UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
S QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 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 001-32950
SECURITY CAPITAL ASSURANCE LTD
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
|
|
BERMUDA |
NOT APPLICABLE |
One Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 11
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(441) 294-7448
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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 S 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 £ Accelerated filer £ Non-accelerated filer S
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No S
As of May 14, 2007, there were 65,297,788 outstanding Common Shares, $0.01 par value per share, of the registrant.
SECURITY CAPITAL ASSURANCE LTD INDEX TO FORM 10-Q Page No Item 1. Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2007 (Unaudited)
and December 31, 2006 3 4 5 6 Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements 7 Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations 23 Item 3. 45 Item 4T. 45 Item 1. 46 Item 1A. 46 Item 2. 46 Item 6. 47 48 2
(Unaudited)
As of ASSETS Investments Debt securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2007 $1,696,481; 2006 $1,755,184)
$
1,683,875
$
1,736,462 Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2007 $219,486; 2006 $222,930)
218,746
221,901 Total investments
1,902,621
1,958,363 Cash and cash equivalents
299,619
202,548 Accrued investment income
13,301
16,515 Deferred acquisition costs
100,187
93,809 Prepaid reinsurance premiums
76,336
59,983 Premiums receivable
17,192
12,936 Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses
87,206
88,616 Intangible assets acquired licenses
11,529
11,529 Deferred income tax asset
18,406
18,182 Other assets
38,131
34,333 Total assets
$
2,564,528
$
2,496,814 LIABILITIES, MINORITY INTEREST AND Liabilities Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
$
175,926
$
178,517 Deferred premium revenue
850,604
795,906 Reinsurance premiums payable
14,360
13,952 Payable for investments purchased
5,435 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
75,012
82,468 Total liabilities
1,115,902
1,076,278 Commitments and contingencies Minority interest redeemable preferred shares of subsidiary
39,000
54,016 Shareholders Equity Common stock (Par value $0.01 per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding At March 31, 2007 65,303,054, At December 31, 2006:
64,634,292)
653
646 Additional paid in capital
988,554
987,798 Retained earnings
433,753
397,781 Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(13,334
)
(19,705
) Total shareholders equity
1,409,626
1,366,520 Total liabilities, minority interest and shareholders equity
$
2,564,528
$
2,496,814 See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements 3
As of
March 31,
2007
December 31,
2006
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
(Unaudited)
2007
2006 Revenues Gross premiums written
$
89,495
$
70,780 Reinsurance premiums assumed
15,463
11,403 Total premiums written
104,958
82,183 Ceded premiums
(20,233
)
(7,592
) Net premiums written
84,725
74,591 Change in net deferred premium revenue
(38,346
)
(36,778
) Net premiums earned (net of ceded premiums
46,379
37,813 Net investment income
26,125
15,062 Net realized gains (losses) on investments
112
(5,683
) Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
(6,929
)
(3,850
) Fee income and other
1,260 Total revenues
65,687
44,602 Expenses Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(801
)
3,449 Acquisition costs, net
3,970
2,682 Operating expenses
24,070
17,095 Total expenses
27,239
23,226 Income before income tax and minority interest
38,448
21,376 Income tax expense
79
15 Income before minority interest
38,369
21,361 Minority interest dividends on redeemable preferred shares
1,114
4,612 Net income
$
37,255
$
16,749 Net income per share: Basic
$
0.58
$
0.36 Diluted
$
0.58
$
0.36 Weighted-average shares outstanding: (Shares in thousands) Basic
64,136
46,127 Diluted
64,343
46,127 Comprehensive income Net income
$
37,255
$
16,749 Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, net of deferred tax (expense) benefit of ($33) in 2007 and $57 in 2006
6,371
(18,480
) Total comprehensive income (loss)
$
43,626
$
(1,731
) See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements 4
Three Months Ended
March 31,
earned of $3,881 and $8,203)
(Unaudited)
Year Ended Common stock Balance beginning of year
$
646
$
461 Issuance of common stock
7
185 Balance end of period
653
646 Additional Paid-In Capital Balance beginning of year
987,798
605,951 Initial public offering proceeds, net of underwriting fees and issuance costs
(250
)
341,082 Restricted stock and stock options
968
827 Capital contributions
38
39,938 Balance end of period
988,554
987,798 Retained Earnings Balance beginning of year
397,781
281,709 Net income
37,255
117,355 Dividends on common shares
(1,283
)
(1,283
) Balance end of period
433,753
397,781 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Balance beginning of year
(19,705
)
(20,307
) Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments
6,371
602 Balance end of period
(13,334
)
(19,705
) Total shareholders equity
$
1,409,626
$
1,366,520 See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements 5
Three Months
Ended March 31,
2007
December 31,
2006
(Unaudited)
2007
2006 Cash provided by operating activities: Net income
$
37,255
$
16,749 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Net realized (gains) losses on investments
(112
)
5,683 Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
6,929
3,850 Amortization of premium on bonds
333
1,106 Minority interest dividends on redeemable preferred shares
1,114
4,612 Deferred tax provision (benefit)
264
(1,083
) Decrease in accrued investment income
3,214
1,044 (Increase) in deferred acquisition costs
(6,378
)
(5,773
) (Increase) decrease in prepaid reinsurance premiums
(16,353
)
610 (Increase) in premiums receivable
(4,256
)
(2,976
) Decrease (increase) in reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses
1,410
(770
) (Decrease) increase in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
(2,591
)
3,559 Increase in deferred premium revenue
54,698
36,168 Increase in reinsurance premiums payable
408
5,356 Other, net
(17,941
)
(22,523
) Total adjustments
20,739
28,863 Net cash provided by operating activities
57,994
45,612 Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from sale of debt securities
32,932
70,515 Purchases of debt securities
(45,163
)
(124,037
) Net purchases of short-term investments
(31,417
)
(6,721
) Proceeds from maturity of debt securities and short term investments
100,138
8,178 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
56,490
(52,065
) Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends on common shares
(1,283
)
Extraordinary dividend on redeemable preferred shares
(15,016
)
Dividends on redeemable preferred shares
(1,114
)
(2,559
) Net cash used in financing activities
(17,413
)
(2,559
) Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
97,071
(9,012
) Cash and cash equivalents beginning of year
202,548
54,593 Cash and cash equivalents end of period
$
299,619
$
45,581 Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosure Non-cash capital contributions
$
38
$
672 Income tax paid (refund received)
$
840
$
(738
) See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements 6
Three Months Ended
March 31,
SECURITY CAPITAL ASSURANCE LTD 1. Organization On March 17, 2006, XL Capital Ltd (XL Capital) formed Security Capital Assurance Ltd (SCA), a Bermuda based holding company. On July 1, 2006, XL Capital contributed all its
ownership interests in its financial guarantee insurance and financial guarantee reinsurance operating businesses to SCA, and on August 4, 2006, SCA consummated an initial public offering of its
common shares (the IPO). The aforementioned operating businesses contributed to SCA by XL Capital consisted of: (i) XL Capital Assurance Inc. (XLCA) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, XL
Capital Assurance (U.K.) Limited (XLCA-UK) and (ii) XL Financial Assurance Ltd. (XLFA). Prior to the IPO, XLCA was an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of XL Capital and substantially
all of XLFA was owned by XL Capital except for a preferred stock interest which is owned by Financial Security Assurance Holdings Ltd. (FSAH). SCA, XLCA, XLFA and all other subsidiaries
of SCA are hereafter collectively referred to as the Company. 2. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP) and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting of normally recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Companys financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements.
All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In addition, the results of operations for the interim period ended March 31, 2007 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2007. These consolidated interim financial statements of the Company should be read in conjunction with the annual
audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 included in the Companys Annual Report
on Form 10-K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2007. For the period ended March 31, 2006, certain expenses reflected in the financial statements include allocations of expenses by XL Capital related to general and administrative services provided
to the Company. These expenses were allocated based on estimates of the cost incurred by XL Capital to provide these services to the Company. Management believes that the methods used to
estimate the costs allocated to the Company are reasonable. However, these results do not necessarily represent what the historical consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows
of the Company would have been if the Company had been a separate stand-alone entity during the periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period consolidated financial statement amounts to conform to current year presentation. There was no effect on net income as a result of these
reclassifications. 3. Derivative Financial Instruments The Companys derivative financial instruments principally include credit default swaps issued to its customers and guarantees of interest rate swap contracts in connection with its guarantees of
certain debt obligations. 7
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Credit default swaps and financial guarantees of interest rate swaps entered into by the Company meet the definition of a derivative instrument under Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) Statement of Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133), as amended by SFAS No. 149. Credit default swaps are
recognized at fair value and recorded as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company intends to hold these derivative instruments until maturity. The fair values of derivative instruments are determined using models developed by the Company and are dependent upon a number of market factors including changes in interest rates, credit
spreads, changes in credit quality, and expected recovery rates. The change resulting from movements in these factors is unrealized as the contracts are not traded to realize this value. Other elements
of the change in fair value are based upon pricing established at the inception of the contract, as well as events triggering loss payments under the contracts by the Company. Changes in the fair value of credit default swaps attributable to earnings from premiums received by the Company from the issuance of such contracts are recorded in the line item caption
entitled net premiums earned in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. In addition, changes in the fair value of credit default swaps attributable to losses from actual and expected
payments to counterparties under such contracts are recorded in the line item caption entitled net losses and loss adjustment expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations, and
the remaining components of the change in fair value of credit default swaps, which are attributable to the market and other factors discussed above, are recorded in the line item caption entitled
net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. This presentation is applicable only to credit default swaps issued by the Company that it has the intent and ability to hold to maturity and is consistent with practices in the financial guarantee
insurance industry for reporting the results of such instruments. The Companys credit default swap portfolio generally requires the Company to meet payment obligations for referenced credits within the portfolio in the event of specific credit events after
exhaustion of various first-loss protection levels. These credit events are contract-specific, but generally cover bankruptcy, failure to pay and repudiation. The Companys credit default swap portfolio
consists of structured pools of corporate obligations that were awarded investment-grade ratings at the deals inception. At March 31, 2007, on a net par basis, approximately 96.1% of the portfolio
was rated AAA with the remaining 3.9% rated at or above investment-grade and the weighted average term of the contracts in-force was 8.6 years. The following tables present the amounts related to credit default swaps and other derivative financial instruments reflected in our financial statements as of and for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
March 31, (U.S. dollars in thousands) Statement of Operations: Net premiums earned
$
7,477
$
5,047 Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
1,017
550 Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
(6,929
)
(3,850
) 8
2007
2006
As at
As at Balance sheet: Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses
$
1,157
$
1,111 Other assets
9,132
11,976 Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
15,345
14,283 Deferred premium revenue
120
137 Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
10,408
5,117 4. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS), Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts On April 18, 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Proposed SFAS, Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts an interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 60. This proposed Statement would clarify how FASB Statement No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises, applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts. This proposed
Statement, among other things, would change current industry practices with respect to the recognition of premium revenue and claim liabilities. In addition, this proposed Statement would require
that the measurement of the initial deferred premium revenue (liability) be the present value of the contractual premium due pursuant to the terms of the financial guarantee insurance contract,
thereby changing current industry accounting practice with respect to insurance contracts priced on an installment basis by requiring that the present value of all contractual premiums due under such
contracts, currently or in the future, be recorded on the companys balance sheet as premiums receivable. Under current industry practice such premiums are not reflected on the balance sheet. In regard to premium revenue recognition, the proposed Statement provides for premium to be recognized as revenue, for both upfront and installment paying policies, in proportion to the
insured contractual principal and interest payments made by the issuer of the insured financial obligation, rather than being recognized over the term of each maturity for upfront premium paying
policies, or over the installment period for installment premium paying policies. This change would generally result in a volatile revenue recognition pattern over the life of the insured obligation as
premium would only be recognized as the insured obligations principal or interest is paid. Furthermore, for certain bonds such as investor-owned utilities, CDOs and many other types of asset-backed
securities that do not have periodic payments, this change would result in significantly slower and back-ended revenue recognition. The volatility would be most evident for insured securities whereby
the principal payments are made at maturity but would also impact public finance insured securities with customized amortization schedules. For installment paying policies, the proposed Statement
requires that the discount, equating to the difference between gross installment premiums and the present value of installment premiums, be recognized as investment income rather than premiums.
