AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP INC - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM | 10-Q |
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2023
☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission File Number: | 1-10777 |
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. |
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 13-3621676 | |||||||||||||
(State of incorporation) | (I.R.S. employer identification no.) | |||||||||||||
One World Trade Center | New York | NY | 10007 | |||||||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
(212) | 658-7470 | ||||||||||
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
Common stock par value $0.01 per share | AMBC | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
Warrants | AMBC WS | New York Stock Exchange |
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ☒ No ☐
As of May 5, 2023, 45,321,870 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Registrant were outstanding.
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cautionary Statement Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Item Number | Page | Item Number | Page | |||||||||||||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | PART I (CONTINUED) | |||||||||||||||||||
1 | Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries | U.S. Insurance Statutory Basis Financial Results | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
2 | PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | |||||||||||||||||||
1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1A | ||||||||||||||||||||
2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
5 | Other Information | |||||||||||||||||||
6 | Exhibits | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. i 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Management has included in Parts I and II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” and “may,” or the negative of those expressions or verbs, identify forward-looking statements. We caution readers that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent only our beliefs regarding future events, which may by their nature be inherently uncertain and some of which may be outside our control. These statements may relate to plans and objectives with respect to the future, among other things which may change. We are alerting you to the possibility that our actual results may differ, possibly materially, from the expected objectives or anticipated results that may be suggested, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A of this quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Any or all of management’s forward-looking statements here or in other publications may turn out to be incorrect and are based on management’s current belief or opinions. Ambac Financial Group’s (“AFG”) and its subsidiaries’ (collectively, “Ambac” or the “Company”) actual results may vary materially, and there are no guarantees about the performance of Ambac’s securities. Among events, risks, uncertainties or factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: (1) the high degree of volatility in the price of AFG’s common stock; (2) uncertainty concerning the Company’s ability to achieve value for holders of its securities, whether from Ambac Assurance Corporation (“AAC”) and its subsidiaries or from the specialty property and casualty insurance business, the insurance distribution business, or related businesses; (3) inadequacy of reserves established for losses and loss expenses and the possibility that changes in loss reserves may result in further volatility of earnings or financial results; (4) potential for rehabilitation proceedings or other regulatory intervention or restrictions against AAC; (5) credit risk throughout Ambac’s business, including but not limited to credit risk related to insured residential mortgage-backed securities, student loan and other asset securitizations, public finance obligations (including risks associated with Chapter 9 and other restructuring proceedings), issuers of securities in our investment portfolios, and exposures to reinsurers; (6) our inability to effectively reduce insured financial guarantee exposures or achieve recoveries or investment objectives; (7) our inability to generate the significant amount of cash needed to service our debt and financial obligations, and our inability to refinance our indebtedness; (8) Ambac’s substantial indebtedness could adversely affect its financial condition and operating flexibility; (9) Ambac may not be able to obtain financing or raise capital on acceptable terms or at all due to its substantial indebtedness and
financial condition; (10) greater than expected underwriting losses in the Company’s specialty property and casualty insurance business; (11) failure of specialty insurance program partners to properly market, underwrite or administer policies; (12) inability to obtain reinsurance coverage on expected terms; (13) loss of key relationships for production of business in specialty property and casualty and insurance distribution businesses or the inability to secure such additional relationships to produce expected results; (14) the impact of catastrophic public health, environmental or natural events, or global or regional conflicts, on significant portions of our insured portfolio; (15) credit risks related to large single risks, risk concentrations and correlated risks; (16) risks associated with adverse selection as Ambac’s financial guarantee insurance portfolio runs off; (17) the risk that Ambac’s risk management policies and practices do not anticipate certain risks and/or the magnitude of potential for loss; (18) restrictive covenants in agreements and instruments that impair Ambac’s ability to pursue or achieve its business strategies; (19) adverse effects on operating results or the Company’s financial position resulting from measures taken to reduce financial guarantee risks in its insured portfolio; (20) disagreements or disputes with Ambac's insurance regulators; (21) loss of control rights in transactions for which we provide financial guarantee insurance; (22) inability to realize expected recoveries of financial guarantee losses; (23) risks attendant to the change in composition of securities in the Ambac’s investment portfolio; (24) adverse impacts from changes in prevailing interest rates; (25) events or circumstances that result in the impairment of our intangible assets and/or goodwill that was recorded in connection with Ambac’s acquisitions; (26) risks associated with the expected discontinuance of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate; (27) factors that may negatively influence the amount of installment premiums paid to Ambac; (28) the risk of litigation and regulatory inquiries or investigations, and the risk of adverse outcomes in connection therewith; (29) the Company’s ability to adapt to the rapid pace of regulatory change; (30) actions of stakeholders whose interests are not aligned with broader interests of Ambac's stockholders; (31) system security risks, data protection breaches and cyber attacks; (32) regulatory oversight of Ambac Assurance UK Limited (“Ambac UK”) and applicable regulatory restrictions may adversely affect our ability to realize value from Ambac UK or the amount of value we ultimately realize; (33) failures in services or products provided by third parties; (34) political developments that disrupt the economies where the Company has insured exposures; (35) our inability to attract and retain qualified executives, senior managers and other employees, or the loss of such personnel; (36) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (37) failure to realize our business expansion plans or failure of such plans to create value; (38) greater competition for our specialty property and casualty insurance business and/or our insurance distribution business; (39) loss or lowering of the AM Best rating for our property and casualty insurance company subsidiaries; (40) disintermediation within the insurance industry or greater competition from technology-based insurance solutions; (41) changes in law or in the functioning of the healthcare market that impair the business model of our accident and health managing general underwriter; and (42) other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at this time.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 1 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements of Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||
(Dollars in millions, except share data) (March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)) | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Assets: | |||||||||||
Investments: | |||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities - available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost of $1,554 and $1,469) | $ | 1,494 | $ | 1,395 | |||||||
Fixed maturity securities - trading, at fair value | 29 | 59 | |||||||||
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $367 and $507) | 367 | 507 | |||||||||
Short-term investments pledged as collateral, at fair value (amortized cost of $61 and $64) | 61 | 64 | |||||||||
Other investments (includes $545 and $556 at fair value) | 557 | 568 | |||||||||
Total investments (net of allowance for credit losses of $1 and $0) | 2,509 | 2,593 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (including $10 and $14 of restricted cash) | 48 | 44 | |||||||||
Premium receivables (net of allowance for credit losses of $5 and $5) | 272 | 269 | |||||||||
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses (net of allowance for credit losses of $0 and $0) | 130 | 115 | |||||||||
Deferred ceded premium | 135 | 124 | |||||||||
Deferred acquisition costs | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
Subrogation recoverable | 146 | 271 | |||||||||
Derivative assets | 31 | 27 | |||||||||
Intangible assets | 321 | 326 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 61 | 61 | |||||||||
Other assets | 85 | 84 | |||||||||
Variable interest entity assets: | |||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value | 2,119 | 1,967 | |||||||||
Restricted cash | 256 | 17 | |||||||||
Loans, at fair value | 1,856 | 1,829 | |||||||||
Derivative and other assets | 244 | 241 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 8,219 | $ | 7,973 | |||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity: | |||||||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||||||
Unearned premiums | $ | 389 | $ | 372 | |||||||
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves | 851 | 805 | |||||||||
Ceded premiums payable | 38 | 39 | |||||||||
Deferred program fees and reinsurance commissions | 6 | 5 | |||||||||
Long-term debt | 497 | 639 | |||||||||
Accrued interest payable | 438 | 427 | |||||||||
Derivative liabilities | 44 | 38 | |||||||||
Other liabilities | 141 | 163 | |||||||||
Variable interest entity liabilities: | |||||||||||
Long-term debt (includes $2,869 and $2,788 at fair value) | 3,060 | 3,107 | |||||||||
Derivative liabilities | 1,174 | 1,048 | |||||||||
Other liabilities | 255 | 5 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 6,892 | 6,647 | |||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14) | |||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 20 | 20 | |||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share;20,000,000 shares authorized shares; issued and outstanding shares—none | — | — | |||||||||
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 130,000,000 shares authorized; issued shares: 46,659,019 and 46,658,990 | — | — | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 278 | 274 | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (217) | (253) | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 1,206 | 1,245 | |||||||||
Treasury stock, shares at cost: 1,337,274 and 1,685,233 | (14) | (15) | |||||||||
Total Ambac Financial Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity | 1,254 | 1,252 | |||||||||
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest | 53 | 53 | |||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,307 | 1,305 | |||||||||
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders’ equity | $ | 8,219 | $ | 7,973 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 2 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions, except share data) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 14 | $ | 15 | ||||||||||
Commission income | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Program fees | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 34 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | (4) | 10 | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts | (4) | 57 | ||||||||||||
Other income | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) on variable interest entities | (1) | 22 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues and other income | 58 | 119 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 18 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Commission expense | 8 | 5 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 36 | 29 | ||||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 7 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 16 | 44 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses | 86 | 116 | ||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) | (29) | 3 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 4 | — | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (33) | 2 | ||||||||||||
Less: net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1) | — | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | (33) | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (33) | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $1 and $(2) | 17 | (105) | ||||||||||||
Gains (losses) on foreign currency translation, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0 and $0 | 16 | (23) | ||||||||||||
Credit risk changes of fair value option liabilities, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0 and $0 | — | — | ||||||||||||
Changes to postretirement benefit, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0 and, $0 | 3 | — | ||||||||||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax | 36 | (127) | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax | 3 | (125) | ||||||||||||
Less: comprehensive (gain) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest | (1) | — | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | 3 | $ | (125) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders: | ||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.73) | $ | 0.04 | ||||||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.73) | $ | 0.04 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 45,564,276 | 46,731,459 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 45,564,276 | 47,359,731 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 3 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | Total | Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Retained Earnings | Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost | Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | 1,305 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 274 | $ | (253) | $ | 1,245 | $ | (15) | $ | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) | 3 | — | — | — | 36 | (33) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 3 | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of shares (acquired) issued under equity plan | (5) | — | — | — | — | (6) | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | 1,307 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 278 | $ | (217) | $ | 1,206 | $ | (14) | $ | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2021 | $ | 1,098 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 257 | $ | 58 | $ | 726 | $ | (3) | $ | 60 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) | (125) | — | — | — | (127) | 2 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 5 | — | — | 5 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of shares (acquired) issued under equity plan | (3) | — | — | — | — | (5) | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2022 | $ | 974 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 262 | $ | (70) | $ | 723 | $ | (2) | $ | 60 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 4 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to common stockholders | $ | (33) | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | (1) | — | ||||||||||||
Net income | (33) | 2 | ||||||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation | — | — | ||||||||||||
Amortization of bond premium and discount | (3) | (3) | ||||||||||||
Share-based compensation | 3 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Unearned premiums, net | 6 | (11) | ||||||||||||
Losses and loss expenses, net | 143 | (6) | ||||||||||||
Ceded premiums payable | (1) | 7 | ||||||||||||
Premium receivables | (3) | 6 | ||||||||||||
Accrued interest payable | (37) | 24 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 7 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | 4 | (10) | ||||||||||||
Variable interest entity activities | 1 | (22) | ||||||||||||
Derivative assets and liabilities | 14 | (46) | ||||||||||||
Other, net | (25) | 48 | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 77 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of bonds | 63 | 141 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from matured bonds | 6 | 20 | ||||||||||||
Purchases of bonds | (104) | (33) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of other invested assets | 41 | 45 | ||||||||||||
Purchases of other invested assets | (14) | (25) | ||||||||||||
Change in short-term investments | 146 | (114) | ||||||||||||
Change in cash collateral | (16) | 54 | ||||||||||||
Change in consolidated VIE cash collateral | 254 | — | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from paydowns of consolidated VIE assets | 57 | 47 | ||||||||||||
Other, net | 8 | — | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by investing activities | 441 | 136 | ||||||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||||||||
Payments for redemption of Tier 2 Notes | (97) | — | ||||||||||||
Tax payments related to shares withheld for share-based compensation plans | (5) | (3) | ||||||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders | — | — | ||||||||||||
Payments of consolidated VIE liabilities | (174) | (49) | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (276) | (52) | ||||||||||||
Effect of foreign exchange on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | — | — | ||||||||||||
Net cash flow | 243 | 93 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 61 | 23 | ||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 304 | $ | 116 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 5 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Background and Business Description | Note 8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets | |||||||||||||||||||
Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | Note 9. Variable Interest Entities | |||||||||||||||||||
Note 3. Segment Information | Note 10. Revenues From Contracts with Customers | |||||||||||||||||||
Note 4. Investments | Note 11. Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||||||||||
Note 5. Fair Value Measurements | Note 12. Net Income Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||
Note 6. Insurance Contracts | Note 13. Income Taxes | |||||||||||||||||||
Note 7. Derivative Instruments | Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 6 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
1. BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS DESCRIPTION
The following description provides an update of Note 1. Background and Business Description in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and should be read in conjunction with the complete descriptions provided in the Form 10-K. Capitalized terms used, but not defined herein, and in the other footnotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (“AFG”), headquartered in New York City, is a financial services holding company incorporated in the state of Delaware on April 29, 1991. References to “Ambac,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” are to AFG and its subsidiaries, as the context requires. Ambac's business operations include:
•Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance — Ambac's financial guarantee business includes the activities of Ambac Assurance Corporation ("AAC") and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Ambac Assurance UK Limited (“Ambac UK”) and Ambac Financial Services LLC ("AFS"). Both AAC and Ambac UK (the "Legacy Financial Guarantee Companies") have financial guarantee insurance portfolios that have been in runoff since 2008. AFS uses derivatives to hedge interest rate risk in AAC's insurance and investment portfolios.
•Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance — Ambac's Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance program business. Currently includes five admitted carriers and an excess and surplus lines (“E&S” or “nonadmitted”) insurer (collectively, “Everspan”). Everspan carriers have an AM Best rating of 'A-' (Excellent).
•Insurance Distribution — Ambac's specialty property and casualty ("P&C") insurance distribution business, which could include Managing General Agents and Underwriters (collectively "MGAs"), insurance brokers, and other distribution businesses; currently includes Xchange Benefits, LLC (“Xchange”) a P&C MGA specializing in accident and health products; All Trans Risk Solutions, LLC ("All Trans"), an MGA specializing in commercial automobile insurance for specific "for-hire" auto clauses; and Capacity Marine Corporation ("Capacity Marine"), a wholesale and retail brokerage and reinsurance intermediary specializing in marine and international risk.
The Company reports these three business operations as segments; see Note 3. Segment Information for further information.
Strategies to Enhance Shareholder Value
The Company's primary goal is to maximize long-term shareholder value through the execution of targeted strategies for its (i) Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance and Insurance Distribution businesses and (ii) Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance business.
Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance and Insurance Distribution strategic priorities include:
•Growing a Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance business which generates underwriting profits and an attractive return on capital from a diversified portfolio of commercial and personal liability risks accessed through program administrators.
•Building an Insurance Distribution business based on deep domain knowledge in specialty and niche classes of risk which generate attractive margins at scale. This will be achieved through acquisitions, new business “de-novo” formation and incubation, and product expansion supported by a centralized technology led shared services offering.
•Making opportunistic investments that are strategic to both the Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance and Insurance Distribution businesses.
Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance strategic priorities include:
•Actively managing, de-risking and mitigating insured portfolio risk, and pursuing recovery of previously paid losses.
•Improving operating efficiency and optimizing our asset and liability profile.
•Exploring strategic options to further maximize value for AFG.
The execution of Ambac’s strategy to increase the value of its investment in AAC is subject to the restrictions set forth in the Settlement Agreement, dated as of June 7, 2010, as amended (the "Settlement Agreement"), by and among AAC, Ambac Credit Products LLC ("ACP"), AFG and certain counterparties to credit default swaps with ACP that were guaranteed by AAC, as well as the Stipulation and Order among the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Wisconsin (“OCI”), AFG and AAC that became effective on February 12, 2018, as amended (the “Stipulation and Order”), each of which requires OCI and, under certain circumstances, holders of surplus notes, to approve certain actions taken by or in respect of AAC. In exercising its approval rights, OCI will act for the benefit of policyholders, and will not take into account the interests of AFG.
The Settlement Agreement limits certain activities of AAC and its subsidiaries, such as issuing indebtedness; engaging in mergers and similar transactions; disposing of assets; making restricted payments; creating or permitting liens; engaging in transactions with affiliates; modifying or creating tax sharing agreements; and taking certain actions with respect to surplus notes (among other restrictions and limitations). The Settlement Agreement includes certain allowances with respect to these activities and generally requires the approval of OCI and, in some cases, holders of
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 7 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
surplus notes issued pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, for consents, waivers or amendments.
The Stipulation and Order includes affirmative covenants, as well as restrictions on certain business activities and transactions, of AFG and AAC. The Stipulation and Order has no fixed term and may be terminated or modified only with the approval of OCI. OCI reserved the right to modify or terminate the Stipulation and Order in a manner consistent with the interests of policyholders, creditors and the public generally.
The execution of Ambac’s strategy to increase the value of its investment in AAC may also be affected by a new capital framework being developed by OCI ("OCI's Runoff Capital Framework") to assist OCI with making decisions related to capital and liquidity management at AAC. OCI's Runoff Capital Framework is not yet complete and therefore we are not able to predict the results of such and what it may mean for our Legacy Financial Guarantee strategy, particularly as it relates to deleveraging AAC and distributing capital to AFG.
Opportunities for remediating losses on poorly performing insured transactions also depend on market conditions, including the perception of AAC’s creditworthiness, the structure of the underlying risk and associated policy as well as other counterparty specific factors. AAC's ability to commute policies or purchase certain investments may also be limited by available liquidity.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company has disclosed its significant accounting policies in Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The following significant accounting policies provide an update to those included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AFG and all other entities in which AFG (directly or through its subsidiaries) has a controlling financial interest, including variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which AFG or an AFG subsidiary is deemed the primary beneficiary in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). All significant intercompany balances have been eliminated. See Note 9. Variable Interest Entities, for a detailed discussion of Ambac’s involvement in VIEs, Ambac’s methodology for determining whether Ambac is required to consolidate a VIE and the effects of VIEs being consolidated and deconsolidated.
Basis of Presentation:
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of
Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and disclosures required by GAAP for annual periods. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (U.S.), but in the opinion of management such financial statements include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023, may not be indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023. The December 31, 2022, consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements.
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at 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. As additional information becomes available or actual amounts become determinable, the recorded estimates are revised and reflected in operating results.
Foreign Currency:
The impact of non-functional currency transactions and the remeasurement of non-functional currency assets and liabilities into the respective subsidiaries' functional currency (collectively "foreign currency transactions gains/(losses)") are $(2) and $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Foreign currency transactions gains/(losses) are primarily the result of remeasuring Ambac UK's assets and liabilities denominated in currencies (primarily the U.S. dollar and the Euro) other than its functional currency (the British Pound Sterling).
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest:
The All Trans, Capacity Marine and Xchange acquisitions, further described in the in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, resulted in 85%, 80% and 80%, respectively, ownership of the acquired entities by Ambac. Under the terms of the acquisition agreements, Ambac has call options to purchase the remaining 15%, 20% and 20%, respectively, from the minority owners (i.e., noncontrolling interests) and the minority owners have put options to sell the remaining 15%, 20% and 20%, respectively, to Ambac. Because the exercise of the put options are outside the control of Ambac, in accordance with the Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity Topic of the ASC, Ambac reports redeemable noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine section of its consolidated balance sheet.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 8 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
The redeemable noncontrolling interest is remeasured each period as the greater of:
i.the carrying value under ASC 810, which attributes a portion of consolidated net income (loss) to the redeemable noncontrolling interest, and
ii.the redemption value of the put option under ASC 480 as if it were exercisable at the end of the reporting period.
Any increase (decrease) in the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest as a result of adjusting to the redemption value of the put option is recorded as an offset to retained earnings. The impact of such differences on earnings per share are presented in Note 12. Net Income Per Share.
Following is a rollforward of redeemable noncontrolling interest.
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 20 | $ | 18 | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest (ASC 810) | — | — | ||||||||||||
Adjustment to redemption value (ASC 480) | — | — | ||||||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 20 | $ | 18 |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
Cash paid during the period for: | ||||||||||||||
Income taxes | $ | 4 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Interest on long-term debt | 50 | 15 | ||||||||||||
Non-cash investing and financing activities: | ||||||||||||||
Exchange of investments in Puerto Rico bonds for new securities issued in the restructuring transactions | $ | — | $ | 185 | ||||||||||
Securities acquired (transferred) in transactions related to Puerto Rico restructurings | (1) | — | ||||||||||||
March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 38 | $ | 60 | ||||||||||
Restricted cash | 10 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Variable Interest Entity restricted cash | 256 | 49 | ||||||||||||
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | $ | 304 | $ | 116 |
Restricted cash is cash that we do not have the right to use for general purposes and includes fiduciary cash held by Ambac's insurance distribution subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entity cash to support the obligations of the consolidated VIEs and cash received as collateral under their derivatives agreements.
Reclassifications and Rounding
Reclassifications may have been made to prior years' amounts to conform to the current year's presentation. Certain amounts and tables in the consolidated financial statements and associated notes may not add due to rounding.
Adopted Accounting Standards:
There have been no new accounting standards adopted during 2023.
Future Application of Accounting Standards:
There are no material future accounting standards currently being evaluated.
3. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company reports its results of operations in three segments: Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance, Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance and Insurance Distribution, separate from Corporate and Other, which is consistent with the manner in which the Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") reviews the business to assess performance and allocate resources. See Note 1. Background and Business Description for a description of each of the Company's business segments.
The following tables summarize the components of the Company’s total revenues and expenses, pretax income (loss) and total assets by reportable business segment. Information provided below for “Corporate and Other” primarily relates to the operations of AFG, which will include investment income on its investment portfolio and costs to maintain the operations of AFG, including public company reporting, capital management and business development costs for the acquisition and development of new business initiatives.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 9 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance | Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | Insurance Distribution | Corporate & Other | Consoli-dated (2) | Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance | Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | Insurance Distribution | Corporate & Other | Consoli-dated (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 7 | $ | 7 | $ | 14 | $ | 13 | $ | 1 | $ | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commission income | $ | 14 | 14 | $ | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Program fees | 1 | 1 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 31 | 1 | $ | 2 | 34 | 5 | — | $ | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | (4) | — | — | (4) | 10 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts | (3) | — | (4) | 57 | 57 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other (1) | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | 24 | — | — | — | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues (2) | 32 | 9 | 15 | 2 | 58 | 109 | 2 | 9 | — | 119 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 13 | 5 | 18 | 23 | 1 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commission expenses | 8 | 8 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses (3) | 28 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 36 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation expense (3) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 6 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 16 | 16 | 44 | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses (2) | 64 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 86 | 102 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) | $ | (32) | $ | (1) | $ | 4 | $ | — | $ | (29) | $ | 6 | $ | (2) | $ | 2 | $ | (3) | $ | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets (2) | $ | 7,503 | $ | 349 | $ | 140 | $ | 227 | $ | 8,219 | $ | 11,075 | $ | 191 | $ | 97 | $ | 168 | $ | 11,531 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Other revenues include the following line item on the Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income: Income (loss) on variable interest entities and other income.
(2)Inter-segment revenues and inter-segment pre-tax income (loss) amounts are insignificant and are not presented separately. Total assets noted in the Corporate and Other Column is net of AFG's investment in surplus notes issued by the Legacy Financial Guarantee Segment with fair values of $0 and $77 at March 31, 2023 and 2022.
(3)The Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income presents the sum of these items as General & Administrative Expenses.
4. INVESTMENTS
Ambac’s non-VIE invested assets are primarily comprised of fixed maturity securities classified as either available-for-sale or trading securities, and interests in pooled investment funds, which are reported within Other investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interests in pooled investment funds in the form of common stock or in-substance common stock are classified as trading securities, while limited partner interests in such funds are
reported using the equity method. Fixed maturity securities classified as trading are unrated municipal bond obligations of Puerto Rico issuing entities that are part of the the PROMESA restructuring process as described further in Note 6. Insurance Contracts.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 10 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments, excluding VIE investments, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were as follows:
March 31, 2023: | December 31, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortized Cost | Allowance for Credit Losses (2) | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | Amortized Cost | Allowance for Credit Losses | Gross Unrealized | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gains | Losses | Gains | Losses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal obligations | $ | 58 | $ | — | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 57 | $ | 44 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2 | $ | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate obligations | 732 | — | 1 | 54 | 679 | 659 | — | 1 | 63 | 598 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign obligations | 86 | — | — | 8 | 79 | 85 | — | — | 9 | 76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government obligations | 66 | — | — | 3 | 63 | 68 | — | — | 4 | 65 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 231 | 1 | 26 | 16 | 240 | 230 | — | 28 | 19 | 238 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 15 | — | — | — | 15 | 15 | — | — | — | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collateralized debt obligations | 140 | — | — | 3 | 137 | 141 | — | — | 4 | 137 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities (1) | 226 | — | 3 | 5 | 223 | 227 | — | 2 | 5 | 224 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1,554 | 1 | 31 | 90 | 1,494 | 1,469 | — | 31 | 106 | 1,395 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term | 367 | — | — | — | 367 | 507 | — | — | — | 507 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1,922 | 1 | 31 | 90 | 1,862 | 1,977 | — | 31 | 106 | 1,902 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities pledged as collateral: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term | 61 | — | — | — | 61 | 64 | — | — | — | 64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | — | — | — | 61 | 64 | — | — | — | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total available-for-sale investments | $ | 1,983 | $ | 1 | $ | 31 | $ | 90 | $ | 1,923 | $ | 2,041 | $ | — | $ | 31 | $ | 106 | $ | 1,966 |
(1)Consists primarily of Ambac's holdings of military housing and student loan securities.
(2)For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the allowance for credit losses increased $1 on residential mortgage-backed securities on which credit losses were not previously recorded.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments, excluding VIE investments, at March 31, 2023, by contractual maturity, were as follows:
Amortized Cost | Estimated Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Due in one year or less | $ | 486 | $ | 485 | ||||||||||
Due after one year through five years | 536 | 508 | ||||||||||||
Due after five years through ten years | 297 | 268 | ||||||||||||
Due after ten years | 53 | 47 | ||||||||||||
1,371 | 1,307 | |||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 231 | 240 | ||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 15 | 15 | ||||||||||||
Collateralized debt obligations | 140 | 137 | ||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities | 226 | 223 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,983 | $ | 1,923 |
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
Unrealized Losses on Fixed Maturity Securities:
The following table shows gross unrealized losses and fair values of Ambac’s available-for-sale investments, excluding VIE investments, which at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, did not have an allowance for credit losses under the CECL standard. This information is aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or More | Total | Less Than 12 Months | 12 Months or More | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Loss | Fair Value | Gross Unrealized Loss | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal obligations | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 17 | $ | 2 | $ | 17 | $ | 2 | $ | 21 | $ | 1 | $ | 7 | $ | 1 | $ | 28 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate obligations | 237 | 7 | 393 | 47 | 630 | 54 | 280 | 21 | 279 | 42 | 559 | 63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign obligations | 19 | 1 | 53 | 7 | 72 | 8 | 27 | 2 | 47 | 7 | 73 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government obligations | 19 | 1 | 38 | 2 | 57 | 3 | 40 | 3 | 19 | 1 | 58 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 120 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 132 | 16 | 132 | 19 | — | — | 132 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collateralized debt obligations | 10 | — | 115 | 3 | 125 | 3 | 90 | 3 | 36 | 1 | 126 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities | 105 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 111 | 5 | 198 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 203 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
513 | 27 | 634 | 63 | 1,147 | 90 | 791 | 53 | 392 | 53 | 1,183 | 106 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term | 12 | — | 2 | — | 14 | — | 78 | — | 8 | — | 86 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total temporarily impaired securities | $ | 525 | $ | 27 | $ | 636 | $ | 63 | $ | 1,161 | $ | 90 | $ | 869 | $ | 53 | $ | 400 | $ | 53 | $ | 1,269 | $ | 106 |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 11 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Management has determined that the securities in the above table do not have credit impairment as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, based upon (i) no actual or expected principal and interest payment defaults on these securities; (ii) analysis of the creditworthiness of the issuer and financial guarantor, as applicable, and (iii) for debt securities that are non-highly rated beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, analysis of whether there was an adverse change in projected cash flows. Management's evaluation as of March 31, 2023, includes the expectation that all principal and interest payments on securities guaranteed by AAC or Ambac UK will be made timely and in full.
Ambac’s assessment about whether a security is credit impaired reflects management’s current judgment regarding facts and circumstances specific to the security and other factors. If that judgment changes, Ambac may record a charge for credit impairment in future periods.
The declines in fair value and resultant unrealized losses across asset classes as of March 31, 2023, included in the above table resulted from the impact of increasing interest rates and market spreads. Management has determined that the securities with unrealized losses are not credit impaired. Further discussion of management's assessment with respect to security categories with larger unrealized loss balances is below.
Corporate obligations
The gross unrealized losses on corporate obligations as of March 31, 2023, resulted from an increase in interest rates and, to a lesser extent, market spreads since the securities were purchased. Unrealized losses of $53 related to 738 investment grade securities with an average unrealized loss equal to 8% of amortized cost at March 31, 2023. Securities that have below investment grade credit ratings or are unrated comprise $1 of the gross unrealized loss and have an average unrealized loss equal to 6% of amortized cost at March 31, 2023. Management believes that the full and timely receipt of all principal and interest payment on corporate obligations with unrealized losses as of March 31, 2022, is probable.
Residential mortgage-backed securities and Other asset-backed securities
As of March 31, 2023, $16 of the unrealized loss on residential mortgage-backed securities related to 12 Ambac insured securities. Five of these account for $15 of the unrealized loss and have an average unrealized loss equal to 13% of amortized cost. The $5 unrealized loss on other asset backed securities related to 11 Ambac-insured securities that have an average unrealized loss equal to 4% of amortized cost. The majority of these unrealized losses for both residential mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities relate to securities with long dated weighted average lives making their fair values more sensitive to interest rate changes. Also, most of these securities have below investment grade credit ratings or are unrated. The unrealized losses on these obligations resulted from adverse market conditions for long dated credit assets. As noted above, expected cash flows used in evaluating credit impairment of Ambac-insured securities contemplate full and timely payment of all
principal and interest payments. This assumption is included in the projection of model based cash flows used in evaluating credit impairments on beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, including the residential mortgage backed and student loan asset backed securities included in this group.
Investment Income (Loss)
Net investment income (loss) was comprised of the following for the affected periods:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 17 | $ | 15 | ||||||||||
Short-term investments | 6 | — | ||||||||||||
Investment expense | (2) | (1) | ||||||||||||
Securities available-for-sale and short-term | 21 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities - trading | — | (9) | ||||||||||||
Other investments | 13 | — | ||||||||||||
Total net investment income (loss) | $ | 34 | $ | 5 |
Net investment income (loss) from Other investments primarily represents changes in fair value on equity securities, including certain pooled investment funds, and income from investment limited partnerships and other equity interests accounted for under the equity method.
Net Investments Gains (Losses), including Impairments:
The following table details amounts included in net investment gains (losses) and impairments included in earnings for the affected periods:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Gross realized gains on securities | $ | — | $ | 23 | ||||||||||
Gross realized losses on securities | (2) | (15) | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gains (losses) | (2) | 3 | ||||||||||||
Credit impairments | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||||
Intent / requirement to sell impairments | — | — | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | $ | (4) | $ | 10 |
Ambac had an allowance for credit losses of $1 and $1 at March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Ambac did not purchase any financial assets with credit deterioration for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
Counterparty Collateral, Deposits with Regulators and Other Restrictions:
Ambac routinely pledges and receives collateral related to certain transactions. Securities held directly in Ambac’s investment portfolio with a fair value of $61 and $64 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, were pledged to derivative counterparties. Ambac’s derivative counterparties have the right to re-pledge the investment securities and as such, these pledged securities are separately classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Fixed maturity securities pledged as collateral, at fair value” and "Short-term investments pledged as collateral, at fair value." Refer to Note 7. Derivative Instruments for further
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 12 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
information on cash collateral. There was no cash or securities received from other counterparties that were re-pledged by Ambac.
Securities carried at $23 and $23 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, were deposited by Ambac's insurance subsidiaries with governmental authorities or designated custodian banks as required by laws affecting insurance companies. Invested assets carried at $1 and $1 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were deposited as security in connection with a letter of credit issued for an office lease.
Guaranteed Securities:
Ambac’s fixed maturity portfolio includes securities covered by guarantees issued by AAC and other financial guarantors
(“insured securities”). The published rating agency ratings on these securities reflect the higher of the financial strength rating of the financial guarantor or the rating of the underlying issuer. Rating agencies do not always publish separate underlying ratings (those ratings excluding the insurance by the financial guarantor). In the event these underlying ratings are not available from the rating agencies, Ambac will assign an internal rating. The following table represents the fair value and weighted-average underlying rating of insured securities in Ambac's investment portfolio at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:
March 31, 2023: | December 31, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal Obligations | Mortgage and Asset- backed Securities | Total | Weighted Average Underlying Rating (1) | Municipal Obligations | Mortgage and Asset- backed Securities | Total | Weighted Average Underlying Rating (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ambac Assurance Corporation | $ | 10 | $ | 392 | $ | 401 | B- | $ | 10 | $ | 394 | $ | 403 | B | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 10 | $ | 392 | $ | 401 | B- | $ | 10 | $ | 394 | $ | 403 | B |
(1)Ratings are based on the lower of Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s rating. If unavailable, Ambac’s internal rating is used.
Other Investments:
Ambac's investment portfolio includes interests in various pooled investment funds. Fair value and additional information about investments in pooled funds, by investment type, is summarized in the table below. Except as noted in the table, fair value as reported is determined using net asset value ("NAV") as a practical expedient. Redemption of certain funds valued using NAV may be subject to withdrawal limitations and/or redemption fees which vary with the timing and notification of withdrawal provided by the investor. In addition to these investments, Ambac has unfunded commitments of $57 to private credit and private equity funds at March 31, 2023.
Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class of Funds | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | Redemption Frequency | Redemption Notice Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hedge funds (1) | $ | 178 | $ | 186 | quarterly or semi-annually | 90 days | ||||||||||||||||||||
Private credit (2) | 87 | 84 | quarterly if permitted | 180 days if permitted | ||||||||||||||||||||||
High yields and leveraged loans (3) | 84 | 80 | daily | 0 - 30 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity market investments (4) (10) | 68 | 64 | daily or quarterly | 0 - 90 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment grade floating rate income (5) | 47 | 63 | weekly | 0 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Private equity (6) | 49 | 47 | quarterly if permitted | 90 days if permitted | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate properties (7) | 22 | 22 | quarterly | 10 business days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Convertible bonds (8)(10) | 9 | 8 | daily | 0 days | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance-linked investments (9) | 1 | 1 | see footnote (9) | see footnote (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total equity investments in pooled funds | $ | 545 | $ | 556 |
(1)This class seeks to generate superior risk-adjusted returns through selective asset sourcing, active trading and hedging strategies across a range of asset types.
(2)This class aims to obtain high long-term returns primarily through credit and preferred equity investments with low liquidity and defined term.
(3)This class of funds includes investments in a range of instruments including high-yield bonds, leveraged loans, CLOs, ABS and floating rate notes to generate income and capital appreciation.
(4)This class of funds aim to achieve long term growth through diversified exposure to global equity-markets.
(5)This class of funds includes investments in high quality floating rate debt securities including ABS and corporate floating rate notes.
(6)This class seeks to generate long-term capital appreciation through investments in private equity, equity-related and other instruments.
(7)Investments consist of UK property to generate income and capital growth.
(8)This class seeks to generate total returns from portfolios focused primarily on convertible securities.
(9)This class seeks to generate returns from insurance markets through investments in catastrophe bonds, life insurance and other insurance linked investments. This investment is restricted in connection with the unwind of certain insurance linked exposures. Ambac has redeemed its investment to the extent permitted by the fund.
(10)These categories include fair value amounts totaling $65 and $61 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, that are readily determinable and are priced through pricing vendors, including for Equity market investments $57 and $53 and Convertible bonds investments $9 and 8.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 13 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Other investments also include preferred equity investments with a carrying value of $12 and $12 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, that do not have readily determinable fair values and are carried at cost, less any impairments as permitted under the Investments — Equity Securities Topic of the ASC. There were no impairments recorded on these investments or adjustments to fair value to reflect observable price changes in identical or similar investments from the same issuer during the periods presented.
The portion of net unrealized gains (losses) related to securities classified as trading and equity securities, excluding those
reported using the equity method, still held at the end of each period is as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on trading and equity securities | $ | 7 | $ | (13) | ||||||||||
Less: net gains (losses) recognized during the reporting period on trading and equity securities sold during the period | 2 | (3) | ||||||||||||
Unrealized gains (losses) recognized during the reporting period on trading and equity securities still held at the reporting date | $ | 5 | $ | (10) |
5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Fair Value Measurement Topic of the ASC establishes a framework for measuring fair value and disclosures about fair value measurements.
Fair Value Hierarchy:
The Fair Value Measurement Topic of the ASC specifies a fair value hierarchy based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect Company-based assumptions. The fair value hierarchy has three broad levels as follows:
l | Level 1 | Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Assets and liabilities classified as Level 1 include US Treasury and other foreign government obligations traded in highly liquid and transparent markets, certain highly liquid pooled fund investments, exchange traded futures contracts and money market funds. | |||||||||
l | Level 2 | Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Assets and liabilities classified as Level 2 generally include investments in fixed maturity securities representing municipal, asset-backed and corporate obligations, certain interest rate swap contracts and most long-term debt of variable interest entities consolidated under the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. | |||||||||
l | Level 3 | Model derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. Assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 include certain uncollateralized interest rate swap contracts and certain investments in fixed maturity securities. Additionally, Level 3 assets and liabilities generally include loan receivables, and certain long-term debt of variable interest entities consolidated under the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. |
The Fair Value Measurement Topic of the ASC permits, as a practical expedient, the estimation of fair value of certain investments in funds using the net asset value per share of the investment or its equivalent (“NAV”). Investments in funds valued using NAV are not categorized as Level 1, 2 or 3 under the fair value hierarchy. The Investments — Equity Securities Topic of the ASC permits the measurement of certain equity securities without a readily determinable fair value at cost, less impairment, and adjusted to fair value when observable price changes in identical or similar investments from the same issuer occur (the "measurement alternative"). The fair values of investments measured under this measurement alternative are not included in the below disclosures of fair value of financial instruments. The following table sets forth the carrying amount and fair value of Ambac’s financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, including the level within the fair value hierarchy at which fair value measurements are categorized. As required by the Fair Value Measurement Topic of the ASC, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 14 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Total Fair Value | Fair Value Measurements Categorized as: | Carrying Amount | Total Fair Value | Fair Value Measurements Categorized as: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal obligations | $ | 86 | $ | 86 | $ | — | $ | 86 | $ | — | $ | 102 | $ | 102 | $ | — | $ | 102 | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate obligations | 679 | 679 | — | 667 | 13 | 598 | 598 | — | 585 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign obligations | 79 | 79 | 79 | — | — | 76 | 76 | 76 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. government obligations | 63 | 63 | 63 | — | — | 65 | 65 | 65 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Residential mortgage-backed securities | 240 | 240 | — | 240 | — | 238 | 238 | — | 238 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | 15 | 15 | — | 15 | — | 15 | 15 | — | 15 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Collateralized debt obligations | 137 | 137 | — | 137 | — | 137 | 137 | — | 137 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other asset-backed securities | 223 | 223 | — | 155 | 69 | 224 | 224 | — | 157 | 67 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities, pledged as collateral: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term | 61 | 61 | 61 | — | — | 64 | 64 | 64 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short term investments | 367 | 367 | 359 | 8 | — | 507 | 507 | 506 | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments (1) | 557 | 545 | 65 | — | — | 568 | 556 | 61 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 40 | 40 | 38 | 2 | — | 44 | 44 | 43 | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps—asset position | 30 | 30 | — | 1 | 30 | 27 | 27 | — | 1 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets-Loans | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 | 10 | 10 | — | — | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable interest entity assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: Corporate obligations, fair value option | 2,003 | 2,003 | — | — | 2,003 | 1,828 | 1,828 | — | — | 1,828 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: Municipal obligation, trading | 16 | 16 | — | 16 | — | 43 | 43 | — | 43 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities: Municipal obligations, available-for-sale | 100 | 100 | — | 100 | — | 96 | 96 | — | 96 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 256 | 256 | 256 | — | — | 17 | 17 | 17 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans | 1,856 | 1,856 | — | — | 1,856 | 1,829 | 1,829 | — | — | 1,829 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets: Interest rate swaps—asset position | 198 | 198 | — | 198 | — | 190 | 190 | — | 190 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets: Currency swaps—asset position | 45 | 45 | — | 45 | — | 49 | 49 | — | 49 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial assets | $ | 7,056 | $ | 7,045 | $ | 922 | $ | 1,669 | $ | 3,974 | $ | 6,726 | $ | 6,715 | $ | 833 | $ | 1,615 | $ | 3,772 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long term debt, including accrued interest | $ | 935 | $ | 779 | $ | — | $ | 764 | $ | 15 | $ | 1,065 | $ | 878 | $ | — | $ | 864 | $ | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps—liability position | 44 | 44 | — | 44 | — | 38 | 38 | — | 38 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities for net financial guarantees written (2) | 318 | 668 | — | — | 668 | 159 | 476 | — | — | 476 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable interest entity liabilities: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt | 3,060 | 3,053 | — | 2,937 | 116 | 3,107 | 3,145 | — | 2,992 | 154 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities: Interest rate swaps—liability position | 1,174 | 1,174 | — | 1,174 | — | 1,048 | 1,048 | — | 1,048 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total financial liabilities | $ | 5,531 | $ | 5,717 | $ | — | $ | 4,918 | $ | 799 | $ | 5,418 | $ | 5,586 | $ | — | $ | 4,942 | $ | 644 |
(1)Excluded from the fair value measurement categories in the table above are investment funds of $480 and $494 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which are measured using NAV as a practical expedient. Also excluded from the fair value amounts in the table above are equity securities with a carrying value of $12 and $12 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, that do not have readily determinable fair values and have carrying amounts determined using the measurement alternative.
