.
35
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FEES AND REIMBURSEMENTS The Company collects fees for services performed in connection with certain transactions. In addition, the Company may be entitled to reimbursement of third-party expenses that it incurs in connection with certain transactions. Depending upon the type of fee received and whether it is related to an insurance policy, the fee is either earned when it is received or deferred and earned over the life of the related transaction. Work, waiver and consent, termination, administrative and management fees are earned when the related services are completed and the fee is received. Structuring fees are earned on a straight-line basis over the life of the related insurance policy and commitment fees are earned on a straight-line basis over the commitment period. Expense reimbursements are earned when received.
Fee and reimbursement revenues decreased 71% to $5 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $17 million in the third quarter of 2006. In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, fee and reimbursement revenues decreased 33% to $20 million from $29 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 was principally driven by a decrease in expense reimbursements associated with loss prevention efforts. Due to the transaction-specific nature inherent in fees and reimbursements, these revenues can vary significantly from period to period.
NET GAINS AND LOSSES Net realized gains in our insurance operations were $6 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared with net realized gains of $4 million in the third quarter of 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, net realized gains in our insurance operations were $38 million compared with net realized gains of $13 million in the first nine months of 2006. Net realized gains and losses are largely due to sales of investment securities. Additionally, net realized gains in the first nine months of 2007 included $32 million of gains in the second quarter of 2007 related to the disposition of Delta and Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates the Company received from insurance remediations. Net realized gains in the first nine months of 2006 included an $11 million gain related to the sale of the Companys investment in RAM Holdings, Inc., the holding company of RAM Reinsurance Company Ltd. and a $14 million impairment loss recorded on a salvage receivable recorded in the first quarter of 2006.
Net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange in our insurance operations represent changes in the market value of the Companys insured structured credit derivative portfolio and changes in the U.S. dollar value of non-U.S. dollar assets and liabilities. Gains and losses on structured credit derivatives are largely driven by movements in credit spreads primarily affecting the Companys insured portfolio of credit default swaps on CDOs.
Net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange were $335 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared with net losses of $5 million in the third quarter of 2006. Net losses in the third quarter of 2007 primarily consisted of mark-to-market net losses of $342 million on insured structured credit derivative contracts resulting from a significant widening of credit spreads in CDO sectors, such as commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), other asset-backed and corporate securities. In the absence of any material credit deterioration on these contracts prior to their maturity, the Company expects that the current net loss will reverse over time. These credit derivative contracts have similar terms and conditions to the Companys non-derivative insurance contracts and are evaluated for impairment under the same monitoring process. Additionally, the Company is not required to post collateral to counterparties of these contracts, thereby avoiding liquidity risks typical of standard credit derivative contracts. Net losses in the third quarter of 2006 primarily resulted from the reversal of derivative gains on terminated contracts.
Net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange were $348 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared with net gains of $1 million in the first nine months of 2006. Net losses in the first nine months of 2007 consisted of $358 million of mark-to-market net losses on insured credit derivative contracts offset by $10 million of foreign exchange gains. Net gains in the first nine months of 2006 consisted of $6 million of foreign exchange gains offset by $5 million of mark-to-market net losses on insured credit derivative contracts.
The Company continues to monitor current market conditions including market spreads, credit quality ratings and subordination levels. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company has observed a further widening of market spreads and credit quality ratings downgrades of certain tranches within MBIAs insured CDOs. These downgrades largely affected tranches that are subordinate to the tranches that the Company has insured. One MBIA insured tranche was downgraded to date, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2007. As a result of the further market spread widening, including a substantial widening in corporate, residential mortgage-backed and commercial mortgage-backed credit spreads, and the deterioration of asset credit quality ratings in such transactions, the Company could suffer additional substantial mark-to-market losses in the fourth quarter of 2007 and in subsequent quarters, although the ultimate amount of such losses for the fourth quarter will depend on future market developments. In some cases, the downgrade of tranches subordinate to the tranche that the Company insures could trigger the diversion of cash to the insured tranche thereby shortening the tenor of the Companys insured tranche and substantially reducing the Companys exposure to actual claims and losses and reducing the related mark-to-market loss. For further information on the fair value of derivative instruments, see the preceding Critical Accounting Estimates section.
36
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES (LAE) MBIAs Insured Portfolio Management (IPM) Division is responsible for monitoring MBIA insured issues. The level and frequency of MBIAs monitoring of any insured issue depends on the type, size, rating and performance of the insured issue. If IPM identifies concerns with respect to the performance of an insured issue it may designate such insured issue as Caution List-Low, Caution List-Medium or Caution List-High. The designation of any insured issue as Caution List-Medium or Caution List-High is based on the nature and extent of these concerns and requires that increased monitoring and, if needed, a remediation plan be implemented for the related insured issue. The Company does not establish any case basis reserves for issues that are listed as Caution List-Low, Caution List-Medium or Caution List-High.
In the event MBIA determines that it must pay a claim or that a claim is probable and estimable with respect to an insured issue, it places the issue on its Classified List and establishes a case basis reserve for that insured issue. The following table presents the case-specific, reinsurance recoverable and unallocated components of the Companys total loss and LAE reserves as of September 30, 2007 and 2006, as well as its loss provision and case basis activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
September 30, | Percent Change | ||||||||
In millions |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | ||||||
Case-specific: |
|||||||||
Gross |
$ | 331 | $ | 466 | (29 | )% | |||
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses |
50 | 47 | 8 | % | |||||
Net case reserves |
$ | 281 | $ | 419 | (33 | )% | |||
Unallocated |
214 | 259 | (18 | )% | |||||
Net loss and LAE reserves |
$ | 495 | $ | 678 | (27 | )% | |||
Losses and LAE |
$ | 64 | $ | 61 | 5 | % | |||
Case basis activity |
$ | 62 | $ | 9 | 580 | % |
The Company recorded $64 million in losses and LAE in the first nine months of 2007, which increased 5% compared with $61 million in the first nine months of 2006. The percentage increase in losses and LAE corresponds to the increase in scheduled net earned premium, as scheduled net earned premium is the base upon which the Companys 12% loss factor is applied. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had $214 million in unallocated loss reserves, which represent the Companys estimate of losses associated with credit deterioration that have occurred in the Companys insured portfolio but have not been specifically identified and are available for future case-specific activity.
Total net case basis activity transferred from the Companys unallocated loss reserve was $62 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with $9 million of net case basis activity transferred from the Companys unallocated loss reserve during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Net case basis activity during 2007 primarily consisted of loss reserves for insured obligations related to the Student Loan Finance Corporation (SFC) and a multi-sector CDO executed in the cash market, as well as insured obligations within the home equity loan (2000 vintage) and manufactured housing sectors. Partially offsetting these loss reserves were reversals of previously established case basis reserves within the aircraft enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs) sector. Net case basis activity during 2006 consisted of loss reserves for insured obligations within the CDO, equipment lease pools and home equity loan sectors, MBIAs guaranteed tax lien portfolio and insured obligations issued by Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation (AHERF). Largely offsetting these loss reserves were reversals of previously established case basis reserves within the EETCs and manufactured housing sectors.
37
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In July 2002, MBIA Corp., together with Wells Fargo Bank N.A. in its capacity as trustee, filed suit in Delaware federal district court against Royal Indemnity Corporation (Royal) to enforce insurance policies that Royal issued guaranteeing vocational loans originated by SFC. MBIA Corp. insured eight securitizations that were collateralized by the SFC vocational student loans guaranteed by Royal. On April 2, 2007, MBIA announced that MBIA Corp. reached an agreement with Royal to settle its outstanding litigation against Royal related to SFC. The District Court in Delaware entered a final judgment in the case implementing the settlement on March 30, 2007. In the second quarter of 2007, under the terms of the settlement Royal paid an amount sufficient to repay the approximately $362 million of outstanding par amount of the bonds insured by MBIA as well as to reimburse MBIA for a portion of the claims that MBIA has paid to date under its insurance policies. As a result of the settlement, MBIA recorded a $20 million case basis loss in the first quarter of 2007. The loss represents a reduction to MBIAs expected recoveries for claims it has paid to date under its policies. The approximately $362 million of outstanding par amount of the bonds insured by MBIA were repaid in full during the second quarter of 2007.
In July 2006, Eurotunnel petitioned the Paris Commercial Court for protection from its creditors under a safeguard procedure, a new French reorganization statute with limited similarities to a U.S. Chapter 11 reorganization. On August 2, 2006, the commercial court granted Eurotunnel protection under the safeguard procedure. On January 15, 2007, following approval of a safeguard plan by its creditors, bondholders, vendors and employees, the commercial court approved the safeguard plan and ordered the implementation of the safeguard plan. On June 28, 2007, Eurotunnel implemented the safeguard plan.