We expect that the initial effect of applying the revenue recognition provisions of the Statement as currently proposed will be material to the Companys financial statements. In regard to the recognition of claim liabilities, the proposed Statement provides that claim liabilities shall be established when the insurance enterprise expects that a claim loss will exceed the
unearned premium revenue (liability) for a contract based on expected cash flows discounted using a risk-adjusted rate at initial recognition of the claim liability and, that, the assumptions underlying
such liability be consistent with the information tracked and monitored through the companys surveillance list maintained by the insurance enterprise to evaluate credit deterioration in its insured
financial obligations. We expect that implementation of this guidance as currently proposed would cause the Company to de-recognize its 9
March 31,
2007
December 31,
2006
reserves for unallocated
losses and loss adjustment expenses and preclude it from providing such reserves
in the future. The FASB has indicated that the final Statement is expected to be issued in the third quarter of 2007 and become effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect of this proposed Statement on its financial statements. SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments (SFAS 155), which amends SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133) and SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities (SFAS 140), and addresses issues raised
in SFAS 133 Implementation Issue No. D1, Application of Statement 133 to Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets. The primary objectives of SFAS 155 are: (i) with respect to SFAS
133, to address the accounting for beneficial interests in securitized financial assets and (ii) with respect to SFAS 140, to eliminate a restriction on the passive derivative instruments that a qualifying
special purpose entity may hold. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of an entitys first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. The
Company adopted SFAS 155 on January 1, 2007 and it had no effect on the Companys financial condition or results of operations. FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a
recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provides guidance on
de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company
adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 and it did not have any effect on the Companys financial condition or results of operations. FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157)
which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about
fair value measurements. This Statement is applicable in conjunction with
other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements,
where the FASB previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that
fair value is the relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this Statement
does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective
for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November
15, 2007, and interim periods within these fiscal years. The Company is currently
evaluating the effect the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on its financial
statements. SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities 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 report selected
financial assets and liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. 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 10
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. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, the adoption of SFAS 159 will have on its financial statements. Proposed FASB Staff Position EITF 03-6-a, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities In October 2006, the FASB issued proposed FASB Staff Position EITF 03-6-a, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.
This FASB Staff Position (FSP) addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions may be participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included in the
earnings allocation in computing basic earnings per share (EPS) pursuant to the two-class method described in paragraphs 60 and 61 of FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings Per Share. A share-
based payment award that contains a non-forfeitable right to receive cash when dividends are paid to common shareholders irrespective of whether that award ultimately vests or remains unvested
shall be considered a participating security as these rights to dividends provide a non-contingent transfer of value to the holder of the share-based payment award. Accordingly, these awards should be
included in the computation of basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method. The guidance in this proposed FSP would be effective in the first reporting period beginning after the FASB posts the
final FSP to its website. All prior period EPS data will have to be adjusted retrospectively to reflect the provisions of the FSP. Under the terms of the Companys restricted stock awards, grantees are
entitled to the right to receive dividends on the unvested portions of their awards. There is no requirement to return these dividends in the event the unvested awards are forfeited in the future.
Accordingly, this FSP will have an effect on the Companys EPS calculations should the FASB adopt the proposed guidance during 2007. The Company will continue to evaluate the effect of this
guidance. 5. Premiums Earned from Refunded and Called Bonds Premiums earned include $1.3 million and $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to refunded and called bonds. 6. Related Party Transactions Concurrent with the IPO, the Company entered into arrangements with affiliates of XL Capital: (i) to provide it protection with respect to adverse development on certain transactions, (ii) to
have exposures transferred to it or re-assume exposures under certain financial guarantee policies that were originally reinsured to, or written on behalf of, the Company by XLI, due principally to
single risk constraints and rating agency capital adequacy requirements applicable to the Company at the time that business was first written, (iii) to cancel the Companys reinsurance of certain non-
financial guarantee business ceded to it by XLI, and (iv) to govern certain aspects of Companys relationship with XL Capital after the IPO, including a series of service agreements under which
subsidiaries of XL Capital will provide certain services to the Company or receive certain services from the Company for a period of time after the IPO. The aforementioned arrangements are
discussed in detail below. In addition, in connection with the IPO, XL Capital agreed to fund a portion of long-term compensation awarded by XL Capital to employees of SCA prior to the IPO and which remained
outstanding under XL Capitals long-term compensation plans subsequent to the IPO. In this regard, SCA reflects the full cost of the periodic charges from such long-term compensation in its
earnings each period, XL Capital charges approximately 60% of such cost to SCA, and SCA records a capital contribution from XL Capital equal to the remaining 40% of such cost. The aggregate
remaining future cost of such long-term compensation to SCA is approximately $0.9 million at March 31, 2007, of which SCA will pay XL 11
Capital approximately $0.6 million and XL Capital will fund $0.3 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recorded compensation expense relate to such awards of $0.2
million. Services Agreements with Affiliates Prior to the IPO, the Company purchased various services from affiliates of XL Capital under various agreements and continues to purchase such services under new agreements that became
effective at the date of the IPO. Such services principally include: (i) information technology support, (ii) reinsurance and retrocessional consulting and management services, (iii) actuarial, finance,
legal, internal audit services and certain investment management services. For the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred costs under the aforementioned agreements
aggregating $1.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, which are reflected in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Employee Benefit Plans The Company maintains a qualified defined contribution pension plan for the benefit of all eligible employees and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain employees
(collectively, the SCA Plans). Prior to the IPO, XL America, Inc (XLA) maintained plans, with substantially the same terms, which employees of the Company participated in (the XLA Plans).
Discretionary contributions to the SCA Plans and XLA Plans are based on a fixed percentage of employee contributions and compensation, as defined aforementioned plans. For the three months
ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred costs under the aforementioned plans aggregating $1.5 million, and $0.7 million, respectively, which are reflected in operating expenses in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Reinsurance Agreements With Affiliates and Other Guarantees The Company has the following reinsurance agreements with affiliates. Certain of the agreements discussed below may be terminated under certain conditions, as defined in the agreements.
Effective August 4, 2006, certain subsidiaries of XL Capital indemnified the Company for all losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in excess of its retained reserves at the effective
date of the agreement relating to an insured project financing described in Note 9 (a). In consideration for the aforementioned indemnifications the Company is obligated to pay such
affiliates approximately $9.8 million on an installment basis over the life of the aforementioned project financing. As this premium is due irrespective of any early termination of the
underlying insurance transaction, the Company recorded a liability of approximately $7.0 million at the effective date of the indemnifications (representing the present value of the obligation
discounted at 5.0%, which reflects the rate on treasury obligations with a term to maturity commensurate with that of the liability) and a corresponding deferred cost, which are reflected in
the accompanying consolidated balance sheet in reinsurance premiums payable and prepaid reinsurance premiums, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the
Company incurred costs under the aforementioned agreements aggregating approximately $0.2 million and the balance of the aforementioned liability and deferred cost was $6.6 million at
March 31, 2007. Effective August 4, 2006, XLA has undertaken to indemnify the Company for any dimunition in value below their carrying value at June 30, 2006 of the notes and preferred shares described
in Note 9, which notes and preferred shares were acquired in connection with the satisfaction of a claim under a financial guarantee insurance policy issued by XLCA. In addition, pursuant
to the aforementioned indemnity, XLA agreed to indemnify the Company for any costs arising out of 12
any litigation or future claim in connection with the aforementioned insurance policy. See Note 9 for further information regarding amounts recovered or recoverable by SCA under the
indemnity. On August 4, 2006, XLFA terminated a facultative quota share reinsurance treaty with XLI that had been effective since 2001. As a result of the termination, XLI returned $26.5 million of
premiums to XLFA, XLFA returned ceding commissions of $7.8 million to XLI, and XLI paid XLFA $18.7 million. The effect on the Companys results of operations for the three month
periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 from the subject business was not material. On August 4, 2006, and XLI agreed to cancel from inception the reinsurance of certain business ceded under a facultative quota share reinsurance treaty that was effective since 1999. As a
result of this cancellation, XLFA paid XLI $0.2 million, XLI assumed XLFAs obligation for $1.2 million of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, and XLFA recorded a capital
contribution of $1.0 million. In addition, on such date, XLFA assumed certain business from XLI pursuant to the aforementioned reinsurance treaty. As a result thereof, XLFA recorded
assumed premiums of approximately $8.0 million, ceding commissions of approximately $1.0 million and received cash from XLI of approximately $7.0 million. There was no effect on the
Companys results of operations from this transaction for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and the effect on the Companys results of operations from the subject business for the
three month period ended March 31, 2006 was not material. Effective October 1, 2001, XLFA entered into an excess of loss reinsurance agreement with XLI. This agreement covers a portion of XLFAs liability arising as a result of losses on policies
written by XLFA that are in excess of certain limits and are not covered by other reinsurance agreements. This agreement provides indemnification only for the portion of any loss covered
by this agreement in excess of 10% of XLFAs surplus, up to an aggregate amount of $500 million, and excludes coverage for liabilities arising other than pursuant to the terms of an
underlying policy. The Company incurred expense under this agreement of approximately $0.1 million for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. Effective November 1, 2002, XLCA entered into a facultative reinsurance arrangement (the XL Re Treaty) with XL Reinsurance America, Inc. (XL RE AM). Under the terms of the
XL Re Treaty, XL RE AM agrees to reinsure risks insured by XLCA under financial guarantee insurance policies up to the amount necessary for XLCA to comply with single risk
limitations set forth in Section 6904(d) of the New York Insurance Laws. Such reinsurance was on an automatic basis prior to the effective date of the IPO and is on a facultative basis on
and after the effective date of the IPO. The reinsurance provided by XL RE AM may be on an excess of loss or quota share basis. The Company is allowed up to a 30% ceding commission
(or such other percentage on an arms-length basis) on ceded premiums written under the terms of this agreement. Since it commenced operations, XLFA has entered into several reinsurance arrangements with subsidiaries and affiliates of FSAH (hereafter referred to as FSA) to reinsure certain policies
issued by FSA which guarantee the timely payment of the principal of and interest on various types of debt obligations. XLFAs obligations under certain of these arrangements are
guaranteed by XLI. Effective upon the IPO, the guarantee was terminated with respect to all new business assumed by XLFA under such arrangement, but the guarantee remains in effect
with respect to cessions under the agreement prior to the IPO. Premiums assumed by XLFA under its reinsurance arrangements with FSA represented 89%, and 77% of the Companys total
reinsurance premiums assumed for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. 13
XLFA has guaranteed certain of XLIs obligations in connection with certain transactions where XLIs customer required such credit enhancement. Each of these transactions has a double
trigger structure, meaning that XLFA does not have to pay a claim unless both the underlying transaction and XLI default. For each of these transactions, XLFA has entered into a
reimbursement agreement with XLI, pursuant to which XLI pays XLFA a fee for providing its guarantee and XLI grants XLFA a security interest in a portion of the payments received by
it from its client. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, XLFAs aggregate net par outstanding relating to such guarantees was $522.8 million and $522.8 million, respectively. Effective May 1, 2004, XLI entered into an agreement with XLCA which unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to XLCA the full and complete payment when due of all of XLFAs
obligations under its facultative quota share reinsurance agreement with XLCA, under which agreement XLFA has assumed business from XLCA since December 19, 2000. The gross par
value of business guaranteed by XLI under this agreement was approximately $83.1 billion and $83.1 billion as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The XLI guarantee
agreement terminated with respect to any new business produced by XLCA and ceded to XLFA pursuant to the facultative quota share reinsurance agreement after the effective date of the
IPO, but the guarantee remains in effect with respect to cessions under the such agreement prior to the IPO. The Company provides financial guarantee insurance policies insuring timely payment of investment agreements issued by XL Asset Funding Company I LLC (XLAF), an affiliate of the
Company. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the aggregate face amount of such investment agreements insured by the Company was $4.1 billion and $3.9 billion, respectively. In
addition, the Company insures XLAFs obligations under certain derivative contracts issued and purchased by XLAF. As of March 31, 2007, the total notional value of such contracts insured
was $179.1 million. The Company recorded earned premiums of $1.0 million in each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, relating to the aforementioned contracts. 7. Income Taxes XLFA is not subject to any taxes in Bermuda on either income or capital gains under current Bermuda law. In the event that there is a change such that these taxes are imposed, XLFA would
be exempted from any such tax until March 2016 pursuant to the Bermuda Exempted Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966, and Amended Act of 1987. XLCA is subject to federal, state and local corporate income taxes and other taxes applicable to U.S. corporations. The U.S. federal income tax liability is determined in accordance with the
principles of the consolidated tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and Regulations. XLCA has operations in subsidiary and branch form in certain international jurisdictions that are subject
to relevant taxes in those jurisdictions. XLCA files a consolidated tax return with SCA Holdings U.S. Inc (the U.S. common parent of the SCA group) and its subsidiaries. Prior to July 1, 2006, XLCA was consolidated with XLA for
purposes of determining its income tax liability at, and prior to, such date (see Note 1). As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company had income tax payable of $5.2 million and $5.3
million, respectively. Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 includes a reduction in the Companys tax valuation allowance relating to realized losses on investments of approximately $0.5
million to reflect a change in view as to the character of a temporary difference relating to losses incurred on an investment acquired in satisfaction of claim. 14
Deferred income taxes have not been accrued with respect to undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. If the earnings were to be distributed, as dividends or otherwise, such amounts may be
subject to withholding taxation in the state of the paying entity. Currently, however, no withholding taxes are accrued with respect to the earnings, as it is the intention that such earnings will remain
reinvested indefinitely. The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, on January 1, 2007. The Company did not recognize any liabilities for
unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the implementation of Interpretation 48. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities in the major jurisdictions in which the Company operates for years prior to 2003 in the U.S. and
2002 in the U.K. The Companys policy is to recognize any interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company does not
have any accrued liabilities relating to interest and penalties as at March 31, 2007 or December 31, 2006, respectively. 8. Segments The Companys business activities are organized and managed in two operating segments: financial guarantee insurance and financial guarantee reinsurance. These segments are managed
separately because they provide different products or services to different customers, are subject to different regulation, and require different strategies. Products comprising the financial guarantee insurance segment primarily include financial guarantee insurance of public finance and structured finance debt securities and credit default swaps.