(2)The carrying value of net financial guarantees written includes financial guarantee amounts in the following balance sheet items: Premium receivables; Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses; Deferred ceded premium; Subrogation recoverable; Insurance intangible asset; Unearned premiums; Loss and loss expense reserves; Ceded premiums payable, premiums taxes payable and other deferred fees recorded in Other liabilities.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 15 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Determination of Fair Value:
When available, Ambac uses quoted active market prices specific to the financial instrument to determine fair value, and classifies such items within Level 1. The determination of fair value for financial instruments categorized in Level 2 or 3 involves judgment due to the complexity of factors contributing to the valuation. Third-party sources from which we obtain independent market quotes also use assumptions, judgments and estimates in determining financial instrument values and different third parties may use different methodologies or provide different values for financial instruments. In addition, the use of internal valuation models may require assumptions about hypothetical or inactive markets. As a result of these factors, the actual trade value of a financial instrument in the market, or exit value of a financial instrument position by Ambac, may be significantly different from its recorded fair value.
Ambac’s financial instruments carried at fair value are mainly comprised of investments in fixed maturity securities, equity interests in pooled investment funds, derivative instruments and certain variable interest entity assets and liabilities. Valuation of financial instruments is performed by Ambac’s finance group using methods approved by senior financial management with consultation from risk management and portfolio managers as appropriate. Preliminary valuation results are discussed with portfolio managers quarterly to assess consistency with market transactions and trends as applicable. Market transactions such as trades or negotiated settlements of similar positions, if any, are reviewed to validate fair value model results. However, financial instruments valued using significant unobservable inputs typically have very little or no observable market activity. Methods and significant inputs and assumptions used to determine fair values across portfolios are reviewed quarterly by senior financial management. Other valuation control procedures specific to particular portfolios are described further below.
Fixed Maturity Securities:
The fair values of fixed maturity investment securities are based primarily on market prices received from broker quotes or alternative pricing sources. Because many fixed maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis, pricing sources apply available market information through processes such as matrix pricing to calculate fair value. Such prices generally consider a variety of factors, including recent trades of the same and similar securities. In those cases, the items are classified within Level 2. For those fixed maturity investments where quotes were not available or cannot be reasonably corroborated, fair values are based on internal valuation models. Key inputs to the internal valuation models generally include maturity date, coupon and yield curves for asset-type and credit rating characteristics that closely match those characteristics of the specific investment securities being valued. Items valued using valuation models are classified according to the lowest level input or value driver that is significant to the valuation. Thus, an item may be classified in Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable. Longer (shorter) expected maturities or higher (lower) yields used in the valuation model will, in isolation, result in decreases (increases) in fair value. Generally, lower credit ratings or longer expected maturities will be accompanied by higher yields used to value a security. At
March 31, 2023, approximately 5%, 91% and 4% of the fixed maturity investment portfolio (excluding variable interest entity investments) was valued using broker quotes, alternative pricing sources and internal valuation models, respectively. At December 31, 2022, approximately 5%, 91% and 4% of the fixed maturity investment portfolio (excluding variable interest entity investments) was valued using broker quotes, alternative pricing sources and internal valuation models, respectively.
Ambac performs various review and validation procedures to quoted and modeled prices for fixed maturity securities, including price variance analyses, missing and static price reviews, overall valuation analysis by portfolio managers and finance managers and reviews associated with our ongoing impairment analysis. Unusual prices identified through these procedures will be evaluated further against alternative third party quotes (if available), internally modeled prices and/or other relevant data, and the pricing source values will be challenged as necessary. Price challenges generally result in the use of the pricing source’s quote as originally provided or as revised by the source following their internal diligence process. A price challenge may result in a determination by either the pricing source or Ambac management that the pricing source cannot provide a reasonable value for a security or cannot adequately support a quote, in which case Ambac would resort to using either other quotes or internal models. Results of price challenges are reviewed by portfolio managers and finance managers.
Information about the valuation inputs for fixed maturity securities classified as Level 3 is included below:
Other asset-backed securities: This security is a subordinated tranche of a securitization collateralized by Ambac-insured military housing bonds. The fair value classified as Level 3 was $69 and $67 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow approach with expected future cash flows discounted using a yield consistent with the security type and rating. Significant inputs for the valuation at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 include the following:
March 31, 2023: | |||||
a. Coupon rate: | 5.98% | ||||
b. Average Life: | 13.30 years | ||||
c. Yield: | 12.00% | ||||
December 31, 2022: | |||||
a. Coupon rate: | 5.98% | ||||
b. Average Life: | 13.46 years | ||||
c. Yield: | 12.60% |
Corporate obligations: This includes certain investments in convertible debt securities. The fair value classified as Level 3 was $13 and $12 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Fair value was calculated by discounting cash flows to average maturity of 1.5 years and yield of 11.6% at March 31, 2023 and average maturity of 1.75 years and yield of 11.3% at
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 16 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
December 31, 2022. Yields used are consistent with the security type and rating.
Other Investments:
Other investments primarily relate to investments in pooled investment funds. The fair value of pooled investment funds is determined using dealer quotes or alternative pricing sources when such investments have readily determinable fair values. When fair value is not readily determinable, pooled investment funds are valued using NAV as a practical expedient as permitted under the Fair Value Measurement Topic of the ASC. Refer to Note 4. Investments for additional information about such investments in pooled funds that are reported at fair value using NAV as a practical expedient.
Derivative Instruments:
Ambac’s derivative instruments primarily comprise interest rate swaps and exchange traded futures contracts. Fair value is determined based upon market quotes from independent sources, when available. When independent quotes are not available, fair value is determined using valuation models. These valuation models require market-driven inputs, including contractual terms, credit spreads, and yield curves. The valuation of certain derivative contracts may require the use of data inputs and assumptions that are determined by management and are not readily observable in the market. Under the Fair Value Measurement Topic of the ASC, Ambac is required to consider its own credit risk when measuring the fair value of derivative liabilities. Factors considered in estimating the amount of any Ambac credit valuation adjustment ("CVA") on such contracts include collateral posting provisions, right of set-off with the counterparty, the period of time remaining on the derivative and the pricing of recent terminations. The aggregate Ambac CVA impact was not significant to the fair value of derivatives at March 31, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
Interest rate swaps that are not centrally cleared are valued using vendor-developed models that incorporate interest rates and yield curves that are observable and regularly quoted. These models provide the net present value of the derivatives based on contractual terms and observable market data. Generally, the need for counterparty (or Ambac) CVAs on interest rate derivatives is mitigated by the existence of collateral posting agreements under which adequate collateral has been posted. Certain of these derivative contracts entered into with financial guarantee customers are not subject to collateral posting agreements. Counterparty credit risk related to such customer derivative assets is included in our determination of their fair value.
Ambac holds warrants to purchase preferred stock of a development stage company. These warrants have a fair value of $1 and $1 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Fair value was determined using a standard warrant valuation model with internally developed input assumptions.
Financial Guarantees:
Fair value of net financial guarantees written represents our estimate of the cost to Ambac to completely transfer its insurance obligation to another market participant of comparable credit worthiness. In theory, this amount should be the same amount
that another market participant of comparable credit worthiness would hypothetically charge in the marketplace, on a present value basis, to provide the same protection as of the balance sheet date. This fair value estimate of financial guarantees is presented on a net basis and includes direct and assumed contracts written, net of ceded reinsurance contracts.
Long-term Debt:
Long-term debt includes AAC surplus notes, the Tier 2 Notes issued in connection with the Rehabilitation Exit Transactions (fully redeemed during the first quarter of 2023) and the Ambac UK debt issued in connection with the Ballantyne commutation. The fair values of surplus notes and Tier 2 Notes are classified as Level 2. The fair value of Ambac UK debt is classified as Level 3.
Other Financial Assets and Liabilities:
Included in Other assets are loans, the fair values of which are estimated based upon internal valuation models and are classified as Level 3.
Variable Interest Entity Assets and Liabilities:
The financial assets and liabilities of Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance VIEs ("FG VIEs") consolidated under the Consolidation Topic of the ASC consist primarily of fixed maturity securities and loans held by the VIEs, derivative instruments and notes issued by the VIEs which are reported as long-term debt. As described in Note 9. Variable Interest Entities, these FG VIEs are securitization entities which have liabilities and/or assets guaranteed by AAC or Ambac UK.
The fair values of FG VIE long-term debt are based on price quotes received from independent market sources when available. Such quotes are considered Level 2 and generally consider a variety of factors, including recent trades of the same and similar securities. For those instruments where quotes were not available or cannot be reasonably corroborated, fair values are based on internal valuation models. Comparable to the sensitivities of investments in fixed maturity securities described above, longer (shorter) expected maturities or higher (lower) yields used in the valuation model will, in isolation, result in decreases (increases) in fair value liability measurement for FG VIE long-term debt.
FG VIE derivative asset and liability fair values are determined using vendor-developed valuation models, which incorporated observable market data related to specific derivative contractual terms including interest rates, foreign exchange rates and yield curves.
The fair value of FG VIE fixed maturity securities and loan assets are generally based on Level 2 market price quotes received from independent market sources when available. When FG VIE asset fair values are not readily available from market quotes, values are estimated internally. Internal valuations of FG VIE’s fixed maturity securities or loan assets are derived from the fair values of the notes issued by the respective VIE and the VIE’s derivatives, determined as described above, adjusted for the fair values of Ambac’s financial guarantees associated with the VIE. The fair value of financial guarantees consist of: (i) estimated future premium cash flows discounted at a rate consistent with
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 17 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
that implicit in the fair value of the VIE’s liabilities and (ii) estimates of future claim payments discounted at a rate that includes Ambac’s own credit risk. Estimated future premium payments to be paid by the VIEs were discounted at a weighted average rate of 6.3% and 6.8% at March 31, 2023 and December
31, 2022, respectively. At March 31, 2023, the range of these discount rates was between 5.5% and 7.3%. At December 31, 2022, the range of these discount rates were between 5.8% and 8.5%.
Additional Fair Value Information for Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value:
The following tables present the changes in the Level 3 fair value category for the periods presented in 2023 and 2022. Ambac classifies financial instruments in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy when there is reliance on at least one significant unobservable input to the valuation model. In addition to these unobservable inputs, the valuation models for Level 3 financial instruments typically also rely on a number of inputs that are readily observable either directly or indirectly. Thus, the gains and losses presented below include changes in the fair value related to both observable and unobservable inputs.
Level 3 - Financial Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
VIE Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments | Derivatives | Investments | Loans | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 79 | $ | 26 | $ | 1,828 | $ | 1,829 | $ | 3,762 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total gains/(losses) realized and unrealized: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Included in earnings | — | 5 | 133 | 59 | 196 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Included in other comprehensive income | 3 | — | 43 | 42 | 87 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlements | — | — | — | (73) | (74) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 81 | $ | 31 | $ | 2,003 | $ | 1,856 | $ | 3,972 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The amount of total gains/(losses) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date | $ | — | $ | 5 | $ | 133 | $ | 59 | $ | 196 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The amount of total gains/(losses) included in other comprehensive income attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date | $ | 3 | $ | — | $ | 43 | $ | 42 | $ | 87 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 91 | $ | 70 | $ | 3,320 | $ | 2,718 | $ | 6,199 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total gains/(losses) realized and unrealized: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Included in earnings | — | (17) | (93) | (96) | (204) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Included in other comprehensive income | (4) | — | (96) | (76) | (176) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Settlements | (1) | (2) | — | (78) | (80) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 86 | $ | 52 | $ | 3,131 | $ | 2,469 | $ | 5,738 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The amount of total gains/(losses) included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date | $ | — | $ | (17) | $ | (93) | $ | (96) | $ | (204) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The amount of total gains/(losses) included in other comprehensive income attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date | $ | (4) | $ | — | $ | (96) | $ | (76) | $ | (176) |
Invested assets and VIE long-term debt are transferred into Level 3 when internal valuation models that include significant unobservable inputs are used to estimate fair value. All such securities that have internally modeled fair values have been classified as Level 3. Derivative instruments are transferred into Level 3 when the use of unobservable inputs becomes significant to the overall valuation. There were no transfers of financial instruments into or out of Level 3 in the periods disclosed.
Gains and losses (realized and unrealized) relating to Level 3 assets and liabilities included in earnings for the affected periods are reported as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | Net Gains (Losses) on Derivative Contracts | Income (Loss) on Variable Interest Entities | Other Income or (Expense) | Net Investment Income | Net Gains (Losses) on Derivative Contracts | Income (Loss) on Variable Interest Entities | Other Income or (Expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total gains (losses) included in earnings for the period | $ | — | $ | 5 | $ | 191 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (17) | $ | (188) | $ | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to financial instruments still held at the reporting date | — | 5 | 191 | — | — | (17) | (188) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 18 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
6. INSURANCE CONTRACTS
Amounts presented in this Note relate only to Ambac’s non-derivative insurance business for insurance policies issued to beneficiaries, excluding consolidated VIEs.
Premiums:
The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Written | Earned | Written | Earned | ||||||||||||||||||||
Direct | $ | 61 | $ | 46 | $ | 30 | $ | 23 | |||||||||||||||
Assumed | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Ceded | 43 | 32 | 18 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums | $ | 18 | $ | 14 | $ | 12 | $ | 15 | |||||||||||||||
The following table summarizes net premiums earned by location of risk:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
United States | $ | 11 | $ | 9 | |||||||
United Kingdom | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Other international | — | 1 | |||||||||
Total | $ | 14 | $ | 15 |
Premium Receivables, including credit impairments:
Premium receivables at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $272 and $269, respectively.
•Legacy financial guarantee premium receivables are discounted using an appropriate risk-free rate corresponding to the weighted average life of each policy and currency to
discount the future premiums contractually due or expected to be collected. The weighted average risk-free rate at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, was 3.0% and 3.0%, respectively, and the weighted average period of future premiums used to estimate the premium receivable at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, was 8.0 years and 8.0 years, respectively.
•Specialty property and casualty premium receivables are not discounted and are typically paid upfront. Any receivables for such amounts are generally collected in the following period. Non-payment of premium by the policyholder may lead to policy cancellation.
Management evaluates premium receivables for expected credit losses ("credit impairment") in accordance with the CECL standard, which is further described in Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Ambac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
•The Company records a premium receivable allowance for specialty property and casualty premiums that are 90 days past due.
•The key indicator management uses to assess the credit quality of the legacy financial guarantee premium receivables are Ambac's internal risk classifications for the insured obligations that are determined by the Risk Management Group.
Below is the amortized cost basis of financial guarantee premium receivables by risk classification code and asset class as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Surveillance Categories as of March 31, 2023 | Surveillance Categories as of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Type of Guaranteed Bond | I | IA | II | III | IV | Total | I | IA | II | III | IV | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public Finance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Housing revenue | $ | 138 | $ | 3 | $ | 5 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 146 | $ | 140 | $ | 3 | $ | 5 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 148 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Public Finance | 140 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 148 | 142 | 3 | 5 | — | — | 150 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Structured Finance: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed and home equity | — | — | — | — | 11 | 12 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Student loan | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | — | 8 | 1 | 1 | — | 7 | — | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Structured Finance | 4 | 1 | — | 7 | 11 | 23 | 5 | 1 | — | 7 | 11 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sovereign/sub-sovereign | 53 | 7 | — | 9 | — | 69 | 49 | 7 | — | 9 | — | 64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investor-owned and public utilities | 18 | — | — | — | — | 18 | 18 | — | — | — | — | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total International | 74 | 7 | — | 9 | — | 90 | 70 | 7 | — | 9 | — | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total (1) (2) | $ | 218 | $ | 10 | $ | 5 | $ | 16 | $ | 11 | $ | 261 | $ | 217 | $ | 10 | $ | 5 | $ | 16 | $ | 11 | $ | 259 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Excludes specialty property and casualty premium receivables of $17 and $16 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(2) The underwriting origination dates for all policies included are greater than five years prior to the current reporting date.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 19 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Below is a rollforward of the premium receivable allowance for credit losses as of March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 5 | $ | 9 | ||||||||||
Current period provision (benefit) | — | (1) | ||||||||||||
Write-offs of the allowance | — | — | ||||||||||||
Recoveries of previously written-off amounts | — | — | ||||||||||||
Ending balance (1) | $ | 5 | $ | 8 |
(1)At March 31, 2023 and 2022, $0 and $1 of premiums were past due.
Legacy Financial Guarantee Premium Receivables:
Below is the gross premium receivable roll-forward, net of the allowance for credit losses, for the affected periods:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Beginning premium receivable | $ | 254 | $ | 320 | ||||||||||
Premium receipts | (9) | (15) | ||||||||||||
Adjustments for changes in expected and contractual cash flows for contracts (1) | 7 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Accretion of premium receivable discount for contracts | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Changes to allowance for credit losses | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
Other adjustments (including foreign exchange) (2) | 2 | (3) | ||||||||||||
Ending premium receivable (3) | $ | 256 | $ | 308 |
(1)Adjustments for changes in expected and contractual cash flows are primarily due to lower discount rates
(2)Includes foreign exchange gains (losses) of $2 and $(4) for 2023 and 2022, respectively.
(3)Premium receivable includes premiums to be received in foreign denominated currencies most notably in British Pounds and Euros. At March 31, 2023 and 2022, premium receivables include British Pounds of $75 (£61) and $101 (£77), respectively, and Euros of $15 (€13) and $16 (€15), respectively.
The following table summarizes the future gross undiscounted premiums to be collected and future premiums earned, net of reinsurance at March 31, 2023:
Future Premiums to be Collected (1) | Future Premiums to be Earned Net of Reinsurance (2) | ||||||||||
Three months ended: | |||||||||||
June 30, 2023 | $ | 7 | $ | 5 | |||||||
September 30, 2023 | 7 | 5 | |||||||||
December 31, 2023 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||
Twelve months ended: | |||||||||||
December 31, 2024 | 26 | 20 | |||||||||
December 31, 2025 | 25 | 19 | |||||||||
December 31, 2026 | 24 | 19 | |||||||||
December 31, 2027 | 23 | 18 | |||||||||
Five years ended: | |||||||||||
December 31, 2032 | 98 | 73 | |||||||||
December 31, 2037 | 62 | 44 | |||||||||
December 31, 2042 | 29 | 17 | |||||||||
December 31, 2047 | 14 | 8 | |||||||||
December 31, 2052 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||
December 31, 2057 | — | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 325 | $ | 235 |
(1)Future premiums to be collected are undiscounted, gross of allowance for credit losses, and are used to derive the discounted premium receivable asset recorded on Ambac's balance sheet.
(2)Future premiums to be earned, net of reinsurance relate to the unearned premiums liability and deferred ceded premium asset recorded on Ambac’s balance sheet. The use of contractual lives for many bond types which do not have homogeneous pools of underlying collateral is required in the calculation of the premium receivable, as further described in Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Ambac's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. This results in a different premium receivable balance than if expected lives were considered. If installment paying policies are retired or prepay early, premiums reflected in the premium receivable asset and amounts reported in the above table for such policies may not be collected. Future premiums to be earned also considers the use of contractual lives for many bond types which do not have homogeneous pools of underlying collateral, which may result in different unearned premium than if expected lives were considered. If those bonds types are retired early, premium earnings may be negative in the period of call or refinancing.
Loss and Loss Expense Reserves:
Ambac’s loss and loss expense reserves (“loss reserves”) are based on management’s on-going review of the insured portfolio. Below are the components of the loss and loss expense reserves and the subrogation recoverable asset at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Specialty Property and Casualty | Legacy Financial Guarantee | Specialty Property and Casualty | Legacy Financial Guarantee | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows | Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows | : | : | : | : | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Line Item | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | Claims and Loss Expenses | Recoveries | Unearned Premium Revenue | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | Claims and Loss Expenses | Recoveries | Unearned Premium Revenue | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March 31, 2023: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss expense reserves | $ | 107 | $ | 822 | $ | (48) | $ | (30) | $ | 851 | $ | 90 | $ | 787 | $ | (44) | $ | (28) | $ | 805 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subrogation recoverable | — | 2 | (148) | — | (146) | — | 5 | (276) | — | (271) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Totals | $ | 107 | $ | 824 | $ | (196) | $ | (30) | $ | 705 | $ | 90 | $ | 791 | $ | (319) | $ | (28) | $ | 534 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 20 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Below is the loss and loss reserve expense roll-forward, net of subrogation recoverable and reinsurance, for the affected periods:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Beginning gross loss and loss expense reserves | $ | 534 | $ | (522) | |||||||
Reinsurance recoverable | 115 | 56 | |||||||||
Beginning balance of net loss and loss expense reserves | 419 | (578) | |||||||||
Losses and loss expenses (benefit): | |||||||||||
Current year | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Prior years | 16 | 23 | |||||||||
Total (1) (2) | 18 | 24 | |||||||||
Loss and loss expenses paid (recovered): | |||||||||||
Current year | — | — | |||||||||
Prior years | (141) | (150) | |||||||||
Total | (141) | (150) | |||||||||
Foreign exchange effect | — | (1) | |||||||||
Ending net loss and loss expense reserves | 578 | (404) | |||||||||
Impact of VIE consolidation | — | (292) | |||||||||
Reinsurance recoverable (3) | 127 | 49 | |||||||||
Ending gross loss and loss expense reserves | $ | 705 | $ | (647) |
(1)Total losses and loss expenses (benefit) includes $(20) and $(7) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to ceded reinsurance.
(2)Ambac recorded the impact of estimated recoveries related to securitized loans in RMBS transactions that breached certain representations and warranties ("R&W's) by transaction sponsors within losses and loss expenses (benefit) for the Legacy Financial Guarantee segment. The losses and loss expense incurred associated with changes in estimated R&W's for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, was $0 and $224, respectively.