Under Eurotunnels safeguard plan, holders of Eurotunnel senior debt received cash in full for their claims and, accordingly, MBIAs exposure to Eurotunnel senior debt was reduced to zero. Additionally, MBIA recovered claim payments it had made with respect to Eurotunnel senior debt. Under the safeguard plan, holders of Eurotunnel Tier 1A debt received cash in full for their claims and, on June 29, 2007, Fixed-Link Finance 2, B.V. (FLF2) used that cash to repay all of its outstanding notes and to reimburse MBIA for the 18 million British pound claim payment it made in the first quarter of 2007. MBIAs exposure to Eurotunnel through FLF2 and to FLF2 debt was reduced to zero. Under the safeguard plan, holders of Eurotunnel Tiers 1 and 2 debt received cash in full for their claims and holders of Eurotunnel Tier 3 debt received approximately 62% of their claims in cash. Fixed-Link Finance, B.V. (FLF1) will use the cash received on account of its Tiers 1, 2 and 3 claims to make scheduled interest payments through February 1, 2009, at which time all available cash will be used to repay FLF1s outstanding notes in order of priority. As a result of this development, S&P raised its ratings on the FLF1 Class A and B notes to AAA/Stable, noting that the recoveries of the Class A and B notes are wholly secured by cash. The Class A and B notes are pari passu with the Class G notes guaranteed by MBIA and recoveries of the Class G notes are also wholly secured by cash. Accordingly, although FLF1 no longer owns any Eurotunnel debt, MBIA remains exposed to FLF1 through February 1, 2009. At September 30, 2007, MBIAs exposure to FLF1 debt on account of the Class G notes was approximately $755 million in net par outstanding. MBIA has not paid and does not expect to pay any claims with respect to its exposure to FLF1. The Company believes that it will not incur an ultimate loss on its Eurotunnel exposure and, therefore, has not established a case basis loss reserve for this credit.
MBIA insures mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime mortgages directly through residential mortgage-backed securities securitizations and indirectly through CDOs, in which MBIA guarantees the triple-A rated portion of such transactions. Over the last several months, there has been growing stress in the subprime mortgage market, particularly related to mortgage loans originated during 2005, 2006, and 2007. While transactions guaranteed by MBIA include collateral consisting of mortgages originated during 2005, 2006, and 2007, given the amount of subordination below MBIAs insured portion of such transactions available to absorb any losses from collateral defaults, MBIA currently does not expect material ultimate losses on these transactions. As of September 30, 2007, there are no insured subprime mortgage transactions with 2005, 2006, and 2007 subprime mortgage collateral appearing on the Companys Classified List or Caution Lists.
MBIA also insures mortgage-backed securities backed by prime and near prime mortgages, including revolving home equity loans and closed-end second mortgages. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company has observed deterioration in the performance of several of its prime and near prime home equity transactions and has paid small claims on two transactions during the fourth quarter. The Company may pay claims on those and other home equity transactions in the future. MBIA currently does not expect any material ultimate losses in this sector.
The Company has significant exposures in its insured portfolio relating to regions impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Insured credits in these regions encompass various types of sectors, including general obligation bonds, tax-backed, healthcare, transportation and higher education, among others. The Company is continuing its communication with issuers, trustees and relevant state officials to closely monitor its insured credits. To date, the Company has paid $8 million in claim payments, for which it has been fully reimbursed.
38
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MBIA continues to closely monitor the manufactured housing sector, which has experienced stress during the last several years. MBIA ceased writing business in this sector in 2000, other than through certain MBIA-insured CDO transactions. At September 30, 2007, the Company had $30 million in case basis reserves, net of reinsurance, covering net insured par outstanding of $83 million on two different transactions within the manufactured housing sector. The Company had additional manufactured housing exposure of $1.9 billion in net insured par outstanding as of September 30, 2007, of which approximately 24% has been placed on the Companys Caution List-Medium and Caution List-High.
As of September 30, 2007, MBIA had 31 open case basis issues on its Classified List that had $281 million in aggregate case reserves, net of reinsurance. Included in the Companys case basis reserves are both loss reserves for insured obligations for which a payment default has occurred and MBIA has already paid a claim and also for which a payment default has not yet occurred but a claim is probable and estimable in the future. As of September 30, 2007, case basis reserves consisted of the following:
Dollars in millions |
Number of case basis issues |
Loss Reserve |
Par Outstanding | |||||
Gross of reinsurance: |
||||||||
Issues with defaults |
25 | $ | 303 | $ | 810 | |||
Issues without defaults |
6 | 28 | 95 | |||||
Total gross |
31 | $ | 331 | $ | 905 | |||
Net of reinsurance: |
||||||||
Issues with defaults |
25 | $ | 274 | $ | 707 | |||
Issues without defaults |
6 | 7 | 55 | |||||
Total net |
31 | $ | 281 | $ | 762 | |||
When MBIA becomes entitled to the underlying collateral or to a reimbursement of an insured credit under salvage and subrogation rights as a result of a claim payment, it records salvage and subrogation as an asset. Such amounts are included in the Companys balance sheet within Other assets. As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had salvage and subrogation of $120 million and $180 million, respectively. The decrease from December 31, 2006 principally resulted from collections of salvage amounts due to MBIA. The amount recorded as salvage and subrogation may be influenced by several factors during any period, such as the level of claim payments made for which the Company is entitled to reimbursements, amounts collected and impairment write-downs.
RISK MANAGEMENT In an effort to mitigate losses, MBIA is regularly involved in the ongoing remediation of credits that may involve, among other things, waivers or renegotiations of financial covenants or triggers, waivers of contractual provisions, the granting of consents, and the taking of various other remedial actions. The nature of any remedial action is based on the type of the insured issue and the nature and scope of the event giving rise to the remediation. In most cases, as part of any such remedial activity, MBIA is able to improve its security position and obtain concessions from the issuer of the insured bonds. From time to time, the issuer of an MBIA-insured obligation may, with the consent of MBIA, restructure the insured obligation by extending the term, increasing or decreasing the par amount or decreasing the related interest rate with MBIA insuring the restructured obligation. If, as the result of the restructuring, MBIA estimates that it will incur an ultimate loss on the restructured obligation, MBIA will record a case basis loss reserve for the restructured obligation or, if it has already recorded a case basis loss reserve, it will re-evaluate the impact of the restructuring on the recorded reserve and adjust the amount of the reserve as appropriate.
In the first quarter of 2006 and in connection with its remediation efforts, MBIA exercised a call right with respect to $411 million of MBIA-insured Northwest Airlines enhanced equipment trust certificates issued by Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2000-1G (the Certificates). Under the terms of the trust agreement relating to the Certificates, MBIA had the right to call the Certificates at par as a result of the bankruptcy filing by Northwest Airlines. MBIA entered into an agreement with a third party under which the third party financed the call of the Certificates and purchased the Certificates from MBIA as part of a planned future securitization of the Certificates. MBIAs insurance policy guaranteeing payment of the Certificates remains in effect.
39
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Due to certain continuing rights MBIA possessed with respect to the Certificates, MBIA recorded the Certificates and the related financing on its balance sheet under the requirements of SFAS 140. The Certificates were included within Short-term investments and the related financing was included within Payable for investments purchased on the Companys consolidated balance sheets. During the second quarter of 2007, MBIA no longer possessed its continuing rights with respect to the Certificates and, therefore, removed the Certificates and related financing from its consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2007.
REINSURANCE Reinsurance enables the Company to cede exposure for purposes of syndicating risk and increasing its capacity to write new business while complying with its single risk and credit guidelines. When a reinsurer is downgraded by one or more of the rating agencies, less capital credit is given to MBIA under rating agency models. Over the past several years, most of MBIAs reinsurers have been downgraded and others remain under review. Any reduced capital credit associated with reinsurer downgrades has not and is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company generally retains the right to reassume the business ceded to reinsurers under certain circumstances, including rating downgrades of its reinsurers. Additionally, under New York State insurance regulations, MBIA requires certain unauthorized reinsurers to maintain bank letters of credit or establish trust accounts to cover liabilities ceded to such reinsurers under reinsurance contracts. The Company remains liable on a primary basis for all reinsured risk, and although MBIA believes that its reinsurers remain capable of meeting their obligations, there can be no assurance of such in the future.