Products comprising the reinsurance segment primarily include reinsurance of financial guarantee insurance products issued by financial guarantee insurance companies. Set forth in the table below is certain financial information with respect to the Companys operating segments for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. The
accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in the notes to the Companys audited historical financial statements as
of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company evaluates the performance of each operating
segment based on underwriting profit or loss before income taxes, nonrecurring items (e.g., items of an unusual or infrequent nature), and inter-segment transactions. Certain costs and operating
expenses are allocated to each of the segments based on: (i) a review of the nature of such costs, and (ii) time studies analyzing the amount of employee compensation costs incurred by each
segment. 15
Three Months Ended
2007
2006 (U.S. Dollars in thousands) Financial guarantee insurance segment: Gross premiums written
$
89,495
$
70,780 Ceded premiums
(20,233
)
(7,592
) Net premiums written
69,262
63,188 Change in net deferred premium revenue
(29,901
)
(32,844
) Net premiums earned
39,361
30,344 Fee and other income
1,260 Total underwriting revenues
39,361
31,604 Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(1,218
)
2,536 Acquisition costs, net
2,611
1,284 Operating expenses
16,550
15,437 Total underwriting expenses
17,943
19,257 Financial guarantee insurance underwriting profit
21,418
12,347 Financial guarantee reinsurance segment: Reinsurance premiums assumed
15,463
11,403 Change in net deferred premium revenue
(8,445
)
(3,934
) Net premiums earned and total underwriting revenues
7,018
7,469 Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
417
913 Acquisition costs, net
1,359
1,398 Operating expenses
3,702
1,658 Total underwriting expenses
5,478
3,969 Financial guarantee reinsurance underwriting profit
1,540
3,500 Total segment underwriting profit
22,958
15,847 Corporate and other: Net investment income
26,125
15,062 Net realized gains (losses) on investments
112
(5,683
) Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
(6,929
)
(3,850
) Subtotal
42,266
21,376 Corporate operating expenses
3,818
Income before income tax and minority interest
38,448
21,376 Income tax expense
79
15 Income before minority interest
38,369
21,361 Minority interest dividends on redeemable preferred shares
1,114
4,612 Net income
$
37,255
$
16,749 16
March 31,
9. Liability for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses The Companys liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses consists of case basis reserves and unallocated reserves. Activity in the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses is
summarized as follows:
Three Months Ended
Year Ended
Case
Unallocated
Case
Unallocated (U.S. dollars in thousands) Gross unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of year
$
85,351
$
93,166
$
69,382
$
77,986 Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
(70,842
)
(17,774
)
(52,316
)
(16,901
) Net unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at beginning of year
14,509
75,392
17,066
61,085 Increase (decrease) in net losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred in respect of losses occurring in: Current year
2,700
14,307 Prior years
(3,501
)
651
Cancellation of contract assumed from affiliate
(1,177
)
Less net losses and loss adjustment expenses paid
(380
)
(2,031
)
Net unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period
10,628
78,092
14,509
75,392 Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable
70,000
17,206
70,842
17,774 Gross unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses at end of period
$
80,628
$
95,298
$
85,351
$
93,166 Set forth below is a discussion of certain case basis reserves established by the Company. The Company has been indemnified with respect to loss development relating to the insurance
transactions described under (a) and (b) below by subsidiaries of XL Capital in connection with SCAs IPO. As a result of such indemnifications, all adverse loss development on such insurance
transactions subsequent to the effective date of the IPO, which is in excess of the Companys carried reserves for such transactions at the date of the IPO, will be absorbed by the aforementioned
affiliates of XL Capital. Such protection does not relieve the Company of its obligations under the aforementioned insurance transactions. Accordingly, the Company is still liable under the insurance
transactions in the event that the affiliates of XL Capital do not meet their obligations under the indemnifications. For further information with respect to the indemnifications see Note 6.
(a)
As of March 31, 2007, the Company carried a gross case basis reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses of approximately $74.6 million ($8.7 million after reinsurance to XLI and XL
RE AM) relating to an insured project financing. There was no change in the reserve from December 31, 2006. The total remaining par insured by the Company in connection with this
transaction (net of applicable carried case reserves), which amortizes over the next 12 years, aggregated approximately $215.8 million as of March 31, 2007. The estimate of loss was based on
assumptions and estimates extending over many years into the future. There is currently no payment default with respect to this transaction. Management continues to monitor the exposure
and will revise its loss estimate if necessary, as new information becomes available. (b) As of December 31, 2006, the Company carried a liability of $5.0 million relating to a dispute in regard to certain exposures associated with notes which were insured by the Company and
collateralized by loans to medical providers. Because the Companys liability in regard to this 17
March 31, 2007
December 31, 2006
Reserves
Reserves
Reserves
Reserves
dispute was fully indemnified by XLA pursuant to the indemnification discussed above and in Note 6, the Company also carried a recoverable from XLA for $5.0 million as of December 31,
2006. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company reduced the liability and corresponding recoverable from XLA by $1.1 million to reflect an agreement in principal among
the parties to settle the dispute in exchange for a payment by the Company of $3.9 million. (c) As of December 31, 2006, the Company carried a case basis reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses of $3.3 million (none of which was reinsured) representing the present value of the
loss expected to be incurred in the future with respect to an insured residential mortgage securitization. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the insured obligation was retired as a
result of the exercise of a clean-up call by the sponsor of the securitization thereby eliminating the Companys exposure without loss. Accordingly, the Company recorded a reduction in its
provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 of $3.3 million resulting from the elimination of the aforementioned reserve. The financing vehicles through which the insured exposures referred to above were issued are variable interest entities, as defined under FASB Interpretation 46/46R, Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities; however, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of such entities. If the transactions are restructured or if the Company exercises its contractual rights under such transactions
in the event of a default, the primary beneficiary in such transactions may have to be reconsidered. If such events occur, the Company may be required to consolidate the financing vehicles. 10. Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the dilutive effect of stock option and
restricted stock awards outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding including the dilutive effect of
stock option and restricted stock awards outstanding. 18
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
Three Months Ended
2007
2006 (U.S. Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) Net income
$
37,255
$
16,749 Basic shares(1)
64,136
46,127 Common stock equivalents
207
Diluted shares(1)
64,343
46,127 Net income: Basic EPS
$
0.58
$
0.36 Diluted EPS
$
0.58
$
0.36
(1)
Per share amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are based on 46,127,245 shares outstanding. In July 2006, immediately prior to the IPO, a stock split of the Companys outstanding common shares was effected. The accompanying
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and share amounts have been retroactively adjusted for the effects of such stock split.
11. Exposures Under Guarantees The Company provides financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance to support public and private borrowing arrangements. Financial guarantee insurance guarantees the timely payment of
principal and interest on insured obligations to third party holders of such obligations in the event of default by an issuer. The Companys potential liability in the event of non-payment by the issuer
of an insured or reinsured obligation represents the aggregate outstanding principal insured or reinsured under its policies and contracts and related interest payable at the date of default. In addition,
the Company provides credit protection on specific referenced credits or on pools of specific referenced credits through the issuance of credit default swaps. Under the terms of credit default swaps,
the seller of credit protection makes a specified payment to the buyer of credit protection upon the occurrence of one or more specified credit events with respect to a reference obligation or entity.
The Companys potential liability under credit default swaps represents the notional amount of such swaps. As of March 31, 2007, the Companys net outstanding par exposure under its in-force financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance policies and contracts aggregated to $127.7 billion and net
reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to such exposures was $74.6 million at such date. In addition, as of March 31, 2007, the Companys notional exposure under credit default
swaps aggregated to $32.5 billion and the net liability for these credit default swaps and other derivatives reflected in the Companys balance sheet as of March 31, 2007 was $15.6 million. 12. Stock-Based and Long-Term Compensation Plans Prior to the IPO, certain employees of the Company participated under XL Capitals stock-based and long-term compensation plans and expense relating thereto was reflected in the Companys
results of operations. Subsequent to the IPO, SCA adopted its own stock-based and long-term incentive plan and certain awards to employees of the Company under XL Capitals stock-based
compensation and long-term incentive plans were converted to SCAs plans. Expense relating to awards to employees of the Company under XL Capital plans that were not so converted and remain
outstanding continues to be recognized in the Companys financial statements. Set forth below is certain information in regard to stock option and restricted stock awards made under SCAs stock-based and long-term incentive plan, as well as certain information in regard
to awards 19
March 31,
to SCA employees that remain outstanding under XL Capitals stock-based compensation and long-term incentive plans. SCA Stock-Based Compensation Plans The following is a summary of stock option awards as of March 31, 2007, and related activity for the three month period then ended:
Number of
Weighted
Weighted
Aggregate Outstanding December 31, 2006
647,963
$
20.50
3.6 years
$
5,008,754 Granted
229,825
$
30.00
3.0 years
31,555 Exercised
Cancelled
Outstanding March 31, 2007
877,788
$
22.99
3.4 years
$
5,040,309 The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Companys closing stock price on March 31, 2007 and the exercise price,
multiplied by the number of in-the-money-options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2007. Total unrecognized stock
based compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $5.3 million as of March 31, 2007, related to 877,788 options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-
average period of 3.4 years. The following is a summary of restricted stock awards as of March 31, 2007, and related activity for the three month period then ended:
Number of
Weighted
Weighted
Remaining Outstanding December 31, 2006
497,928
$
20.50
4.25 years
$
8,793,505 Granted
674,275
$
29.54
4.00 years
19,413,900 Exercised
Cancelled
(5,513
)
Outstanding March 31, 2007
1,166,690
$
25,82
4.1 years
$
28,207,405 Awards of restricted stock had a weighted average grant date fair value of $25.82. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, SCA recognized approximately $1.0 million of compensation
expense related to its restricted stock awards. There were 5,513 shares of restricted stock forfeited and no shares vested during the three months ended March 31, 2007. Total unrecognized stock based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock was approximately $28.2 million at March 31, 2007, which is expected to be recognized over a
weighted-average period of 4.1 years. 20
Shares
Average
Exercise
Price
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
Intrinsic
Value
Shares
Average
Grant
Price
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
Unrecognized
Compensation
Expense
At March 31,
2007
SCA Long-Term Compensation Plans a. Deferred Cash Awards Effective August 4, 2006, all outstanding and unvested awards to employees of the Company under XL Capital plans, known as deferred cash awards, were involuntarily converted to awards
under SCAs plan. All the terms, conditions and values of the awards made under SCAs plan pursuant to such conversion were structured to mirror the terms of the awards made under XL Capitals
plan. The Awards vest as set forth in the applicable Award agreements, and the requisite service period is equivalent to the vesting period. The Awards contain certain restrictions, prior to vesting,
relating to, among other things, forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $1.3 million of compensation expense related to deferred cash awards. Also, during the three months
ended March 31, 2007, the Company granted deferred cash awards of approximately $1.0 million. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested deferred cash awards was
approximately $13.4 million as of March 31, 2007. The non-vested unrecognized compensation expense relating to the deferred cash awards are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average
period of 2.3 years. b. Long Term Incentive Plan Awards In connection with the IPO, XL Capital and the Company offered eligible employees of the Company the opportunity to exchange all of their outstanding unvested restricted Class A Ordinary
Shares of XL Capital and options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares of XL Capital, which were awarded to such employees under XL Capital Plans prior to the IPO, for a long term incentive
plan award (the LTIP Award) from SCA to be granted under SCAs Plan (the Exchange Offer). An LTIP Award is the right to receive a cash payment, or base amount, from SCA of no less than 75% of the target amount indicated in each offerees award letter. Such target amount
will be adjusted higher or lower (but in no event lower than the base amount) based on the performance of SCA pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Award. The Awards vest as set
forth in the applicable Award agreements, and the requisite service period is equivalent to the vesting period. The Awards contain certain restrictions, prior to vesting, relating to, among other things,
forfeiture in the event of termination of employment and transferability. The aggregate target amount of LTIP Awards outstanding at March 31, 2007 was $13.0 million. There were no cancellations, forfeitures, or new issuances of such awards during the three months
ended March 31, 2007. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recognized $1.6 of compensation expense relating to such awards. Total unrecognized compensation expense
related to non-vested LTIP Awards based on managements best estimate of the ultimate payout or value of such awards was approximately $11.4 million as of March 31, 2007. The non-vested
unrecognized compensation expense relating to LTIP Awards are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years. Refer to Note 6 for information regarding outstanding unvested restricted Class A Ordinary Shares of XL Capital and options to purchase Class A Ordinary Shares of XL Capital that were not
exchanged under the Exchange Offer and remain outstanding under XL Capital plans. 13. Other Matters On March 29, 2007, SCA priced a $250 million private placement of the Companys Fixed/Floating Series A Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (the SCA Series A Preference
Shares), which have a liquidation preference of $1,000 per preference share. Settlement of the transaction occurred on 21
April 5, 2007 and, as such, the SCA Series A Preference Shares are not reflected in these financial statements. Gross proceeds from the offering were $250.0 million, estimated offering costs are $3.4
million, and net proceeds are estimated to be $246.6 million. The SCA Series A Preference Shares are perpetual securities with no fixed maturity date and, if declared by the Board of SCA, will pay
a fixed dividend rate of 6.88% until September 30, 2017. After such date, the Series A Preference Shares, if declared by the Board of SCA, will pay dividends at a floating rate based on three-month
LIBOR plus 2.715%. Dividends on the SCA Series A Preference Shares are non-cumulative. In connection with the sale of the SCA Series A Preference Shares, the Company entered into a Replacement Capital Covenant (the Replacement Capital Covenant), whereby the Company