(3)Represents reinsurance recoverable on future loss and loss expenses. Additionally, the Balance Sheet line "Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses" includes reinsurance recoverables (payables) of $3 and $0 as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to previously presented loss and loss expenses and subrogation.
For 2023, the adverse development in prior years was largely driven by the impact of lower discount rates on the RMBS portfolio, partially offset by assumption changes in the international portfolio.
For 2022, the adverse development in prior years was primarily attributable to the reduction in the R&W recoverable partially offset by the positive benefit of the March 2022 Puerto Rico restructuring.
Legacy Financial Guarantee Loss Reserves:
The tables below summarize information related to policies currently included in Ambac’s loss and loss expense reserves or subrogation recoverable at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, excluding consolidated VIEs. Gross par exposures include capital appreciation bonds which are reported at the par amount at the time of issuance of the insurance policy as opposed to the current accreted value of the bond. The weighted average risk-free rate used to discount loss reserves at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022,was 3.5% and 3.9%, respectively.
Surveillance Categories as of March 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I | IA | II | III | IV | V | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of policies | 32 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 102 | 5 | 168 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Remaining weighted-average contract period (in years) (1) | 8 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross insured contractual payments outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | $ | 570 | $ | 514 | $ | 1,056 | $ | 414 | $ | 1,597 | $ | 34 | $ | 4,185 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest | 487 | 338 | 297 | 149 | 583 | 19 | 1,872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,057 | $ | 852 | $ | 1,353 | $ | 563 | $ | 2,180 | $ | 53 | $ | 6,058 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross undiscounted claim liability | $ | 3 | $ | 7 | $ | 59 | $ | 402 | $ | 749 | $ | 53 | $ | 1,272 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount, gross claim liability | — | (1) | (8) | (137) | (299) | (9) | (455) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross claim liability before all subrogation and before reinsurance | 3 | 6 | 50 | 265 | 449 | 44 | 818 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross other subrogation (2) | (14) | (4) | — | (30) | (194) | (12) | (254) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount, other subrogation | 2 | 1 | — | 5 | 48 | 3 | 59 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discounted other subrogation, before reinsurance | (11) | (4) | — | (26) | (146) | (8) | (196) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross claim liability, net of all subrogation and discounts, before reinsurance | (9) | 2 | 50 | 240 | 303 | 36 | 622 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Unearned premium revenue | (1) | (5) | (12) | (1) | (10) | (1) | (30) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plus: Loss expense reserves | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross loss and loss expense reserves | $ | (9) | $ | (2) | $ | 40 | $ | 240 | $ | 295 | $ | 35 | $ | 598 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance recoverable reported on Balance Sheet (3) | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 9 | $ | 21 | $ | 3 | $ | 34 |
(1)Remaining weighted-average contract period is weighted based on projected gross claims over the lives of the respective policies.
(2)Other subrogation represents subrogation related to excess spread and other contractual cash flows on public finance and structured finance transactions, including RMBS.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 21 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
(3)Reinsurance recoverable reported on the Balance Sheet includes reinsurance recoverables of $34 related to future loss and loss expenses and $0 related to presented loss and loss expenses and subrogation.
Surveillance Categories as of December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I | IA | II | III | IV | V | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of policies | 37 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 93 | 5 | 162 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Remaining weighted-average contract period (in years) (1) | 7 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross insured contractual payments outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | $ | 709 | $ | 200 | $ | 459 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 1,646 | $ | 34 | $ | 4,047 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest | 526 | 198 | 286 | 156 | 565 | 19 | 1,750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,235 | $ | 399 | $ | 745 | $ | 1,156 | $ | 2,210 | $ | 53 | $ | 5,797 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross undiscounted claim liability | $ | 4 | $ | 4 | $ | 43 | $ | 446 | $ | 729 | $ | 53 | $ | 1,279 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount, gross claim liability | (1) | (1) | (7) | (162) | (316) | (9) | (496) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross claim liability before all subrogation and before reinsurance | 3 | 3 | 36 | 284 | 413 | 43 | 783 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross RMBS subrogation (2) | — | — | — | — | (140) | — | (140) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount, RMBS subrogation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discounted RMBS subrogation, before reinsurance | — | — | — | — | (140) | — | (140) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross other subrogation (3) | (14) | (4) | — | (31) | (172) | (12) | (233) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount, other subrogation | 2 | — | — | 5 | 42 | 4 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discounted other subrogation, before reinsurance | (12) | (3) | — | (26) | (130) | (8) | (179) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross claim liability, net of all subrogation and discounts, before reinsurance | (9) | — | 36 | 258 | 143 | 35 | 464 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Unearned premium revenue | (2) | (2) | (5) | (8) | (10) | (1) | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Plus: Loss expense reserves | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross loss and loss expense reserves | $ | (10) | $ | (2) | $ | 32 | $ | 252 | $ | 137 | $ | 34 | $ | 444 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reinsurance recoverable reported on Balance Sheet (4) | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | 8 | $ | 21 | $ | 3 | $ | — | $ | 33 |
(1)Remaining weighted-average contract period is weighted based on projected gross claims over the lives of the respective policies.
(2)RMBS subrogation represents Ambac’s estimate of subrogation recoveries from RMBS transaction sponsors for R&W breaches.
(3)Other subrogation represents subrogation related to excess spread and other contractual cash flows on public finance and structured finance transactions, including RMBS.
(4)Reinsurance recoverable reported on the Balance Sheet includes reinsurance recoverables of $33 related to future loss and loss expenses and $0 related to presented loss and loss expenses and subrogation.
Representation and Warranty Recoveries:
Ambac had recorded RMBS R&W subrogation recoveries of $0 ($0 net of reinsurance) and $140 ($140 net of reinsurance) at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. On December 29, 2022, AAC entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with Nomura Credit & Capital, Inc. ("Nomura") whereby the parties settled all RMBS litigation brought by AAC against Nomura and AAC received $140 on January 3, 2023, bringing to a close all of AAC's legacy litigation against RMBS sponsors.
Reinsurance Recoverables, Including Credit Impairments:
The Company uses ceded reinsurance to transfer certain insurance risk, along with premiums written and earned, to other insurance carriers that agree to share in such risks. The primary purpose of the reinsurance is to (i) protect the Company, at a cost, from losses in excess of amounts it is willing to accept, (ii) protect the Company's capital, and (iii) within the Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance operations, to manage the Company's net retention on individual risks and overall exposure to losses while
providing the Company the ability to offer policies with sufficient limits to meet policyholder needs.
•Within its Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance segment, the Company generally enters into quota share reinsurance agreements whereby the Company cedes to the capacity providers (reinsurers) a substantial amount (generally 70% or more) of its gross liability under all policies issued by and on behalf of the Company by the MGA/U.
Ambac is exposed to the credit risk of the reinsurer, or the risk that one of its reinsurers becomes insolvent or otherwise unable or unwilling to pay policyholder claims. This credit risk is generally mitigated by either selecting well capitalized, highly rated authorized capacity providers or requiring that the capacity provider post collateral to secure the reinsured risks, which in some instances, exceeds the related reinsurance recoverable.
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the associated loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. The Company reports its reinsurance recoverables net of an allowance for amounts that are estimated to be uncollectible.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 22 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Ambac’s reinsurance assets, including deferred ceded premiums and reinsurance recoverables on losses amounted to $265 at March 31, 2023. Credit exposure existed at March 31, 2023, with respect to reinsurance recoverables to the extent that any reinsurer may not be able to reimburse Ambac under the terms of these reinsurance arrangements. At March 31, 2023, there were ceded reinsurance balances payable of $38 offsetting this credit exposure. Contractually ceded reinsurance payables can only be offset against amounts owed from the same reinsurer in the event that such reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations to reimburse Ambac.
To minimize its credit exposure to losses from reinsurer insolvencies, Ambac (i) is entitled to receive collateral from its reinsurance counterparties in certain reinsurance contracts and (ii) has certain cancellation rights that can be exercised by Ambac in the event of rating agency downgrades of a reinsurer (among other events and circumstances). Ambac held letters of credit and collateral amounting to $115 from its reinsurers at March 31, 2023. For those reinsurance counterparties that do not currently post collateral, Ambac's reinsurers are well capitalized, highly rated, authorized capacity providers. Additionally, while legacy liabilities from the PWIC and 21st Century Company acquisitions were fully ceded to certain reinsurers, Everspan also benefits from an unlimited, uncapped indemnity from Enstar Holdings (US) and 21st Century Premier Insurance Company, respectively, to mitigate any residual risk to these reinsurers.
The allowance for credit losses is based upon Ambac's ongoing review of amounts outstanding. Key indicators management uses to assess the credit quality of reinsurance recoverables are financial performance of the reinsurers, collateral posted by the reinsurers and independent rating agency credit ratings. The evaluation begins with a comparison of the fair value of collateral posted by the reinsurer to the recoverable, net of ceded premiums payable. Any shortfall of collateral posted is evaluated against our assessment of the reinsurer's financial strength, including its credit rating to determine whether an allowance is considered necessary.
At March 31, 2023, our top three reinsurers represented 82.6% of our total reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses. These reinsurance recoverables were primarily from reinsurers with applicable ratings of A or better. The following table sets forth our three most significant reinsurers by amount of reinsurance recoverable as of March 31, 2023.
Reinsurers | Type of Insurance | Rating (1) | Reinsurance Recoverable (2) | Unsecured Recoverable (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
QBE Insurance Corporation | Specialty P&C | A | $ | 40 | $ | 40 | |||||||||||||||||
Assured Guaranty Re Ltd. | Financial Guarantee | AA | 30 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
General Reinsurance Company | Specialty P&C | A++ | 37 | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||
All other reinsurers | 23 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total recoverables | $ | 130 | $ | 75 |
(1)Represents financial strength ratings from S&P for financial guarantee reinsurers and AM Best for specialty P&C reinsurers.
(2)Represents reinsurance recoverables on paid and unpaid losses. Unsecured amounts from QBE Insurance Corporation is also supported by an unlimited, uncapped indemnity from Enstar Holdings (US).
(3)Reinsurance recoverables reduced by ceded premiums payables due to reinsurers, letters of credit, and collateral posted for the benefit of Ambac.
Ambac has uncollateralized credit exposure of $75 and $60 and has recorded an allowance for credit losses of less than a million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The uncollateralized credit exposure includes legacy liabilities obtained from the acquisitions of PWIC and the 21st Century Companies of $43 and $45 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. All legacy liabilities remain with affiliates of the sellers through reinsurance and contractual indemnities.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 23 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The following tables summarize the gross fair values of individual derivative instruments and the impact of legal rights of offset as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets / Liabilities | Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | Net Amounts of Assets/ Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | Gross Amount of Collateral Received / Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | Net Amount | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets / Liabilities | Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | Net Amounts of Assets/ Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | Gross Amount of Collateral Received / Pledged Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet | Net Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | 30 | $ | — | $ | 30 | $ | — | $ | 30 | $ | 27 | $ | — | $ | 27 | $ | — | $ | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrants | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-VIE derivative assets | $ | 31 | $ | — | $ | 31 | $ | — | $ | 31 | $ | 28 | $ | — | $ | 27 | $ | — | $ | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | 44 | $ | — | $ | 44 | $ | 43 | $ | — | $ | 38 | $ | — | $ | 38 | $ | 38 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total non-VIE derivative liabilities | $ | 44 | $ | — | $ | 44 | $ | 43 | $ | — | $ | 38 | $ | — | $ | 38 | $ | 38 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable Interest Entities Derivative Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | 198 | $ | — | $ | 198 | $ | 198 | $ | — | $ | 190 | $ | — | $ | 190 | $ | — | $ | 190 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Currency swaps | 45 | — | 45 | 45 | — | 49 | — | 49 | — | 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total VIE derivative assets | $ | 243 | $ | — | $ | 243 | $ | 243 | $ | — | $ | 239 | $ | — | $ | 239 | $ | — | $ | 239 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Variable Interest Entities Derivative Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | $ | 1,174 | $ | — | $ | 1,174 | $ | — | $ | 1,174 | $ | 1,048 | $ | — | $ | 1,048 | $ | — | $ | 1,048 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total VIE derivative liabilities | $ | 1,174 | $ | — | $ | 1,174 | $ | — | $ | 1,174 | $ | 1,048 | $ | — | $ | 1,048 | $ | — | $ | 1,048 |
Amounts representing the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral are not offset against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amounts representing the right to reclaim cash collateral and posted margin, recorded in “Other assets” were $9 and $6 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Amounts representing an obligation to return cash collateral were $254 and $0 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively and are reported in "Variable interest entity liabilities: Other liabilities".
The following tables summarize the location and amount of gains and losses of derivative contracts in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||
Non-VIE derivatives: | |||||||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts | (3) | 30 | ||||||||||||||
Warrants | Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Futures contracts | Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts | — | 27 | ||||||||||||||
Total Non-VIE derivatives | $ | (4) | $ | 57 | |||||||||||||
Variable Interest Entities: | |||||||||||||||||
Currency swaps | Income (loss) on variable interest entities | $ | (99) | $ | 6 | ||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps | Income (loss) on variable interest entities | (3) | 5 | ||||||||||||||
Total Variable Interest Entities | (102) | 11 | |||||||||||||||
Total derivative contracts | $ | (105) | $ | 68 |
Interest Rate Derivatives:
Ambac, through its subsidiary Ambac Financial Services (“AFS”), uses interest rate swaps, US Treasury futures contracts and other derivatives, to provide a partial economic hedge against the effects of rising interest rates elsewhere in the Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance segment, including on Ambac’s financial guarantee exposures. Additionally, AFS provided interest rate swaps to states, municipalities and their authorities, asset-backed issuers and other entities in connection with their
financings. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the notional amounts of AFS’s derivatives are as follows:
Notional | ||||||||||||||
Type of Derivative | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps—pay-fixed/receive-variable | $ | 861 | $ | 989 | ||||||||||
Interest rate swaps—receive-fixed/pay-variable | 332 | 337 | ||||||||||||
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 24 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Other Derivatives:
As of March 31, 2023 Ambac holds warrants to purchase preferred stock of a development stage company.
Derivatives of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
Certain VIEs consolidated under the Consolidation Topic of the ASC entered into derivative contracts to meet specified purposes within the securitization structure. The notional for VIE derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were as follows:
Notional | ||||||||||||||
Type of VIE Derivative | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Interest rate swaps—receive-fixed/pay-variable | $ | 1,609 | $ | 1,573 | ||||||||||
Interest rate swaps—pay-fixed/receive-variable | 890 | 887 | ||||||||||||
Currency swaps | 169 | 176 | ||||||||||||
Contingent Features in Derivatives Related to Ambac Credit Risk
Ambac’s over-the-counter interest rate swaps are centrally cleared when eligible. Certain interest rate swaps remain with professional swap-dealer counterparties and direct customer counterparties. These non-cleared swaps are generally executed under standardized derivative documents including collateral support and master netting agreements. Under these agreements, Ambac is required to post collateral in the event net unrealized losses exceed predetermined threshold levels. Additionally, given that AAC is no longer rated by an independent rating agency, counterparties have the right to terminate the swap positions.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the net liability fair value of derivative instruments with contingent features linked to Ambac’s own credit risk was $43 and $38, respectively, related to which Ambac had posted cash and securities as collateral with a fair value of $58 and $54, respectively. All such ratings-based contingent features have been triggered requiring maximum collateral levels to be posted by Ambac while preserving counterparties’ rights to terminate the contracts. Assuming all such contracts terminated at fair value on March 31, 2023, settlement of collateral balances and net derivative liabilities would result in a net receipt of cash and/or securities by Ambac. If counterparties elect to exercise their right to terminate, the actual termination payment amounts will be determined in accordance with derivative contract terms, which may result in amounts that differ from market values as reported in Ambac’s financial statements.
8. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
See Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies for discussion of goodwill. The following table presents the Company's goodwill.
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 61 | $ | 46 | ||||||||||
Business acquisitions | — | 15 | ||||||||||||
Impairments | — | — | ||||||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 61 | $ | 61 |
Intangible assets and accumulated amortization are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as shown below.
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
Finite-lived Intangible Assets: | ||||||||||||||
Insurance intangible: | ||||||||||||||
Gross carrying value | $ | 1,251 | $ | 1,247 | ||||||||||
Accumulated amortization | 990 | 981 | ||||||||||||
Net insurance intangible asset | 261 | 266 | ||||||||||||
Other intangibles: | ||||||||||||||
Gross carrying value | 52 | 52 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated amortization | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Net other intangible assets | 46 | 47 | ||||||||||||
Total finite-lived intangible assets | 307 | 312 | ||||||||||||
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets: | ||||||||||||||
Insurance licenses | 14 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Total intangible assets | $ | 321 | $ | 326 |
9. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Ambac, with its subsidiaries, has engaged in transactions with variable interest entities ("VIEs,") in various capacities.
•AAC and Ambac UK provide financial guarantees for various debt obligations issued by special purpose entities, including VIEs (FG VIEs);
•Ambac sponsors special purpose entities that issued notes to investors for various purposes; and
•AAC and Ambac UK invest in collateralized debt obligations, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities issued by VIEs and their ownership interest is generally insignificant to the VIE and/or they do not have rights that direct the activities that are most significant to such VIE.
FG VIEs:
AAC and Ambac UK provide financial guarantees in respect of assets held or debt obligations of VIEs. AAC and Ambac UK's primary variable interest exists through this financial guarantee insurance. The transaction structures provide certain financial protection to AAC or Ambac UK. Generally, upon deterioration in the performance of a transaction or upon an event of default as specified in the transaction legal documents, AAC or Ambac UK will obtain certain control rights that enable them to remediate losses. These rights may enable them to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Under the 2018 Stipulation and Order, AAC is
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 25 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
required to obtain OCI approval with respect to the exercise of certain significant control rights in connection with policies that had previously been allocated to the Segregated Account. Accordingly, AAC does not have the right to direct the most significant activities of those FG VIEs.
FG VIEs which are consolidated may include recourse and non-recourse liabilities. FG VIEs' liabilities that are insured by the AAC or Ambac UK are with recourse, because AAC or Ambac UK guarantees the payment of principal and interest in the event the issuer defaults. FG VIEs' liabilities that are not insured by AAC or Ambac UK are without recourse, because AAC or Ambac UK has not issued a financial guarantee and is under no obligation for the payment of principal and interest of these
instruments. AAC or Ambac UK's economic exposure to consolidated FG VIEs is limited to the financial guarantees issued for recourse liabilities and any additional variable interests held by them. Additionally, AAC or Ambac UK’s general creditors, other than those specific policy holders which own the VIE debt obligations, do not have rights with regard to the assets of the VIEs. Ambac evaluates the net income effects and earnings per share effects to determine attributions between AAC or Ambac UK and non-controlling interests as a result of consolidating a VIE. Ambac has determined that the net income and earnings per share effect of consolidated FG VIEs are attributable to AAC or Ambac UK's interests through financial guarantee premium and loss payments with the VIE.
The following table summarizes the carrying values of assets and liabilities, along with other supplemental information related to FG VIEs that are consolidated as a result of financial guarantees of Ambac UK and AAC:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ambac UK | Ambac Assurance | Total VIEs | Ambac UK | Ambac Assurance | Total VIEs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate obligations, fair value option | $ | 2,003 | $ | — | $ | 2,003 | $ | 1,828 | $ | — | $ | 1,828 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal obligations, trading | — | 16 | 16 | — | 43 | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Municipal obligations, available-for-sale (1) | — | 100 | 100 | — | 96 | 96 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total FG VIE fixed maturity securities, at fair value | 2,003 | 116 | 2,119 | 1,828 | 139 | 1,967 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash | 255 | 1 | 256 | 1 | 16 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loans, at fair value (2) | 1,856 | — | 1,856 | 1,829 | — | 1,829 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | 243 | — | 243 | 239 | — | 239 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other assets | — | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total FG VIE assets | $ | 4,358 | $ | 118 | $ | 4,476 | $ | 3,896 | $ | 157 | $ | 4,054 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, at fair value (3) | $ | 2,869 | $ | — | $ | 2,869 | $ | 2,788 | $ | — | $ | 2,788 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, at par less unamortized discount | — | 191 | 191 | — | 319 | 319 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt | 2,869 | 191 | 3,060 | 2,788 | 319 | 3,107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | 1,174 | — | 1,174 | 1,048 | — | 1,048 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash collateral payable | 254 | — | 254 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other liabilities | — | 1 | 1 | — | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total FG VIE liabilities | $ | 4,297 | $ | 192 | $ | 4,489 | $ | 3,836 | $ | 324 | $ | 4,160 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number of FG VIEs consolidated | 4 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
(1)Available-for-sale FG VIE fixed maturity securities consist of municipal obligations with an amortized cost basis of $99 and $99 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. At March 31, 2023, there were $2 aggregate gross unrealized gains and $(1) aggregated gross unrealized losses. At December 31, 2022, there were $1 aggregate gross unrealized gains and $(4) aggregated gross unrealized losses. All such securities had contractual maturities due after ten years as of March 31, 2023.
(2)The unpaid principal balances of loan assets carried at fair value were $1,975 as of March 31, 2023 and $1,977 as of December 31, 2022.