As of September 30, 2007, the aggregate amount of insured par ceded by MBIA to reinsurers under reinsurance agreements was $79 billion. Additionally, the Company has other reimbursement agreements not accounted for as reinsurance, primarily with a double-A rated reinsurer, covering $4 billion of insured par. The following table presents the percentage ceded to and reinsurance recoverable from reinsurers by rating levels:
Reinsurers |
Standard & Poors Rating |
Moodys Rating |
Percentage of Total Par Ceded |
Reinsurance Recoverable (in thousands) | |||||||
Channel Reinsurance Ltd. |
AAA | Aaa | 53.71 | % | $ | 8,405 | |||||
RAM Reinsurance Company, Ltd. |
AAA | Aa3 | 13.94 | 897 | |||||||
Assured Guaranty Corp. |
AAA | Aaa | 10.69 | 13,319 | |||||||
Ambac Assurance Corporation |
AAA | Aaa | 6.09 | | |||||||
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Ltd. |
AA | Aa3 | 5.87 | 18 | |||||||
Swiss Reinsurance Company, Zurich, Switzerland |
AA | - | Aa2 | 3.96 | | ||||||
Radian Asset Assurance Inc. |
AA | Aa3 | 1.19 | 8,134 | |||||||
Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. |
AA | Aa2 | 1.10 | | |||||||
XL Financial Assurance Ltd. |
AAA | Aaa | 0.60 | | |||||||
Export Development Canada |
AAA | Aaa | 0.46 | | |||||||
Other (1) |
A+ or above | Aa3 or above | 2.35 | 19,601 | |||||||
Not Currently Rated |
0.04 | 299 | |||||||||
Total |
100.00 | % | $ | 50,673 | |||||||
(1) |
Several reinsurers within this category are not rated by Moodys. |
Channel Re is a triple-A rated reinsurer of MBIA. In June 2007, S&P revised its outlook on Channel Re from negative to stable. MBIA continues to own a 17.4% equity interest in Channel Re.
POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES Expenses that vary with and are primarily related to the production of the Companys insurance business (policy acquisition costs) are deferred and recognized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. If an insured issue is refunded and the related premium is earned early, the associated policy acquisition costs previously deferred are also recognized early.
40
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Companys insurance expenses, as well as its expense ratio, are shown in the following table:
Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | 3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||||||||||
In millions |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | ||||||||||||||||
Gross expenses |
$ | 59 | $ | 63 | $ | 183 | $ | 189 | (6 | )% | (3 | )% | ||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs |
$ | 16 | $ | 17 | $ | 50 | $ | 50 | (4 | )% | 0 | % | ||||||||||
Operating expenses |
31 | 37 | 98 | 110 | (18 | )% | (10 | )% | ||||||||||||||
Total insurance operating expenses |
$ | 47 | $ | 54 | $ | 148 | $ | 160 | (14 | )% | (7 | )% | ||||||||||
Expense ratio |
22.9 | % | 25.5 | % | 23.4 | % | 25.2 | % | ||||||||||||||
Gross insurance expenses decreased 6% in the third quarter and 3% in the first nine months of 2007 primarily as a result of an increase in costs allocated to our investment management services and corporate operations, a decrease in loss prevention expenses and a decrease in salary expense. The decrease in insurance expenses for the third quarter was partially offset by an increase in premium taxes. The decrease in insurance expenses for the first nine months of 2007 was partially offset by increases in costs related to long-term compensation, retirement plans and premium taxes compared to the same periods in 2006. In the third quarter of 2007, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs decreased 4% compared with the third quarter of 2006, in line with the decline in insurance premiums earned. In the first nine months of 2007, the amortization of deferred acquisition costs declined slightly compared with the first nine months of 2006, in line with the slight decline in insurance premiums earned. Over the last several years there has been an increase in the ratio of deferred expenses carried as assets on the balance sheet to deferred revenues carried as liabilities on the balance sheet plus the present value of future installment premiums. The increasing ratio reflects higher costs associated with acquiring new policies relative to a smaller growth in deferred and future installment premiums.
Operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 decreased 18% and 10%, respectively, compared with the same periods in 2006. The decrease in operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 compared with the same periods in 2006 resulted from the increase in costs allocated to our investment management services and corporate operations, lower loss prevention expenses and a decrease in salary expense. The decrease in operating expenses in the first nine months of 2007 was partially offset by increases in costs related to long-term compensation and retirement plans in the first six months of 2007.
The increase in costs allocated to the investment management services and corporate operations was the result of a periodic study performed by the Company, which estimates the amount of costs incurred by the insurance operations that are attributable to the activities of the investment management services and corporate operations. As a result of this study, the Company determined that there has been an increase in the amount of services provided by senior executives and support functions of the insurance operations to the investment management services and corporate operations.
Financial guarantee insurance companies use the expense ratio (expenses divided by net premiums earned) as a measure of expense management. The decrease in the expense ratios for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 compared with the same periods in 2006 is principally due to lower levels of operating expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 compared with the same periods in 2006.
INTEREST EXPENSE Interest expense from MBIAs insurance operations, which primarily consists of interest related to debt issued by consolidated VIEs, the financing of the Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2000-1G certificates and agreements accounted for as deposits, decreased to $20 million in the third quarter of 2007 from $22 million in the third quarter of 2006. The decline in interest expense was due to $7 million of interest related to the financing of the Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2000-1G certificates in the third quarter of 2006 with no corresponding amount in the third quarter of 2007. Partially offsetting the decline was a $4 million increase in interest expense related to consolidated VIEs. VIE interest expense was $19 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared with $15 million in the third quarter of 2006.
41
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
For the first nine months of 2007, interest expense from MBIAs insurance operations increased to $62 million compared with $54 million in the first nine months of 2006. Interest expense related to consolidated VIEs of $55 million increased $15 million in the first nine months of 2007 from $40 million in the first nine months of 2006. In addition, there was $4.7 million of interest expense related to the financing of the Northwest Airlines Pass Through Trust 2000-1G certificates in the first nine months of 2007, down from $10.0 million in the first nine months of 2006.
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES The Company provides structured funding and credit enhancement services to global finance clients through the use of certain MBIA-administered, bankruptcy-remote special purpose vehicles (SPVs) and through third-party SPVs. Third-party SPVs are used in a variety of structures guaranteed or managed by MBIA, whereby the Company has risks analogous to those of MBIA-administered SPVs. The Company has determined that such SPVs fall within the definition of a VIE under FIN 46(R). Under the provisions of FIN 46(R), MBIA must determine whether it has a variable interest in a VIE and if so, whether that variable interest would cause MBIA to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that will absorb the majority of the expected losses, receive the majority of the expected residual returns, or both, of the VIE and is required to consolidate the VIE.
The Company consolidates certain third-party VIEs as a result of financial guarantees provided by the insurance operations. The assets and liabilities of third-party VIEs are primarily reported in Investments held-to-maturity and Variable interest entity floating rate notes, respectively, on the face of the Companys balance sheet. The assets and liabilities of these VIEs each totaled $1.4 billion at September 30, 2007 and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2006. Revenues and expenses related to third-party VIEs are primarily reported in Net investment income and Interest expense, respectively, on the Companys statement of income and substantially net to zero. Consolidation of such VIEs does not increase MBIAs exposure above that already committed to in its insurance policies.
The Company consolidated two VIEs in the third quarter of 2004 and a third VIE in the fourth quarter of 2006 that were established in connection with the securitizations of Capital Asset tax liens and to which the Company provided financial guarantees. In December 2006, the Company sold its interest in all of these consolidated VIEs. MBIA held a variable interest in these entities, which resulted from its insurance policies, and had determined that it was the primary beneficiary under FIN 46(R). MBIA has reported these VIEs as discontinued operations for all periods prior to their sale.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The Companys investment management services operations provide an array of products and services to the public, not-for-profit and corporate sectors. Such products and services are provided primarily through wholly owned subsidiaries of MBIA Asset Management and include cash management, discretionary asset management and fund administration services and investment agreement, medium-term note and commercial paper programs related to funding assets for third-party clients and for investment purposes. The investment management services operations consist of three operating segments: asset/liability products, which include investment agreements and medium-term notes (MTNs) not related to the conduit programs; advisory services, which consist of third-party and related-party fee-based asset management; and conduits.
In the third quarter of 2007, investment management services revenues of $411 million increased 31% compared with the third quarter of 2006. Excluding net realized gains and losses and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, revenues of $434 million increased 41% compared with the third quarter of 2006. For the first nine months of 2007, total revenues of $1,156 million increased 32% over the same period in 2006. Excluding net realized gains and losses and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, revenues of $1,187 million increased 38% over the first nine months of 2006. The increases in revenues were driven by growth in all three segments. Revenues in the asset/liability products segment were favorably impacted by volume growth in GICs and structured MTNs. The advisory services segment revenues were favorable compared with 2006 due to growth in managed assets for customized asset management and municipal investment pool balances resulting from both new accounts and additions to existing accounts. Conduit segment revenues increased in the quarter due to new business activity and the impact of higher interest rates on conduit floating rate assets. Total investment management services expenses in the third quarter of 2007 were $404 million, up 43% compared with the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, total expenses of $1,106 million increased by 41% over the prior year. The increases in expenses for the quarter and nine months were primarily driven by higher interest expense in asset/liability products, which was consistent with the increase in interest revenues, an increase in costs allocated from our insurance operations and the impact of higher interest rates on conduit floating rate debt.