agreed for the benefit of holders of one or more designated series of its long-term debt securities that the Company may issue in the future that (i) the Company will not redeem, exchange or
purchase the SCA Series A Preference Shares and (ii) none of the Companys subsidiaries will purchase or exchange the SCA Series A Preference Shares, except, subject to certain limitations, to the
extent that the applicable redemption, exchange or purchase price does not exceed a specified amount of cash proceeds from the sale of certain specified qualifying replacement capital securities
raised during the period commencing on the 180th calendar day prior to the date of notice of the redemption or the date of purchase. The Company has made no decision as to whether, or when,
the Company would issue debt securities that would have the benefit of that covenant. While such provisions are in effect, there could be circumstances where the Company would wish to redeem,
exchange or purchase some or all of the SCA Series A Preference Shares but be restricted from doing so. The Replacement Capital Covenant may be terminated if (i) holders of at least a majority
by principal amount of the then-effective series of covered debt consent or agree in writing to terminate the Replacement Capital Covenant, (ii) the Company no longer has outstanding any
indebtedness that qualifies as covered debt or (iii) the Company no longer has any outstanding SCA Series A Preference Shares. In addition, if not earlier terminated, the Replacement Capital
Covenant will terminate on September 30, 2047; provided, however, that the September 30, 2047 termination date may be extended at the Companys option. On March 30, 2007, XLFA paid an extraordinary dividend of $15.0 million on its Series A Redeemable Preferred Shares, and reduced the stated value of the remaining outstanding Series A
Redeemable Preferred Shares by a corresponding amount. There was no change in the voting interest of the holders of the Series A Redeemable Preferred shares as a result of the extraordinary
dividend and reduction in the stated value of the Series A Redeemable Preferred Shares. 22
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below. See also, Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
below for a list of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Overview General We are a Bermuda-domiciled holding company whose operating subsidiaries provide credit enhancement and protection products to the public finance and structured finance markets throughout
the United States and internationally. We provide credit enhancement and protection through the issuance of financial guarantee insurance policies and credit default swaps, as well as the reinsurance of financial guarantee insurance
and credit default products written by other insurers. Financial guarantee insurance provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee to the holder of a debt obligation of full and timely payment
of principal and interest. In the event of a default under the obligation, the insurer has recourse against the issuer and/or any related collateral (which is more common in the case of insured asset-
backed obligations or other non-municipal debt) for amounts paid under the terms of the policy. Credit default swaps are derivative contracts that offer credit protection relating to a particular
security or pools of specified securities. Under the terms of a credit default swap, the seller of credit protection makes a specified payment to the buyer of credit protection upon the occurrence of
one or more specified credit events with respect to a referenced security. Our financial guarantee reinsurance provides a means by which financial guarantee insurance companies can manage and
mitigate risks in their in-force business and/or increase their capacity to write such business. Initial Public Offering On August 4, 2006, we completed the sale of 18,009,119 of our common shares through an initial public offering (the IPO) at $20.50 per share for aggregate consideration of $369.2 million.
Underwriting expenses were $22.2 million and other issuance costs were $5.7 million resulting in net proceeds of approximately $341.3 million. In addition, XL Capital sold 4,438,609 of its common
share holdings in SCA directly to the public in a secondary offering concurrent with our IPO and another 992,165 common shares of SCA pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters over-allotment
option. As a result, after the IPO, the aforementioned secondary offering, the exercise of the underwriters over-allotment option, and restricted share awards to management of SCA, XL Capitals
ownership of SCAs outstanding common shares represents approximately a 63 percent economic interest in SCA. As a result of limitations on XL Capitals voting power contained in our Bye-laws,
the votes conferred by the common shares owned by XL Capital will not exceed, with respect to elections of directors, 50.1% of the aggregate voting power of all common shares entitled to vote
generally at any election of directors or, with respect to any other matter presented to our shareholders for their action or consideration, 47.5% of the aggregate voting power of all common shares
entitled to vote on such matter. If, however, the rating agencies would permit XL Capitals voting rights to be commensurate with its economic interest in SCA, without adversely affecting the ratings
of SCA or its operating subsidiaries, XL Capitals voting power would automatically increase and consequently the voting power of all other shareholders in the aggregate would correspondingly
decrease, thereby eliminating preferential voting rights of all SCAs other shareholders. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for further details regarding the use of proceeds. 23
Offering of Fixed/Floating Series A Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares On March 29, 2007, SCA priced a $250 million private placement of the Companys Fixed/Floating Series A Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (the SCA Series A Preference
Shares"), which have a liquidation preference of $1,000 per preference share. Settlement of the transaction occurred on April 5, 2007 and, as such, the SCA Series A Preference Shares are not
reflected in the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein. Gross proceeds from the offering were $250.0 million, estimated offering costs are $3.4 million, and net
proceeds are estimated to be $246.6 million. The SCA Series A Preference Shares are perpetual securities with no fixed maturity date and, if declared by the Board of SCA, will pay a fixed dividend
rate of 6.88% until September 30, 2017. After such date, the Series A Preference Shares, if declared by the Board of SCA, will pay dividends at a floating rate based on three-month LIBOR plus
2.715%. Dividends on the SCA Series A Preference Shares are non-cumulative. See Liquidity and Capital ResourcesCapital Resources. Key Factors Affecting Profitability We believe that the financial guarantee business is significantly affected by economic cycles. For example, a robust economy featuring a good or improving credit environment is beneficial to the
in-force portfolios of financial guarantee insurers and reinsurers. Historically, however, when such conditions have existed for an extended period, credit spreads tend to narrow and pricing and
demand for financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance tend to decline. A deteriorating economic and credit environment, in contrast, is typically marked by widening credit spreads and increasing
pricing for financial guarantee products. However, a prolonged period of weak or declining economic activity could stress in-force financial guarantee insured portfolios and result in claims or could
adversely impact capital adequacy due to deterioration in the credit quality of in-force insured portfolios. During the past several years, economic conditions and the credit environment have been
strong and, as a result, credit spreads have generally narrowed and new aggregate business production of primary insurers has generally slowed. We derive our revenues principally from: (i) premiums from our insurance and reinsurance businesses, (ii) net investment income and net realized gains and losses from our investment portfolio
supporting these businesses and (iii) realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments. Our premiums are a function of the amount of par or notional amount of debt obligations that we guarantee, market prices and the type of debt obligation guaranteed. We receive premiums
either on an upfront basis when the policy is issued or the contract is executed or on an installment basis over the life of the applicable transaction. Premiums are accounted for as written when due; therefore when we enter into policies that provide for upfront premium, all of the premium on the policy is accounted for as written generally
when the policy commences. The portion of the upfront premium that has been written but has not yet been earned is carried on our balance sheet as deferred premium revenue. When we enter into
policies that provide for installment premium, only that installment of the premium that is then due (generally the current monthly, quarterly or semiannual installment) is accounted for as written.
Future premium installments during the remainder of the life of the installment-based policy are not reflected on our financial statements. Therefore, the amount of total premiums written that we
report for any period will be affected by the mix of policies that we wrote in that period on an upfront and, in that period and prior periods, on an installment basis. Generally, a financial
guarantee insurance company with a growing in-force book of business should recognize an increasing amount of net earned premium from policies written in prior reporting periods, whether
premiums are received on an upfront or installment basis. Future installments of premium on business written in a period are sometimes reported by financial guarantors as a component of adjusted
gross premiums, a non-GAAP financial measure, which is discussed in more detail below. The amount of installment premiums actually realized by us in the future (and that would be otherwise
reflected in revenue) could be reduced due to factors such as early termination of insurance contracts or accelerated prepayments of underlying obligations. 24
Our investment income is a function of the amount of our invested assets and the yield that we earn on those assets. The investment yield will be a function of market interest rates at the time
of investment, as well as the type, credit quality and duration of our invested assets. In addition, we could realize gains or losses on the sale of securities in our investment portfolio or recognize an
other-than-temporary impairment as a result of changing market conditions, including changes in market interest rates, and changes in the credit quality of our invested assets. Unrealized gains and losses on credit default swaps and insurance policies that we account for as derivative contracts are a function of changes in the estimated fair value of those contracts. We
expect these unrealized gains and losses to fluctuate primarily based on changes in credit spreads and the credit quality of the referenced securities. We generally hold these derivative contracts to
maturity. When we hold a derivative contract to maturity, the cumulative unrealized gains and losses will net to zero if we incur no credit losses on that contract. In certain circumstances, we may
choose to terminate a credit derivative prior to its maturity (for example, upon a deterioration in underlying credit quality). Our expenses primarily consist of losses and loss adjustment expenses, acquisition costs, and operating expenses. Acquisition costs are related to the production of new business and are generally
deferred and recognized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Operating expenses consist primarily of costs relating to compensation of our employees, information technology,
office premises and professional fees. Other Measures Used by Management to Evaluate Operating Performance The following are certain financial measures management considers important in evaluating the Companys operating performance: We evaluate our periodic sales performance by reviewing a non-GAAP measure known as adjusted gross premiums. Adjusted gross premiums for any period equals the sum of: (i) upfront
premiums written in such period, (ii) current installment premiums on business written in such period and (iii) expected future installment premiums on contracts written during such period that
remain in force and for which there is a binding obligation on the part of the insured to pay the future installment premiums, discounted at 7%, which we refer to as the present value of future
installment premiums, or PVFIP, on business written during such period. The 7% discount rate was established when our subsidiaries first started reporting adjusted gross premiums based upon a
view at the time that 7% was the appropriate discount for these future premiums and that rate has not been changed in order to preserve comparability among periods. This measure adjusts for the
fact, as described above, that upfront premiums are recorded in full as total premiums written at inception of the contract but future installment premiums are not. PVFIP is not reflected on our
consolidated balance sheet. PVFIP can be negatively affected by prepayments and refundings, early terminations, credit losses or other factors impacting our in-force book of business. The following is a reconciliation of total premiums written to adjusted gross premiums. Total premiums written is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
(U.S dollars in millions)
Three Months Ended
2007
2006 Total upfront premiums written
$
72.9
$
52.4 Total installment premiums written
32.1
29.8 Total premiums written
105.0
82.2 Present value of estimated future installment premiums written and assumed on contracts issued in the current period, discounted at 7%
33.9
28.1 Adjusted gross premiums
$
138.9
$
110.3 25
March 31,
We also measure our performance by excluding from net income: (i) net realized gains (losses) on investments and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments
and (ii) earned premiums from refundings. Management believes that net income adjusted to exclude the aforementioned items provides a better measure of the operating performance of its business,
as such items are largely not subject to management discretion or control. We also view the Companys book value per share as an additional measure of the Companys performance. Book value per share is calculated by dividing shareholders equity by the number of
outstanding common shares (excluding restricted sharessee Note 12 to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements) at any period end. Book value per share is affected primarily by the Companys
net income and also by any changes in the net unrealized gains and losses on its investment portfolio. Book value per share was $21.98 at March 31, 2007, as compared to $21.31 at December 31,
2006. The increase in book value was primarily attributable to net income, as well as a decrease in unrealized losses on our investment portfolio, which was principally attributable to declining interest
rates. The activities of our surveillance department are integral to the identification of specific credits that have experienced deterioration in credit quality and to the assessment of whether losses on
such credits are probable, as well as any estimation of the amount of loss expected to be incurred with respect to such credits. Closely monitored credits are divided into four categories: (i) Special
Monitoring Listinvestment grade credits where a covenant or trigger may be breached or is close to being breached and warrants closer monitoring; (ii) Yellow Flag Listcredits that we determine to
be non-investment grade but a loss or claim is unlikely; (iii) Red Flag Listcredits where we do not expect an ultimate loss but a claim is possible but not probable; and (iv) Loss Listcredits where we
have either paid a loss or expect to suffer a loss and have recorded a case reserve. Out of over 2,500 credits in our in-force portfolio only 15 credits are in one of the four above categories. Credits
that are not closely monitored credits are considered fundamentally sound, normal risk. The following table presents our consolidated in-force financial guarantee net par outstanding at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 by category of closely monitored credit:
(U.S. dollars in millions, except percentages)
As of March 31, 2007
As of December 31, 2006
Net Par
% Net Par
Net Par
% of Net Par Fundamentally sound normal risk
$
127,290
99.7
%
$
117,318
99.4
% Closely monitored credits: Special monitoring
333
0.3
%
558
0.5
% Yellow flag
3
0.0
%
3
0.0
% Red flag
34
0.0
%
37
0.0
% Loss list(1)
12
0.0
%
96
0.1
% Subtotal
382
0.3
%
694
0.6
% Total
$
127,672
100.0
%
$
118,012
100.0
%
(1)
At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the loss list consisted of three and four guarantee contracts, respectively, with remaining net par outstanding of $11.5 million and $95.8 million, respectively, against which net reserves of $10.3 million
and $13.6 million have been established, respectively- see Note 9 to the accompanying Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
26
Outstanding
Outstanding
Outstanding
Outstanding
The following table sets forth our consolidated in-force financial guarantee net par outstanding by S&P rating category as of the dates indicated.