(3)The unpaid principal balances of long-term debt carried at fair value were $3,088 as of March 31, 2023 and $3,064 as of December 31, 2022.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 26 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
The following schedule details the components of Income (loss) on variable interest entities for the affected periods:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Net change in fair value of VIE assets and liabilities reported under the fair value option | $ | 3 | $ | (1) | ||||||||||
Less: Credit risk changes of fair value option long-term debt reported through other comprehensive income (loss) | — | (1) | ||||||||||||
Net change in fair value of VIE assets and liabilities reported in earnings under the fair value option | 3 | (1) | ||||||||||||
Investment income (loss) | 2 | (4) | ||||||||||||
Net realized investment gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities | — | 1 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense on long-term debt carried at par less unamortized cost | (5) | (2) | ||||||||||||
Gain (loss) from consolidating VIEs | — | 28 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) on variable interest entities | $ | (1) | $ | 22 |
As further discussed in Note 6. Insurance Contracts, on March 17, 2022, in connection with the Puerto Rico restructuring, two new trusts were established. Ambac was required to consolidate these trusts which resulted in a combined gain of $28 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Including these new trusts, Ambac consolidated zero and two FG VIEs for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Ambac deconsolidated one FG VIE for the three months ended March 31, 2023 as a result of the retirement of all Ambac-insured bonds in the trust. There was no deconsolidation gain or loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Ambac did not deconsolidate any FG VIEs for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The following table displays the carrying amount of the assets, liabilities and maximum exposure to loss of Ambac’s variable interests in non-consolidated VIEs resulting from financial guarantee and derivative contracts by major underlying asset classes, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023: | December 31, 2022: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Value of Assets and Liabilities | Carrying Value of Assets and Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Maximum Exposure To Loss (1) | Insurance Assets (2) | Insurance Liabilities (3) | Net Derivative Assets (Liabilities) (4) | Maximum Exposure To Loss (1) | Insurance Assets (2) | Insurance Liabilities (3) | Net Derivative Assets (Liabilities) (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global structured finance: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mortgage-backed—residential | $ | 2,531 | $ | 141 | $ | 437 | $ | — | $ | 2,559 | $ | 266 | $ | 400 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other consumer asset-backed | 630 | 5 | 226 | — | 652 | 6 | 225 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | 424 | 2 | 2 | — | 430 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total global structured finance | 3,585 | 148 | 665 | — | 3,642 | 274 | 628 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global public finance | 17,907 | 221 | 216 | — | 17,997 | 216 | 212 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 21,492 | $ | 370 | $ | 881 | $ | — | $ | 21,639 | $ | 490 | $ | 840 | $ | 1 |
(1)Maximum exposure to loss represents the maximum future payments of principal and interest on insured obligations and derivative contracts. Ambac’s maximum exposure to loss does not include the benefit of any financial instruments (such as reinsurance or hedge contracts) that Ambac may utilize to mitigate the risks associated with these variable interests.
(2)Insurance assets represent the amount included in “Premium receivables” and “Subrogation recoverable” for financial guarantee insurance contracts on Ambac’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(3)Insurance liabilities represent the amount included in “Loss and loss expense reserves” and “Unearned premiums” for financial guarantee insurance contracts on Ambac’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(4)Net derivative assets (liabilities) represent the fair value recognized on interest rate swaps on Ambac’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
10. REVENUES FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The following table presents the Insurance Distribution business operations revenues recognized in accordance with the Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic of the ASC disaggregated by policy type for the affected periods:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Employer Stop Loss | $ | 5 | $ | 4 | |||||||
Affinity Products | 5 | 5 | |||||||||
Commercial auto | 3 | — | |||||||||
Other | 1 | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | 15 | $ | 9 |
During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the amount of revenue recognized related to performance obligations satisfied in a previous period, inclusive of changes due to estimates was approximately $3 and $4, respectively.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
The balances of contract assets and contract liabilities with customers were as follows:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
Premiums and commissions receivable | $ | 8 | $ | 7 | |||||||
Contract assets | 10 | 5 | |||||||||
Contract liabilities | 1 | 1 |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 27 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Contract assets represent estimated future consideration related to base commissions and profit-sharing commissions that were recognized as revenue upon the placement of the policy. The Company does not have the right to bill or collect payment on i) base commissions until the related premiums from policyholders has been collected nor ii) profit-sharing commissions until after the contract year is completed. Changes in contract assets during the three months ended March 31, 2023, is primarily due to the timing of new or renewal policies, growth in the business, reclassifications to receivables (unconditional right) and collections.
Contract liabilities represent advance consideration received from customers related to employer stop loss base commissions that will be recognized over time as claims servicing is performed, which typically occurs between 17 and 20 months from contract inception. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized revenue that was included in the contract liability balance as of the beginning of the period of $0 and $1, respectively.
11. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The following tables detail the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income for the affected periods:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023: | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale Securities (1) | Amortization of Postretirement Benefit (1) | Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Translation (1) | Credit Risk Changes of Fair Value Option Liabilities (1) (2) | Total | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available for Sale Securities (1) | Amortization of Postretirement Benefit (1) | Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Translation (1) | Credit Risk Changes of Fair Value Option Liabilities (1) (2) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance | $ | (71) | $ | 3 | $ | (184) | $ | (1) | $ | (253) | $ | 154 | $ | 4 | $ | (100) | $ | (1) | $ | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 14 | 3 | 16 | — | 33 | (104) | — | (23) | — | (127) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 4 | — | — | — | 3 | (1) | — | — | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | 17 | 3 | 16 | — | 36 | (105) | — | (23) | — | (127) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ending Balance | $ | (54) | $ | 6 | $ | (168) | $ | (1) | $ | (217) | $ | 49 | $ | 4 | $ | (123) | $ | (1) | $ | (70) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)All amounts are net of tax and noncontrolling interest. Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.
(2)Represents the changes in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk of liabilities for which the fair value option is elected.
The following table details the significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, shown in the above rollforward tables, for the affected periods:
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 4 | $ | (1) | Net realized investment gains (losses) | ||||||||||||||||
(1) | — | Provision for income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 4 | $ | (1) | Net of tax and noncontrolling interest | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of Postretirement Benefit | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prior service cost | $ | — | $ | — | Other income | |||||||||||||||
Actuarial (losses) | — | — | Other income | |||||||||||||||||
— | — | Total before tax | ||||||||||||||||||
— | — | Provision for income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | — | $ | — | Net of tax and noncontrolling interest | ||||||||||||||||
Credit Risk Changes of Fair Value Option Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
$ | — | $ | 1 | Credit risk changes of fair value option liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
— | — | Provision for income taxes | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | — | $ | — | Net of tax and noncontrolling interest | ||||||||||||||||
Total reclassifications for the period | $ | 3 | $ | (1) | Net of tax and noncontrolling interest |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 28 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
12. NET INCOME PER SHARE
As of March 31, 2023, 45,321,745 shares of AFG's common stock (par value $0.01) and warrants entitling holders to acquire up to 4,876,114 shares of new common stock at an exercise price of $16.67 per share were issued and outstanding. Common shares outstanding increased by 347,988 during the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due settlements of employee restricted and performance stock units. As of April 30, 2023, all of AFG's outstanding warrants expired without being exercised.
Earnings Per Share Calculation
The numerator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computation represents net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders adjusted by the retained earnings impact of the noncontrolling adjustment to redemption value under ASC 480. The redemption value adjustment is further described in the Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest section of Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to common stockholders to the numerator in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation, together with the resulting earnings per share amounts:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | (33) | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Adjustment to redemption value (ASC 480) | — | — | ||||||||||||
Numerator of basic and diluted EPS | $ | (33) | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Per Share: | ||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.73) | $ | 0.04 | ||||||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.73) | $ | 0.04 |
The denominator of the basic earnings per share computation represents the weighted average common shares outstanding plus vested restricted stock units (together, "Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding"). The denominator of diluted earnings per share adjusts the Basic Weighted Average Shares Outstanding for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. All potential dilutive common shares outstanding consider common stock deliverable pursuant to warrants, unvested restricted stock units and performance stock units granted under existing compensation plans.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the weighted average shares denominator used for basic net income per share to the denominator used for diluted net income per share:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding denominator | 45,564,276 | 46,731,459 | ||||||||||||
Effect of potential dilutive shares : | ||||||||||||||
Warrants | — | — | ||||||||||||
Restricted stock units | — | 82,066 | ||||||||||||
Performance stock units (1) | — | 546,206 | ||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding denominator | 45,564,276 | 47,359,731 | ||||||||||||
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from the above reconciliation: | ||||||||||||||
Warrants | 4,876,114 | 4,877,617 | ||||||||||||
Restricted stock units | 555,354 | 253,828 | ||||||||||||
Performance stock units (1) | 601,033 | — |
(1) Performance stock units are reflected based on the performance metrics through the balance sheet date. Vesting of these units is contingent upon meeting certain performance metrics. Although a portion of these performance metrics have been achieved as of the respective period end, it is possible that awards may no longer meet the metric at the end of the performance period.
13. INCOME TAXES
AFG files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its subsidiaries. AFG and its subsidiaries also file separate or combined income tax returns in various states, local and foreign jurisdictions. The following are the major jurisdictions in which Ambac and its subsidiaries operate and the earliest tax years subject to examination:
Jurisdiction | Tax Year | ||||
United States | 2010 | ||||
New York State | 2013 | ||||
New York City | 2018 | ||||
United Kingdom | 2019 | ||||
Italy | 2018 |
In accordance with the Income Tax Topic of the ASC, a valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. As a result of the risks and uncertainties associated with future operating results, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will not generate sufficient U.S. federal, state and/or local taxable income to recover its deferred tax operating assets and therefore maintains a full valuation allowance.
Consolidated Pretax Income (Loss)
U.S. and foreign components of pre-tax income (loss) were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
U.S. | $ | (48) | $ | (1) | |||||||
Foreign | 19 | 4 | |||||||||
Total | $ | (29) | $ | 3 |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 29 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Current taxes | |||||||||||
U. S. federal | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
U.S. state and local | — | — | |||||||||
Foreign | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Total Current taxes | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Deferred taxes | |||||||||||
Foreign | 2 | (1) | |||||||||
Total Deferred taxes | 2 | (1) | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | $ | 4 | $ | — |
As of March 31, 2023, the Company has (i) $3,461 of NOLs, which if not utilized will begin expiring in 2030, and will fully expire in 2044, and (ii) $310 of interest expense tax deduction carryover, which has an indefinite carryforward period but is limited in any particular year based on certain provisions.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The following commitments and contingencies provide an update of those discussed in Note 20: Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and should be read in conjunction with the complete descriptions provided in the aforementioned Form 10-K.
Litigation Against Ambac
In re National Collegiate Student Loan Trusts Litigation (Delaware Court of Chancery, Consolidated C.A. No. 12111, filed November 1, 2019). The Vice Chancellor has entered a series of stays to facilitate good-faith settlement discussions, the most recent of which was entered on May 2, 2023 and stays the matter through May 5, 2023.
It is not reasonably possible to predict whether additional suits will be filed or whether additional inquiries or requests for information will be made, and it is also not possible to predict the outcome of litigation, inquiries or requests for information. It is possible that there could be unfavorable outcomes in these or other proceedings. Legal accruals for litigation against the Company which are probable and reasonably estimable, and management's estimated range of loss for such matters, are either not applicable or are not material to the operating results or financial position of the Company. For the litigation matters the Company is defending that do not meet the “probable and reasonably estimable” accrual threshold and where no loss estimates have been provided above, management is unable to make a meaningful estimate of the amount or range of loss that could result from unfavorable outcomes. Under some circumstances, adverse results in any such proceedings could be material to our business, operations, financial position, profitability or cash flows. The Company believes that it has substantial defenses to the claims above and, to the extent that these actions proceed, the Company intends to defend itself
vigorously; however, the Company is not able to predict the outcomes of these actions.
Litigation Filed or Joined by Ambac
In the ordinary course of their businesses, certain of Ambac’s subsidiaries assert claims in legal proceedings against third parties to recover losses already paid and/or mitigate future losses. The amounts recovered and/or losses avoided which may result from these proceedings is uncertain, although recoveries and/or losses avoided in any one or more of these proceedings during any quarter or fiscal year could be material to Ambac’s results of operations in that quarter or fiscal year.
Puerto Rico
In re Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (United States District Court, District of Puerto Rico, No. 1:17- bk-03283) (appeals of the Commonwealth Plan). On January 18, 2022, the District Court entered an order confirming the Commonwealth Plan and entered its findings of fact and conclusions of law related thereto. Several parties filed notices of appeal of the District Court’s confirmation order to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, including a number of teachers’ unions (“the Teachers’ Unions”), the Oversight Board, certain individual creditors, a number of credit unions (“the Credit Unions”), and Suiza Dairy Corporation (“Suiza”). Oversight Board: On July 18, 2022, the First Circuit rejected the Oversight Board’s challenges to, and affirmed, the confirmation order. The Oversight Board filed a petition for a writ of certiorari seeking Supreme Court review of the First Circuit’s decision in its appeal of the confirmation order on October 17, 2022; the Supreme Court denied the Oversight Board’s petition on February 21, 2023.
In re Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (United States District Court, District of Puerto Rico, No. 1:17- bk-03567) (appeal of the PRHTA POA). On October 12, 2022, the District Court entered an order confirming the PRHTA POA and entered its findings of fact and conclusions of law related thereto. On October 24, 2022, a group of present and former employees of PRHTA (“the Vazquez-Velazquez Group”) filed a notice of appeal with respect to, and a motion to stay, the PRHTA POA confirmation order. The Vazquez-Velazquez Group filed its opening brief in the First Circuit on February 15, 2023. The Oversight Board filed its response brief on March 29, 2023. On April 14, 2023, the First Circuit entered an order extending the Vazquez-Velazquez Group’s deadline to file its reply brief to May 4, 2023. Oral argument is scheduled for June 8, 2023.
Student Loans Exposure
CFPB v. Nat’l Collegiate Master Student Loan Trust (United States District Court, District of Delaware, Case No. 1:17-cv-01323, filed September 18, 2017). The Third Circuit is scheduled to hear oral argument in the matter on May 17, 2023.
RMBS Litigation
In connection with AAC’s efforts to seek redress for breaches of representations and warranties and fraud related to the information provided by both the underwriters and the sponsors of various transactions and for failure to comply with the
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 30 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(Dollar Amounts in Millions, Except Share Amounts)
obligation by the sponsors to repurchase ineligible loans, AAC has filed various lawsuits:
• Ambac Assurance Corporation v. U.S. Bank National Association (United States District Court, Southern District of New York, Docket No. 17-cv-02614, filed April 11, 2017). On October 18, 2022, the Court set a schedule for additional summary judgment briefing, which was concluded on February 10, 2023, and to be followed by briefing on AAC’s proposed use of statistical sampling before proceeding with Phase 2 discovery. Oral argument relating to the additional summary judgment briefing is scheduled to be held on June 5, 2023.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The objectives of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) are to provide users of our consolidated financial statements with the following:
•A narrative explanation from the perspective of management of our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect future results;
•Context to the unaudited consolidated financial statements; and
•Information that allows assessment of the likelihood that past performance is indicative of future performance.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 and the matters described under Part II, Item 1A Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report and under Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Refer to Item 1. Business and Note 1. Background and Business Description for a description of our business and our key strategies to achieve our primary goal to maximize shareholder value.
Organization of Information
MD&A includes the following sections:
Page | |||||
Executive Summary | |||||
Critical Accounting Estimates | |||||
Financial Guarantees in Force | |||||
Results of Operations | |||||
Liquidity and Capital Resources | |||||
Balance Sheet | |||||
Variable Interest Entities | |||||
Accounting Standards | |||||
U.S. Insurance Statutory Basis Financial Results | |||||
Ambac UK Financial Results under UK Accounting Principles | |||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ($ in millions)
AFG Net Assets
AFG has the following net assets to support its goals and strategies, including the development and growth of its Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance and Insurance Distribution businesses, acquisitions and capital management. AFG does not have any commitment or other obligation to provide capital or liquidity to AAC, whose financial guarantee business has been in run-off since 2008. As of March 31, 2023, AFG's stand alone net assets, excluding its equity investments in subsidiaries, were $224.
Cash and short-term investments | $ | 179 | ||||||
Other investments (1) | 28 | |||||||
Other net assets | 17 | |||||||
Total | $ | 224 |
(1)Includes strategic minority investments in insurance services businesses of $25.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 31 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Segments
AFG's subsidiaries/businesses are divided into three segments with results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 as follows:
($ in millions) | Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance | Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | Insurance Distribution | Corporate & Other | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums placed | $ | 77 | 77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 9 | $ | 52 | $ | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums written | 9 | 9 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 32 | 9 | 15 | $ | 2 | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses | 64 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 86 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) | (32) | (1) | 4 | — | (29) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ambac Stockholders’ Equity (1) | 824 | 111 | 94 | 224 | 1,254 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest | 51 | 2 | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 875 | $ | 113 | $ | 94 | $ | 224 | $ | 1,307 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premiums placed | $ | 45 | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 6 | $ | 24 | $ | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net premiums written | 7 | 5 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 109 | 2 | 9 | $ | — | 119 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses | 102 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 116 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) | 6 | (2) | 2 | (3) | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ambac Stockholders’ Equity(1) | 567 | 115 | 66 | 166 | 914 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-redeemable noncontrolling interest | 60 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | $ | 627 | $ | 115 | $ | 66 | $ | 166 | $ | 974 |
(1)Represents Ambac's stockholders equity for each segment, including intercompany eliminations.
Legacy Financial Guarantee:
A key strategy for Ambac is to increase the value of its investment in AAC by actively managing its assets and liabilities. Asset management primarily entails maximizing the risk-adjusted return on non-VIE invested assets and managing liquidity to help ensure resources are available to meet operational and strategic cash needs. These strategic cash needs include activities associated with Ambac's liability management and loss mitigation programs.
Asset Management
Investment portfolios are subject to internal investment guidelines, as well as limits on the types and quality of investments imposed by insurance laws and regulations. The investment portfolios of AAC and Ambac UK hold fixed maturity securities and various pooled investment funds. Refer to Note 4. Investments to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 in this Form 10-Q for further details of fixed maturity investments by asset category and pooled investment funds by investment type.
At March 31, 2023, AAC owned $287 of distressed Ambac-insured bonds, including significant concentrations of insured RMBS bonds. Subject to internal and regulatory guidelines, market conditions and other constraints, Ambac may continue to opportunistically purchase or sell Ambac-insured securities,
surplus notes and/or other Ambac issued securities, and may consider opportunities to exchange securities issued or insured by it from time to time for other securities issued by it.
Liability and Insured Exposure Management
Ambac's Risk Management Group focuses on the implementation and execution of risk reduction, defeasance and loss recovery strategies. Analysts evaluate the estimated timing and severity of projected policy claims as well as the potential impact of loss mitigation or remediation strategies in order to target and prioritize policies, or portions thereof, for commutation, reinsurance, refinancing, restructuring or other risk reduction strategies. For targeted policies, analysts will engage with issuers, bondholders and other economic stakeholders to negotiate, structure and execute such strategies. Ambac completed risk reduction transactions of $136 of net par exposure related to Puerto Rico for the three months ended March 31, 2023
The following table provides a comparison of total, adversely classified ("ACC") and watch list credit net par outstanding in the insured portfolio at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Net par exposure within the U.S. public finance market includes capital appreciation bonds which are reported at the par amount at the time of issuance of the insurance policy as opposed to the current accreted value of the bonds.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 32 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | Decrease | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 22,440 | $ | 22,613 | $ | (173) | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||
ACC | 4,550 | 4,735 | (185) | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
Watch list | 3,026 | 3,044 | (18) | (1) | % |
The decrease in total and ACC credit net par outstanding resulted from active de-risking, scheduled maturities, amortizations, refundings and calls, partially offset by a weakening of the USD versus the GBP and EURO.
Banking Sector Crisis of 2023
The recent collapse of several banks precipitated a sudden loss of confidence in the banking system, prompting bank runs and the U.S. government to provide direct support to failed banks and, through an expansive emergency lending program, the system more broadly. In the U.S., this crisis was in part a consequence of rising interest rates, resulting in large declines in the market value of U.S. Treasury and government-backed debt held by banking institutions. The risk of additional bank failures due to asset-liability mismatches or other risks, such as outsized exposure to commercial real estate, remains. Despite recent actions by government agencies and regulators to mitigate the consequences of these bank failures by providing liquidity and guaranteeing uninsured deposits, there is no guarantee that they will provide similar support in the event of additional bank failures. In Europe, regulators stepped in to facilitate mergers of stressed banks into more stable institutions. The ability or willingness of healthy banks to merge with stressed banks in the future is also subject to significant uncertainty.
Ambac's cash balances held at banks was $43 as of March 31, 2023 and $44 as of December 31, 2022. Substantially all of these cash balances were uninsured as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 because they either (i) exceeded the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit or (ii) were held in foreign banks. These cash balances were held primarily with Ambac's main operating banks which are large money center and/or global banks. Ambac actively manages its cash balances to reduce bank risk and to enhance yield by transferring most of its funds to government and prime money market funds. Included in the cash balances above is $15 of cash of companies Ambac has acquired within its insurance distribution businesses that are held in regional banks. The management of these balances and the associated bank exposure is under consideration as part of Ambac's ongoing integration of these acquired businesses.
Ambac also has exposure to banks through its fixed maturity investment portfolio totaling $157 and $119 as of March 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023. All of these investments are managed by third-party asset management firms which follow single and sector risk limits established by Ambac. The average rating of our fixed income investment in banks was A- as of March 31, 2023.