42
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Net realized losses from investment securities in the investment management services operations were $6 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared with net realized gains of $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2006. Net realized losses in the third quarter of 2007 included a $2.5 million investment impairment and a $2.9 million realized loss on a terminated foreign currency swap. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net realized losses were $2 million compared with net realized gains of $5 million in the same period of 2006. Notwithstanding impairment losses, net realized gains and losses are largely generated from the ongoing management of the investment portfolios.
Net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange from the investment management services operations in the third quarter of 2007 were $17 million compared with net gains of $5 million in the third quarter of 2006. Net losses in the current quarter were attributable to unfavorable foreign exchange on the re-measurement of Euro denominated liabilities against British pound sterling, partially offset by mark-to-market gains on derivative instruments that hedge liabilities as a result of lower interest rates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange from the investment management services operations were $29 million compared with net gains of $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Net losses in 2007 were primarily due to unfavorable exchange on the re-measurement of Euro denominated liabilities against British pound sterling and losses on derivative instruments.
At September 30, 2007, ending assets under management were $66 billion, 3.7% above the 2006 year-end level and 12.2% above the September 30, 2006 level. Conduit ending assets included in assets under management at September 30, 2007 totaled $4.6 billion compared to $3.7 billion at September 30, 2006. The following table summarizes the consolidated investment management services results and assets under management for the third quarter and first nine months of 2007 and 2006:
Percent Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | 3rd Quarter | Year-to-date | |||||||||||||||||
In millions |
2007 | 2006 | 2007 | 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | 2007 vs. 2006 | ||||||||||||||
Interest and fees |
$ | 434 | $ | 309 | $ | 1,187 | $ | 861 | 41 | % | 38 | % | ||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) |
(6 | ) | | (2 | ) | 5 | n/m | n/m | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange |
(17 | ) | 5 | (29 | ) | 9 | n/m | n/m | ||||||||||||
Total revenues |
411 | 314 | 1,156 | 875 | 31 | % | 32 | % | ||||||||||||
Interest expense |
379 | 264 | 1,035 | 730 | 44 | % | 42 | % | ||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
25 | 19 | 71 | 55 | 33 | % | 29 | % | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
404 | 283 | 1,106 | 785 | 43 | % | 41 | % | ||||||||||||
Pre-tax income |
$ | 7 | $ | 31 | $ | 50 | $ | 90 | (77 | )% | (44 | )% | ||||||||
Ending assets under management |
$ | 65,875 | $ | 58,708 | 12 | % | ||||||||||||||
n/m Percentage change not meaningful
The following provides a summary of each of the investment management services businesses by segment. See Note 6: Business Segments in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a tabular presentation of the results of the investment management services segments.
Asset/liability products pre-tax income, excluding net realized gains and losses and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, totaled $25 million in the third quarter of 2007, up 40% compared with the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, pre-tax income of $62 million, excluding net realized gains and losses and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, increased 23% over 2006. At September 30, 2007, principal and accrued interest outstanding on investment agreement and medium-term note obligations and securities sold under agreements to repurchase totaled $25.6 billion compared with $20.3 billion at December 31, 2006. Assets supporting these agreements had market values, including accrued interest, of $25.9 billion and $20.7 billion at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. These assets comprise high-quality securities with an average credit quality rating of double-A.
43
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Advisory services pre-tax income, excluding net realized gains and losses and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, totaled $4 million in the third quarter of 2007, down 38% compared with the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, pre-tax income of $14 million, excluding net realized gains and losses and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, was down 19% as compared with the same period last year. Third-party ending assets under management were $24.6 billion at September 30, 2007 and $28.5 billion at December 31, 2006. The decline in assets under management is primarily due to a decrease in assets for the East Fleet structured vehicle. The market values of assets related to the Companys insurance and corporate investment portfolios managed by the investment management services operations at September 30, 2007 were $10.4 billion compared with $10.5 billion at December 31, 2006.
Conduit program pre-tax income, excluding net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, totaled $2 million in the third quarter of 2007 comparable to the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, pre-tax income of $7 million, excluding net realized gains and losses and net gains and losses on financial instruments at fair value and foreign exchange, decreased 21% from September 2006 due to deal run-off partially offset by new business activity at tighter spreads. Some of MBIAs consolidated subsidiaries have invested in MBIAs conduit debt obligations or have received compensation for services provided to MBIAs conduits. As such, MBIA has eliminated intercompany transactions with its conduits from its balance sheet and income statement. After the elimination of such intercompany assets and liabilities, conduit investments plus accrued interest and conduit debt obligations plus accrued interest were $4.6 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively, at September 30, 2007.
MBIAs advisory services segment manages Hudson-Thames, a structured investment vehicle. Since August 2007, Hudson-Thames has been actively seeking alternative solutions to address its financing needs given the current market conditions in the structured finance and asset-backed commercial paper markets, including the sale of assets to pay maturing liabilities. As of September 30, 2007, program invested assets totaled $1.8 billion, however, subsequent sales have reduced invested assets to $940 million as of November 2, 2007. MBIA invested $16 million in the capital notes of Hudson-Thames, which currently represents 19 percent of the total capital notes. MBIA has no obligation to provide liquidity support or credit guarantees to Hudson-Thames.
CORPORATE
The corporate operations consist of revenues and expenses related to general corporate activities, such as net investment income, net gains and losses, interest expense on MBIA Inc. debt and general corporate expenses. The corporate operations incurred a loss of $26 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared with a loss of $21 million in the third quarter of 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, the corporate operations incurred a loss of $72 million compared with a loss of $58 million in the first nine months of 2006.
In the third quarter of 2007, net investment income decreased 73% to $0.7 million from $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2006 primarily due to a $3.0 million loss within the Companys alternative investment portfolio. This decline was partially offset by an increase in net investment income due to higher invested assets driven by dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. in April 2007 and December 2006. In the first nine months of 2007, net investment income increased 48% to $14.5 million from $9.7 million in the first nine months of 2006 primarily due to higher average invested assets driven by the aforementioned dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc.
In the first half of 2007, the corporate operations recorded insurance recoveries of $6.4 million, which represented recoveries received on the Companys directors and officers insurance policy. These insurance recoveries reimbursed the Company for a portion of the expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the regulatory investigations and the related private securities and derivative litigations. No additional recoveries were received in the third quarter of 2007. However, the Company is pursuing additional recoveries under its directors and officers insurance policy.
Net realized losses from investment securities in the corporate operations were $0.7 million and $9.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2007, respectively, compared with net realized gains of $0.9 million and $2.3 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2006, respectively. Net realized gains and losses are typically generated from the ongoing management of the investment portfolios. However, in the second and third quarter of 2007, the Company realized $9.6 million and $0.9 million of impairment losses, respectively, on a subprime mortgage-oriented investment.
44
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The corporate operations incurred interest expense of $20 million in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006 and $61 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared with $60 million in the first nine months of 2006. Corporate interest expense is primarily generated from debt issued by MBIA Inc. Corporate expenses were $7 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared with $5 million in the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, corporate expenses were $23 million compared with $10 million for the same period in 2006. The increase in corporate expenses primarily resulted from legal costs associated with the regulatory investigations and an increase in costs allocated from the insurance operations.
TAXES
MBIAs tax policy is to optimize after-tax income by maintaining the appropriate mix of taxable and tax-exempt investments. In general, the effective tax rate fluctuates from time to time as the Company manages its investment portfolio on an after-tax total return basis. The effective tax rate, including tax related to discontinued operations, for the third quarter of 2007 was a benefit of 55.8% compared with a provision of 29.4% for the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the effective tax rate, including tax related to discontinued operations, decreased to 23.3% from 28.2% for the same period in 2006.
The changes in the Companys effective tax rates for the quarter and nine months were a result of the mark-to-market net losses recorded on the Companys derivatives portfolio. The Company has calculated its year-to-date effective tax rate by treating these mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item. As such, the tax benefit of these net losses, calculated at the statutory tax rate of 35%, is an adjustment to the annual effective tax rate that the Company has estimated for all other pre-tax income. If the Company did not treat these mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item and instead applied the same year-to-date effective tax rate to all pre-tax income, the Company would have recorded $8.5 million less of a tax benefit in the third quarter of 2007. However, the Company believes that its decision to treat the mark-to-market net losses as a discrete item is appropriate given its inability to estimate these mark-to-market losses for the full year of 2007, which directly affects the Companys ability to estimate pre-tax income and the related effective tax rate for the full year of 2007. Further changes in the fair value of the Companys derivatives portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2007 will impact the Companys annual effective tax rate for 2007.
CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company carefully manages its capital resources to minimize its cost of capital while maintaining appropriate claims-paying resources to sustain its triple-A claims-paying ratings. Capital resources are defined by the Company as total shareholders equity, long-term debt issued for general corporate purposes and various soft capital credit facilities. At September 30, 2007, total shareholders equity was $6.5 billion and total long-term debt was $1.2 billion. The Company uses debt financing to lower its overall cost of capital. MBIA maintains debt at levels it considers to be prudent based on its cash flow and total capital (shareholders equity plus long-term debt). The following table shows the Companys long-term debt and the ratio used to measure it:
September 30, 2007 |
December 31, 2006 |
|||||||
Long-term debt (in millions) |
$ | 1,221 | $ | 1,215 | ||||
Long-term debt to total capital |
16 | % | 14 | % |
On February 1, 2007, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of common stock up to $1 billion under a new share repurchase program, which superseded the previously authorized program. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 980 thousand shares under the program at an average price of $61.23 per share. As of September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 10 million shares under the program at an average price of $66.30 per share. The Companys ability to repurchase common stock is largely dependent on the amount of dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. Repurchases of common stock may be made from time to time in the open market or in private transactions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. We believe that share repurchases can be an appropriate deployment of capital in excess of amounts needed to maintain the triple-A claims-paying ratings of MBIA Corp. and support the growth of MBIAs businesses.
In the third quarter of 2007, the Company decided to suspend share repurchases under the program in light of concerns and uncertainties regarding the housing markets, the structured finance sector and the U.S. economy as well as improvements in the Companys new business opportunities. The Company may reevaluate this decision from time to time and resume share repurchases when it deems appropriate.
45
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Company has available various facilities, such as lines of credit and equity-based facilities, which further support its claims-paying resources. In aggregate, we believe our claims-paying resources are more than adequate to support our business risks. At September 30, 2007, MBIA Corp. maintained a $450 million limited recourse standby line of credit facility with a group of major triple-A rated banks to provide funds for the payment of claims in excess of the greater of $500 million of cumulative claims, net of recoveries, or 5% of average annual debt service with respect to public finance transactions. The agreement is for a ten-year term, which expires in March 2015.
MBIA Corp. has access to $400 million of Money Market Committed Preferred Custodial Trust securities (CPCT securities) issued by eight trusts (the Trusts), which were created for the primary purpose of issuing CPCT securities and investing the proceeds in high-quality commercial paper or short-term U.S. Government obligations. The CPCT securities are remarketed every 28 days with the interest rate set by means of an auction and with two trusts remarketing each week. In the event that there are insufficient bids at any auction to remarket all of the CPCT securities of any trust, the rate is reset for the next 28 days at the maximum prescribed rate of LIBOR plus 150 basis points with the investors of the CPCT securities continuing to hold them until the next auction in which sufficient bids are received. Due to the decline in the demand for short-term structured securities during the third quarter of 2007, all CPCT securities were unable to be remarketed at their most recent remarketing date, resulting in the current investors of the CPCT securities receiving the maximum prescribed interest rate as of September 30, 2007.
MBIA Corp. has a put option to sell to the Trusts the perpetual preferred stock of MBIA Corp. If MBIA Corp. exercises its put option, the Trusts will transfer the proceeds to MBIA Corp. in exchange for the preferred stock that will be held by the Trusts. The Trusts are vehicles for providing MBIA Corp. the opportunity to access new capital at its sole discretion through the exercise of the put options. The Trusts are rated AA and Aa2 by S&P and Moodys, respectively. To date, MBIA Corp. has not exercised its put options under any of these arrangements. The Company continues to receive 100% capital credit for this facility. However, the Company anticipates incurring additional expenses of $1.4 million per quarter to maintain this facility if the CPCT securities continue to incur interest at the maximum prescribed rate compared with expenses incurred in prior quarters.
From time to time, MBIA accesses the capital markets to support the growth of its businesses. As such, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-3ASR with the SEC in June 2007 for an indeterminate amount which replaced and canceled remaining balances on all prior shelf registration statements filed with the SEC. This shelf registration permits the Company to issue various debt and equity securities described in the prospectus filed as part of the registration statement.
We believe that our current consolidated capital resources are adequate to support our ongoing businesses, fund our growth and meet the rating agencies requirements for the triple-A claims-paying ratings of MBIA Corp. Given the stress in the CDO and mortgage markets, however, there is an increased risk that more underlying credit ratings of transactions insured by MBIA will be downgraded by S&P, Moodys and/or Fitch, which would result in the imposition of higher capital charges assessed for these transactions. In this event, it is possible that the increased rating agency capital requirements require MBIA to take measures to preserve or raise capital, which could take the form of, among other things, increased use of reinsurance, changes to the mix of business written or the issuance of debt or equity securities. If required and subject to market conditions, we believe that MBIA could raise additional capital and/or take measures to preserve capital necessary to maintain its triple-A ratings.
On November 5, 2007, Fitch announced that it will be updating its analysis of the structured finance collateralized debt obligations (SF CDOs) insured by the financial guaranty industry, including MBIA, as well as the potential implications for the capital adequacy and AAA Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) ratings of the financial guarantors. Fitch indicated that a possible conclusion of its analysis will be that one or more of the financial guarantors may no longer meet Fitchs AAA capital guidelines. At the conclusion of its analysis, Fitch said it would expect to place on Rating Watch Negative the IFS rating of any financial guarantor whose capital ratio falls below Fitchs AAA benchmark. Fitch indicated that it would then expect to provide the relevant financial guarantor approximately one month to either raise capital, or execute a risk mitigation strategy, that would allow it to again meet Fitchs AAA capital standards and that failure to do so would result in a downgrade of the IFS rating of such financial guarantor. Fitch assessed the relative probability that MBIA may experience erosion of its capital cushion under Fitchs updated stress analysis at Low Probability.
On November 8, 2007 Moodys announced that it will assess the impact of the continuing deterioration in the residential mortgage-backed securities market on its ratings of financial guarantors, including MBIA. Moodys indicated that as part of its analysis it would, among other things, re-estimate capital adequacy ratios to reflect deterioration in the expected performance of direct subprime residential mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed CDO transactions within the financial guarantors insured portfolios. Moodys further indicated that, based on an initial analysis of the updated data, it was unlikely that MBIAs capital would fall below Moodys Aaa capital adequacy benchmarks in a stress scenario due to mortgage market deterioration.
MBIA believes that it will continue to meet both Fitchs and Moodys capital ratios after such analysis; however, there is no assurance that Fitch or Moodys will not conclude that MBIA will need to raise additional capital or take other measures to maintain its AAA IFS ratings from Fitch or Aaa ratings from Moodys. In addition, there can be no assurance that S&P will not take measures similar to, or more adverse to the financial guaranty industry than, those announced by Fitch and Moodys. Requirements imposed by the rating agencies are outside the control of MBIA, and such requirements could require MBIA to raise additional capital or take other remedial actions in a relatively short timeframe.
The Company believes that maintaining a strong balance sheet and an adequate capital cushion is prudent. Therefore, the Company may undertake capital raising initiatives or other measures to raise or preserve capital, even in the absence of any immediate rating agency requirements.
LIQUIDITY
Cash needs at the parent company level are primarily for dividends to its shareholders, interest payments on its debt, operating expenses and share repurchases. Sources of cash at the parent company level primarily consist of dividend payments from MBIA Corp. and MBIA Asset Management, investment income, the issuance of debt and intercompany borrowings. Additionally, the parent company maintains excess cash and investments to ensure it is able to meet its ongoing short-term and long-term cash requirements. As of September 30, 2007, the parent company had $464 million of cash and investments available for general corporate liquidity needs.
The consolidated liquidity and operating cash requirements of the Company are met by cash flows generated from operations, which were more than adequate in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Companys operating cash flows provided by continuing operations totaled $698 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared with $713 million in the same period of 2006. The majority of net cash provided by operating activities is generated from premium writings and investment income in the Companys insurance operations. We believe that cash flows from operations will continue to be sufficient to meet our liquidity and operating cash requirements for the foreseeable future.
46
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Under New York State insurance law, without prior approval of the superintendent of the NYSID, financial guarantee insurance companies can pay dividends from earned surplus subject to retaining a minimum capital requirement. In MBIA Corp.s case, regular dividends in any 12-month period cannot be greater than 10% of policyholders surplus as shown on MBIA Corp.s latest filed statutory financial statements. In April 2007, MBIA Corp. received approval from the NYSID and paid a $500 million dividend to MBIA Inc. As of September 30, 2007, including the effect of the April 2007 $500 million dividend, MBIA Corp. will not be able to pay dividends without prior approval by the NYSID until April 2008. Dividends from MBIA Corp. are used primarily for general liquidity and other corporate purposes.
The Company has significant liquidity supporting its operating businesses. At September 30, 2007, cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $3.9 billion. If, for any reason, significant cash flow reductions occur in any of its businesses, MBIA has alternatives for meeting ongoing cash requirements. They include selling or pledging its fixed-income investments in its investment portfolio, tapping existing liquidity facilities and new borrowings.
At September 30, 2007, MBIA maintained a $500 million bank line with a group of highly rated global banks, which is available to MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. The facility contains certain covenants including, among others, that the consolidated net worth of MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. will not fall below $2.8 billion and that the ratio of consolidated debt to equity for MBIA Inc. and MBIA Corp. will not exceed 30%, at any time. To date, no balances have been outstanding under this facility.
Triple-A One Funding Corporation (Triple-A One), an MBIA-administered multi-seller conduit consolidated in the Companys conduit segment, issues commercial paper to fund the purchase of assets from structured finance clients. Assets purchased by Triple-A One are insured by MBIA Corp. Triple-A One maintains backstop liquidity facilities for each transaction, covering 100% of the face amount of commercial paper outstanding, with banks rated A-1/P-1 or better by S&P and Moodys, respectively. These liquidity facilities are designed to allow Triple-A One to repay investors in the event of a market disruption in which Triple-A One is unable to issue new commercial paper to replace maturing commercial paper. The financial guarantee policies issued by MBIA Corp. to insure the assets of Triple-A One cannot be accelerated to repay maturing commercial paper or borrowings under liquidity facilities and only guarantee ultimate payments over time relating to the assets. To date, no borrowings have been made under any of Triple-A Ones liquidity facilities.
The available-for-sale investment portfolio provides a high degree of liquidity, since it comprises readily marketable high-quality fixed-income securities and short-term investments. At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the fair value of the consolidated available-for-sale investment portfolio was $36.5 billion and $31.9 billion, respectively, as presented in the following table:
47
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In millions |
September 30, 2007 |
December 31, 2006 |
Percent Change | ||||||||
2007 vs. 2006 | |||||||||||
Available-for-sale investments: |
|||||||||||
Insurance operations: |
|||||||||||
Amortized cost |
$ | 9,768 | $ | 9,821 | (1 | )% | |||||
Unrealized net gain (loss) |
268 | 287 | (6 | )% | |||||||
Fair value |
10,036 | 10,108 | (1 | )% | |||||||
Investment management services operations: |
|||||||||||
Amortized cost |
26,230 | 20,711 | 27 | % | |||||||
Unrealized net gain (loss) |
(218 | ) | 188 | n/m | |||||||
Fair value |
26,012 | 20,899 | 24 | % | |||||||
Corporate operations: |
|||||||||||
Amortized cost |
470 | 861 | (45 | )% | |||||||
Unrealized net gain (loss) |
(5 | ) | (4 | ) | 35 | % | |||||
Fair value |
465 | 857 | (46 | )% | |||||||
Total available-for-sale portfolio: |
|||||||||||
Amortized cost |
36,468 | 31,393 | 16 | % | |||||||
Unrealized net gain (loss) |
45 | 471 | (90 | )% | |||||||
Fair value |
$ | 36,513 | $ | 31,864 | 15 | % | |||||
n/m Percentage change not meaningful
The decrease in the amortized cost of insurance-related available-for-sale investments in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was the result of dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. in April 2007, partially offset by positive cash flow from operations. The increase in the amortized cost of available-for-sale investments in the investment management services operations was the result of growth in the Companys asset/liability products segment. The decrease in the amortized cost of corporate investments was due to the repurchase of common stock under our share repurchase program and dividend payments to MBIA Inc. shareholders, offset by dividends paid from MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc.
The fair value of the Companys investments is based on quoted market prices, if available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is estimated using quoted market prices for similar securities. Differences between fair value and amortized cost arise primarily as a result of changes in interest rates occurring after a fixed-income security is purchased, although other factors influence fair value, including credit-related actions, supply and demand forces and other market factors. When the Company holds its available-for-sale investments to maturity, unrealized gains or losses (net of tax) currently recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the shareholders equity section of the balance sheet will decrease over time as the investments approach maturity. As a result, the Company expects to realize a value substantially equal to amortized cost. However, when investments are sold prior to maturity, the Company will realize any gains or losses in current net income. The Conduit portfolios are considered held-to-maturity, as the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments to their contractual maturity. Therefore, these portfolios are reported on the Companys consolidated balance sheet at amortized cost and are not adjusted to reflect unrealized changes in fair value.
The weighted average credit quality of the Companys fixed-income investment portfolios has been maintained at double-A since its inception. The quality distribution of the Companys fixed-maturity investment portfolios, excluding short-term investments, based on ratings from Moodys as of September 30, 2007 is presented in the following table. Alternate ratings sources, such as S&P, have been used for a small percentage of securities that are not rated by Moodys.
48
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Insurance | Investment Management Services |
Investments Held-to-Maturity |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
In millions |
Fair Value |
% of Fixed- |
Fair Value |
% of Fixed- |
Fair Value |
% of Fixed- |
Fair Value |
% of Fixed- |
||||||||||||||||
Aaa |
$ | 6,100 | 67 | % | $ | 14,069 | 62 | % | $ | 4,304 | 76 | % | $ | 24,473 | 65 | % | ||||||||
Aa |
2,380 | 26 | % | 5,275 | 23 | % | 243 | 4 | % | 7,898 | 21 | % | ||||||||||||
A |
570 | 6 | % | 3,283 | 14 | % | 1,100 | 20 | % | 4,953 | 13 | % | ||||||||||||
Baa |
60 | 1 | % | 247 | 1 | % | | | 307 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
Below Investment Grade |
26 | 0 | % | | | | | 26 | 0 | % | ||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 9,136 | 100 | % | $ | 22,874 | 100 | % | $ | 5,647 | 100 | % | $ | 37,657 | 100 | % | ||||||||
MBIAs consolidated investment portfolio includes investments that are insured by MBIA Corp. (MBIA Insured Investments). At September 30, 2007, MBIA Insured Investments at fair value, excluding conduit investments insured by MBIA Corp., represented $2.7 billion or 6% of the Companys total investments. Conduit investments insured by MBIA Corp. represented $4.3 billion or 10% of the Companys total investments. Without giving effect to the MBIA guarantee of the MBIA Insured Investments in the consolidated investment portfolio, as of September 30, 2007, based on the actual or estimated underlying ratings (i) the weighted average rating of the investment portfolio would be in the Aa range, (ii) the weighted average rating of just the MBIA Insured Investments in the investment portfolio would be in the A range and (iii) less than 1% of the investment portfolio would be rated below investment grade.
The underlying ratings of the MBIA Insured Investments as of September 30, 2007 are reflected in the following table. Amounts represent the fair value of such investments including the benefit of the MBIA guarantee. The ratings in the table below are the lower underlying rating assigned by S&P or Moodys when an underlying rating exists from either rating service, or when an external underlying rating is not available, the underlying rating is based on the Companys best estimate of the rating of such investment.
Underlying Ratings Scale In millions |
Insurance Portfolio |
Investment Management Services Portfolio |
Held-to- Maturity |
Total | ||||||||
Aaa |
$ | 222 | $ | 288 | $ | 1,344 | $ | 1,854 | ||||
Aa |
57 | 168 | 477 | 702 | ||||||||
A |
186 | 844 | 1,234 | 2,264 | ||||||||
Baa |
132 | 646 | 1,249 | 2,027 | ||||||||
Below Investment Grade |
99 | 8 | | 107 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 696 | $ | 1,954 | $ | 4,304 | $ | 6,954 | ||||
Typically, conduit programs involve the use of rating agencies in assessing the quality of asset purchases and in assigning ratings to the various programs funded through the conduits. All transactions currently funded in the conduits had an underlying rating of at least investment grade by Moodys and S&P prior to funding. The weighted average underlying rating for transactions currently funded in the conduits was A+ by S&P and A1 by Moodys at the time such transactions were funded. MBIA estimates that the current weighted average underlying rating of all outstanding conduit transactions was A+ by S&P and A1 by Moodys as of September 30, 2007.
The Company generates significant liquidity from its operations, as described above. Because of its risk management policies and procedures, diversification and reinsurance, the Company believes that the occurrence of an event that would significantly adversely affect liquidity is unlikely.
49
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MARKET RISK
The Company has disclosed qualitative and quantitative information about market risk in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The following information provides an update to and should be read in conjunction with information included under the same caption in Part II, Item 7. of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K.
MBIA issues insurance policies insuring payments due on structured credit derivative contracts and directly enters into credit derivative contracts, which are marked-to-market through earnings under the requirements of SFAS 133. The insurance transactions primarily consist of structured credit default swaps on pools of various types of reference obligations with considerable subordination beneath MBIAs risk exposure at the time of issuance. All these transactions are insured by the Companys insurance operations. The majority of these structured credit default swaps relate to structured finance transactions with underlying reference obligations of cash securities, credit default swaps and credit default swaps referencing the senior liability of other structured finance securitizations. The asset classes of the underlying reference obligations include corporate, asset-backed, residential mortgage-backed and commercial mortgage-backed securities. These transactions are usually underwritten at or above a triple-A credit rating level. As of September 30, 2007, approximately 98% of the tranches insured by the Company were rated triple-A. Additionally, MBIAs investment management services operations enter into single-name credit default swaps as part of its asset management activities. During the third quarter of 2007, the value of the Companys credit derivative contracts were affected predominantly by changes in credit spreads of the underlying reference obligations collateral. As credit spreads change, the values of credit derivative contracts will change and the resulting gains or losses will be recorded within net income.
Since December 31, 2006, the Companys portfolio of insured structured credit default swaps has become increasingly concentrated in transactions where the underlying reference obligations comprise commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed collateral including residential mortgages of high grade collateral, in addition to corporate securities. As a result, the portfolio is more sensitive to changes in credit spreads in those sectors. During the third quarter of 2007, credit spreads in those sectors increased significantly, resulting in a substantial decrease in the fair value of the Companys portfolio of structured credit default swaps. In the fourth quarter of 2007, there has also been substantial widening in credit spreads, including corporate, residential mortgage-backed and commercial mortgage-backed credit spreads, which may result in a further substantial decrease in the fair value of the Companys portfolio of structured credit default swaps in the fourth quarter. The amount of such decrease for the fourth quarter will depend on future market developments.
Sensitivity to changes in credit spreads can be estimated by projecting a hypothetical instantaneous shift in credit spread curves. The following table presents the estimated pre-tax change in fair value and the cumulative estimated net fair value of the Companys credit derivatives portfolio of instantaneous shifts in credit spreads as of September 30, 2007. Estimated changes in fair value are calculated using the valuation methods described in the Critical Accounting Estimates section included herein. Contracts for which fair value is calculated using specific dealer quotes or actual transaction prices are excluded from the following table as the Company is unable to obtain data necessary to model hypothetical changes in such contracts.
Change in Credit Spreads | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In thousands |
75 Basis Point Increase |
50 Basis Point Increase |
25 Basis Point Increase |
0 Basis Point Change |
25 Basis Point Decrease |
50 Basis Point Decrease |
75 Basis Point Decrease |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated pre-tax net gain/(loss) |
$ | (561,433 | ) | $ | (329,742 | ) | $ | (142,487 | ) | $ | 0 | $ | 111,559 | $ | 186,871 | $ | 238,668 | |||||||||||
Estimated net fair value |
$ | (892,836 | ) | $ | (661,145 | ) | $ | (473,890 | ) | $ | (331,403 | ) | $ | (219,844 | ) | $ | (144,532 | ) | $ | (92,735 | ) |
Actual shifts in credit spread curves will vary based on the credit quality of the underling reference obligations. In general, within any asset class, higher credit rated reference obligations will exhibit less credit spread movement than lower credit rated reference obligations. Additionally, the degree of credit spread movement can vary significantly for different asset classes. The basis point change presented in the preceding table, however, represents a fixed basis point change in reference obligation credit spreads across all credit quality rating categories and asset classes and, therefore, the actual impact of spread changes would vary from this presentation depending on the credit rating and distribution across asset classes, both of which will adjust over time depending on new business written and runoff of the existing portfolio.
50
MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries
Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MBIAs insurance of structured credit derivatives typically remain in place until the maturity of the derivative. The Company does, however, periodically establish positions which offset its insurance positions in the reinsurance market, in which contracts also typically remain in place until the maturity of the insurance contract. Any difference between the price of the initial transaction and the offsetting transaction will result in gains or losses. With respect to MBIAs insured structured credit derivatives, in the absence of credit impairment, the cumulative gains and losses over the life of the derivative will be zero. Additionally, in the unlikely event circumstances require the termination and settlement of a contract prior to maturity, any resulting gain or loss upon settlement will be recorded in the Companys financial statements. In the third quarter of 2007, there were no material credit impairments in this portfolio.
51
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
An update of the Companys market risk as of September 30, 2007 is included under Market Risk within Item 2, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Based on that evaluation, the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In addition, there have not been any changes in the Companys internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
In the normal course of operating its businesses, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings.
In July 2002, MBIA Corp. filed suit against Royal Indemnity Company (Royal) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, to enforce insurance policies that Royal issued on certain vocational student loan transactions that MBIA Corp. insured. To date, claims in the amount of approximately $355 million have been made under the Royal policies with respect to loans that have defaulted. MBIA Corp. expects that there will be additional claims made under the policies with respect to student loans that may default in the future. Royal had filed an action seeking a declaration that it is not obligated to pay on its policies. In October 2003, the court granted MBIA Corp.s motion for summary judgment and ordered Royal to pay all claims under its policies. Royal appealed the order, and, in connection with the appeal, pledged $403 million of investment grade collateral to MBIA Corp. to secure the entire amount of the judgment, with interest, and agreed to post additional security for future claims and interest.
On October 3, 2005, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld the decision of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware insofar as it enforced the Royal insurance policies, but remanded the case to the District Court for a determination of whether the Royal policies cover all losses claimed under the policies. In particular, the Court of Appeals directed the District Court to consider whether the Royal policies would cover losses resulting from the misappropriation of student payments rather than from defaults by students. MBIA Corp. believes that the Royal policies would cover losses even if they result from misappropriation of student payments, but in any event it appears that all or substantially all of the claims made under the Royal policies relate to defaults by students rather than misappropriation of funds. Therefore, MBIA Corp. expected Royal to be required to pay all or substantially all of the claims made under its policies and to be reimbursed for any payments MBIA Corp. made under its policies.
Royal filed a petition with the Third Circuit requesting that the case be reheard, which was denied in April 2006. In April 2006, Royal filed a motion with the District Court seeking a release of the collateral it pledged in connection with its appeal of the District Court judgment against it in 2003.
On April 2, 2007, MBIA announced that MBIA Corp. reached an agreement with Royal to settle the outstanding litigation. The amount paid by Royal under the terms of the settlement was sufficient to repay the approximately $362 million of outstanding par amount of the bonds insured by MBIA as well as to reimburse MBIA for a portion of the claims that MBIA has paid to date under its insurance policies. As a result of the settlement, MBIA incurred approximately $20 million in losses in the first quarter of 2007. The loss represents a reduction to MBIAs expected recoveries for claims it has paid to date under its policies and will be covered by MBIAs unallocated loss reserves.
The District Court in Delaware entered a final judgment in the case implementing the settlement on March 30, 2007. The approximately $362 million of outstanding par amount of the bonds insured by MBIA were repaid in full during the second quarter of 2007.
52
In November 2004, the Company received identical document subpoenas from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York Attorney Generals Office (NYAG) requesting information with respect to non-traditional or loss mitigation insurance products developed, offered or sold by the Company to third parties from January 1, 1998 to the present. While the subpoenas did not identify any specific transaction, subsequent conversations with the SEC and the NYAG revealed that the investigation included the arrangements entered into by MBIA Corp. in 1998 in connection with the bankruptcy of the Delaware Valley Obligated Group, an entity that is part of Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation (AHERF).
On March 9, 2005, the Company received a subpoena from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York (U.S. Attorney) seeking information related to the agreements it entered into in connection with the AHERF loss. Thereafter, the Company has received additional subpoenas, substantively identical to each other, and additional informal requests, from the SEC and the NYAG for documents and other information.
On August 19, 2005, the Company received a Wells Notice from the SEC indicating that the staff of the SEC is considering recommending that the SEC bring a civil injunctive action against the Company alleging violations of federal securities laws arising from MBIAs action to retroactively reinsure losses it incurred from the AHERF bonds MBIA had guaranteed, including, but not limited to, its entering into excess of loss agreements and quota share agreements with three separate counterparties.
On January 29, 2007, the Company announced that it and its principal operating subsidiary MBIA Corp. (together with MBIA, the Companies) had concluded civil settlements with the SEC, the NYAG, and the New York State Insurance Department (NYSID) with respect to transactions entered into by the Companies in 1998 following defaults on insured bonds issued by AHERF.
The terms of the settlements, under which the Companies neither admit nor deny wrongdoing, include:
| A restatement, which was completed and reported in MBIAs third quarter 2005 earnings release, of the Companys GAAP and statutory financial results for 1998 and subsequent years related to the agreements with AXA Re Finance S.A. and Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellshaft, as discussed in Note 2: Restatement Of Consolidated Financial Statements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (the 2005 10-K) in Part II, Item 8 and Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements in Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 in the 2005 10-K; |
| Payment of penalties and disgorgement totaling $75 million, of which $60 million will be distributed to MBIA shareholders pursuant to the Fair Fund provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and $15 million will be paid to the State of New York. MBIA accounted for the $75 million in penalties and disgorgement as a charge in the third quarter of 2005; |
| The Companies consent to a cease and desist order with respect to future violations of securities laws; |
| A report by the Companys independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, to MBIAs Board of Directors, the SEC staff, the NYAG and the NYSID concerning the Companys accounting for and disclosure of advisory fees and the assets of certain conduits; and |
| Retention of an Independent Consultant to review and report to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID on the evaluation previously undertaken at the direction of the Audit Committee of MBIAs Board of Directors by Promontory Financial Group LLC of the Companys controls, policies and procedures with respect to compliance, internal audit, governance, risk management and records management; the Companys implementation of Promontorys recommendations; the Companys accounting for and disclosure of its investment in Capital Asset Holdings GP, Inc.; and the Companys accounting for and disclosure of its exposure to the US Airways 1998-1 Repackaging Trust and any other transaction in which the Company paid or acquired all or substantially all of an issue of insured securities other than as a result of a claim under the related policy. |
The foregoing summary description of the terms of the settlements is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibits 10.82-10.85 to the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
On July 25, 2007, the Company announced that the Independent Consultant retained by the Company in connection with the regulatory settlements completed his review. The Independent Consultant concluded that MBIAs accounting and disclosures concerning these matters were consistent with GAAP and the federal securities laws. The Independent Consultant also reported to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID on the evaluation previously undertaken at the direction of the Audit Committee of MBIAs board of directors by Promontory Financial Group LLC. Promontorys review included a comprehensive assessment of the Companys compliance organization and monitoring systems, internal audit functions, governance process and other controls, including risk
53
management and records management policies and procedures. The Independent Consultant examined the design of Promontorys review and the Companys implementation of Promontorys recommendations. The Independent Consultant found that both the Promontory review and MBIAs implementation of Promontorys recommendations were reasonable and concluded that no further changes or improvements to MBIAs policies and procedures were necessary to achieve best practices.
The Independent Consultant reported his findings to the SEC, the NYAG and the NYSID, and to MBIAs board of directors. The regulatory agencies have now completed their review of the Independent Consultants report. The Company does not expect any further enforcement actions in connection with the matters covered by the Independent Consultants report.
The Company was named as a defendant in private securities actions consolidated as In re MBIA Inc. Securities Litigation; (Case No. 05 CV 03514(LLS); S.D.N.Y.) (filed October 3, 2005). Joseph W. Brown, the Companys former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gary C. Dunton, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Ferreri, the Companys former Chief Financial Officer, Neil G. Budnick, formerly a Vice President of the Company and the Companys former Chief Financial Officer and Douglas C. Hamilton, the Companys Controller were also named as defendants in the suit, as were former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David H. Elliott and former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Juliette S. Tehrani. The plaintiffs asserted claims under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The lead plaintiffs purport to be acting as representatives for a class consisting of purchasers of the Companys stock during the period from August 5, 2003 to March 30, 2005 (the Class Period). The allegations contained in the lawsuit included, among other things, violations of the federal securities laws arising out of the Companys allegedly false and misleading statements about its financial condition and the nature of the arrangements entered into by MBIA Corp. in connection with the AHERF loss, and about the effectiveness of the Companys internal controls. The plaintiffs alleged that, as a result of these misleading statements or omissions, the Companys stock traded at artificially inflated prices throughout the Class Period.
The defendants, including the Company, filed motions to dismiss this lawsuit on various grounds. On February 13, 2007, the Court granted those motions, and dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety, on the grounds that these claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The Court did not reach the other grounds for dismissal argued by the Company and the other defendants. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on March 14, 2007. The Company does not expect the outcome of the private securities litigation to have a material adverse affect on its financial condition, although the outcome is uncertain and no assurance can be given that the Company will not suffer a loss.
Certain current and former officers of the Company and certain members of the Companys Board of Directors were named as defendants in a shareholder derivative action filed in the Supreme Court of New York, Westchester County on November 9, 2005: Robert Purvis, Derivatively on Behalf of Nominal Defendant MBIA, Inc. v. Joseph W. Brown, Neil G. Budnick, C. Edward Chaplin, David C. Clapp, Clifford D. Corso, Gary C. Dunton, Claire L. Gaudiani, Daniel P. Kearney, Laurence H. Meyer, Debra J. Perry, John A. Rolls, and Ruth M. Whaley (Case No. 20099-05) (the Purvis Litigation). The plaintiff asserted claims for the benefit of the Company to redress injuries suffered by the Company as a result of alleged breaches of fiduciary duties by the named defendants in connection with the Companys accounting for certain transactions, including the AHERF loss. In addition, the plaintiff alleged that the officer defendants were unjustly enriched as a result of such alleged breach. The lawsuit was dismissed on December 21, 2006, pursuant to court order and an agreement among all parties.
Certain current and former officers of the Company and certain current and former members of the Companys Board of Directors have been named as defendants in a shareholder derivative action filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, on April 24, 2006: J. Robert Orton Jr., Derivatively on Behalf of Nominal Defendant MBIA, Inc. v. Joseph (Jay) W. Brown, Gary C. Dunton, Neil G. Budnick, Nicholas Ferreri, Douglas C. Hamilton, Juliette S. Tehrani, Richard L. Weill, David H. Elliott, Claire L. Gaudiani, Daniel P. Kearney, David C. Clapp, John A. Rolls, C. Edward Chaplin, Debra J. Perry, Laurence Meyer, Jeffrey W. Yabuki, Pierre-Henri Richard, William H. Gray III, Freda S. Johnson and James A. Lebenthal (Case No. 06 CV 3146) (the Orton Litigation). The plaintiff asserts claims for the benefit of the Company to redress injuries suffered by the Company as a result of alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, insider trading, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment and violations of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 by some or all of the named defendants in connection with alleged false statements in the Companys financial statements arising from improper accounting for certain transactions, including agreements to reinsure the AHERF loss. The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of the Company that includes disgorgement of certain compensation granted to such officers, unspecified damages, restitution of profits and compensation, legal costs, an order directing the Company to implement certain governance procedures and other equitable relief.
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A Special Litigation Committee of three independent directors of MBIA Inc. has determined after a good faith and reasonable investigation that pursuit of the Orton Litigation is not in the best interests of MBIA and its shareholders, and has moved to dismiss the action. The lawsuit was dismissed on September 18, 2007, pursuant to court order and an agreement among all parties.
There are no other material lawsuits pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party.
Item 1A. | Risk Factors |
There have been no material changes in the Companys risk factors during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. For additional information on risk factors, refer to Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors of the Companys Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
On February 1, 2007, the Companys Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of common stock up to $1 billion under a new share repurchase program, which superseded the previously authorized program. For the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 1.0 million shares under the program at an average price of $61.23 per share. As of September 30, 2007, the Company repurchased 10.0 million shares under the program at an average price of $66.30 per share. The Companys ability to repurchase common stock is largely dependent on the amount of dividends paid by MBIA Corp. to MBIA Inc. Repurchases of common stock will be made from time to time in the open market or in private transactions as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.
In the third quarter of 2007, the Company decided to suspend share repurchases under the program in light of concerns and uncertainties regarding the housing markets, the structured finance sector and the U.S. economy as well as improvements in the Companys new business opportunities. The Company may reevaluate this decision from time to time and resume share repurchases when it deems appropriate.
The table below sets forth repurchases made by the Company in each month during the third quarter of 2007:
Month |
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) |
Average Price Paid Per Share |
Total Amount Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan (2) |
Maximum Amount That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan | |||||||
July |
979,500 | $ | 61.23 | $ | 59,970,481 | $ | 340,055,898 | ||||
August |
205,587 | $ | 62.46 | $ | | $ | 340,055,898 | ||||
September |
27,331 | $ | 62.18 | $ | | $ | 340,055,898 |
(1) | 232,918 shares were repurchased by the Company for settling awards under the Companys long-term incentive plans. |
(2) | Repurchased pursuant to the stock repurchase plan authorized by the Companys board of directors in 2007. |
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
None
Item 5. | Other Information |
None
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Item 6. | Exhibits |
31.1 |
Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
31.2 |
Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.1 |
Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
32.2 |
Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
99.1 |
Additional Exhibits - MBIA Insurance Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MBIA INC. Registrant | ||||
Date: November 9, 2007 | /s/ C. Edward Chaplin | |||
C. Edward Chaplin | ||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Date: November 9, 2007 | /s/ Douglas C. Hamilton | |||
Douglas C. Hamilton | ||||
Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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