(U.S. dollars in millions, except percentages)
Outstanding
Percent of
Outstanding as of
Percent of S&P Rating Category(1): AAA
$
42,857
33.6
%
$
34,559
29.3
% AA
17,505
13.7
%
17,846
15.1
% A
33,879
26.5
%
35,226
29.9
% BBB
32,938
25.8
%
29,889
25.3
% Below investment grade
493
0.4
%
492
0.4
% Total
$
127,672
100.0
%
$
118,012
100.0
%
(1)
If unrated by S&P, an internal assessment of underlying credit quality is used to calculate a rating.
Segments Our businesses are organized and managed in two operating segments: financial guarantee insurance and financial guarantee reinsurance. Our financial guarantee insurance segment offers
financial guarantee insurance policies and credit default swaps. Our financial guarantee reinsurance segment reinsures financial guarantee policies and credit default swaps issued by other monoline
financial guarantee insurance companies. We evaluate the performance of each operating segment based upon underwriting profit or loss before income taxes, nonrecurring items (for example, items
of an unusual or infrequent nature) and inter-segment transactions. Certain costs and operating expenses are allocated to each of the segments based upon: (i) a review of the nature of such costs and
(ii) time studies analyzing the amount of employee compensation costs incurred by each segment. Except for the foregoing allocations, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those
described in the summary of significant accounting policies in our consolidated financial statements presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Executive Overview See certain information with respect to members of our Board of Directors, Executive Officers and Key Employees in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates See information with respect to our critical accounting policies and estimates in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15,
2007. 27
as of March 31,
2007
Total Net Par
Outstanding
December 31,
2006
Total Net Par
Outstanding
Results of Operations Consolidated Results of Operations The following table presents summary consolidated statement of operations data for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
2007
2006 Revenues Gross premiums written
$
89,495
$
70,780 Reinsurance premiums assumed
15,463
11,403 Total premiums written
104,958
82,183 Ceded premiums
(20,233
)
(7,592
) Net premiums written
84,725
74,591 Change in net deferred premium revenue
(38,346
)
(36,778
) Net premiums earned (net of ceded premiums earned of $3,881 and $8,203)
46,379
37,813 Net investment income
26,125
15,062 Net realized gains (losses) on investments
112
(5,683
) Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
(6,929
)
(3,850
) Fee income and other
1,260 Total revenues
65,687
44,602 Expenses Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(801
)
3,449 Acquisition costs, net
3,970
2,682 Operating expenses
24,070
17,095 Total expenses
27,239
23,226 Income before income tax and minority interest
38,448
21,376 Income tax expense
79
15 Income before minority interest
38,369
21,361 Minority interestdividends on redeemable preferred shares
1,114
4,612 Net income
$
37,255
$
16,749 28
Three Months Ended
March 31,
Segment Results of Operations The following table presents summary statement of operations data for our operating segments for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
2007
2006 Financial guarantee insurance segment: Gross premiums written
$
89,495
$
70,780 Ceded premiums
(20,233
)
(7,592
) Net premiums written
69,262
63,188 Change in net deferred premium revenue
(29,901
)
(32,844
) Net premiums earned
39,361
30,344 Fee and other income
1,260 Total underwriting revenues
39,361
31,604 Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(1,218
)
2,536 Acquisition costs, net
2,611
1,284 Operating expenses
16,550
15,437 Total underwriting expenses
17,943
19,257 Financial guarantee insurance underwriting profit
21,418
12,347 Financial guarantee reinsurance segment: Reinsurance premiums assumed
15,463
11,403 Change in net deferred premium revenue
(8,445
)
(3,934
) Net premiums earned and total underwriting revenues
7,018
7,469 Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
417
913 Acquisition costs, net
1,359
1,398 Operating expenses
3,702
1,658 Total underwriting expenses
5,478
3,969 Financial guarantee reinsurance underwriting profit
1,540
3,500 Total segment underwriting profit
22,958
15,847 Corporate and other: Net investment income
26,125
15,062 Net realized gains (losses) on investments
112
(5,683
) Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments
(6,929
)
(3,850
) Subtotal
42,266
21,376 Corporate operating expenses
3,818
Income before income tax and minority interest
38,448
21,376 Income tax expense
79
15 Income before minority interest
38,369
21,361 Minority interestdividends on redeemable preferred shares
1,114
4,612 Net income
$
37,255
$
16,749 Discussion of Consolidated and Segment Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 Summary Discussion Comparison of three months ended March 31, 2007 to three months ended March 31, 2006. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $37.3 million, an increase of $20.6 million
over 29
Three Months Ended
March 31,
the same period in 2006. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 included $0.1 million of net realized gains on investments, as compared to net realized losses of approximately $5.7
million recorded in the same period in 2006. In addition, also included in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was approximately $6.9 million of net realized and unrealized losses
on derivative financial instruments, as compared to net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments of $3.9 million recorded in the comparable period in 2006. The increase in our net income of $20.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in 2006, was primarily driven by: (i) significant growth in net
premiums earned of $8.6 million, which was largely due to the growth of our insured in force business and the commutation, at the effective date of our IPO, of certain business previously reinsured
to an affiliate of XL Capital, (ii) an increase in investment income of $11.0 million reflecting an increase in average invested assets and slightly higher yields on new money investments, (iii) net
realized gains on investments of $0.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to net realized losses of $5.7 million during comparable period in 2006, of which $5.0 million
related to an impairment charge on investments acquired in satisfaction of a claim, (iv) lower net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $4.3 million, which primarily resulted from favorable
development of case basis reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses in our insurance segment aggregating $4.0 million, and (v) lower dividends on our redeemable preferred shares of $3.5
million, which resulted from an amendment to the terms of such securities in April 2006, offset in part by (i) higher net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments of $3.0 million due
primarily to widening credit spreads, as well as higher mark to market losses on insured interest rate swaps due to an increase in the number of such contracts and related aggregate notional amounts
and a slight period over period decrease in long-term interest rates, (ii) higher net acquisition costs of $1.3 million primarily reflecting higher premium taxes and the effect of the aforementioned
commutation and the transfer of certain other business to us from an affiliate of XL Capital at the effective date of our IPO, and (iii) an increase in operating expenses of $7.0 million, which resulted
primarily from increased compensation related to a net increase in our employee
population, certain expenses associated with SCA being a standalone public
company, which prior to the IPO we did not incur, as well as higher legal fees
associated with an increase in our credit default swap business. Set forth below is additional information with respect to certain of the items discussed above. Net premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2007 included $1.3 million of earnings from the early retirement of certain guaranteed obligations (e.g., refundings of insured
obligations) ($1.0 million, net of accelerated amortization of deferred acquisition costs related to the earnings from such refundings), as compared to $2.0 million during the comparable period in 2006.
Our business production as measured by Adjusted Gross Premiums (which includes upfront premiums written in the period, current installment premiums due on business written in the period and
expected future installment premiums on business written during the period discounted at 7%) totaled $138.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, a 25.9% increase over $110.3 million
for the comparable period in 2006. The yield on our investment portfolio during the three months ended March 31, 2007 was approximately 4.8%, as compared to 4.2% the same period in 2006. Average invested assets were $2.2
billion during the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to $1.4 billion in the same period in 2006. The increase in average invested assets resulted primarily from the proceeds from our
IPO of $344.2 million, cash capital contributions from XL Capital at the effective date of our IPO of $15.0 million, cash received in connection with the commutation and reinsurance agreement
referred to above of approximately $22.1 million, and operating cash flows. See Investments for information regarding the credit quality of our debt securities. The favorable case basis development referred to above related primarily to an obligation we guaranteed that was supported by sub-prime mortgage loans. During March of 2007, the sponsor of
this securitization exercised a clean-up call and, accordingly, accelerated, fully paid and defeased the exposure. 30
As a result, we released our reserve of $3.3 million on this obligation which had previously reflected our best estimate of the excess of the remaining insured principal exposure over the net present
value of cash flows expected to be generated by the underlying sub-prime mortgage collateralSee Note 9 (c) to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements elsewhere herein for details. The decrease in dividends on the redeemable preferred shares of XLFA during the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the comparable period in 2006 was due to an amendment
of the terms of the preferred shares pursuant to an agreement with the holders of such securities in April 2006. In accordance with the agreement: (i) the participating dividend and redemption
provisions of the preferred shares, which were in effect prior to 2006, were eliminated, (ii) the stated value of the redeemable preferred shares held by FSAH was increased to $54.0 million, and (iii)
the fixed dividend rate, which was in effect prior to 2006, was changed to a fixed rate of 8 1/4%. On March 30, 2007, XLFA paid an extraordinary dividend of $15.0 million on its Series A Redeemable Preferred Shares, and reduced the stated value of the remaining outstanding Series A
Redeemable Preferred Shares by a corresponding amount. There was no change in the voting interest of the holders of the Series A Redeemable Preferred shares as a result of the extraordinary
dividend and reduction in the stated value of the Series A Redeemable Preferred Shares. As a result of the reduction in stated value, dividends on the redeemable preferred shares will be $0.8
million quarterly subsequent to March 31, 2007. See Liquidity and Capital ResourcesXLFA Preferred Share Dividend Requirements. Detailed Discussion by Financial Statement Line Item Gross Premiums Written All our gross premiums written are from our financial guarantee insurance segment. Gross premiums written during the period include: (i) premiums received upfront on policies or contracts
written during the period, (ii) installment premiums due during the period on in-force policies or contracts that were written prior to the period, and (iii) installment premiums due during the period
on policies and contracts written during the period. Gross premiums written during the period do not include installment premiums due in future periods. Accordingly, our premiums written during
any period are a function of the type and volume of contracts we write (upfront versus installment), as well as prevailing market prices. Factors affecting market prices include credit spreads, interest
rates, competition and new issuance. Generally, financial guarantee insurers are able to charge higher premiums when credit spreads widen. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the
amount of gross premiums written attributable to upfront and installment policies and contracts:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2007
2006 Gross premiums written Upfront policies/contracts
$
60,268
$
46,003 Installment policies/contracts
29,227
24,777 Total
$
89,495
$
70,780 The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the amount of gross premiums written by line of business:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2007
2006 Gross premiums written Public finance
$
32,137
$
32,796 Structured finance
21,584
14,013 International finance
35,774
23,971 Total
$
89,495
$
70,780 31
Gross premiums written were $89.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $18.7 million or 26.4%, as compared to $70.8 million recorded in the comparable period in
2006. The increase was due to the quarter over quarter increase in the amount and relative mix of upfront, as compared to installment, priced transactions and the impact of the growth of our in-
force book of installment premiums. The increase in upfront business was primarily attributable to an increase in international finance gross premiums, which was driven primarily by the strength in
the global utility and infrastructure sectors. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in public finance gross premiums written, reflecting competitive market conditions. The increase in
installment premium business primarily reflects growth in our CDO and consumer ABS lines of businesses. Reinsurance Premiums Assumed All our reinsurance premiums assumed are from our financial guarantee reinsurance segment. The majority of our financial guarantee reinsurance business is assumed from affiliates of FSA. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the amount of reinsurance premiums assumed from affiliates of FSA and other third-party primary companies:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2007
2006 Reinsurance premiums assumed Affiliates of FSA
$
13,825
$
8,736 XLI
661 Third-party companies
1,638
2,006 Total
$
15,463
$
11,403 The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the amount of reinsurance premiums assumed attributable to upfront and installment policies and contracts:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2007
2006 Reinsurance premiums assumed Upfront policies/contracts
$
12,591
$
6,347 Installment policies/contracts
2,872
5,056 Total
$
15,463
$
11,403 The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the amount of gross reinsurance premiums assumed by line of business:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2007
2006 Reinsurance premiums assumed Public finance
$
538
$
1,468 Structured finance
2,251
3,722 International finance
12,674
6,213 Total
$
15,463
$
11,403 Reinsurance premiums assumed were $15.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $4.1 million or 36.0%, as compared to $11.4 million recorded in the comparable
period in 2006. The increase was primarily due to a $6.5 million increase in international finance assumed premiums, partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in structured finance assumed premiums
and a 32
$1.0 million decrease in public finance assumed premiums. The increase in international finance was primarily due to a few large upfront transactions during the current quarter in the utilities sector.