Russia and Ukraine Conflict
The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related sanctions and other penalties imposed by countries across the globe against Russia are creating substantial uncertainty in the global economy. We do not have operations in Russia or Ukraine
or any insured exposures in those countries. Ambac's investment portfolio exposure to Russian issuers is not meaningful. Given our insignificant exposure, we have not experienced, and do not expect this conflict to have, a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, as the conflict continues and if it were to escalate, the global economy and capital markets may be adversely impacted in ways that we cannot predict and therefore we are unable to estimate the ultimate impact that this conflict may have on our future financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Financial Statement Impact of Foreign Currency:
The impact of foreign currency as reported in Ambac's Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2023, included the following:
Net income (1) | $ | (2) | ||||||
Gain (loss) on foreign currency translation (net of tax), included in other comprehensive income | 16 | |||||||
Foreign currency impact on unrealized gains (losses) on non-functional currency available-for-sale securities (net of tax), included in other comprehensive income | (4) | |||||||
Impact on total comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 10 |
(1) A portion of Ambac UK's, and to a lesser extent AAC's, assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than its functional currency. Other than the foreign currency impact on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, which is included in Other comprehensive income, foreign currency transaction gains/(losses) as a result of changes to foreign currency rates are reported through Net income in the Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Future changes to currency rates may adversely affect our financial results. Refer to Part II, Item 7A in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for further information on the impact of future currency rate changes on Ambac's financial instruments.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Ambac’s Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which require the use of material estimates and assumptions. For a discussion of Ambac’s critical accounting policies and estimates, see “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Ambac’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
FINANCIAL GUARANTEES IN FORCE
($ in millions)
($ in millions)
Financial guarantee products were sold in three principal markets: U.S. public, U.S. structured and international finance. The following table provides a breakdown of guaranteed net par outstanding by market at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Net par exposures within the U.S. public finance market include capital appreciation bonds which are reported at the par amount at the time of issuance of the insurance policy as opposed to the current accreted value of the bonds. Guaranteed net par outstanding includes the exposures of policies insuring variable
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 33 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
interest entities (“VIEs”) consolidated in accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC. Guaranteed net par outstanding excludes the exposures of policies that insure bonds which have been refunded or pre-refunded.
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
Public Finance (1) (2) | $ | 10,318 | $ | 10,547 | |||||||
Structured Finance | 3,524 | 3,612 | |||||||||
International Finance | 8,598 | 8,454 | |||||||||
Total net par outstanding | $ | 22,440 | $ | 22,613 |
(1)Includes $5,377 and $5,400 of Military Housing net par outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(2)Includes $106 and $244 of Puerto Rico net par outstanding at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
The table below shows Ambac’s ten largest insured exposures, by repayment source, as a percentage of total financial guarantee net par outstanding at March 31, 2023:
Sector | Co. | Bond Kind | Country-Bond Type | Ambac Ratings (1) | Ultimate Maturity Year | Net Par Outstanding | % of Total Net Par Outstanding | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | Investor Owned Utility Gas - unsecured | UK-Utility | BBB+ | 2037 | $ | 838 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | Other Asset Securitizations | UK-Asset Securitizations | BBB | 2033 | 737 | 3.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | PFI - Accommodation | UK-Infrastructure | A- | 2040 | 727 | 3.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | PFI - Hospitals | UK-Infrastructure | A- | 2046 | 704 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | Investor Owned Utility Other - unsecured | UK-Utility | A- | 2035 | 628 | 3.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | Sub-Sovereign | Italy-Sub-Sovereign | BIG | 2035 | 599 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | Investor Owned Utility Electric - unsecured | UK-Utility | BBB+ | 2036 | 576 | 2.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PF | AAC | US State Lease/Appropriation | US-Lease and Tax-backed Revenue | BBB- | 2036 | 489 | 2.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IF | AUK | PFI - Accommodation | UK-Infrastructure | BBB+ | 2038 | 472 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PF | AAC | Military Housing | US-Housing Revenue | BBB- | 2052 | 449 | 2.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 6,219 | 27.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PF = Public Finance, SF = Structured Finance, IF = International Finance AAC = Ambac Assurance, AUK = Ambac UK |
(1) Internal credit ratings are provided solely to indicate the underlying credit quality of guaranteed obligations based on the view of Ambac. In cases where Ambac has insured multiple tranches of an issue with varying internal ratings, or more than one obligation of an issuer with varying internal ratings, a weighted average rating is used. Ambac credit ratings are subject to revision at any time and do not constitute investment advice. BIG denotes credits deemed below investment grade.
Net par related to the top ten exposures increased $103 from December 31, 2022. Exposures are impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates ($108 increase during the three months ended March 31, 2023), certain indexation rates, reinsurance transactions and scheduled and unscheduled paydowns. As a result of recent increases in inflation, such indexation exposures have increased at a faster pace than they have historically.
The concentration of net par amongst the top ten (as a percentage of net par outstanding) was 28% at March 31, 2023, and 27% at December 31, 2022. Excluding the top ten exposures, the remaining insured portfolio of financial guarantees has an average net par outstanding of $30 per single risk, with insured exposures ranging up to $384 and a median net par outstanding of $5.
Given that Ambac has not written any new financial guaranty insurance policies since 2008, the legacy financial guarantee insured portfolio is expected to become increasingly concentrated to large and/or below investment grade exposures.
Exposure Currency
The table below shows the distribution by currency of AAC’s insured exposure as of March 31, 2023:
Currency | Net Par Amount Outstanding in Base Currency | Net Par Amount Outstanding in U.S. Dollars | ||||||||||||
U.S. Dollars | $ | 14,023 | $ | 14,023 | ||||||||||
British Pounds | £ | 5,832 | 7,194 | |||||||||||
Euros | € | 892 | 969 | |||||||||||
Australian Dollars | A$ | 380 | 254 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 22,440 |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 34 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Ratings Distribution
The following charts provide a rating distribution of net par outstanding based upon internal Ambac credit ratings(1) and a distribution by bond type of Ambac's below investment grade ("BIG") net par exposures at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022. BIG is defined as those exposures with an Ambac internal credit rating below BBB-:
Note: AAA is less than 1% in both periods.
(1)Internal credit ratings are provided solely to indicate the underlying credit quality of guaranteed obligations based on the view of Ambac. In cases where Ambac has insured multiple tranches of an issue with varying internal ratings, or more than one obligation of an issuer with varying internal ratings, a weighted average rating is used. Ambac credit ratings are subject to revision at any time and do not constitute investment advice.
Summary of Below Investment Grade Exposure:
Net Par Outstanding | ||||||||||||||
Bond Type | March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||
Public Finance: | ||||||||||||||
Military Housing | $ | 365 | $ | 366 | ||||||||||
Puerto Rico | 106 | 244 | ||||||||||||
Other | 212 | 213 | ||||||||||||
Total Public Finance | 683 | 823 | ||||||||||||
Structured Finance: | ||||||||||||||
RMBS | 1,794 | 1,841 | ||||||||||||
Student loans | 273 | 275 | ||||||||||||
Total Structured Finance | 2,068 | 2,117 | ||||||||||||
International Finance: | ||||||||||||||
Sovereign/sub-sovereign | 712 | 701 | ||||||||||||
Transportation | 315 | 310 | ||||||||||||
Other | — | 2 | ||||||||||||
Total International Finance | 1,027 | 1,013 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 3,778 | $ | 3,953 |
The net decline in below investment grade exposures is primarily due to the Puerto Rico de-risking of $136.
Below investment grade exposures could increase as a relative proportion of the guarantee portfolio given that stressed borrowers generally have less ability to prepay or refinance their debt. Accordingly, due to these and other factors, it is not unreasonable to expect the proportion of below investment grade exposure in the guarantee portfolio to increase in the future.
Results of Operations ($ in millions)
Consolidated Results
A summary of our financial results is shown below:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 61 | $ | 30 | ||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 14 | $ | 15 | ||||||||||
Commission income | 14 | 9 | ||||||||||||
Program fees | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Net investment income | 34 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | (4) | 10 | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts | (4) | 57 | ||||||||||||
Income (loss) on variable interest entities | (1) | 22 | ||||||||||||
Other income | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Losses and loss adjustment expenses | 18 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Commission expense | 8 | 5 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 36 | 29 | ||||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 7 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 16 | 44 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 4 | — | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (33) | 2 | ||||||||||||
Less: net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | (1) | — | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders | $ | (33) | $ | 2 |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 35 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
The following paragraphs describe the consolidated results of operations of Ambac and its subsidiaries for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Gross Premiums Written. Gross premiums written increased $30 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year, as shown by segment below.
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Legacy Financial Guaranty Insurance | $ | 9 | $ | 6 | ||||||||||
Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | 52 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 61 | $ | 30 |
Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance gross written premiums relate to changes in expected and contractual premium cash flows for existing financial guarantees in force.
Net Premiums Earned. Net premiums earned decreased $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year as shown by segment below.
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Legacy Financial Guaranty Insurance | $ | 7 | $ | 13 | ||||||||||
Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 14 | $ | 15 |
The reduction in Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance segment was primarily due to de-risking activities, including the Puerto Rico restructurings, and run-off of the insured portfolio.
Net Investment Income. Net investment income primarily consists of interest and net discount accretion on fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale, interest and changes in fair value of fixed maturity securities classified as trading, and net gains (losses) on pooled investment funds which include changes in fair value of the funds' net assets. Fixed maturity securities include investments in Ambac-insured securities that are made opportunistically based on their risk/reward and asset-liability management characteristics. Investments in pooled investment funds and certain other investments are either classified as trading securities with changes in fair value recognized in earnings or are reported under the equity method. These funds and other investments are reported in Other investments on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, which consists primarily of pooled fund investments in diversified asset classes. For further information about investment funds held, refer to Note 4. Investments to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 in this Form 10-Q. Net investment income for the periods presented were driven by the legacy financial guarantee segment; other segments' results were not significant.
Net investment income from Ambac-insured securities; available-for-sale and short-term securities, other than Ambac-insured; and Other investments is summarized in the table below:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Securities available-for-sale and short-term other than Ambac-insured | $ | 16 | $ | 7 | |||||||
Other investments (includes trading securities) | 13 | (9) | |||||||||
Securities available-for-sale: Ambac-insured (including secured notes) | 5 | 7 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | 34 | $ | 5 |
Net investment income (loss) increased $29 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the prior year periods.
•Net investment income from available-for-sale and short-term securities, other than Ambac-insured increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same periods in the prior year due primarily to higher portfolio yields and, to a lesser extent, higher average holdings.
•Other investments income (loss) increased $22 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Pooled fund investments results increased $12 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the prior year period, driven by improved performance on equities, high-yield and leveraged loans and private equity offset by lower returns on real estate. Investments in pooled funds may be volatile, but are generally expected to produce higher returns than available-for-sale investments. The three months ended March 31, 2023 also included gains of less than $1 on securities received in the Puerto Rico restructurings which are classified as trading. These trading securities produced losses of $(9) for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
•Net investment income from Ambac-insured securities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, decreased $2 compared to the prior year periods, due to settlement of insured Puerto Rico bonds in 2022.
Net Investment Gains (Losses), including Impairments. The following table provides a breakdown of net investment gains (losses) for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on securities sold or called | $ | (1) | $ | 8 | ||||||||||
Net foreign exchange gains (losses) | (2) | 3 | ||||||||||||
Credit impairments | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||||
Intent / requirement to sell impairments | — | — | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | $ | (4) | $ | 10 |
Net gains (losses) on securities sold or called for the three months ended March 31, 2022, included a recovery of $9 from a class-action settlement relating to certain RMBS securities previously held in the investment portfolio. Other net realized gains (losses) on securities sold or called during both periods were primarily from sales in connection with routine portfolio management.
Credit impairments are recorded as an allowance for credit losses with changes in the allowance recorded through earnings. When credit impairments are recorded, any non-credit related impairment amounts on the securities are recorded in other comprehensive income. If management either: (i) has the intent to sell its investment in a debt security or (ii) determines that the Company is more likely than not will be required to sell the debt
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 36 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
security before its anticipated recovery, then the amortized cost of the security is written-down to fair value with a corresponding impairment charge recognized in earnings.
Net Gains (Losses) on Derivative Contracts. Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts are driven primarily by results from the Company's interest rate derivatives portfolio. The interest rate derivatives portfolio is positioned to benefit from rising rates as a partial economic hedge against interest rate exposure in the financial guarantee insurance and investment portfolios. This economic hedge positioning was substantially reduced for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the prior year period. Net gains (losses) on interest rate derivatives generally reflect mark-to-market gains (losses) in the portfolio caused by increases (declines) in forward interest rates during the periods, the carrying cost of the portfolio, and the impact of counterparty credit adjustments as discussed below. Results from other derivatives were not significant to the periods presented.
Net gains (losses) on interest rate derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were $(4) compared to $57 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023, resulted primarily from interest rate decreases during the period and a higher counterparty credit adjustment on certain derivative assets. The net gains in 2022 were driven by significant rate increases in the period combined with favorable portfolio positioning, and the impact of changing credit spreads in derivative assets as described further below.
Counterparty credit adjustments are generally applicable for uncollateralized derivative assets that may not be offset by derivative liabilities under a master netting agreement. In periods when credit spreads are stable, counterparty credit adjustments will generally have a proportionate offsetting impact to gains or losses on derivative assets, relative to fully collateralized assets. In addition to the impact of interest rates on the underlying derivative asset values, the changes in counterparty credit adjustments are driven by movement of credit spreads. Generally, narrowing (widening) of credit spreads will increase (decrease) derivative gains relative to a period of stable credit spreads. Inclusion of counterparty credit adjustments in the valuation of interest rate derivatives resulted in gains (losses) within Net gains (losses) on derivative contracts of $(1) and $2 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The counterparty credit adjustments for both periods were driven primarily by changes to the underlying asset values.
Commissions Income and Commission Expense. Commission income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $14 compared to $9, for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Commissions include both base and profit sharing commissions of the Insurance Distribution segment. The increase was driven by (i) commissions earned on All Trans and Capacity Marine, which were purchased in November 2022 and (ii) greater premiums placed by Xchange Benefits. Gross commission income has an accompanying expense, commission expense, which will largely track changes in gross commission. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, commission expense of $8 compared to $5 in three months ended March 31, 2022, driven primarily by the same factors as commission income.
Income (Loss) on Variable Interest Entities. Included within Income (loss) on variable interest entities are income statement amounts relating to FG VIEs, consolidated under the Consolidation Topic of the ASC as a result of Ambac's variable interest arising from financial guarantees written by Ambac's subsidiaries, including gains or losses attributable to consolidating or deconsolidating FG VIEs during the periods reported. Generally, the Company’s consolidated FG VIEs are entities for which Ambac has provided financial guarantees on all of or a portion of its assets or liabilities. In consolidation, assets and liabilities of the FG VIEs are initially reported at fair value and the related insurance assets and liabilities are eliminated. However, the amount of FG VIE net assets (liabilities) that remain in consolidation generally result from the net positive (negative) projected cash flows from (to) the FG VIEs which are attributable to Ambac’s insurance subsidiaries in the form of financial guarantee insurance premiums, fees and losses. In the case of FG VIEs with net negative projected cash flows, the net liability is generally to be funded by Ambac’s insurance subsidiaries through insurance claim payments. Differences between the net carrying value of the insurance accounts under the Financial Services—Insurance Topic of the ASC and the carrying value of the consolidated FG VIE’s net assets or liabilities are recorded through income at the time of consolidation. Additionally, terminations or other changes to Ambac's financial guarantee insurance policies that impact projected cash flows between a consolidated FG VIE and Ambac could result in gains or losses, even if such policy changes do not result in deconsolidation of the FG VIE.
Income (loss) on variable interest entities was $(1) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to $22 for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were impacted by accelerated interest costs from a VIE trust created in connection with the Puerto Rico restructurings, partially offset by gains on higher valuation of net assets on other FG VIEs. Results for the three months ended March 31, 2022, related primarily to two VIE trusts created in connection with the Puerto Rico restructurings in March 2022. The three months ended March 31, 2022 included the initial $28 gain upon consolidation on March 15, 2022, partially offset by subsequent declines in the fair value of the trusts' assets through March 31, 2022.
Refer to Note 9. Variable Interest Entities to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part I, Item 1 in this Form 10-Q for further information on the accounting for FG VIEs.
Losses and Loss Expenses. Loss and loss expenses decreased $6 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. Legacy financial guarantee loss and loss expenses (benefit) were $13 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance loss and loss expenses were $5 for the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Intangible Amortization. Insurance intangible amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $6, a decrease of $8 as compared to the the three months ended March 31, 2022.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 37 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
The decrease was driven primarily by the timing of de-risking (including Puerto Rico in the three months ended March 31, 2022) and the reduced size of the financial guarantee insured portfolio. Insurance intangible amortization will decline after policies mature or de-risked. Other intangible amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was $1 and $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
General and Administrative Expenses (G&A). The following table provides a summary of G&A expenses for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Compensation | $ | 16 | $ | 16 | ||||||||||
Non-compensation | 20 | 13 | ||||||||||||
Total G&A expenses | 36 | 29 |
The increase in G&A expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, was due to the following:
•Higher non-compensation costs primarily related to Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance segment legal defense costs.
•Higher compensation costs due to a net increase in staffing resulting from the development and growth, both organic and via acquisitions, of the Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance and Insurance Distribution segments, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense including the impact of performance factor adjustments.
Interest Expense. All interest expense relates to the Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance segment and includes accrued interest on the Sitka AAC Note (fully redeemed during the fourth quarter of 2022), Tier 2 Notes (fully redeemed during the first quarter of 2023), surplus notes and other debt obligations. Additionally, interest expense includes discount accretion when the debt instrument carrying value is at a discount to par. The following table provides details by type of obligation for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Surplus notes | $ | 16 | $ | 20 | ||||||||||
Sitka AAC note | — | 17 | ||||||||||||
Tier 2 Notes | — | 7 | ||||||||||||
Other | — | — | ||||||||||||
Total interest expense | $ | 16 | $ | 44 |
The decrease in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, reflects the impact of the 2022 redemption of secured notes as further described in Note 1. Background and Business Description, in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. These transactions resulted in lower debt outstanding. Interest expense for 2023 also declined as a result of repurchases of surplus notes during 2022. These benefits were partially offset by the effects of interest compounding on surplus notes.
Surplus note principal and interest payments require the approval of OCI. In May 2023, OCI declined the request of AAC to pay
the principal amount of the surplus notes, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on the then next scheduled payment date of June 7, 2023. As a result, the scheduled payment date for interest, and the scheduled maturity date for payment of principal of the surplus notes, was extended until OCI grants approval to make the payment. Interest will accrue, compounded on each anniversary of the original scheduled payment date or scheduled maturity date, on any unpaid principal or interest through the actual date of payment, at 5.1% per annum. Holders of surplus notes will have no rights to enforce the payment of the principal of, or interest on, surplus notes in the absence of OCI approval to pay such amount. The interest on the outstanding surplus notes were accrued for and AAC is accruing interest on the interest amounts following each scheduled payment date. Total accrued and unpaid interest for surplus notes outstanding to third parties was $438 at March 31, 2023. Since the issuance of the surplus notes in 2010, OCI has declined to approve regular payments of interest on surplus notes, although the OCI has permitted two exceptional payments.
Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, was $4, and $0 respectively, an increase of $3 and primarily relate to international operations.
Results of Operations by Segment
Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 7 | $ | 13 | ||||||||||
Net investment income | 31 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | (4) | 10 | ||||||||||||
Net gains on derivative contracts | (3) | 57 | ||||||||||||
Other income | 2 | 24 | ||||||||||||
Total | 32 | 109 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Loss and loss expenses (benefit) | 13 | 23 | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 28 | 21 | ||||||||||||
Total | 41 | 44 | ||||||||||||
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (1) | (9) | 65 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 16 | 44 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | — | — | ||||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 6 | 14 | ||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) | $ | (32) | $ | 6 | ||||||||||
Stockholders equity (2) | $ | 824 | $ | 567 |
(1)Abbreviated as "EBITDA" in future references
(2)Represents the share of Ambac stockholders equity for each subsidiary within the Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance segment, including intercompany eliminations.
The Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance segment is in active runoff. This will generally result in declining premiums earned, investment income, G&A expenses and intangible amortization. The variability in the segment financial results are primarily driven by (i) changes in loss and loss expenses resulting from, amongst other items, credit developments, interest rates and de-
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 38 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
risking transactions; (ii) changes in interest rates as they impact net gains (losses) on derivative contracts and interest expense on the floating rate Sitka AAC Note prior to its redemption, and (iii) volatility from Other investments income (loss) resulting from changes in market conditions and other performance factors. Key variances not discussed above in the Consolidated Results section are as follows:
Net premiums earned. Net premiums earned decreased $7 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the prior year. Net premiums earned were impacted by the organic and active runoff of the financial guarantee insured portfolio, resulting in a reduction to current and future normal net premiums earned and the following:
•Changes to the allowance for credit losses on the premium receivable asset. The positive impact on net premiums earned related to credit losses amounted to $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
•Accelerated financial guarantee premiums earned as a result of calls and other accelerations on insured obligations, largely due to active de-risking of the insured portfolio, were deminimis for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to $4 for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Losses and Loss Expenses. The following provides details for losses and loss expenses (benefit) incurred for the periods presented:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Structured Finance | $ | 20 | $ | 213 | ||||||||||
Domestic Public Finance | 3 | (190) | ||||||||||||
Other, including International Finance | (10) | 1 | ||||||||||||
Totals | $ | 13 | $ | 23 |
Loss and loss expenses (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were largely driven by unfavorable loss development in the RMBS portfolio resulting from a decline in discount rates, partially offset by assumption changes in the international portfolio.