The decrease in structured finance assumed premiums was due to a general decline in volume in this sector. The amount of reinsurance ceded to us depends upon the type and amount of insurance
written by primary companies, their capital needs and other factors. Such reinsurance is generally structured on a facultative basis. Ceded Premiums We manage our in-force business based on single-risk limits to avoid concentration in single names and to mitigate event risk. For transactions that exceed these limits, we cede the excess to
XLI, XL RE AM, or third-party reinsurers. Through these cessions, we gain greater flexibility to manage large single risks and reduce concentration in specific bond sectors and geographic regions.
Part of our long-term strategy is to reduce reinsurance to XLI and XL RE AM, and increase our third-party reinsurance relationships. To the extent that we cede a portion of our exposure to one or
more reinsurance companies, we can reduce our concentration to particular issuers and help to control the diversification of our in-force business. In addition, use of reinsurance can increase our
capacity to write new business and strengthen our financial ratios. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the amount of premiums ceded to XLI, XL RE AM and other third-party reinsurers:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months
Ended March 31,
2007
2006 Ceded premiums XLI
$
605
$
5,698 XL RE AM
3,149
378 Other third-party reinsurers
16,479
1,516 Total
$
20,233
$
7,592 All our ceded premiums are from our financial guaranty insurance segment. Ceded premiums were $20.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $12.6 million, as
compared to $7.6 million recorded in the comparable prior year period. The primary use of reinsurance is to meet the single risk limits established by regulatory bodies. The increase in ceded
premiums is due to the issuance of guarantees that exceeded such limits, thus, requiring reinsurance to reduce the companys exposure. The increase in premiums ceded to other third-party reinsurers
during the three months ended March 31, 2007 was primarily due to the placement of reinsurance relating to a large structured finance transaction written at the end of 2006, as well as our reduced
reliance on reinsurance capacity from affiliates of XL Capital. Net Premiums Earned Financial guarantee upfront premiums are earned in proportion to the expiration of the related risk and financial guarantee installment premiums are earned ratably over the installment period,
generally one to three months. In addition, when an insured issue is retired early, is called by the issuer or is in substance paid in advance through a refunding accomplished by placing U.S.
Government securities in escrow, the remaining deferred premium revenue is earned at that time. While reinsurance premiums assumed are earned based on reports from the reinsured companies, we
believe that the underlying reinsured companies generally follow the revenue recognition policies and practices discussed above. 33
The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the amount of earned premiums attributable to upfront and installment policies:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2007
2006 Net premiums earned Upfront policies/contracts
$
16,893
$
12,047 Installment policies/contracts
29,486
25,766 Total
$
46,379
$
37,813 Net premiums earned were $46.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $8.6 million or 22.8%, as compared to $37.8 million in the comparable period in 2006. The
increase in earned premiums was primarily attributable to higher earned premiums in the financial guarantee insurance segment of $9.1 million, offset by lower earned premiums in the financial
guarantee reinsurance segment of $0.5 million. Higher earned premiums in the financial guarantee insurance segment principally consisted of: (i) $4.5 million of earned premiums relating to growth in
our in force business and (ii) $4.3 million from the commutation, effective at the date of our IPO, of certain business previously ceded to an affiliate of XL Capital. Net Investment Income Net investment income was $26.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $11.0 million or 72.8% as compared to $15.1 million in the comparable period in 2006. The
increase in net investment income was due primarily to higher average invested assets and higher new money yields. The increase in our average invested assets quarter over quarter was primarily
attributable to operating cash flows since the comparable period in 2006 and the net proceeds from our IPO, as well as cash capital contributions from XL Capital and the transfer of certain business
to us from affiliates of XL Capital in connection with our IPO. The following tables present net investment income, average invested assets, and the effective yield on our average invested assets for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, and the
average duration of our invested assets as of March 31, 2007 and 2006:
(U.S dollars in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months
2007
2006 Net investment income
$
26,125
$
15,062 Average invested assets(1)
$
2,198,334
$
1,442,082 Effective yield(2)
4.8
%
4.2
%
(1)
Represents the quarterly average of the amortized cost of debt securities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents for the respective periods. (2) Effective yield represents net investment income, on an annualized basis, as a percentage of average invested assets during the period. The increase in the effective yield was due to the turnover in our investment portfolios capturing the trend of
rising interest rates.
As of March 31,
2007
2006 Average duration in years
2.9
3.4 Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments Net realized gains on investments were $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared to a net realized loss of $5.7 million in the comparable period in 2006. During the
three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company recognized a $5.0 million impairment charge on certain investments acquired in satisfaction of a claim. 34
Ended March 31,
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Financial Instruments Changes in the fair value of credit default swaps attributable to earnings from premiums received by us from the issuance of such contracts are recorded in net premiums earned in the
consolidated statement of operations. In addition, changes in the fair value of credit default swaps attributable to losses from actual and expected payments to counterparties under such contracts are
recorded in losses and loss adjustment expense in the consolidated statement of operations, and the remaining components of the change in fair value of credit default swaps, which are attributable to
changes in interest rates, credit spreads, credit quality, expected recovery rates and other market factors, are recorded in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments. Net realized and unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments were $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $3.0 million, as compared to losses of $3.9
million in the comparable period in 2006. The increase is primarily attributable to higher net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments of $3.1 million due primarily to widening credit
spreads, as well as higher mark to market losses on insured interest rate swaps due to an increase in the number of such contracts and related aggregate notional amounts, as well as a slight decrease
in long-term interest rates during the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to a slight increase in long-term interest rates during the comparable period in 2006. Net Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Net losses and loss adjustment expenses include current year net losses incurred and adverse or favorable development of prior year net loss and loss adjustment expenses reserves. The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the activity in our reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Financial
Financial
Consolidated Beginning balance, January 1, 2007
$
71,574
$
18,327
$
89,901 Case reserve provision
(3,304
)
14
(3,290
) Loss adjustment expense reserve provision
(215
)
4
(211
) Unallocated reserve provision
2,301
399
2,700 Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
(1,218
)
417
(801
) Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses
(380
)
(380
) Ending balance, March 31, 2007
$
69,976
$
18,744
$
88,720 Beginning balance, January 1, 2006
$
60,811
$
17,340
$
78,151 Case reserve provision
492
492 Loss adjustment expense reserve provision
492
492 Unallocated reserve provision
2,044
421
2,465 Net losses and loss adjustment expenses
2,536
913
3,449 Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses
(565
)
(95
)
(660
) Ending balance, March 31, 2006
$
62,782
$
18,158
$
80,940 For the three months ended March 31, 2007, we recorded a net credit of $0.8 million in net losses and loss adjustment expenses, as compared to a net expense of $3.4 million in the comparable
period in 2006. The quarter over quarter decrease of $4.2 million was primarily attributable to lower net losses and loss adjustment expenses in the financial guarantee insurance segment of $3.7
million and lower net losses and loss adjustment expenses in the financial guarantee insurance segment of $0.5 million. Lower net losses and loss adjustment expenses in the financial guarantee insurance segment during the quarter ended March 31, 2007 resulted primarily from favorable development of $3.3
million 35
Guarantee
Insurance
Guarantee
Reinsurance
Total
pertaining to a case basis reserve relating to an insured obligation supported by subprime mortgage loans which was accelerated, fully paid, and defeased during the quarter pursuant to the exercise of
a clean-up call by the sponsor of the securitization in late March of 2007 (See Note 9 (c) to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements elsewhere herein for details) as well as favorable
development associated with certain loss adjustment expense reserves of approximately $0.7 million. Lower net losses and loss adjustment expenses of $0.5 million in the financial guarantee reinsurance segment during the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the same period in
2006, resulted from a case basis provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2006 of $0.5 million, as compared with nominal case reserve activity in the
current quarter. Acquisition Costs, Net The following table presents the components of acquisition costs, net, during the periods indicated:
(U.S dollars in thousands)
Three Months
Ended March 31,
2007
2006 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and ceding commissions Financial Guarantee Insurance: Acquisition costs
$
3,713
$
3,324 Ceding commissions
(1,102
)
(2,040
) Net acquisition costs
2,611
1,284 Financial Guarantee Reinsurance: Acquisition costs
1,359
1,398 Consolidated acquisition costs, net
$
3,970
$
2,682 Capitalized acquisition costs in the financial guarantee insurance segment consist of a portion of compensation, travel and entertainment and marketing costs, as well as premium and excise taxes,
rating agency fees and legal costs associated with the production of new business. Such capitalized acquisition costs are reduced by ceding commission income on premiums ceded to reinsurers. Net acquisition costs in the financial guarantee insurance segment increased $1.3 million, or 100% in the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the comparable period in 2006,
primarily due to a decrease in ceding commission revenue resulting primarily from the commutation, effective at the date of our IPO, relating to certain business which we previously reinsured with
an affiliate of XL Capital. Amortization of indirect and direct acquisition costs in the financial guarantee insurance segment increased slightly quarter over quarter primarily as a result of higher premium taxes. Acquisition costs in the financial guarantee reinsurance segment represent commissions paid to acquire assumed business. Amortization of acquisition costs in the financial guarantee reinsurance
segment during the three months ended March 31, 2007 was consistent relative to assumed earned premium recorded quarter over quarter. Operating Expenses Operating
expenses were $24.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an
increase of $7.0 million or 40.9%, as compared to $17.1 million in the comparable
period in 2006. The increase in operating expenses resulted from higher operating
expenses in both the financial guarantee insurance segment and financial
guarantee reinsurance segment, as well as certain corporate expenses incurred
as a result of SCA being a stand-alone public company since August of 2006.
The increase in operating expenses in both of our segments primarily resulted
from increased compensation related to a net increase in the number of our
employees, certain expenses associated with SCA being a stand- 36
alone public company, which prior to the IPO we did not incur, as well as higher legal fees associated with an increase in our credit default swap business. Income tax expense Income tax expense was $79,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $64,000 as compared to an income tax expense of $15,000 in the comparable period in 2006. Income
tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 includes a reduction in our tax valuation allowance relating to realized losses on investments of approximately $0.5 million to reflect a change
in view as to the character of a temporary difference relating to losses incurred on an investment acquired in satisfaction of claim. Investments The finance and risk oversight committee of our Board of Directors approves our general investment objectives and policies. Independent investment managers manage all of our consolidated
investment portfolios. Our primary investment objective is the preservation of capital, subject to an appropriate degree of liquidity, and a steady stream of investment income. A secondary objective is to optimize long-
term returns. We select our investment managers on the basis of various criteria, including investment style, historical performance, internal controls, operational risk, and the ability to contribute to the
diversification of our portfolio. Because of the structure of our investment portfolio, our earnings are directly affected by changes in the valuations of the securities and investments held in the investment portfolio. These
valuation changes reflect changes in interest rates (for example, changes in the level, slope and curvature of yield curves, volatility of interest rates, mortgage prepayment speeds and credit spreads)
and credit quality. Market risk therefore arises due to the uncertainty surrounding the future valuations of these different assets, the factors that impact their values and the impact that this could
have on our earnings. We seek to manage the risks of our investment portfolio through a combination of asset class, industry and security level diversification. In addition, individual security and issuer exposures are
controlled and monitored at the investment portfolio level via specific investment constraints outlined in our investment guidelines and agreed with the external investment professionals. Additional
constraints are generally agreed upon with the external investment professionals and may address exposures to eligible securities, prohibited investments/transactions, credit quality and concentrations
limits. We also have a policy not to invest in any securities that we guarantee. As of March 31, 2007, our consolidated fixed-income portfolio consisted of debt securities, short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents with a carrying value of $1.7 billion, $0.2 million
and $0.3 million, respectively. Our debt securities are designated as available for sale in accordance with SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities. The fixed-
income portfolio is reported at fair value in accordance with SFAS 115, and the change in fair value is reported as part of accumulated other comprehensive income. Short-term investments consist of
securities with maturities equal to or greater than 90 days but less than one year at time of purchase. The average duration of our investment portfolio was 2.9 years as of March 31, 2007, as compared to 3.1 years as of December 31, 2006. Our fixed-income portfolio is exposed to credit and interest rate risk. As of March 31, 2007, the fair value of our fixed-income portfolio was approximately $1.9 billion, as compared to
approximately $2.0 billion as of December 31, 2006. 37
The table below shows the percentage of our fixed-income portfolio (including cash and cash equivalents) by credit rating as of March 31, 2007:
Credit Rating(1):
Total AAA
80.0% AA
7.9% A
11.8% BBB
0.3% Total
100.0%
(1)
As of March 31, 2007 the average credit quality of our fixed-income portfolio was AA+.
As of March 31, 2007, the top 10 corporate holdings, which exclude government guaranteed and government sponsored enterprises, represented approximately 6.3% of the total fixed-income
portfolio and approximately 43.7% of all corporate holdings. As of March 31, 2007, none of our corporate holdings exceeded 1.0% of our total fixed-income portfolio (including debt securities, short-
term investments, cash and cash equivalents and net payable for investments purchased). Our fixed-income portfolio is exposed to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to changes in interest rates. We manage interest rate risk by setting
duration targets for our investment portfolio, thus mitigating the overall economic effect of interest rate risk. We remain nevertheless exposed to accounting interest rate risk since the assets are
marked-to-market, thus subject to market conditions, while liabilities are accrued at a static rate. The hypothetical case of an immediate 100 basis point adverse parallel shift in global bond curves as
of March 31, 2007 would have decreased the fair value of our fixed-income portfolio by approximately 2.9%, or $64.6 million. The following table summarizes our consolidated investment portfolio as of March 31, 2007:
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
Amortized
As of March 31, 2007
Fair Value
Gross
Gross Debt securities Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
$
1,056,423
$
4,899
$
(9,452
)
$
1,051,870 U.S. Government and government agencies
309,292
941
(5,705
)
304,528 Corporate
319,311
1,291
(4,556
)
316,046 Non-U.S. sovereign government
11,081
122
(148
)
11,055 U.S. states and political subdivisions of the states
374
2
376 Total debt securities
$
1,696,481
$
7,255
$
(19,861
)
$
1,683,875 Short-term investments Total short-term investments
$
219,486
$
1
$
(741
)
$
218,746 The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities and short-term investments available for sale as of March 31, 2007, by contractual maturity, are presented below. Expected
maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. 38
Cost
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
(U.S. dollars in thousands)
As of March 31, 2007
Amortized Cost
Fair Value Due within one year
$
219,486
$
218,746 Due after one through five years
328,886
325,316 Due after five through ten years
268,007
263,496 Due after ten years
43,165
43,193
859,544
850,751 Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
1,056,423
1,051,870 Total
$
1,915,967
$
1,902,621 Liquidity and Capital Resources Liquidity Resources We define liquidity resources to include: our total investments in debt securities, short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents, accrued investment income, the capacity for revolving credit
loans under our Letter of Credit and Liquidity Facility (see Letter of Credit and Liquidity Facility below for details), and with respect to XLFA, our soft capital credit facility (see XLFA Soft
Capital Facility below for details). At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 our total liquidity resources on a consolidated basis were $2.7 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively. Our total consolidated net cash inflows for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were $114.5 million, which consisted of $58.0 million in net cash flow generated by operations and $56.5 of net
cash flows generated from net dispositions of investments. Of these cash flows, $17.4 million was used to pay dividends to holders of our common stock and the redeemable preferred shares of our
subsidiary (see XLFA Redeemable Preferred Shares Extraordinary Dividend below for details). The balance of such cash inflows increased cash and cash equivalents by $97.1 million which are
primarily invested in high quality commercial paper of less than a 90 day maturity. Cash inflows from operations were driven by new business written and investment income. Capital Resources We manage our capital resources to maintain appropriate claims-paying resources to sustain the Triple-A claims-paying ratings of our insurance subsidiaries, while minimizing our cost of capital.
To the extent that the existing capital resources of our operating subsidiaries are insufficient to meet regulatory or rating agency requirements or cover losses, we may need to raise additional funds
through financings or curtail our insurance subsidiaries growth and reduce their insured exposure. In addition, any equity or debt financing, if available, may be on terms that are not favorable to us.
If we cannot obtain adequate capital on favorable terms or at all, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected. On March 29, 2007, SCA priced a $250 million private placement of its Fixed/Floating Series A Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preference Shares (the SCA Series A Preference Shares). Settlement
of the transaction occurred on April 5, 2007 and, as such, the SCA Series A Preference Shares are not reflected in the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein. Gross proceeds from the offering were $250.0 million, estimated offering costs are $3.4 million, and net proceeds are estimated to be $246.6 million. Of the net proceeds, $225.0 million was
contributed to XLFA to support the continuing growth in its business and the balance was retained by SCA for general corporate purposes. The SCA Series A Preference Shares are perpetual
securities with no fixed maturity date and, if declared by the Board of SCA, will pay a fixed dividend rate of 6.88% until September 30, 2017. After such date, the Series A Preference Shares, if
declared by the Board of SCA, will pay dividends at a floating rate based on three-month LIBOR plus 2.715%. Dividends on the SCA Series A Preference Shares are non-cumulative. 39
In connection with the sale of the SCA Series A Preference Shares, we entered into a Replacement Capital Covenant (the Replacement Capital Covenant), whereby we agreed for the benefit
of holders of one or more designated series of our long-term debt securities that we may issue in the future that (i) we will not redeem, exchange or purchase the SCA Series A Preference Shares
and (ii) none of our subsidiaries will purchase or exchange the SCA Series A Preference Shares, except, subject to certain limitations, to the extent that the applicable redemption, exchange or
purchase price does not exceed a specified amount of cash proceeds from the sale of certain specified qualifying replacement capital securities raised during the period commencing on the 180th
calendar day prior to the date of notice of the redemption or the date of purchase. We have made no decision as to whether, or when, we would issue debt securities that would have the benefit of
that covenant. While such provisions are in effect, there could be circumstances where we would wish to redeem, exchange or purchase some or all of the SCA Series A Preference Shares but be
restricted from doing so. The Replacement Capital Covenant may be terminated if (i) holders of at least a majority by principal amount of the then-effective series of covered debt consent or agree
in writing to terminate the Replacement Capital Covenant, (ii) we no longer have outstanding any indebtedness that qualifies as covered debt or (iii) we no longer have any outstanding SCA Series A
Preference Shares. In addition, if not earlier terminated, the Replacement Capital Covenant will terminate on September 30, 2047; provided, however, that the September 30, 2047 termination date
may be extended at our option. SCA Liquidity Our cash flow consists of dividends from our insurance subsidiaries (XLCA and XLFA), if declared and paid, and investment income on assets held by us from the proceeds of our IPO, offset by
expenses incurred for employee compensation and other expenses incurred as a stand-alone public company, including: board of directors fees, directors and officers liability insurance, independent
auditor fees, stock registrar and listing fees, legal fees, and annual report and proxy production and distribution costs. On February 27, 2007, our board of directors declared a dividend of $.02 per
common share, which was paid on March 30, 2007 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2007. In addition, on May 4, 2007 our board of directors declared a dividend of $.02 per common share,
payable on June 29, 2007 to shareholders of record on June 15, 2007. Any future dividends will be subject to the discretion and approval of the Board of Directors. As a holding company, our ability to meet our cash requirements (including any dividends on our common shares or SCA Series A Preference Shares, if and when declared) depends, in part,
upon dividends or advances from our insurance subsidiaries. The payment of dividends or advances from our insurance subsidiaries is subject to regulatory restrictions. In addition, the ability of our
insurance subsidiaries to conduct business depends upon ratings from independent rating agencies and, consequently, they are subject to rating agency imposed restrictions which also may affect their
ability to pay dividends or make advances. As a result of the aforementioned regulatory and rating agency restrictions, there can be no assurance that our insurance subsidiaries will be able to pay
dividends or make advances, or that any dividends or advances paid by our insurance subsidiaries will be sufficient to fund our cash requirements or that we will not be required to seek external debt
or equity financing to meet our operating expenses. In the ordinary course of business, we evaluate our liquidity resource needs in light of our expenses, our dividend policy, and the dividend paying ability of our insurance subsidiaries. Based on
our liquidity resources (see definition above) as of March 31, 2007, which aggregated $272.1 million, the income we expect to receive from such liquidity resources, and the net proceeds we retained
from our offering of SCA Series A Preference Shares (see above), we believe that our holding company will have sufficient liquidity to pay its operating expenses and planned dividends over the next
twelve months. In connection with our IPO, our operating subsidiaries have each agreed that, until the second anniversary of the IPO each will not declare or pay dividends on its common stock other than to
fund certain parent holding company operating expenses and debt service requirements and to fund nominal dividends on our common stock. In addition, New York Insurance law contains a test
governing the 40
amount of dividends that XLCA can pay in any year and, as a result of the application of such test, XLCA cannot currently pay dividends, without notice to, and prior approval from, the New York
Superintendent. As a U.S. company paying dividends to a Bermuda holding company, XLCAs dividends are subject to a 30% withholding tax rate. Operating Subsidiaries Liquidity Liquidity resources at our operating subsidiaries are primarily used to pay their operating expenses, claims, payment obligations with respect to credit derivatives, reinsurance premiums, support in
force business, and pay dividends to us, as well as in the case of XLCA to make investments from time to time in its subsidiary, XLCA-UK. Our operating subsidiaries principal sources of liquidity
resources are their portfolio of liquid assets and their net operating cash flow, as well as, in the case of XLFA, the soft capital facility described under XLFA Soft Capital Facility below. Liquidity
resources can be affected by changes in interest rates and the amount and timing of loss payments as well as the other factors described under Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of OperationsKey Factors Affecting Profitability. We believe that our operating subsidiaries have sufficient liquidity resources to meet their expected obligations for the next 12 monthssee also Capital Resources above. Their liquidity resources
are subject to market conditions, regulation and rating agency requirements and we cannot guarantee that they will have sufficient liquidity resources in the future or that they will not have to seek
alternative sources of liquidity, which may be more expensive than their current liquidity resource options. Cash Flows. Net cash provided by operating activities was $58.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to $45.6 million in the comparable period in 2006. Net cash
provided by operating activities increased by $12.4 million, driven by new business written and investment income. Net cash used in financing activities was $17.4 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Cash outflows from financing activities relate to
dividends paid to holders of the redeemable preferred shares of our subsidiary and, in the current year, holders of our common stock. Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $56.5 million and ($52.1) million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Cash used in investing activities is
primarily a result of investing cash generated from operating activitiessee Liquidity Resources above. Our operating subsidiaries liquid assets include substantial U.S. Treasury holdings, short-term investments and readily marketable debt securities. We believe that the operating subsidiaries
sources of liquidity are adequate to meet their anticipated needs. As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the operating subsidiaries on a consolidated basis had readily marketable debt