Losses and loss expenses (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2022, were driven by a reduction to AAC’s estimated R&W subrogation recoveries in the amount of $224, partially offset by favorable loss development in domestic public finance, primarily due to the Puerto Rico restructuring.
G&A Expenses. The increases in G&A expenses of $7 during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, is due to additional legal fees related to defensive litigation costs, increased severance costs and the timing of expense reimbursements to Corporate that are recognized when approved by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Wisconsin (“OCI”). These increases were partially offset by lower compensation costs due to reduced headcount within the segment and lower incentive compensation including the impact of performance factor adjustments.
Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Gross premiums written | $ | 52 | $ | 24 | ||||||||||
Net premiums written | 9 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
Net premiums earned | $ | 7 | $ | 1 | ||||||||||
Investment income | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Net investment gains (losses), including impairments | — | — | ||||||||||||
Program fees | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
Total | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Losses and loss expenses incurred | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net | 1 | — | ||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | 4 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Total | 10 | 4 | ||||||||||||
EBITDA | (1) | $ | (2) | |||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) | $ | (1) | $ | (2) | ||||||||||
Loss and LAE Ratio | 66.6 | % | 65.3 | % | ||||||||||
Combined Ratio | 129.7 | % | 302.4 | % | ||||||||||
Ambac's stockholders equity (1) | $ | 111 | $ | 115 |
(1)Represents Ambac stockholders equity in the Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance segment, including intercompany eliminations.
The Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance segment has grown significantly since underwriting its first program in May 2021. Fifteen programs were authorized to issue policies as of March 31, 2023. The growth in both the number and size of these programs has contributed to the increase in gross and net premiums written, net premiums earned and net loss and loss expenses incurred.
Loss and loss expenses incurred may be adversely impacted by increasing economic and social inflation, particularly within the commercial auto business. The impact of inflation on ultimate loss reserves is difficult to estimate, particularly in light of recent disruptions to the judicial system, supply chain and labor markets. In addition, on a going forward basis, we may not be able to offset the impact of inflation on our loss costs with sufficient price increases. The estimation of loss reserves may also be more difficult during extreme events, such as a pandemic, or during the persistence of volatile or uncertain economic conditions, due to, amongst other reasons, unexpected changes in behavior of claimants and policyholders, including an increase in fraudulent reporting of exposures and/or losses. Due to the inherent uncertainty underlying loss reserve estimates, the final resolution of the estimated liability for loss and loss expenses will likely be higher or lower than the related loss reserves at the reporting date. In addition, our estimate of losses and loss expenses may change. These additional liabilities or increases in estimates, or a range of either, could vary significantly from period to period.
General and administrative costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2023 relative to the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily resulting from the ramp up in Everspan's staffing and operations. Additionally, the three months ended March 31, 2022 included costs associated with the acquisition of additional shell insurance companies in January 2022.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 39 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Insurance Distribution
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||
Premiums placed | $ | 77 | $ | 45 | ||||||||||
Commission income | $ | 14 | $ | 9 | ||||||||||
Commission expense | 8 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Net commissions | 7 | 4 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||
General and administrative expenses (1) | 2 | 1 | ||||||||||||
EBITDA | 5 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation (1) | — | — | ||||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||
Pretax income (loss) | $ | 4 | $ | 2 | ||||||||||
Ambac's stockholders equity (2) | $ | 94 | $ | 66 |
(1) The Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income presents the sum of these items as General and Administrative Expenses.
(2) Represents the share of Ambac stockholders equity for each subsidiary within the Insurance Distribution segment, including intercompany eliminations.
Ambac's Insurance Distribution businesses are compensated for their services primarily by commissions paid by insurance carriers for underwriting, structuring and/or administering polices. Commission revenues are usually based on a percentage of the premiums placed. In addition, we are eligible to receive profit sharing contingent commissions on certain programs based on the underwriting results of the policies placed with carriers, which may cause some variability in revenue and earnings.
The Insurance Distribution segment placed premiums for its carriers of approximately $77 for the three months ended March 31, 2023, up $32 or 72% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. Higher premiums placed were driven by organic growth at Xchange, the acquisition of All Trans and Capacity Marine and the April 29, 2022, ESL renewal rights acquisition. The increase in premiums placed and changes to the mix of business written led to the growth in commission income and commission expense of 69% and 76%, respectively.
Employer Stop Loss business underwritten by Xchange has seasonality in January and July, which results in revenue and earnings concentrations in the first and third quarters each calendar year. ESL is Xchange's largest business.
G&A Expenses. G&A expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023, increased compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, as a result of the All Trans and Capacity Marine acquisitions as well as employees hired to support the ESL renewal rights acquisition.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
($ in millions)
($ in millions)
Holding Company Liquidity
AFG is organized as a legal entity separate and distinct from its operating subsidiaries. AFG is a holding company with no outstanding debt. AFG's liquidity is primarily dependent on its net assets, excluding the operating subsidiaries that it owns,
totaling $224 as of March 31, 2023, and secondarily on distributions and expense sharing payments from its operating subsidiaries.
•Under an inter-company cost allocation agreement, AFG is reimbursed by AAC for a portion of certain operating costs and expenses and, if approved by OCI, entitled to an additional payment of up to $4 per year to cover expenses not otherwise reimbursed. The $4 reimbursement for 2022 and 2021 expenses was approved by OCI and paid to AFG during March of 2023 and April of 2022, respectively.
•Substantial uncertainty remains as to AAC's ability to pay dividends to AFG and the timing of any such dividends.
•Everspan's ability to make future dividend payments will mostly depend on its future profitability relative to its capital needs to support growth. Everspan is not expected to pay dividends in the near term.
•Cirrata does not have any regulatory restrictions on its ability to make distributions. AFG received distributions from Cirrata of $2 and $2 during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
AFG's principal uses of liquidity are: (i) the payment of G&A expenses, including costs to explore opportunities to grow and diversify Ambac, (ii) the making of strategic investments, which are generally illiquid and (iii) making capital investments to acquire, grow and/or capitalize new and/or existing businesses. AFG may also provide short-term financial support, primarily in the form of loans, to its operating subsidiaries to support their operating requirements.
In the opinion of the Company’s management the net assets of AFG are sufficient to meet AFG’s current liquidity requirements. However, events, opportunities or circumstances could arise that may cause AFG to seek additional capital (e.g. through the issuance of debt, equity or hybrid securities).
Operating Companies' Liquidity
Insurance
Sources of liquidity for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are through funds generated from premiums; recoveries on claim payments, including RMBS representation and warranty subrogation recoveries (AAC only); reinsurance recoveries; fees; investment income and maturities and sales of investments.
•See Note 6. Insurance Contracts to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1., in this Form 10-Q for a summary of future gross financial guarantee premiums to be collected by AAC and Ambac UK. Termination of financial guarantee policies on an accelerated basis may adversely impact AAC’s liquidity.
Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for claim payments and commutations, loss expenses and acquisition costs (Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance segment only), debt service on outstanding debt (Legacy Financial Guarantee segment only), G&A expenses, reinsurance payments and purchases of
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 40 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
securities and other investments that may not be immediately converted into cash.
•Interest and principal payments on surplus notes are subject to the approval of OCI, which has full discretion over payments regardless of the liquidity position of AAC. As discussed more fully in "Results of Operations" above in this Management's Discussion and Analysis, OCI declined AAC's request to pay the principal amount of the surplus notes, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, on June 7, 2023. Current principal outstanding on AAC's long-term debt consisted of $519 of surplus notes. AAC's future interest obligations on long-term debt include $496 of accrued and unpaid interest that would be payable on surplus notes if approved by OCI on the next scheduled payment date of June 7, 2024.
•Ambac Financial Services ("AFS") uses interest rate derivatives (primarily interest rate swaps and US Treasury futures) as a partial economic hedge against the effects of rising interest rates elsewhere in the Legacy Financial Guarantee segment. AFS's derivatives also include interest rate swaps previously provided to asset-backed issuers and other entities in connection with their financings. AAC lends AFS cash and securities as needed to fund payments under these derivative contracts, collateral posting requirements and G&A expenses. Intercompany loans are governed by an established lending agreement with defined borrowing limits that has received non-disapproval from OCI.
Insurance subsidiaries manage their liquidity risk by maintaining comprehensive analyses of projected cash flows and maintaining specified levels of cash and short-term investments at all times. It is the opinion of the Company’s management that the insurance subsidiaries’ near term liquidity needs will be adequately met from the sources described above.
Insurance Distribution:
The liquidity requirements of our Insurance Distribution subsidiaries are met primarily by funds generated from commission receipts (both base and profit commissions). Base commissions are generally received monthly, whereas profit commissions are received only if the business underwritten is profitable. Cash provided from these sources is used primarily for commissions paid to sub-producers, G&A expenses and distributions to AFG and other members.
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement Discussion.
The following table summarizes the net cash flows for the periods presented.
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Cash provided by (used in): | |||||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 77 | $ | 9 | |||||||
Investing activities | 441 | 136 | |||||||||
Financing activities (1) | (276) | (52) | |||||||||
Foreign exchange impact on cash and cash equivalents | — | — | |||||||||
Net cash flow | $ | 243 | $ | 93 |
(1) During the first quarter of 2023, AAC made $108 of payments to accelerate AAC-insured bonds that were deposited into trusts established under the Puerto Rico restructurings. Because the trusts are consolidated VIEs, these payments are reflected as payments of VIE liabilities within financing activities in the first quarter 2023.
Operating activities
The following represents the significant cash operating activity during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:
•Cash provided by (i) gross premiums were $48 and $28 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively; (ii) interest rate derivatives were $11 and $11 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively; (iii) investment portfolio income were $20 and $14 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively; and (iv) cash settlements from the Puerto Rico restructuring transactions to the consolidated trusts was $47 for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
•Interest payments, including accumulated paid-in-kind interest on the Tier 2 Notes, were $50 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and $15 for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
•Payments related to (i) G&A expenses were $37 and $34 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively; and (ii) reinsurance premiums paid were $31 and $7 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively
•Net Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance loss and loss expenses paid, including commutation payments, during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are detailed below:
Three Months Ended March 31, | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Net loss and loss expenses paid (recovered): | |||||||||||
Net losses paid | $ | 5 | $ | 213 | |||||||
Net subrogation received (1) | (148) | (177) | |||||||||
Net loss expenses paid | 3 | (8) | |||||||||
Net cash flow | $ | (140) | $ | 28 |
(1) 2023 includes Nomura R&W settlement proceeds of $140
Future operating flows will primarily be impacted by net premium collections and investment coupon receipts, G&A expenses, net claim and loss expense payments and interest payments on outstanding debt.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 41 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Financing Activities
Financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023, included redemption of the Tier 2 Notes of $97 and paydowns and maturities of VIE debt obligations of $174 (including payments for the accelerations of the VIE trusts created from the Puerto Rico restructuring).
Financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022, include paydowns and maturities of VIE debt obligations of $49.
Collateral
AFS hedges a portion of the interest rate risk in the Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance segment financial guarantee and investment portfolios, along with legacy customer interest rate swaps, with standardized derivative contracts, including financial futures contracts, which contain collateral or margin requirements. Under these hedge agreements, AFS is required to post collateral or margin to its counterparties and futures commission merchants to cover unrealized losses. In addition, AFS is required to post collateral or margin in excess of the amounts needed to cover unrealized losses. All AFS derivative contracts containing ratings-based downgrade triggers that could result in collateral or margin posting or a termination have been triggered. If terminations were to occur, AFS would be required to make termination payments but would also receive a return of collateral or margin in the form of cash or U.S. Treasury obligations with market values equal to or in excess of market values of the swaps and futures contracts. AFS may look to re-establish hedge positions that are terminated early, resulting in additional collateral or margin obligations. The amount of additional collateral or margin posted on derivatives contracts will depend on several variables including the degree to which counterparties exercise their termination rights (or agreements terminate automatically) and the terms on which hedges can be replaced. All collateral and margin obligations are currently met. Collateral and margin posted by AFS totaled a net amount of $71 (cash and securities collateral of $9 and $61, respectively), including independent amounts, under these contracts at March 31, 2023.
BALANCE SHEET ($ in millions)
Total assets increased by approximately $246 from December 31, 2022, to $8,219 at March 31, 2023, primarily due to: (i) the increase in asset values of VIEs of $422, (ii) higher values on non-VIE invested assets and (iii) increases in premium receivables and reinsurance recoverables as a result of growth in the specialty P&C businesses. The increase in VIE assets was driven by collateral received by FG VIEs and increased asset values including due to impact of the strengthening of the British Pound Sterling against the US dollar. These factors were partially offset by (i) debt payments of $146 for the full redemption of Tier 2 Notes, and (ii) $108 of payments from Ambac Assurance to support partial redemptions of HTA Trust Certificates.
Total liabilities increased by approximately $245 from December 31, 2022, to $6,892 as of March 31, 2023, primarily due to increases in the value of VIEs liabilities of $329 (consistent factors as noted above in assets, including redemptions of HTA Trust Certificates). Additional liability increases driven by (i) higher loss and loss adjustment expense reserves and (ii) an increase in unearned premium from the specialty P&C businesses. These increases to total liabilities were partially offset by the redemption of the Tier 2 Notes of $146.
As of March 31, 2023, total stockholders’ equity was $1,307, compared with total stockholders’ equity of $1,305 at December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to a decrease in unrealized losses on invested assets and gains on foreign currency translation, partially offset by the net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Investment Portfolio
Ambac's investment portfolio is managed under established guidelines designed to meet the investment objectives of AAC, Everspan Group, Ambac UK and AFG. Refer to "Description of the Business – Investments and Investment Policy" located in Part I. Item 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for further description of Ambac's investment policies and applicable regulations.
Ambac's investment policies and objectives do not apply to the assets of VIEs consolidated as a result of financial guarantees written by its insurance subsidiaries.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 42 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
The following table summarizes the composition of Ambac’s investment portfolio, excluding VIE investments, at carrying value at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance | Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | Insurance Distribution | Corporate & Other | Consolidated | Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance | Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | Insurance Distribution | Corporate & Other | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities | $ | 1,371 | $ | 110 | $ | — | $ | 13 | $ | 1,494 | $ | 1,281 | $ | 102 | $ | — | $ | 12 | $ | 1,395 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities - trading | 29 | — | — | — | 29 | 59 | — | — | — | 59 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term | 168 | 23 | — | 176 | 367 | 303 | 29 | — | 175 | 507 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other investments | 542 | — | — | 16 | 558 | 552 | — | — | 16 | 568 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed maturity securities pledged as collateral | 61 | — | — | — | 61 | 64 | — | — | — | 64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total investments (1) | $ | 2,171 | $ | 133 | $ | — | $ | 205 | $ | 2,509 | $ | 2,259 | $ | 131 | $ | — | $ | 203 | $ | 2,593 |
(1) Includes investments denominated in non-US dollar currencies with a fair value of £263 ($324) and €40 ($43) as of March 31, 2023 and £296 ($357) and €39 ($42) as of December 31, 2022.
Ambac invests in various asset classes in its fixed maturity securities portfolio. Other investments primarily consist of diversified interests in pooled funds. Refer to Note 4. Investments to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 in this Form 10-Q for information about fixed maturity securities and pooled funds by asset class.
The following charts provide the ratings(1) distribution of the fixed maturity investment portfolio based on fair value at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
(1)Ratings are based on the lower of Moody’s or S&P ratings. If ratings are unavailable from Moody's or S&P, Fitch ratings are used. If guaranteed, rating represents the higher of the underlying or guarantor’s financial strength rating.
(2)Below investment grade and not rated bonds insured by Ambac represent 19% and 19% of the March 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, combined fixed maturity portfolio, respectively.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 43 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Premium Receivables
Ambac's premium receivables increased to $272 at March 31, 2023, from $269 at December 31, 2022. As further discussed in Note 6. Insurance Contracts, the increase is primarily due to growth in the Specialty P&C Insurance Segment. At March 31, 2023, Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance and Specialty P&C premiums receivables were $256 and $17, respectively.
Premium receivables by payment currency were as follows:
Currency | Premium Receivable in Payment Currency | Premium Receivable in U.S. Dollars | ||||||||||||
U.S. Dollars | $ | 182 | $ | 182 | ||||||||||
British Pounds | £ | 61 | 75 | |||||||||||
Euros | € | 13 | 15 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 272 |
Reinsurance Recoverable on Paid and Unpaid Losses
Ambac has reinsurance in place pursuant to surplus share treaty and facultative agreements. To minimize its exposure to losses from reinsurers, Ambac (i) monitors the financial condition of its reinsurers; (ii) is entitled to receive collateral from its reinsurance counterparties under certain reinsurance contracts; and (iii) has certain cancellation rights that can be exercised in the event of rating agency downgrades of a reinsurer (among other events and circumstances). Those reinsurance counterparties that do not currently post collateral are well capitalized, highly rated, authorized capacity providers. Ambac benefited from letters of credit and collateral amounting to approximately $115 from its reinsurers at March 31, 2023. Additionally, while legacy liabilities from the 21st Century Companies and PWIC acquisitions were fully ceded to certain reinsurers, Everspan also benefits from an unlimited, uncapped indemnity from the respective sellers to mitigate any residual risk to these reinsurers. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses were $130 and $115, respectively primarily due to growth in the Specialty P&C Insurance Segment.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets primarily include (i) an insurance intangible asset that was established at AFG's emergence from bankruptcy (Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance Segment) in 2013, representing the difference between the fair value and aggregate
carrying value of the financial guarantee insurance and reinsurance assets and liabilities of $261 at March 31, 2023, (ii) intangible assets established as part of acquisitions in the Insurance Distribution business of $46 at March 31, 2023, (iii) indefinite-lived intangible assets in the Specialty P&C business as part of its acquisitions of $14 at March 31, 2023.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, intangible assets were $321 and $326, respectively. The decline is driven by amortization and translation gains (losses) from the consolidation of Ambac's foreign subsidiary (Ambac UK).
Derivative Assets and Liabilities
The interest rate derivative portfolio is positioned to benefit from rising rates as a partial economic hedge against interest rate exposure in the Legacy Financial Guarantee insurance and investment portfolios. Derivative assets increased from $27 at December 31, 2022, to $31 as of March 31, 2023. Derivative liabilities increased from $38 at December 31, 2022, to $44 as of March 31, 2023. The increases resulted primarily from lower interest rates during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Loss and Loss Expense Reserves and Subrogation Recoverable
Loss and loss expense reserves are based upon estimates of the ultimate aggregate losses inherent in the non-derivative portfolio for insurance policies issued to beneficiaries, excluding consolidated VIEs.
The evaluation process for determining the level of reserves is subject to certain estimates and judgments. Refer to the "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" and “Results of Operations” sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in addition to Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies and Loss Reserves sections included in Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies and Note 8. Insurance Contracts, respectively, of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for further information on loss and loss expenses.
The loss and loss expense reserves, net of subrogation recoverables and before reinsurance as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were $705 and $534, respectively.
Loss and loss expense reserves are included in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
March 31, 2023: | December 31, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Specialty Property and Casualty | Legacy Financial Guarantee | Specialty Property and Casualty | Legacy Financial Guarantee | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows | Unearned Premium Revenue | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows | Unearned Premium Revenue | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Line Item | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | Claims and Loss Expenses | Recoveries (1) | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves | Claims and Loss Expenses | Recoveries (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss and loss expense reserves | $ | 107 | $ | 822 | $ | (48) | $ | (30) | $ | 851 | $ | 90 | $ | 787 | $ | (44) | $ | (28) | $ | 805 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subrogation recoverable | — | 2 | (148) | — | (146) | — | 5 | (276) | — | (271) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Totals | $ | 107 | $ | 824 | $ | (196) | $ | (30) | $ | 705 | $ | 90 | $ | 791 | $ | (319) | $ | (28) | $ | 534 |
(1)Present value of future recoveries includes R&W subrogation recoveries of $0 and $140 at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 44 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance:
Ambac has exposure to various bond types issued in the debt capital markets. Our experience has shown that, for the majority of bond types, we have not experienced significant claims. The bond types that have experienced significant claims, including through commutations, are residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), student loan securities and public finance securities. These bond types represent 91% of our ever-to-date insurance claims recorded, with RMBS comprising 61%. The table below indicates gross par outstanding and the components of gross loss and loss expense reserves related to policies in Ambac’s gross loss and loss expense reserves at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023: | December 31, 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Par Outstanding (1) | Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows | Unearned Premium Revenue | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves (1)(2) | Gross Par Outstanding (1) | Present Value of Expected Net Cash Flows | Unearned Premium Revenue | Gross Loss and Loss Expense Reserves (1)(2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claims and Loss Expenses | Recoveries | Claims and Loss Expenses | Recoveries | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Structured Finance | $ | 2,009 | $ | 704 | $ | (173) | $ | (10) | $ | 521 | $ | 2,050 | $ | 664 | $ | (296) | $ | (10) | $ | 358 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Domestic Public Finance | 1,069 | 96 | (8) | (9) | 79 | 1,215 | 96 | (11) | (10) | 75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other, including International finance | 1,107 | 18 | (15) | (11) | (8) | 782 | 23 | (12) | (8) | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss expenses | — | 6 | — | — | 6 | — | 8 | — | — | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Totals | $ | 4,185 | $ | 824 | $ | (196) | $ | (30) | $ | 598 | $ | 4,047 | $ | 791 | $ | (319) | $ | (28) | $ | 444 |
(1) Ceded par outstanding on policies with loss reserves and ceded loss and loss expense reserves were $450 and $34 respectively, at March 31, 2023, and $472 and $33, respectively at December 31, 2022. Recoverable ceded loss and loss expense reserves are included in Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses on the balance sheet.
(2) Loss reserves are included in the balance sheet as Loss and loss expense reserves or Subrogation recoverable dependent on if a policy is in a net liability or net recoverable position.
Variability of Expected Losses and Recoveries
Ambac’s management believes that the estimated future loss component of loss reserves (present value of expected net cash flows) are adequate to cover future claims presented, but there can be no assurance that the ultimate liability will not be higher than such estimates.
While our loss reserves consider our judgment regarding issuers’ financial flexibility to adapt to adverse markets, they may not adequately capture sudden, unexpected or protracted uncertainty that adversely affects market conditions. Accordingly, it is possible that our estimated loss reserves, gross of reinsurance, for financial guarantee insurance policies could be understated. We have attempted to identify possible cash flows related to losses and recoveries using more stressful assumptions than the probability-weighted outcome recorded. The possible net cash flows consider the highest stress scenario that was utilized in the development of our probability-weighted expected loss at March 31, 2023, and assumes an inability to execute any commutation transactions with issuers and/or investors. Such stress scenarios are developed based on management’s view about all possible outcomes relating to losses and recoveries. In arriving at such view, management makes considerable judgments about the possibility of various future events. Although we do not believe it is possible to have stressed outcomes in all cases, it is possible that we could have stress case outcomes in some or even many cases. See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A as well as the descriptions of "RMBS Variability," "Public Finance Variability," "Student Loan Variability," and "Other Credits, including Ambac UK, Variability" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Part II, Item1A "Risk Factors" of this Quarterly Report, for further discussion of the risks relating to future losses and recoveries that could result in more highly stressed outcomes, as well as the descriptions of "Structured Finance Variability," "Domestic
Public Finance Variability," and "Other Variability" appearing below.
The occurrence of these stressed outcomes individually or collectively would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition and may result in materially adverse consequence for Ambac, including (without limitation) impairing the ability of AAC to honor its financial obligations, particularly its outstanding surplus note and preferred stock obligations; the initiation of rehabilitation proceedings against AAC; decreased likelihood of AAC delivering value to AFG, through dividends or otherwise; and a significant drop in the value of securities issued or insured by AFG or AAC.
Structured Finance Variability
RMBS:
Changes to assumptions that could make our reserves under-estimated include an increase in interest rates, deterioration in housing prices, poor servicing, government intervention into the functioning of the mortgage market and the general effect of a weakened economy characterized by growing unemployment and wage pressures. During the first quarter of 2023, Ambac revised the model it uses to project RMBS collateral losses considering the seasoning of our RMBS exposure and management’s view that the most relevant determinant of prospective collateral performance is borrower payment status. Individual home price appreciation/depreciation has become less critical a determinant of performance considering the general appreciation in home values over the past few years as well as the impact of loan modifications. The average estimated loan-to-values of the collateral related to insured exposures have declined to under 50% from peaks above 110%. Projected losses in our RMBS exposures and related loss reserves, may increase or decrease in the future. Possible stress case losses assume higher default rates, loss severities and lower prepayments.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 45 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Student Loans:
Changes to assumptions that could make our reserves under-estimated include, but are not limited to, increases in interest rates, default rates and loss severities on the collateral due to economic or other factors, including the economic impact from public health crises and/or natural or other catastrophic events. Such factors may include lower recoveries on defaulted loans or additional losses on collateral or trust assets, including as a result of any enforcement actions by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
Structured Finance Variability:
Using the approaches described above, the possible increase in loss reserves for structured finance credits for which we have an estimate of expected loss at March 31, 2023, could be approximately $70. There can be no assurance that losses may not exceed such amounts. Due to the uncertainties related to risks associated with structured finance credits, there can be no assurance that losses may not exceed our stress case estimates.
Domestic Public Finance Variability:
Ambac’s U.S. public finance portfolio consists of municipal bonds such as general and revenue obligations and lease and tax-backed obligations of state and local government entities; however, the portfolio also includes a wide array of non-municipal types of bonds, including transactions with public and private elements, which generally finance infrastructure, housing and other public purpose facilities and interests, the largest sector of which is U.S. military housing.
It is possible our loss reserves for public finance credits may be under-estimated if issuers are faced with prolonged exposure to adverse political, judicial, economic, fiscal or socioeconomic events or trends. Additionally, our loss reserves may be under-estimated because of the local, regional or national economic impact from public health crises and/or natural or other catastrophic events.
Our experience with the city of Detroit's bankruptcy and Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's Title III proceedings as well as other municipal bankruptcies demonstrates the preferential treatment of certain creditor classes, especially the public pensions. The cost of pensions and the need to address frequently sizable unfunded or underfunded pensions is often a key driver of stress for many municipalities and their related authorities, including entities to whom we have significant exposure, such as Chicago's school district, the State of New Jersey and others. Less severe treatment of pension obligations in bankruptcy may lead to worse outcomes for traditional debt creditors.
Variability of outcomes applies to even what are generally considered more secure municipal financings, such as dedicated sales tax revenue bonds that capture sales tax revenues for debt service ahead of any amounts being deposited into the general fund of an issuer. In the case of the Puerto Rico COFINA sales tax bonds that were part of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's Title III proceedings, AAC and other creditors agreed to settle at a recovery rate equal to about 93% of pre-petition amounts owed on the Ambac insured senior COFINA bonds. In the COFINA case, the senior bonds still received a reduction or "haircut"
despite the existence of junior COFINA bonds, which received a recovery rate equal to about 56% of pre-petition amounts owed.
In addition, municipal entities may be more inclined to use bankruptcy to resolve their financial stresses if they believe preferred outcomes for various creditor groups can be achieved. We expect municipal bankruptcies and defaults to continue to be challenging to project given the unique political, economic, fiscal, legal, governance and public policy differences among municipalities as well as the complexity, long duration and relative infrequency of the cases themselves in forums with a scarcity of legal precedent. Moreover, issuers in Chapter 9 or similar proceedings may obtain judicial rulings and orders that impair creditors' rights or their ability to collect on amounts owed. In certain cases, judicial decisions may be contrary to AAC's expectations or understanding of the law or its rights thereunder, which may lead to worse outcomes in Chapter 9 or similar proceedings than anticipated at the outset.
Another potentially adverse development that could cause the loss reserves on our public finance credits to be underestimated is deterioration in the municipal bond market, resulting from reduced or limited access to alternative forms of credit (such as bank loans) or other exogenous factors, such as changes in tax law that could reduce certain municipal investors' appetite for tax-exempt municipal bonds or put pressure on issuers in states with high state and local taxes. These factors could deprive issuers access to funding at a level necessary to avoid defaulting on their obligations.
Following the December 6, 2022, consummation of the PRHTA POA all of Ambac’s exposures to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico across various instrumentalities have now been restructured and AAC's exposures to Puerto Rico has been reduced to $106 of net par outstanding at March 31, 2023. However, some uncertainty remains as it relates to the extent and timing to which exposure management strategies, such as commutation and acceleration, will be executed to further reduce exposure to Puerto Rico, and, to a lesser extent, market conditions such as interest rate movements, credit spread changes on remaining plan consideration supporting AAC-insured Puerto Rico exposure in trusts, such as COFINA bonds and PRHTA '98 CVI instruments.
Material additional losses on our public finance credits caused by the aforementioned would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. For the public finance credits, including Puerto Rico, for which we have an estimate of expected loss at March 31, 2023, the possible increase in loss reserves could be approximately $120 and there can be no assurance that losses may not exceed our stress case estimates.
Other Credits, including International Finance Variability:
It is possible our loss reserves on other types of credits, including those insured by Ambac UK, may be under-estimated because of various risks that vary widely, including the risk that we may not be able to recover or mitigate losses through our remediation processes. For all other credits, including Ambac UK, for which we have an estimate of expected loss, the sum of all the highest stress case loss scenarios is approximately $310 greater than the
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 46 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
loss reserves at March 31, 2023. There can be no assurance that losses may not exceed our stress case estimates.
Long-term Debt
Long-term debt includes AAC surplus notes and the Ambac UK debt issued in connection with the Ballantyne commutation. All long-term debt relates to the Legacy Financial Guarantee segment.
The carrying value of each of these as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is below:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
Surplus notes | $ | 481 | $ | 477 | ||||||||||
Tier 2 notes | — | 146 | ||||||||||||
Ambac UK debt | 16 | 16 | ||||||||||||
Total Long-term Debt | $ | 497 | $ | 639 |
The decrease in long-term debt from December 31, 2022, resulted from redemption of the Tier 2 Notes during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, partially offset by accretion on the carrying value of surplus notes and Ambac UK debt. See Note 1. Background and Business Description in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for further details on the redemption of the Tier 2 Notes.
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
Please refer to Note 9. Variable Interest Entities to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 in this Form 10-Q and Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies and Note 12. Variable Interest Entities to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for information regarding variable interest entities.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
There are no new accounting standards applicable to Ambac that have been issued but not yet adopted.
U.S. INSURANCE STATUTORY BASIS FINANCIAL RESULTS ($ in million)
AFG's U.S. insurance subsidiaries prepare financial statements under accounting practices prescribed or permitted by its domiciliary state regulator (“SAP”) for determining and reporting the financial condition and results of operations of an insurance company. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) Accounting Practices and Procedures manual (“NAIC SAP”) is adopted as a component of prescribed practices by each domiciliary state. For further information, see "Ambac Assurance Statutory Basis Financial Results," in Part II, Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Note 9. Insurance Regulatory Restrictions to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Ambac Assurance Corporation
AAC’s statutory policyholder surplus and qualified statutory capital (defined as the sum of policyholders surplus and mandatory contingency reserves) were $595 and $1,193 at March 31, 2023, respectively, as compared to $598 and $1,191 at December 31, 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, statutory policyholder surplus and qualified statutory capital included $519 principal balance of surplus notes outstanding and $115 liquidation preference of preferred stock outstanding. These surplus notes (in addition to related accrued interest of $438 that is not recorded under statutory basis accounting principles); preferred stock; and all other liabilities, including insurance claims are obligations that, individually and collectively, have claims on the resources of AAC that are senior to AFG's equity and therefore impede AFG's ability to realize residual value and/or receive dividends from AAC. The driver to the net decrease in policyholder surplus was the statutory net loss of $9 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and contingency reserve contribution of $4, partially offset by an increase in fair value with undistributed earnings (losses) of pooled funds of $4 and unrealized gain on unrated securities of $2.
AAC's statutory surplus and therefore AFG's ultimate ability to realize residual value and/or dividends from AAC is sensitive to multiple factors, including: (i) loss reserve development, (ii) approval by OCI of payments on surplus notes, (iii) ongoing interest costs associated with surplus notes, (iv) swap gains and losses at AFS, the financial position of which is supported by certain guarantees and financing arrangements from AAC, (v) first time payment defaults of insured obligations, which increase statutory loss reserves, (vi) commutations of insurance policies at amounts that differ from the amount of liabilities recorded, (vii) reinsurance contract terminations at amounts that differ from net assets recorded, (viii) changes to the fair value of pooled fund and other investments carried at fair value, (ix) realized gains and losses, including losses arising from other than temporary impairments of investment securities, (x) the ultimate residual value of Ambac UK, which may be impacted by numerous factors including foreign exchange rates, and (xi) future changes to prescribed practices by the OCI.
Everspan Indemnity Insurance Company
Everspan Indemnity Insurance Company’s statutory policyholder surplus was $106.3 at March 31, 2023, as compared to $107.5 at December 31, 2022. The significant driver to the decrease was a net loss of $1.3 during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
AMBAC UK FINANCIAL RESULTS UNDER UK ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (£ in millions)
Ambac UK is required to prepare financial statements under FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland." Ambac UK’s shareholder funds under UK GAAP were £473 at March 31, 2023, as compared to £468 at December 31, 2022. At March 31, 2023, the carrying value of cash and investments was £511, a increase from £508 at December 31, 2022. The increase in shareholders’ funds and cash and investments was primarily due to the continued receipt of premiums and investment gains, partially offset by foreign
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 47 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
exchange losses, general and administrative expenses and tax payments.
Ambac UK is also required to prepare financial information in accordance with the Solvency II Directive. The basis of preparation of this information is significantly different from both US GAAP and UK GAAP. Available and eligible capital resources under Solvency II, to meet solvency capital requirements, were £338 at December 31, 2022, the most recently published position. Eligible capital resources at December 31, 2022, were in comparison to regulatory capital requirements of £213. Therefore, Ambac UK was in a surplus position in terms of compliance with applicable regulatory capital requirements by £125 at December 31, 2022.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
($ in millions)
($ in millions)
In addition to reporting the Company’s quarterly financial results in accordance with GAAP, the Company is reporting non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Book Value. These amounts are derived from our consolidated financial information, but are not presented in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.
We present non-GAAP supplemental financial information because we believe such information is of interest to the investment community, and that it provides greater transparency and enhanced visibility into the underlying drivers and performance of our businesses on a basis that may not be otherwise apparent on a GAAP basis. We view these non-GAAP
financial measures as important indicators when assessing and evaluating our performance on a segmented and consolidated basis and they are presented to improve the comparability of our results between periods by eliminating the impact of the items that may not be representative of our core operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not substitutes for the Company’s GAAP reporting, should not be viewed in isolation and may differ from similar reporting provided by other companies, which may define non-GAAP measures differently.
Beginning January 1, 2023, Ambac replaced the non-GAAP measure Adjusted Earnings with a new non-GAAP measure Adjusted Net Income to better align with other participants in the Property & Casualty insurance industry, including insurance carriers and other peers in the insurance distribution business. We are presenting Adjusted Net Income for the current and prior periods contained within this Form 10-Q so this non-GAAP financial measure compares both periods on the same basis.
The following paragraphs define each non-GAAP financial measure. A tabular reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure and the most comparable GAAP financial measure is also presented below.
EBITDA — We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. The following table reconciles net income (loss) to the non-GAAP measure, EBITDA on a consolidation and segment basis for all periods presented:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance | Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | Insurance Distribution | Corporate & Other | Consoli-dated | Legacy Financial Guarantee Insurance | Specialty Property & Casualty Insurance | Insurance Distribution | Corporate & Other | Consoli-dated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (36) | $ | (1) | $ | 3 | $ | — | $ | (33) | $ | 6 | $ | (2) | $ | 2 | $ | (3) | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 16 | — | — | — | 16 | 44 | — | — | — | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income taxes | 4 | — | — | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 6 | — | 1 | — | 7 | 14 | — | 1 | — | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA (1) | $ | (9) | $ | (1) | $ | 5 | $ | — | $ | (5) | $ | 65 | $ | (2) | $ | 3 | $ | (3) | $ | 62 |
(1) EBITDA is prior to the impact of noncontrolling interests, and relates to subsidiaries where Ambac does not own 100% in the amounts, of $1 and $1 for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These noncontrolling interests are primarily in the Insurance Distribution segment.
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 48 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) — We define Adjusted Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders adjusted to reflect the following items: (i) net investment (gains) losses, including impairments; (ii) amortization of intangible assets; (iii) litigation costs, including attorneys fees and other expenses to defend litigation against the Company, excluding loss adjustment expenses; (iv) foreign exchange (gains) losses; (v) workforce change costs, which primarily include severance and other costs related to employee terminations; and (vi) net (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt. Adjusted Net Income is also adjusted for the effect of the above items on both income taxes and noncontrolling interests. The income tax effects are determined by applying the statutory tax rate in each jurisdiction that generate these adjustments. The noncontrolling interest adjustments relate to subsidiaries where Ambac does not own 100%
The following table reconciles net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders to the non-GAAP measure, Adjusted net income:
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions, except share data) | $ Amount | Per Share | $ Amount | Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders | $ | (33) | $ | (0.73) | $ | 2 | 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment (gains) losses, including impairments | 4 | 0.10 | (10) | (0.21) | |||||||||||||||||||
Intangible amortization | 7 | 0.15 | 14 | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||||||
Litigation costs | 9 | 0.19 | 4 | 0.08 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange (gains) losses | — | (0.01) | 1 | 0.02 | |||||||||||||||||||
Workforce change costs | 1 | 0.02 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
(13) | $ | (0.28) | 11 | $ | 0.23 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax effects | (1) | (0.02) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Net (gains) attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted net income (loss) | $ | (14) | $ | (0.30) | $ | 11 | $ | 0.23 |
Adjusted Book Value. Adjusted book value is defined as Total Ambac Financial Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity as reported under GAAP, adjusted for after-tax impact of the following:
•Insurance intangible asset: Elimination of the financial guarantee insurance intangible asset that arose as a result of Ambac’s emergence from bankruptcy and the implementation of Fresh Start reporting. This adjustment ensures that all financial guarantee contracts are accounted for within adjusted book value consistent with the provisions of the Financial Services—Insurance Topic of the ASC.
•Net unearned premiums and fees in excess of expected losses: Addition of the value of the unearned premium revenue ("UPR") on financial guarantee contracts, in excess of expected losses, net of reinsurance. This non-GAAP adjustment presents the economics of UPR and expected losses for financial guarantee contracts on a consistent basis. In accordance with GAAP, stockholders’ equity reflects a reduction for expected losses only to the extent they exceed UPR. However, when expected losses are less than UPR for
a financial guarantee contract, neither expected losses nor UPR have an impact on stockholders’ equity. This non-GAAP adjustment adds UPR in excess of expected losses, net of reinsurance, to stockholders’ equity for financial guarantee contracts where expected losses are less than UPR. This adjustment is only made for financial guarantee contracts since such premiums are non-refundable.
•Net unrealized investment (gains) losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: Elimination of the unrealized gains and losses on the Company’s investments that are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), net of income taxes.
Ambac has a significant U.S. tax net operating loss (“NOL”) that is offset by a full valuation allowance in the GAAP consolidated financial statements. As a result of this, tax planning strategies and other considerations, we utilized a 0% effective tax rate for non-GAAP operating adjustments to Adjusted Book.
The following table reconciles Total Ambac Financial Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity to the non-GAAP measure Adjusted Book Value on a dollar amount and per share basis, for all periods presented:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions, except share data) | $ Amount | Per Share | $ Amount | Per Share | |||||||||||||||||||
Total Ambac Financial Group, Inc. stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,254 | $ | 27.66 | $ | 1,252 | $ | 27.85 | |||||||||||||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance intangible asset | (261) | (5.77) | (266) | (5.91) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net unearned premiums and fees in excess of expected losses | 218 | 4.81 | 214 | 4.76 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized investment (gains) losses in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | 54 | 1.19 | 71 | 1.59 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted book value | $ | 1,264 | $ | 27.89 | $ | 1,272 | $ | 28.29 |
The decrease in Adjusted Book Value since December 31, 2022 was primarily attributable to Ambac's net loss (excluding earned premium previously included in Adjusted Book Value), partially offset by the positive effect foreign exchange rates.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
As of March 31, 2023, there were no material changes in the market risks that the Company is exposed to since December 31, 2022.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
In connection with the preparation of this first quarter Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by Ambac’s management, with the participation of Ambac’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of Ambac’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Based on its
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 49 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |
evaluation, Ambac’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of March 31, 2023, Ambac’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2023, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Please refer to Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements located in Part I, Item 1 in this Form 10-Q and Note 20: Commitments and Contingencies in Part II, Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 for a discussion on legal proceedings against Ambac and its subsidiaries.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section, Item 1A to Part I in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is hereby incorporated by reference. These important factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements, including those contained in this report. Please also see the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995” in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. There have been no material changes to the risk factors we have disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our aforementioned Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities — No matters require disclosure.
(b) Purchases of Equity Securities By the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table summarizes Ambac's share purchases during the first quarter of 2023. When restricted stock unit awards issued by Ambac vest or settle, they become taxable compensation to employees. For certain awards, shares may be withheld to cover the employee's portion of withholding taxes.
On March 30, 2022, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing up to $20 million in share repurchases, with an expiration date of March 31, 2024, which may be terminated at any time. From April 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022, AFG repurchased 1,605,316 shares for $14.2 million at an average purchase price of $8.86 per share. On May 5, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $15 million share repurchase bringing the total unused authorized amount to $20.8 million.
Jan-2023 | Feb-2023 | Mar-2023 | First Quarter 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total Shares Purchased | 23,261 | 246,168 | 13,477 | 282,906 | |||||||||||||||||||
Average Price Paid Per Share | $ | 17.40 | $ | 16.24 | $ | 16.30 | $ | 16.34 | |||||||||||||||
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That may Yet be Purchased Under the Plan (in millions) | $ | 21 | $ | 21 | $ | 21 | $ | 21 |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities — No matters require disclosure.
Item 5. Other Information — No matters require disclosure.
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
Other exhibits, filed or furnished, as indicated: | ||||||||
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101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||
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+ Filed herewith. ++ Furnished herewith. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
AMBAC FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. | |||||||||||
Dated: | May 9, 2023 | By: | /s/ DAVID TRICK | ||||||||
Name: | David Trick | ||||||||||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
| Ambac Financial Group, Inc. 51 2023 First Quarter FORM 10-Q |