securities and short-term investments with a carrying value of $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively. At those dates, approximately 99.9% of our operating subsidiaries consolidated fixed income
portfolio was rated A or higher. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsInvestments for further details. Letter of Credit and Liquidity Facility On August 4, 2006, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into an aggregate $500.0 million, five-year letter of credit and revolving credit facility (the $500.0 million credit facility) with a
syndicate of banks, for which Citibank N.A. is the administrative agent. The letter of credit and liquidity facility provides for letters of credit of up to $250 million and up to $250 million of revolving
credit loans with the aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit and revolving credit loans thereunder not to exceed $500 million. Interest and fees payable under the letter of credit and liquidity facility shall be determined based upon certain spreads over defined benchmarks, principally LIBOR. The commitments under the
letter of 41
credit and liquidity facility will expire on, and amounts borrowed under the letter of credit and liquidity facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed from time to time until, the earlier of (i) the
date that is five years after the closing date of the letter of credit and liquidity facility and (ii) the date of termination in whole of the commitments upon an optional termination or reduction of the
commitments by the Account Parties or upon an event of default. The credit and liquidity facility contains financial covenants that require that SCA at any time (a) prior to August 4, 2008, maintain a minimum net worth of $857.4 million, (b) after August 4,
2008, maintain a minimum net worth equal to the greater of (1) $857.4 million (our net worth, defined as total shareholders equity before accumulated other comprehensive income, was
approximately $1,423.0 million as of March 31, 2007) or (2) an amount equal to 65% of the consolidated net worth as of the end of the then most recent fiscal year or fiscal quarter of SCA for which
financial statements shall have been delivered, and (c) maintain a maximum total funded debt-to-total capitalization ratio of 30% (as of March 31, 2007, we had no debt outstanding). The letter of
credit and liquidity facility also contains certain covenants, including restrictions on mergers, acquisitions and other business consolidations; the sale of assets; incurrence of indebtedness; liens on our
assets; and transactions with affiliates. In addition, the letter of credit and liquidity facility contains certain customary provisions regarding events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of
representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-default and cross-acceleration to certain other indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, material judgments, certain events
under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and changes of control. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had letters of credit outstanding under the Facility of $176.7 million, which were established for the benefit of primary insurance companies reinsured by the
Company, as explained below. No revolving loans have been drawn by the Company under the Facility since its inception. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company incurred
expenses of $0.2 million under the Facility. In the comparable prior period in 2006 XL Capital had drawn letters of credit under its credit facility with a syndicate of commercial banks for the benefit
of primary companies reinsured by the Company. For the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company incurred expenses of $0.2 related to letters of credit drawn by XL Capital for the benefit
of primary companies reinsured by the Company. Primary insurers may require collateral or letters of credit so that they can receive reinsurance credit under certain U.S. state laws. In addition, under certain of the Companys reinsurance
treaties, the Company may be required to provide collateral or letters of credit in favor of its ceding insurers in the event of a downgrade of the Companys credit ratings or other event which would
diminish the credit provided by the Companys reinsurance to such ceding insurers. Ceded Reinsurance Recoverables We manage our in-force portfolio of guaranteed obligations based on, and to comply with, regulatory and rating agency single-risk limits and internal credit guidelines. Single-risk limits are
designed to avoid concentration in single names and to mitigate event risk and are calculated as a percentage of capital. For transactions that exceed these limits or guidelines, we will cede the excess
to XLI, XL RE AM, or other third-party reinsurers. Generally, all such reinsurance is structured as facultative quota share reinsurance in which the reinsurer is liable to us for its quota share of the
applicable policies that we issue, regardless of when the loss occurs. Accordingly, related loss reserves, including unallocated loss reserves, are ceded in accordance with such contracts. Through these
facultative cessions, we gain greater flexibility to manage large single risks and reduce concentration in specific bond sectors and geographic regions. Part of our strategy is to reduce reinsurance to
XLI and XL RE AM, and increase our third-party reinsurance relationships. To the extent that we cede a portion of our exposure to one or more reinsurance companies, we can reduce our
concentration to particular issuers and help to control the diversification of our credit portfolio. In addition, use of reinsurance can increase our capacity to write new business and strengthen our
capital adequacy ratios. 42
As of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, we had $70.0 million and $70.8 million in reinsurance recoverables from our reinsurers relating to specific case reserves. The following table
presents, by reinsurer, the amount of our in-force principal exposure ceded to reinsurers as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006:
(U.S. dollars in billions, except percentages)
As of March 31 2007
As of December 31, 2006
Ceded Par
% of Gross
Ceded Par
% of Gross XL RE AM
$
2.0
1.5
%
$
0.9
0.7
% XLI(1)
0.7
0.5
%
0.7
0.5
% AAA Companies(2)
3.5
2.7
%
2.5
2.0
% AA Companies & others(3)
4.0
3.2
%
3.2
2.5
% Total
$
10.2
7.9
%
$
7.3
5.7
%
(1)
In connection with the transfer of business from XLI to us as described under Formation Transactions in our Annual Report on Form 10-K the amount of our in-force principal exposure ceded to XLI was reduced by approximately $3.9
billion. (2) AAA Companies means those firms that have both an AAA rating from S&P and/or an Aaa rating from Moodys. (3) AA Companies and others means those firms (other than XLI) that have either an AA category rating from S&P and/or an Aa category rating from Moodys or have an investment grade rating but do not have a financial enhancement
rating from S&P. XLFA Soft Capital Facility In December 2004, XLFA entered into a put option agreement and an expense reimbursement agreement (the Asset Trust Expense Reimbursement Agreement) with Twin Reefs Asset Trust
(the Asset Trust). The put option agreement provides XLFA with the irrevocable right to require the Asset Trust at any time and from time to time to purchase XLFAs non-cumulative perpetual
Series B preferred shares with an aggregate liquidation preference of up to $200 million. There is no limit to the number of times that XLFA may exercise the put option, redeem the Series B
preferred shares from the Asset Trust and exercise the put option again. XLFA is obligated to reimburse the Asset Trust for certain fees and ordinary expenses. To the extent that any Series B
preferred shares are put to the Asset Trust and remain outstanding, a corresponding portion of such fees and ordinary expenses will be payable by XLFA pursuant to the asset trust expense
reimbursement agreement. The put option agreement is perpetual but would terminate on delivery of notice by XLFA on or after December 9, 2009, or under certain defined circumstances, such as
the failure of XLFA to pay the put option premium when due or bankruptcy. The premium payable by XLFA is the sum of certain trustee and investment managers expenses, the distribution of
income paid to holders of the pass-through trust securities, less the investment yield on the eligible assets purchased using the proceeds originally raised from the issuance of the pass-through
securities. The eligible securities (which are generally high-grade investment securities) are effectively held in trust to be used to fund the purchase of any Series B preferred shares upon exercise of
the put. The put option has not been exercised since the inception of the facility. XLFA Redeemable Preferred Shares Extraordinary Dividend On February 27, 2007, the board of directors of XLFA approved: (i) an extraordinary dividend of $15.0 million on its Series A Redeemable Preferred Shares, and (ii) a reduction in the stated
value of the remaining outstanding Series A Redeemable Preferred Shares by a corresponding amount. Payment of the extraordinary dividend and the reduction in the stated value of the Series A
Redeemable Preferred Shares were made on March 30, 2007. As a result of the decrease in stated value, the Companys annual fixed dividend requirement on the Series A Redeemable Preferred
Shares will be reduced from $4.5 million to $3.2 million. 43
Outstanding
Outstanding
Outstanding
Outstanding
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Any prospectus, prospectus supplement, our annual report to ordinary
shareholders, any proxy statement, any other Form 10-K, Form 10Q, or Form 8-K of ours, or any other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of us may include forward-looking statements
that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Statements that include the words expect, intend, plan, believe, project, anticipate, will, may
and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there
are or will be important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
changes in rating agency policies or practices, including adverse changes to the financial strength or financial enhancement ratings of any or all of our operating subsidiaries; ineffectiveness or obsolescence of our business strategy, due to changes in current or future market conditions or other factors; the performance of our invested assets or losses on credit derivatives; availability of capital (whether in the form of debt or equity) and liquidity (including letter of credit facilities); the timing of claims payments being faster or the receipt of reinsurance recoverables being slower than anticipated by us; increased competition on the basis of pricing, capacity, terms or other factors; greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity, including as a result of natural or man-made catastrophic events, than our underwriting, reserving or investment practices anticipate
based on historical experience or industry data; developments in the worlds financial and capital markets that adversely affect the performance of our investments and our access to such markets; changes in, or termination of, our ongoing reinsurance agreements with XL Capital or FSA; changes in regulation or tax laws applicable to us or our customers or suppliers such as our reinsurers; changes in the rating agencies views on third-party inward reinsurance; changes in the availability, cost or quality of reinsurance or retrocessions, including a material adverse change in the ratings of our reinsurers or retrocessionaires; changes with respect to XL Capital (including changes in its ownership percentage in us) or our relationship with XL Capital; changes that may occur in our operations as we begin operations as a public company; changes in accounting policies or practices or the application thereof; changes in the officers of our company or our subsidiaries; legislative or regulatory developments; 44
changes in general economic conditions, including inflation, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and other factors; and the effects of business disruption or economic contraction due to war, terrorism or natural or other catastrophic events. The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included herein or elsewhere.
We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Quantitative and qualitative disclosure regarding our exposures to market risk, as well as our objectives, policies and strategies relating to the management of such risks, is set forth in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2007. Our relative sensitivity to changes in fair value from interest rates and equity prices at March
31, 2007 is not materially different from that presented in such report. ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the
effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered
by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance
that all material information relating to the Company required to be filed in this report has been made known to them in a timely fashion. Changes in internal control over financial reporting There was no change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting, that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting. 45
The Company believes that the ultimate outcome of all outstanding litigation and arbitration will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, future operating results
and/or liquidity, although an adverse resolution of a number of these items could have a material adverse effect on the Companys results of operations in a particular fiscal quarter or year. Risk Associated with a Recently Proposed Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) Pertaining to Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contracts. On April 18, 2007, the
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Proposed SFAS, Accounting for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contractsan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 60. This proposed
Statement would clarify how FASB Statement No. 60, Accounting and Reporting by Insurance Enterprises, applies to financial guarantee insurance contracts. This proposed Statement, among other
things, would change current industry practices with respect to the recognition of premium revenue and claim liabilities. In addition, this proposed Statement would require that the measurement of
the initial deferred premium revenue (liability) be the present value of the contractual premium due pursuant to the terms of the financial guarantee insurance contract, thereby changing current
industry accounting practice with respect to insurance contracts priced on an installment basis by requiring that the present value of all contractual premiums due under such contracts, currently or in
the future, be recorded on the companys balance sheet as premiums receivable. Under current industry practice such premiums are not reflected on the balance sheet. We expect that the initial effect
of applying the revenue recognition provisions of the Statement as currently proposed will be material to the Companys financial statements and that implementation of the proposed guidance in
regard to the recognition of claim liabilities will cause the Company to de-recognize its reserves for unallocated losses and loss adjustment expenses and preclude it from providing such reserves in the
future. The FASB has indicated that the final Statement is expected to be issued in the third quarter of 2007 and become effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2007. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect of this proposed Statement on its financial statements. See Note 4 to the Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
for further information. Refer to Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2007, for information in regard to the Companys other
Risk Factors. ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS None 46
Exhibit
Description of Document
10.1
Insurance and Indemnity Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2006, among XL Capital Assurance Inc., XL Asset Funding Company I LLC, and XL Life and Annuity Holding Company.
10.2
Premium Letter Agreement, dated as of October 13, 2006, between XL Capital Assurance Inc., XL Asset Funding Company I LLC, and XL Life and Annuity Holding Company.
10.3
Securities Account Control Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2006, among XL Asset Funding Company I LLC, XL Capital Assurance Inc. and Mellon Bank, N.A.
10.4
Amendment 1, dated as of May 3, 2007, to the Transition Agreement, dated as of August 4, 2006 among XL Capital Ltd, XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd, X.L. America, Inc., and Security
Capital Assurance Ltd.
31
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
32
Section 1350 Certification
99.1
XL Capital Assurance Inc. and Subsidiary interim consolidated financial statements (unaudited) as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for the three month periods ended
March 31, 2007 and 2006.
99.2
XL Financial Assurance Ltd interim financial statements (unaudited) as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for the three month periods ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. 47
Number
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
SECURITY CAPITAL ASSURANCE LTD
Date: May 14, 2007
/s/ PAUL S. GIORDANO
Paul S. Giordano
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 14, 2007
/s/ DAVID P. SHEA
David P. Shea
(Principal Financial Officer) 48
(Registrant)
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer