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Enstar Group LTD - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)

10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

x

   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

 

¨

   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   For the transition period from                     to                     

 

Commission File Number 001-33289

ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

BERMUDA   N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

P.O. Box HM 2267

Windsor Place, 3rd Floor, 22 Queen Street

Hamilton HM JX

Bermuda

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (441) 292-3645

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Ordinary shares, par value $1.00 per share   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x

 

Accelerated filer  ¨

 

Non-accelerated filer  ¨

 

Smaller reporting company  ¨

  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the closing price as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, June 30, 2014, was approximately $1.15 billion.

As of February 26, 2015, the registrant had outstanding 15,804,012 voting ordinary shares and 3,439,652 non-voting convertible ordinary shares, each par value $1.00 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A relating to its 2015 annual general meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

         Page  
  PART I   

Item 1.

  Business      5   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      45   

Item 1B.

  Unresolved Staff Comments      65   

Item 2.

  Properties      65   

Item 3.

  Legal Proceedings      66   

Item 4.

  Mine Safety Disclosures      66   
  PART II   

Item 5.

  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      67   

Item 6.

  Selected Financial Data      69   

Item 7.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      71   

Item 7A.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risk      143   

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      146   

Item 9.

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      241   

Item 9A.

  Controls and Procedures      241   

Item 9B.

  Other Information      241   
  PART III   

Item 10.

  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      244   

Item 11.

  Executive Compensation      244   

Item 12.

  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters      244   

Item 13.

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      244   

Item 14.

  Principal Accounting Fees and Services      244   
  PART IV   

Item 15.

  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules      245   

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This annual report and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, business strategies, operating efficiencies, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of our management, as well as the markets for our ordinary shares and the insurance and reinsurance sectors in general. Statements that include words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “seek,” “may” and similar statements of a future or forward-looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates or expectations, and not statements of historical fact, reflecting the best judgment of our management and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in this annual report and the documents incorporated by reference, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward looking statements. These factors include:

 

   

risks associated with implementing our business strategies and initiatives;

 

   

risks that we may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms;

 

   

the adequacy of our loss reserves and the need to adjust such reserves as claims develop over time;

 

   

risks relating to the availability and collectability of our reinsurance;

 

   

changes and uncertainty in economic conditions, including interest rates, inflation, currency exchange rates, equity markets and credit conditions, which could affect our investment portfolio, our ability to finance future acquisitions and our profitability;

 

   

the risk that ongoing or future industry regulatory developments will disrupt our business, affect the ability of our subsidiaries to operate in the ordinary course or to make distributions to us, or mandate changes in industry practices in ways that increase our costs, decrease our revenues or require us to alter aspects of the way we do business;

 

   

losses due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;

 

   

increased competitive pressures, including the consolidation and increased globalization of reinsurance providers;

 

   

emerging claim and coverage issues;

 

   

lengthy and unpredictable litigation affecting assessment of losses and/or coverage issues;

 

   

continued availability of exit and finality opportunities provided by solvent schemes of arrangement;

 

   

loss of key personnel;

 

   

the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us and the resulting impact on our liquidity;

 

   

changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions, which may happen at any time at management’s discretion;

 

   

operational risks, including system, data security or human failures and external hazards;

 

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risks relating to our acquisitions, including our ability to successfully price acquisitions, evaluate opportunities, address operational challenges, support our planned growth and assimilate acquired companies into our internal control system in order to maintain effective internal controls, provide reliable financial reports and prevent fraud;

 

   

risks relating to our ability to obtain regulatory approvals, including the timing, terms and conditions of any such approvals, and to satisfy other closing conditions in connection with our acquisition agreements, which could affect our ability to complete acquisitions;

 

   

risks relating to our life and annuities business, including mortality and morbidity rates, lapse rates, the performance of assets to support the insured liabilities, and the risk of catastrophic events;

 

   

risks relating to our active underwriting businesses, including unpredictability and severity of catastrophic and other major loss events, failure of risk management and loss limitation methods, the risk of a ratings downgrade or withdrawal, cyclicality of demand and pricing in the insurance and reinsurance markets;

 

   

our ability to implement our strategies relating to our active underwriting businesses;

 

   

risks relating to our ability to structure our investments in a manner that recognizes our liquidity needs;

 

   

tax, regulatory or legal restrictions or limitations applicable to us or the insurance and reinsurance business generally;

 

   

changes in tax laws or regulations applicable to us or our subsidiaries, or the risk that we or one of our non-U.S. subsidiaries become subject to significant, or significantly increased, income taxes in the United States or elsewhere;

 

   

changes in Bermuda law or regulation or the political stability of Bermuda; and

 

   

changes in accounting policies or practices.

The factors listed above should be not construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the Risk Factors that are included in Item 1A below. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward looking statement, whether to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Company Overview

Enstar Group Limited, or Enstar, is a Bermuda-based holding company that was formed in 2001 and became publicly traded in 2007. We are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ESGR.” We and our operating subsidiaries acquire and manage diversified insurance businesses through a network of service companies in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, Australia, and other international locations.

Our primary corporate objective is growing our net book value per share. We believe this is driven primarily by growth in our net earnings, which is in turn driven in large part by successfully completing new acquisitions, effectively managing companies and portfolios of business that we have acquired, and executing on our active underwriting strategies.

Our core focus is acquiring and managing insurance and reinsurance companies in run-off and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business in run-off, and providing management, consulting and other services to the insurance and reinsurance industry. Since our formation, we have completed the acquisition of over 65 insurance and reinsurance companies and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business. We also operate active underwriting businesses, including the Atrium group of companies, which manage and underwrite specialist insurance and reinsurance business for Lloyd’s Syndicate 609, and the Torus group of companies, an A- rated global specialty insurance group with multiple global underwriting platforms. We also operate closed life and annuities businesses.

Strategy

We aim to maximize our growth in net book value per share by using the following strategies:

 

   

Solidify Our Leadership Position in the Run-Off Market by Leveraging Management’s Experience and Relationships.    We continue to utilize the extensive experience and significant relationships of our senior management team to solidify our position as a leading run-off acquirer, which we expect will generate future growth opportunities for us.

 

   

Engage in Highly Disciplined Acquisition, Management and Reinsurance Practices across our Diverse Portfolio of Loss Reserves.    We utilize a disciplined approach designed to minimize risk and increase the probability of positive operating results from companies and portfolios we acquire or manage, being highly selective in reviewing potential acquisition targets and management engagements and focusing our investigation on risk exposures, claims practices and reserve requirements.

 

   

Professionally Manage Claims.    We manage claims made against companies and portfolios we own or manage in a professional and disciplined manner, relying on our in-house expertise as we seek to dispose of risks expeditiously and cost-effectively. We pay valid claims on a timely basis, while relying on well-documented policy terms and exclusions where applicable and litigation when necessary to defend against paying invalid claims under existing policies and reinsurance agreements.

 

   

Commute Assumed Liabilities and Ceded Reinsurance Assets.    Using detailed claims analysis and actuarial projections, we negotiate with the policyholders of the insurance and reinsurance companies or portfolios we own or manage with a goal of commuting insurance and reinsurance liabilities for one or more agreed upon payments at a discount to the ultimate liability.

 

   

Profitably Underwrite Selected Specialty Lines and Utilize our Active Underwriting Platforms to Enhance Future Growth Opportunities.    Through our Atrium and Torus segments, we

 

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selectively underwrite in chosen specialty lines where we believe we can operate with competitive advantages, focusing on balancing risk exposures and selectively growing organically. When we acquire run-off businesses, our active underwriting companies review opportunities to capture profitable active business from the transaction where aligned with our underwriting growth strategies.

 

   

Prudently Manage Investments and Capital.    In managing our investments and deploying our capital, we strive to achieve superior risk-adjusted returns with the objective of maximizing profitability and long-term growth in shareholder value, while recognizing our liquidity needs for future liabilities. We manage our investments in a manner that attempts to correlate the maturity and duration of our investment portfolio to our general liability profile. We manage our capital by aiming to deploy capital efficiently to acquisitions and to establish adequate loss reserves that we believe will protect against future adverse developments. We also explore opportunities to generate enhanced returns on our assets where we believe any additional risk can be managed consistently with our approach in our insurance and reinsurance operations.

Recent Transactions

Our transactions take the form of either acquisitions of companies or portfolio transfers, where a reinsurance contract transfers risk from the insurance or reinsurance company to one of our companies. Acquisitions and portfolio transfers (also referred to as “significant new business”) completed or signed since the beginning of 2012 are outlined in the tables below.

The substantial majority of our acquisitions have been in the non-life run-off business, which for us generally includes property and casualty, workers’ compensation, asbestos and environmental, construction defect, marine, aviation and transit, and other closed business. While our core focus remains the acquisition and management of non-life run-off business, in recent years, we expanded our business by entering into the active underwriting business through our acquisitions of Atrium Underwriting Group Limited (or Atrium) and Torus Insurance Holdings Limited (or Torus). We believe that Atrium and Torus provide an additional earnings stream, and also enhance our ability to compete for acquisition targets by providing opportunities for us, primarily through Torus, to acquire renewal rights or provide loss portfolio reinsurance in connection with such acquisitions, which may be attractive to certain vendors or may present alternative ways in which proposed transactions can be structured.

We entered the active underwriting business through our acquisitions of Atrium Underwriting Group Limited (or Atrium) on November 25, 2013 and Arden Reinsurance Company Ltd (or Arden) on September 9, 2013. Atrium’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Atrium Underwriters Ltd, manages and underwrites specialist insurance and reinsurance business for Lloyd’s Syndicate 609. Atrium’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Atrium 5 Ltd, provides approximately 25% of the underwriting capacity and capital to Syndicate 609, with the balance provided by traditional Lloyd’s Names. Arden provides reinsurance to Atrium 5 Ltd. through an approximate 65% quota share reinsurance arrangement, and is currently in the process of running off certain other portfolios of run-off business. Atrium was an attractive opportunity to us primarily because of its skilled underwriting and management teams and strong historical performance at Lloyd’s.

We acquired Torus, an A- rated global specialty insurer with multiple global underwriting platforms, including Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301 on April 1, 2014. Torus offers a diverse range of property, casualty and specialty insurance through its operations in the U.K., Continental Europe, the U.S. and Bermuda. Prior to acquisition, Torus ceased underwriting certain lines of business in order to focus on core property, casualty and specialty lines. The results of the discontinued lines of business which were

 

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placed into run-off are included within our non-life run-off segment. Torus was formed in 2008 and had grown significantly but generally at the expense of its profitability. Since the acquisition, Torus has shifted its strategy to concentrate on profitable lines of business, started a cost reduction program and enhanced its management team. We believe this has laid the foundation for Torus to be a successful global business in its own right, as well as providing a basis for enhancing our non-life run-off acquisition opportunities and returns.

While the management of claims and control of expenses are Enstar’s core competencies, active underwriting is a relatively new exposure for us. Accordingly, we partnered with the Trident V funds (managed by Stone Point Capital LLC) in the acquisitions of Atrium, Arden and Torus, with Enstar taking an approximate 59.0% equity interest, Trident V taking an approximate 39.3% equity interest in each transaction, and Dowling Capital Partners, L.P. (or Dowling) taking a 1.7% equity interest in each transaction. Stone Point Capital is a financial services-focused private equity firm that has significant experience investing in insurance and reinsurance companies and other insurance-related businesses, which we believe is valuable in these active underwriting joint ventures.

In recent years, we have also expanded our portfolio of run-off businesses to include closed life and annuities, primarily through our March 31, 2013 acquisition of the U.S. life and annuities operations of HSBC Holdings plc (which we refer to as Pavonia). In addition to portfolio diversification, we believe our life and annuities business has the potential to provide us with a long-term earnings and cash flow stream that may counter some of the volatility in our core non-life run-off business. We expect the market for discontinued life and annuity businesses will continue to increase, and we, along with any potential strategic partners, will continue to selectively evaluate opportunities to acquire well performing closed blocks of business.

Acquisitions

On January 27, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Companion Property and Casualty Insurance Company (or Companion) from Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Companion is a South Carolina-based insurance group writing property, casualty, specialty and workers compensation business, and has also provided fronting and third party administrative services. We are operating Companion as part of our non-life run-off business. The total consideration for the transaction was $218.0 million in cash, which was financed 50% through borrowings under a term loan facility and 50% from cash on hand.

On February 5, 2015, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Harper Holdings SARL, entered into a definitive agreement with Nationale Suisse to acquire its Belgian subsidiary, Nationale Suisse Assurance S.A., (or NSA). NSA is a Belgium-based insurance company writing non-life insurance (which we expect to operate in run-off as part of our non-life run-off segment) and life insurance (which we expect to operate in run-off as part of our life and annuities segment). The total consideration for the transaction will be 33.7 million (approximately $38.5 million) (subject to certain possible closing adjustments). We expect to finance the purchase price from cash on hand. As part of the agreement, Torus has agreed to acquire NSA’s two specialty underwriting agencies, Vander Haeghen & Co and Arena. Torus will also acquire the right to renew certain business currently underwritten by NSA, including the business placed by these agencies, as well as other select lines. Completion of the transaction is conditioned on, among other things, governmental and regulatory approvals and satisfaction of various customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2015.

 

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The table below sets forth a summary of acquisitions that we have completed in the last three years or are in the process of completing. For a more detailed explanation of these acquisitions, refer to “Note 3 — Acquisitions” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Acquisitions (2012 - Present)

Company Name

  Date of Completion   Purchase Price   Fair Value of Net
Assets Acquired
  Goodwill   Segment  

Primary Nature of
Business

Signed but not yet completed

           
Nationale Suisse Assurance   expected second quarter
2015
  $38.5 million   valuation pending   N/A   Non-life Run-off
and Life and
Annuities
  European non-life and life insurance
Completed            
Companion Property and   Casualty Company   January 27, 2015   $218.0 million   valuation pending   N/A   Non-life Run-off   U.S. property, casualty, specialty and workers’ compensation
Torus Insurance Holdings   Limited(1)   April 1, 2014   $656.1 million(2)   $643.1 million   $13.0 million   Active
Underwriting
and Non-life
Run-off
  Global specialty insurer and Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301
Atrium Underwriting Group   Limited(3)   November 25, 2013   $158.0 million   $119.2 million   $38.8 million   Active
Underwriting
  Managing agent for Lloyd’s Syndicate 609, a global specialty insurer; provides 25% of syndicate’s capital
Arden Reinsurance   Company Limited(3)   September 9, 2013   $79.6 million   $79.6 million   Nil   Active
Underwriting
and Non-life
Run-off (4)
  U.S. casualty, credit and surety insurance; quota share provider to Atrium
The Pavonia companies   March 31, 2013   $155.6 million   $155.6 million   Nil   Life and
Annuities
  U.S. and Canadian closed life insurance, reinsurance and annuities

SeaBright Holdings, Inc.

  February 7, 2013   $252.1 million   $252.1 million   Nil   Non-life Run-off   U.S. workers’ compensation insurance

 

(1)

Enstar has an approximate 59.0% interest in Torus, with Trident owning an approximate 39.3% interest and Dowling owning a 1.7% interest. Trident is a holder of approximately 8.5% of our voting ordinary shares outstanding. James D. Carey, a senior principal of Stone Point Capital LLC (the manager of Trident), serves as a member of our Board of Directors.

(2)

Enstar funded its $397.7 million share of the purchase price through the issuance of 2,612,341 shares (consisting of a combination of voting and non-voting shares) and the payment of $45.2 million in cash.

(3)

Enstar has an approximate 59.0% interest in the acquired companies, with Trident owning an approximate 39.3% interest, and Dowling owning a 1.7% interest.

(4)

Arden is considered part of our active underwriting segment with respect to its quota share reinsurance provided to Atrium, and is considered part of our non-life run-off segment with respect to its discontinued insurance business.

Significant New Business

On January 15, 2014, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Providence Washington Insurance Company, completed the loss portfolio transfer reinsurance transaction with Reciprocal of America (in Receivership) and its Deputy Receiver relating to a portfolio of workers compensation business that has been in run-off since 2003. The total net insurance reserves assumed were approximately $162.1 million, with an equivalent amount of cash and/or investments being received as consideration.

 

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Effective January 1, 2015, Lloyd’s Syndicate 2008, which is managed by our wholly-owned subsidiary and Lloyd’s managing agent, Shelbourne Syndicate Services Limited, entered into a reinsurance to close (or RITC) contract of the 2012 and prior underwriting years of account of another Lloyd’s syndicate. In the RITC transaction, Syndicate 2008 assumed total net insurance reserves of approximately £17.2 million (approximately $26.9 million) for cash consideration of an equal amount.

The table below sets forth a summary of significant new business transactions that we have signed or completed in the last three years. Our significant new business transactions include several RITC transactions that we have completed over the years with Lloyd’s of London insurance and reinsurance syndicates in run-off, whereby the portfolio of run-off liabilities is transferred from one Lloyd’s syndicate to another. We have executed our RITC transactions through Shelbourne, which consists of an approved Lloyd’s managing agent (Shelbourne Syndicate Services Limited), a corporate member and Syndicate 2008, a wholly aligned syndicate that has permission to underwrite RITC and other legacy or discontinued business type transactions with other Lloyd’s syndicates.

For a more detailed explanation of our significant new business transactions, refer to “Note 4 —Significant New Business” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Significant New Business (2012 - Present)

Portfolio Name

   Date of Completion    Liabilities
Assumed /
Assets
Acquired
   Segment   

Primary Nature of Business

Reciprocal of America (in Receivership)    January 15, 2015    $162.1 million    Non-life Run-off    U.S. workers’ compensation reinsurance
Lloyd’s RITC — Shelbourne    January 1, 2015    $26.9 million    Non-life Run-off    Worldwide marine and energy insurance
Lloyd’s RITC — Shelbourne    January 1, 2014    $28.1 million    Non-life Run-off    Worldwide property and U.K.
liability insurance
Lloyd’s RITC — Shelbourne    January 1, 2013    $51.4 million    Non-life Run-off    U.K. motor insurance
American Physicians Assurance   Corporation/APSpecialty Insurance   Company    April 26, 2013    $35.3 million    Non-life Run-off    U.S. workers’ compensation insurance
Lloyd’s RITC — Shelbourne    December 31, 2012    $313.3 million    Non-life Run-off    U.K. property and liability insurance
Claremont Liability Insurance Company    August 6, 2012 /
December 17, 2012
   $38.0 million    Non-life Run-off    U.S. construction defect
Zurich Insurance Company — Danish   Branch    June 30, 2012    $60.0 million    Non-life Run-off    Danish disability and
commercial reinsurance

Operating Segments

Enstar has four segments of business that are each managed, operated and reported on differently: (i) Non-life run-off; (ii) Atrium; (iii) Torus; and (iv) Life and annuities.

 

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The below chart highlights the percentage of the aggregate total of our gross losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities and policy benefits for life and annuity contracts accounted for by each of our segments:

 

LOGO

For additional information and financial data relating to our segments, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Segment Reporting” and “Note 21 — Segment Information” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Non-life Run-off

Our non-life run-off segment comprises the operations of our subsidiaries that are running off their property and casualty and other non-life lines of business, including the run-off businesses of Arden and Torus. It also includes our smaller management business, in which we manage the run-off portfolios of third parties through our service companies.

In the primary (or direct) insurance business, the insurer assumes risk of loss from persons or organizations that are directly subject to the given risks. In the reinsurance business, the reinsurer agrees to indemnify an insurance or reinsurance company, referred to as the ceding company, against all or a portion of the insurance risks arising under the policies the ceding company has written or reinsured. When an insurer or reinsurer stops writing new insurance business, either entirely or with respect to a particular line of business, the insurer, reinsurer, or the line of discontinued business is in run-off.

The insurance industry continues to experience significant consolidation. As a result of this consolidation and other factors, the remaining participants in the industry often have portfolios of business that are either inconsistent with their core competency or provide excessive exposure to a particular risk or segment of the market (i.e., workers compensation, property/casualty, asbestos, environmental, director and officer liability, etc.). These non-core and/or discontinued portfolios are often associated with potentially large exposures and lengthy time periods before resolution of the last remaining insured claims, resulting in significant uncertainty to the insurer or reinsurer covering those risks. These factors can distract management, drive up the cost of capital and surplus for the insurer or reinsurer, and negatively impact the insurer’s or reinsurer’s credit rating, which makes the disposal of the unwanted company or portfolio an attractive option. Alternatively, the insurer may wish to maintain the business on its balance sheet, yet not divert significant management attention to the run-off of the portfolio. The insurer or reinsurer, in either case, is likely to engage a third party that specializes in run-off management, such as us, to purchase or manage the company or portfolio in run-off.

 

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In the sale of a company in run-off, a purchaser, such as us, may pay a discount to the book value of the company based on the risks assumed and the relative value to the seller of no longer having to manage the company in run-off. Such a transaction can be beneficial to the seller because it receives an up-front payment for the company, eliminates the need for its management to devote any attention to the disposed company and removes the risk that the established reserves related to the run-off business may prove to be inadequate. The seller is also able to redeploy its management and financial resources to its core businesses.

In some situations, an insurer or reinsurer may wish to divest itself of a portfolio of non-core legacy business that may have been underwritten alongside other ongoing core business that the insurer or reinsurer does not want to dispose of. In such instances, we are able to provide economic finality for the insurer or reinsurer by providing a loss portfolio reinsurance contract to protect the insurer or reinsurer against deterioration of the non-core portfolio of loss reserves.

Alternatively, if the insurer or reinsurer hires a third party, such as us, to manage its run-off business, the insurer or reinsurer will, unlike in a sale of the business, receive little or no cash up front. Instead, the management arrangement may provide that the insurer or reinsurer will retain the profits, if any, derived from the run-off with certain incentive payments allocated to the run-off manager. By hiring a run-off manager, the insurer or reinsurer can outsource the management of the run-off business to experienced and capable individuals, while allowing its own management team to focus on the insurer’s or reinsurer’s core businesses.

Overall, the focus of our non-life run-off segment is to acquire companies or portfolios in run-off and to effectively manage the business previously acquired, in each case in ways that further our primary corporate objective.

Acquisition Process

We evaluate each acquisition opportunity presented by carefully reviewing the portfolio’s risk exposures, claim practices, reserve requirements and outstanding claims, and may seek an appropriate discount and/or seller indemnification to reflect the uncertainty contained in the portfolio’s reserves. Based on this initial analysis, we can determine if a company or portfolio of business would add value to our current portfolio of run-off businesses. If we determine to pursue the purchase of a company in run-off, we then proceed to price the acquisition in a manner we believe will result in positive operating results based on certain assumptions including, without limitation, our ability to favorably resolve claims, negotiate with direct insureds and reinsurers, and otherwise manage the nature of the risks posed by the business.

At the time we acquire a company in run-off, we estimate the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired based on external actuarial advice, as well as our own views of the exposures assumed. While we earn a larger share of our total return on an acquisition from disciplined claims management and/or commuting the liabilities that we have assumed, we also try to maximize reinsurance recoveries on the assumed portfolio of business as well as investment returns from the acquired investment portfolios.

Run-off Management

Following the purchase of a company in run-off, or acquisition of a portfolio of business in run-off, or a new consulting engagement to manage a company in run-off or portfolio of business, we strive to conduct the run-off in a disciplined and professional manner in order to efficiently discharge the liabilities associated with the business while preserving and maximizing its assets. Our approach to managing our acquired companies and portfolios of business in run-off, as well as run-off companies or

 

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portfolios of businesses we manage on behalf of third-party clients, includes, where possible, negotiating with third-party insureds and reinsureds to commute their insurance or reinsurance agreement (sometimes called policy buy-backs) for an agreed upon up-front payment by us, or the third-party client, and to more efficiently manage payment of insurance and reinsurance claims. We attempt to commute policies with direct insureds or reinsureds in order to eliminate uncertainty over the amount of future claims. Commutations and policy buy-backs provide an opportunity for the company to exit exposures to certain policies and insureds generally at a discount to the ultimate liability and provide the ability to eliminate exposure to further losses. Such a strategy also contributes to the reduction in the length of time and future cost of the run-off.

In certain lines of business, such as direct workers’ compensation insurance, commutations and policy buy-back opportunities are not typically available and our strategy with respect to these businesses is to derive value through efficient and effective management of claims.

An integral factor to our success is our ability to analyze, administer, manage and settle claims and related expenses, such as loss adjustment expenses. Our claims teams are located in different offices within our organization and provide global claims support. We have implemented effective claims handling guidelines along with claims reporting and control procedures in all of our claims units. All claims matters are reviewed regularly, with all material claims matters being circulated to and authorized by management prior to any action being taken in furtherance of our goal of appropriately handling claims and reporting them in accordance with our guidelines. Our claims management processes also include utilizing our extensive relationships and developed protocols to more efficiently manage outside counsel and other third parties, thereby reducing expenses. With respect to certain lines of business, we have arrangements with third-party administrators to manage and pay claims on our subsidiaries’ behalf and advise with respect to case reserves. These agreements generally set forth the duties of the third party administrators, limits of authority, indemnification language designed for our protection and various procedures relating to compliance with laws and regulations. These arrangements are also subject to review by our relevant claims departments, and we monitor these administrators on an ongoing basis.

Following the acquisition of a company in run-off, or acquisition of a portfolio of business in run-off, or new consulting engagement, we will spend time analyzing the acquired exposures and reinsurance receivables on a policyholder-by-policyholder basis in order to identify those we wish to approach to discuss commutation or policy buy-back. In addition, we will often be approached by policyholders or reinsurers requesting commutation or policy buy-back. We then carry out a full analysis of the underlying exposures in order to determine the viability of a proposed commutation or policy buy-back. From the initial analysis of the underlying exposures it may take several months, or even years, before a commutation or policy buy-back is completed. In a number of cases, if we and the policyholder or reinsurer are unable to reach a commercially acceptable settlement, the commutation or policy buy-back may not be achievable, in which case we will continue to settle valid claims from the policyholder, or collect reinsurance receivables from the reinsurer, as they become due.

Certain insureds and reinsureds are often willing to commute with us, subject to receiving an acceptable settlement, as this provides certainty of recovery of what otherwise may be claims that are disputed in the future, and often provides a meaningful up-front cash receipt that, with the associated investment income, can provide funds to meet future claim payments or even commutation of their underlying exposure. Therefore, subject to negotiating an acceptable settlement, many of our insurance and reinsurance liabilities and reinsurance receivables are able to be either commuted or settled by way of policy buy-back over time.

With regard to reinsurance recoverables, we manage cash flow by working with reinsurers, brokers and professional advisors to achieve fair and prompt payment of reinsured claims, taking

 

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appropriate legal action to secure receivables where necessary. We also attempt where appropriate to negotiate favorable commutations with our reinsurers by securing a lump sum settlement from reinsurers in complete satisfaction of the reinsurer’s past, present and future liability in respect of such claims. Properly priced commutations reduce the expense of adjusting direct claims and pursuing collection of reinsurance, realize savings, remove the potential future volatility of claims and reduce required regulatory capital.

Consulting Services

We provide consultancy services to third parties in the insurance and reinsurance industry primarily through our subsidiaries, the Cranmore companies, Enstar Limited, Enstar (US), Inc., and Kinsale Brokers Limited. The services we provide range from full-service incentive-based or fixed fee run-off management to bespoke solutions such as claims inspection, claims validation, reinsurance asset collection and IT consulting services. Paladin Managed Care Services, Inc., acquired in the SeaBright transaction, provides medical bill review, utilization review, physician case management and related services in the workers’ compensation area. In addition to third-party engagements, our consultancy companies also perform these services in-house for our Enstar companies, using their expertise to assist in managing our run-off portfolios and performing certain due diligence matters relating to new acquisitions.

Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense

Applicable insurance laws and regulations and generally accepted accounting practices require us to maintain reserves to cover our estimated losses under insurance policies that we have assumed and for loss adjustment expenses, or LAE, relating to the investigation, administration and settlement of policy claims. Our LAE reserves consist of both reserves for allocated loss adjustment expenses, or ALAE, and for unallocated loss adjustment expenses, or ULAE. ALAE are linked to the settlement of an individual claim or loss, whereas ULAE reserve is based on our estimates of future costs to administer the claims.

We and our subsidiaries establish losses and LAE reserves for individual claims by evaluating reported claims on the basis of:

 

   

our knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the claim;

 

   

the severity of the injury or damage;

 

   

the jurisdiction of the occurrence;

 

   

the potential for ultimate exposure;

 

   

the type of loss; and

 

   

our experience with the line of business and policy provisions relating to the particular type of claim.

Because a significant amount of time can lapse between the assumption of risk, the occurrence of a loss event, the reporting of the event to an insurance or reinsurance company and the ultimate payment of the claim on the loss event, the liability for unpaid losses and LAE is based largely upon estimates. Our management must use considerable judgment in the process of developing these estimates. The liability for unpaid losses and LAE for property and casualty business includes amounts determined from loss reports on individual cases and amounts for losses incurred but not reported, or IBNR. Such reserves, including IBNR reserves, are estimated by management based upon loss reports received from ceding companies, supplemented by our own estimates of losses for which no ceding company loss reports have yet been received.

 

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In establishing reserves, management also considers actuarial estimates of ultimate losses. Our independent actuaries employ generally accepted actuarial methodologies and procedures to estimate ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses. Our loss reserves are largely related to casualty exposures and include latent exposures primarily relating to asbestos and environmental, as discussed below. In establishing the reserves for unpaid claims, management considers facts currently known and the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Liabilities are recognized for known claims (including the cost of related litigation) when sufficient information has been developed to indicate the involvement of a specific insurance policy, and management can reasonably estimate its liability. In addition, reserves are established to cover loss development related to both known and unasserted claims.

The estimation of unpaid claim liabilities is subject to a high degree of uncertainty for a number of reasons. Unpaid claim liabilities for property and casualty exposures in general are impacted by changes in the legal environment, jury awards, medical cost trends and general inflation. There is significant coverage litigation involved with these exposures which creates further uncertainty in the estimation of the liabilities. Therefore, for these types of exposures, it is especially unclear whether past claim experience will be representative of future claim experience. Ultimate values for such claims cannot be estimated using reserving techniques that extrapolate losses to an ultimate basis using loss development factors, and the uncertainties surrounding the estimation of unpaid claim liabilities are not likely to be resolved in the near future. There can be no assurance that the reserves established by us will be adequate or will not be adversely affected by the development of other latent exposures. The actuarial methods used to estimate ultimate loss and ALAE for our latent exposures are discussed below.

For the non-latent loss exposures, a range of traditional loss development extrapolation techniques is applied. Incremental paid and incurred loss development methodologies are the most commonly used methods. Traditional cumulative paid and incurred loss development methods are used where inception-to-date, cumulative paid and reported incurred loss development history is available. Incremental paid and incurred loss development methodologies are used where inception-to-date loss development data is not available. These methods assume that groups of losses from similar exposures will increase over time in a predictable manner. Historical paid and incurred loss development experience is examined for earlier underwriting years to make inferences about how later underwriting years’ losses will develop. For business related to recent accident years, the Bornhuetter-Ferguson approach (described in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses —All Other (Non-latent) Reserves”) is used with consideration given to plan loss ratios and loss ratios for similar business in more mature accident years. Where company-specific loss information is not available or not reliable, industry loss development information published by reliable industry sources such as the Reinsurance Association of America is considered.

The reserving process is intended to reflect the impact of inflation and other factors affecting loss payments by taking into account changes in historical payment patterns and perceived trends. However, there is no precise method for the subsequent evaluation of the adequacy of the consideration given to inflation, or to any other specific factor, or to the way one factor may affect another.

The loss development tables below show changes, for our non-life run-off segment, in our gross and net loss reserves in subsequent years from the prior loss estimates based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year. The estimate is increased or decreased as more information becomes known about the frequency and severity of losses for individual years. A redundancy means the original estimate was higher than the current estimate; a deficiency means that the current estimate is higher than the original estimate. The “Reserve redundancy” line represents, as of the date indicated,

 

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the difference between the latest re-estimated liability and the reserves as originally estimated. Also included in the loss development tables below is the impact of foreign exchange rate movements during each year presented. Portions of our loss reserves relate to claims expected to be paid in currencies other than our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. Movements in foreign exchange rates, therefore, result in variations in our estimated net loss reserves, and such variations are recognized as they arise in our consolidated statements of earnings. Conditions and trends that have affected development of the ultimate liability in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate redundancies or deficiencies into the future based on the tables below.

 

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Gross Losses and
Loss Adjustment
Expense Reserves

  December 31,  
  2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Reserves assumed

  $ 1,047,313      $ 806,559      $ 1,214,419      $ 1,591,449      $ 2,798,287      $ 2,479,136      $ 3,291,275      $ 4,272,082      $ 3,650,127      $ 4,004,513      $ 3,435,010   

1 year later

    900,274        909,984        1,227,427        1,436,051        2,661,011        2,237,124        3,057,032        3,980,811        3,447,375        3,675,218     

2 years later

    1,002,773        916,480        1,084,852        1,358,900        2,422,291        2,039,141        2,907,956        3,760,339        3,135,832       

3 years later

    1,012,483        853,139        1,020,755        1,284,304        2,245,557        1,943,121        2,748,708        3,457,277         

4 years later

    953,834        778,216        949,595        1,235,982        2,160,144        1,878,606        2,601,052           

5 years later

    879,504        733,151        905,043        1,216,989        2,110,715        1,823,181             

6 years later

    835,488        717,413        889,681        1,206,093        2,076,360               

7 years later

    820,168        715,574        881,416        1,187,637                 

8 years later

    819,018        719,867        864,771                   

9 years later

    823,429        719,076                     

10 years later

    823,169                       

Reserve redundancy

  $ 224,144      $ 87,483      $ 349,649      $ 403,812      $ 721,927      $ 655,955      $ 690,223      $ 814,805      $ 514,295      $ 329,295      $   
     December 31,  

Gross Paid Losses

  2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

1 year later

  $ 110,193      $ 117,666      $ 90,185      $ 407,692      $ 364,440      $ 377,159      $ 430,284      $ 699,487      $ 463,052      $ 619,438      $   

2 years later

    226,225        198,407        197,751        575,522        727,205        575,814        808,213        1,091,516        835,576       

3 years later

    305,913        268,541        353,032        688,946        912,401        768,828        1,050,863        1,407,829         

4 years later

    375,762        402,134        423,731        726,332        1,095,603        898,643        1,273,649           

5 years later

    509,319        442,624        455,414        772,070        1,216,762        1,033,946             

6 years later

    549,033        458,532        481,114        822,094        1,342,439               

7 years later

    564,900        477,456        527,804        879,784                 

8 years later

    583,225        515,762        583,969                   

9 years later

    621,418        564,174                     

10 years later

    669,466                       

Net Losses and Loss
Adjustment Expense
Reserves

  December 31,  
  2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Reserves assumed

  $ 736,660      $ 593,160      $ 872,259      $ 1,163,485      $ 2,403,712      $ 2,131,408      $ 2,765,835      $ 2,889,079      $ 2,773,907      $ 2,882,980      $ 2,634,301   

1 year later

    653,039        590,153        875,636        1,034,588        2,216,928        1,851,268        2,533,710        2,731,215        2,524,247        2,553,732     

2 years later

    652,195        586,059        753,551        950,739        1,940,472        1,673,922        2,422,811        2,486,405        2,208,555       

3 years later

    649,355        532,804        684,999        874,961        1,783,372        1,596,536        2,274,204        2,193,988         

4 years later

    600,939        454,933        611,182        816,039        1,719,195        1,527,355        2,085,025           

5 years later

    531,666        408,270        557,109        797,815        1,664,375        1,457,990             

6 years later

    485,392        388,471        543,052        782,676        1,617,183               

7 years later

    466,303        385,410        531,279        755,346                 

8 years later

    464,060        386,128        505,972                   

9 years later

    464,899        377,448                     

10 years later

    457,086                       

Reserve redundancy

  $ 279,574      $ 215,713      $ 366,287      $ 408,139      $ 786,529      $ 673,418      $ 680,811      $ 695,091      $ 565,352      $ 329,248      $   
    Year Ended December 31,  

Net Paid Losses

  2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     2014  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

1 year later

  $ 78,488      $ 79,398      $ 43,896      $ 112,321      $ 247,823      $ 250,635      $ 313,642      $ 326,110      $ 209,221      $ 299,629      $   

2 years later

    161,178        125,272        (70,430     243,146        480,102        381,820        601,029        471,195        380,476       

3 years later

    206,351        (14,150     58,228        324,735        603,875        530,845        805,020        594,539         

4 years later

    67,191        102,776        108,109        347,215        752,318        640,974        946,521           

5 years later

    184,150        132,405        128,567        376,674        857,605        733,183             

6 years later

    212,822        143,252        150,412        419,383        945,106               

7 years later

    223,944        158,503        191,829        459,747                 

8 years later

    238,658        191,589        231,988                   

9 years later

    271,647        226,554                     

10 years later

    307,284                       

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the liability for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance ceded, for our non-life run-off segment:

 

    
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Balance as at January 1 (1)

   $ 4,004,513       $ 3,650,127       $ 4,272,082   

Less: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     1,121,533         876,220         1,383,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,882,980         2,773,907         2,889,079   

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities:

        

    Current period

     24,235         74,139           

    Prior periods

     (288,946      (257,114      (237,953
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     (264,711      (182,975      (237,953
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses paid:

        

    Current period

     (87,681      (10,656        

    Prior periods

     (312,415      (360,124      (314,528
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net losses paid

     (400,096      (370,870      (314,528
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate movement

     (49,267      4,936         14,833   

Acquired on purchase of subsidiaries

     436,765         557,476           

Assumed business

     28,630         100,506         422,476   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net balance as at December 31

     2,634,301         2,882,980         2,773,907   

Plus: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     800,709         1,121,533         876,220   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31

   $ 3,435,010       $ 4,004,513       $ 3,650,127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

We reclassified outstanding losses and loss adjustment expenses of $11.0 million and $10.8 million to policy benefits for life and annuity contracts as at January 1, 2013 and 2012, respectively, to conform to the current period presentation. These amounts are associated with Laguna Life Limited, which now forms part of our life and annuities segment that was established following the acquisition of the Pavonia companies.

In the table above, net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities represents changes in estimates of prior period net losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities comprising net incurred loss movements during the period and changes in estimates of net IBNR liabilities. Net incurred loss movements during the period comprise increases or reductions in specific case reserves advised during the period to us by our policyholders and attorneys, or by us to our reinsurers, less claims settlements made during the period by us to our policyholders, plus claim receipts made to us by our reinsurers. Prior period estimates of net IBNR liabilities may change as our management considers the combined impact of commutations, policy buy-backs, settlement of losses on carried reserves and the trend of incurred loss development compared to prior forecasts.

Commutations provide an opportunity for us to exit exposures to entire policies with insureds and reinsureds, often at a discount to the previously estimated ultimate liability. Commutations are beneficial to us as they extinguish liabilities and reduce the potential for future adverse loss development. All prior historical loss development that relates to commuted exposures is eliminated to produce revised historical loss development for the remaining non-commuted exposures. Our independent actuaries apply their actuarial methodologies to the remaining aggregate exposures and revised historical loss development information to reassess their estimates of ultimate liabilities, and, after management’s review of and, if necessary, adjustments to those estimates, we reassess our estimate of IBNR reserves.

 

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Policy buy-backs provide an opportunity for us to settle individual policies and losses usually at a discount to carried advised loss reserves. As part of our routine claims settlement operations, claims will settle at either below or above the carried advised loss reserve. The impact of policy buy-backs and the routine settlement of claims updates historical loss development information to which actuarial methodologies are applied often resulting in revised estimates of ultimate liabilities. Our actuarial methodologies include industry benchmarking which, under certain methodologies compares the trend of our loss development to that of the industry. To the extent that the trend of our loss development compared to the industry changes in any period, it is likely to have an impact on the estimate of ultimate liabilities.

The following table provides a reconciliation between net reserve redundancy per the loss development triangle above and total net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities in our non-life run-off segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in millions of U.S. dollars)  

Net reserve redundancy

   $ 329.2      $ 249.7      $ 157.9   

Foreign exchange movement

     (52.0     (0.2     14.8   

Net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities relating to companies and portfolios acquired during the year

     7.2        13.4        (2.1

Premium and commission adjustments triggered by incurred losses

     4.5        (5.8     22.6   

Claremont novation settlement

                   44.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities relating to prior periods

   $ 288.9      $ 257.1      $ 238.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Information regarding net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for our non-life run-off segment is discussed further in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations by Segment – Non-Life Run-Off Segment.”

General A&E Exposures

A number of our subsidiaries wrote general liability policies and reinsurance (prior to their acquisition by us) under which policyholders continue to present asbestos-related injury claims and claims alleging injury, damage or clean-up costs arising from environmental pollution. These policies, and the associated claims, are referred to as A&E exposures. The vast majority of these claims are presented under policies written many years ago.

There is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding A&E claims. This uncertainty impacts the ability of insurers and reinsurers to estimate the remaining amount of unpaid claims and related LAE. The majority of these claims differ from any other type of claim because there is inadequate loss development and there is significant uncertainty regarding what, if any, coverage exists, to which, if any, policy years claims are attributable and which, if any, insurers/reinsurers may be liable. These uncertainties are exacerbated by lack of clear judicial precedent and legislative interpretations of coverage that may be inconsistent with the intent of the parties to the insurance contracts and expand theories of liability. The insurance and reinsurance industry as a whole is engaged in extensive litigation over these coverage and liability issues and is, thus, confronted with continuing uncertainty in its efforts to quantify A&E exposures.

Our A&E exposure is administered out of our offices in the United Kingdom and Rhode Island and centrally administered from the United Kingdom. In light of the intensive claim settlement process for these claims, which involves comprehensive fact gathering and subject matter expertise, our

 

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management believes that it is prudent to have a centrally administered claim facility to handle A&E claims on behalf of all of our subsidiaries. Our A&E claims staff, working in conjunction with our in-house attorneys experienced in A&E liabilities, proactively administers, on a cost-effective basis, the A&E claims submitted to our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.

Our independent, external actuaries use industry benchmarking methodologies to estimate appropriate IBNR reserves for our A&E exposures. These methods are discussed in detail in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses”.

The liability for unpaid losses and LAE, inclusive of A&E reserves, reflects our best estimate for future amounts needed to pay losses and related LAE as of each of the balance sheet dates reflected in the financial statements herein in accordance with U.S. GAAP. As of December 31, 2014, we had net loss reserves of $324.8 million for asbestos-related claims (or 12.3% of total non-life run-off net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities) and $64.3 million for environmental pollution-related claims (or 2.4% of total non-life run-off net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities). The following table provides a reconciliation of our gross and net loss and ALAE reserves from A&E exposures and the movement in gross and net reserves:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     Gross     Net     Gross     Net     Gross     Net  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Provisions for A&E claims and ALAE at January 1

   $ 539,494      $ 480,865      $ 628,643      $ 557,551      $ 702,801      $ 621,487   

A&E losses and ALAE incurred during the year

     (11,369     (12,914     (15,512     (15,594     (308     (5,882

A&E losses and ALAE paid during the year

     (88,649     (78,841     (88,984     (74,208     (73,850     (58,054

Provision for A&E claims and ALAE acquired during the year

                   15,347        13,116                 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for A&E claims and ALAE at

            

December 31

   $ 439,476      $ 389,110      $ 539,494      $ 480,865      $ 628,643      $ 557,551   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, our reserves for A&E liabilities decreased by $100.0 million and $89.2 million on a gross basis, respectively, and by $91.8 million and $76.7 million on a net basis, respectively. The reductions in gross reserves arose from paid claims, successful commutations, policy buy-backs, generally favorable claim settlements during the year and reductions in IBNR resulting from actuarial analysis of remaining liabilities.

Asbestos continues to be the most significant and difficult mass tort for the insurance industry in terms of claims volume and expense. We believe that the insurance industry has been adversely affected by judicial interpretations that have had the effect of maximizing insurance recoveries for asbestos claims, from both a coverage and liability perspective. Generally, only policies underwritten prior to 1986 have potential asbestos exposure, since most policies underwritten after this date contain an absolute asbestos exclusion.

From 2001 through 2003 the industry experienced increasing numbers of asbestos claims, including claims from individuals who did not appear to be impaired by asbestos exposure. Since 2003,

 

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however, new claim filings have been fairly stable. It is possible that the increases observed in the early part of the decade were triggered by various state tort reforms (discussed immediately below). We cannot predict whether claim filings will return to pre-2004 levels, remain stable, or begin to decrease.

Since 2001, several U.S. states have proposed, and in many cases enacted, tort reform statutes that impact asbestos litigation by, for example, making it more difficult for a diverse group of plaintiffs to jointly file a single case, reducing “forum-shopping” by requiring that a potential plaintiff must have been exposed to asbestos in the state in which he/she files a lawsuit, or permitting consolidation of discovery. These statutes typically apply to suits filed after a stated date. When a statute is proposed or enacted, asbestos defendants often experience a marked increase in new lawsuits, as plaintiffs’ attorneys seek to file suit before the effective date of the legislation. Some of this increased claim volume likely represents an acceleration of valid claims that would have been brought in the future, while some claims will likely prove to have little or no merit. As many of these claims are still pending, we cannot predict what portion of the increased number of claims represent valid claims. Also, the acceleration of claims increases the uncertainty surrounding projections of future claims in the affected jurisdictions.

During the same timeframe as tort reform, the U.S. federal and various U.S. state governments sought comprehensive asbestos reform to manage the growing court docket and costs surrounding asbestos litigation, in addition to the increasing number of corporate bankruptcies resulting from overwhelming asbestos liabilities. Whereas the federal government has failed to establish a national asbestos trust fund to address the asbestos problem, several states, including Texas and Florida, have implemented a medical criteria reform approach that only permits litigation to proceed when a plaintiff can establish and demonstrate actual physical impairment.

Much like tort reform, asbestos litigation reform has also spurred a significant increase in the number of lawsuits filed in advance of the law’s enactment. We cannot predict whether the drop off in the number of filed claims is due to the accelerated number of filings or an actual trend in the decline of alleged asbestos injuries.

Environmental Pollution Exposures

Environmental pollution claims represent another significant exposure for us. However, environmental pollution claims have been developing as expected over the past few years as a result of stable claim trends. Claims against Fortune 500 companies are generally declining, and while insureds with single-site exposures are still active, in many cases claims are being settled for less than initially anticipated due to improved site remediation technology and effective policy buy-backs.

Despite the stability of recent trends, there remains significant uncertainty involved in estimating liabilities related to these exposures. Unlike asbestos claims which are generated primarily from allegedly injured private individuals, environmental claims generally result from governmentally initiated activities. First, the number of waste sites subject to cleanup is unknown. Over 1,000 sites are included on the National Priorities List (NPL) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. State authorities have separately identified many additional sites and, at times, aggressively implement site cleanups. Second, the liabilities of the insureds themselves are difficult to estimate. At any given site, the allocation of remediation cost among the potentially responsible parties varies greatly depending upon a variety of factors. Third, as with asbestos liability and coverage issues, judicial precedent regarding liability and coverage issues regarding pollution claims does not provide clear guidance. There is also uncertainty as to the U.S. federal “Superfund” law itself and, at this time, we cannot predict what, if any, reforms to this law might be enacted by the U.S. federal government, or the effect of any such changes on the insurance industry.

 

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Atrium

Our Atrium segment is comprised of the active underwriting operations and financial results of Northshore Holdings Limited, a holding company that owns Atrium and its subsidiaries and Arden. We acquired Atrium on November 25, 2013 and Arden on September 9, 2013.

Atrium and its subsidiaries are an underwriting business at Lloyd’s of London, which manages Syndicate 609 and provides approximately 25% of the Syndicate’s underwriting capacity (with the balance provided by traditional Lloyd’s Names). Atrium has offices in London, the U.S., Canada, and Singapore. Generally speaking, Atrium continues to operate in accordance with the underwriting and other business strategies established pre-acquisition, although we and Trident continually review these strategies and business goals and expect to develop synergies with our existing business operations over time.

Arden is a Bermuda-based reinsurance company that provides reinsurance to Atrium (through an approximately 65% quota share reinsurance arrangement with Atrium 5 Ltd, an Atrium subsidiary, which is eliminated upon consolidation) and is currently in the process of running off certain other discontinued businesses. Results related to Arden’s discontinued business are included within our non-life run-off segment.

Lines of Business Underwritten

Syndicate 609 provides insurance and reinsurance on a worldwide basis including the United States, Europe, the Far East and Australasia. Atrium specializes in a wide range of industry classes, including accident and health, aviation, marine, property, liability, reinsurance, upstream energy and war and terrorism. Lloyd’s business is often underwritten on a subscription basis across the insurance market. Atrium is the lead underwriter in approximately 35% of the business it underwrites.

Lloyd’s is a surplus lines insurer and an accredited reinsurer in all U.S. states and territories, and a licensed (or admitted) insurer in Illinois, Kentucky and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Gross premiums written by line of business for the Atrium segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2014
     % of Total Gross
Written Premium
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Marine

   $ 23,531         15.2

Property and Casualty Binding Authorities

     29,355         19.0

Upstream Energy

     19,162         12.4

Reinsurance

     12,710         8.2

Accident and Health

     15,837         10.3

Non-Marine Direct and Facultative

     17,204         11.2

Liability

     18,300         11.9

Aviation

     7,883         5.1

War and Terrorism

     10,266         6.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 154,248         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

A description of each of these lines of business follows:

Marine.    The Marine line of business is a worldwide portfolio writing marine hull, cargo, fine art and specie, marine and energy liability and total loss only business. This includes hull all risks, hull total loss interests, yachts, fishing vessels, ship construction, ports, cable construction and cable operating

 

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risks, tows, mortgages interests, port property, war risks and a number of other specialist areas of marine insurance. Cargo, fine art and specie includes exporters, museums, auction houses, jewelers, banks and security houses. Business is written on a direct, reinsurance, proportional and excess of loss basis.

Property and Casualty Binding Authorities.    The property and casualty binding authority portfolio includes a broad range of small and medium business entity insurance products offered across the U.S. and Canada. Typical property risks include commercial, vacant and hard-to-place residential dwellings. Typical casualty risks include owners, landlords and tenants, business owners, artisan, special events and various niche products. Business is written through both traditional binding authorities as well as online binding authorities through AUGold, Atrium’s proprietary online system that is used by brokers.

Upstream Energy.    The upstream energy line of business is split into two main categories of assureds: operators (private and publically quoted companies, national oil companies and Oil Insurance Limited members) and contractors (for drilling, service and construction entities). The principal coverage is physical damage/business interruption, control of well and associated pollution, construction and Gulf of Mexico windstorm and other natural catastrophe perils. Nearly all of the upstream energy line of business is sourced through Lloyd’s brokers, with the significant majority written on a facultative basis and a smaller amount written on a treaty basis.

Reinsurance. The reinsurance line is a worldwide portfolio and includes aviation reinsurance, casualty reinsurance, property reinsurance, and marine reinsurance. Business is mainly written on a risk excess of loss, catastrophe excess of loss or retrocessional basis. Aviation reinsurance is written through an underwriting consortium managed by Atrium.

Accident and Health. The accident and health line is a global account that encompasses a wide range of classes, including group and individual disability, personal accident, travel insurance, medical expenses, aviation personal accident, war risks, kidnap and ransom insurance, and sports accident insurance. The line includes both insurance and reinsurance business, written as facultative placements and under delegated underwriting facilities and both proportional and non-proportional treaties.

Non-Marine Direct and Facultative. The non-marine direct and facultative portfolio includes a diverse mix of property business offered in both the international and U.S. markets, comprised of physical loss or damage, business interruption, extra expense, construction, contingency and pecuniary loss risks in respect of onshore property and onshore engineered risks. The majority of this line of business is written through Lloyd’s brokers and under delegated underwriting facilities.

Liability. The liability line of business includes a professional liability North American portfolio of products covering a diverse range of classes including architects, consultants and lawyers and also a miscellaneous range encompassing many different professions. Included within this line of business is international liability, which is a book of primary coverholder business covering the security, leisure and hotel industries. The majority of business is produced through delegated binding authority contracts.

Aviation. The aviation portfolio includes all aspects of aviation insurance, with Atrium specializing in rotor wing and non-major airlines. The majority of the account is sourced through London brokers as direct or facultative reinsurance of a local reinsurer. This line of business also includes a space account which covers launch as well as in-orbit risks and is written through an underwriting consortium managed by Atrium.

War and Terrorism. The war and terrorism line includes aviation war, marine war, and terrorism. Aviation war covers hull war and other perils commonly excluded from hull and liability all risk policies.

 

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Atrium leads a number of the major marine war contracts in London. This line also includes political violence business, in which Atrium focuses on writing with security consultants engaged to provide risk or country surveys.

Distribution

Most of the business in the Atrium segment is placed through insurance and reinsurance brokers, although some of our insurance business is also placed through managing general agents. Atrium seeks to develop relationships with insurance and reinsurance brokers, insurance and reinsurance companies, large global corporations and financial intermediaries to develop and underwrite business. For the year ended December 31, 2014, independent brokers Marsh Inc., Willis Group Holdings Ltd. and Aon Benfield Group Ltd. accounted for approximately 31% of Atrium’s gross premiums written, as described in the table below:

 

Broker/Agent

   2014  

Marsh & McLennan Companies

     12.0

Willis Group

     11.0

Aon Benfield

     8.0

Others (individually less than 8%)

     69.0
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

Managing Agency Services

Atrium receives a managing agency fee of 0.7% of Syndicate 609 capacity and a 20% profit commission based on the net earnings of Syndicate 609, pursuant to its management contract. Atrium also receives management fees and profit commission from the management of underwriting consortiums. These fees and profit commission are included within fees and commission income in our consolidated statement of earnings.

Claims Management

Claims in respect of business written by Syndicate 609 are primarily notified by various central market bureaus. Where a syndicate is a “leading” syndicate on a Lloyd’s policy, its underwriters and claims adjusters work directly with the broker or insured on behalf of itself and the following market for any particular claim. This may involve appointing attorneys or loss adjusters. The claims bureaus and the leading syndicate advise movement in loss reserves to all syndicates participating on the risk. Our claims department may adjust the case reserves it records from those advised by the bureaus as deemed necessary.

Reinsurance Ceded

On an annual basis Atrium purchases a tailored outwards reinsurance program designed to manage its risk profile. The majority of Atrium’s total third party reinsurance cover is with Lloyd’s Syndicates or other highly rated reinsurers.

Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense

The reserves for unpaid reported losses and loss expenses are established by management based on reports from brokers, ceding companies and insureds and represent the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to, or specifically identified by us. The reserve for incurred but not reported losses and loss expenses is established by management based on actuarially determined estimates of ultimate losses and loss expenses. Inherent in the estimate of ultimate losses

 

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and loss expenses are expected trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors which may vary significantly as claims are settled. Accordingly, ultimate losses and loss expenses may differ materially from the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, will be recorded in earnings in the period in which they become known. Prior period development arises from changes to loss estimates recognized in the current year that relate to loss reserves established in previous calendar years.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the liability for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance ceded in our Atrium segment:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2013  
     (in thousands of U.S.
dollars)
 

Balance as at January 1

   $ 215,392       $   

Less: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     25,055           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     190,337           

Acquired on purchase of subsidiaries

             200,374   

Effect of exchange rate movement

     (3,821      1,286   

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities:

     

Current period

     74,094         19,303   

Prior periods

     (18,666        
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     55,428         19,303   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses paid:

     

Current period

     (29,626      (30,626

Prior periods

     (27,985        
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net losses paid

     (57,611      (30,626
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net balance as at December 31

     184,333         190,337   

Plus: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     28,278         25,055   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31

   $ 212,611       $ 215,392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Torus

Our Torus segment is comprised of the active underwriting operations and financial results of Bayshore Holdings Limited, a holding company that owns Torus and its subsidiaries. We acquired Torus on April 1, 2014. Results relating to Torus’ run-off lines of business are included within our non-life run-off segment.

Torus is a global specialty insurer and holding company of six wholly-owned insurance vehicles, including Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301. Following the Torus acquisition, a new management team was put in place comprising senior leaders from Torus, Enstar, Stone Point Capital, and outside talent, which has focused on executing underwriting strategy and improving operational effectiveness and efficiency.

Lines of Business Underwritten

Torus conducts its business primarily as a direct insurer, underwriting general property, marine, onshore and offshore energy, construction, power and utility, aviation, space, casualty, healthcare, and

 

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workers compensation risks, as well as professional liability and management liability. Torus also writes a reinsurance account (both treaty and facultative reinsurance depending on the line of business) in personal accident, property and certain classes of marine liabilities to insurance companies on a worldwide basis.

Gross premiums written by line of business for the Torus segment from the date of acquisition to December 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2014
     % of Total Gross
Written Premium
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Marine and Excess Casualty

   $ 70,826         13.8

Property

     118,479         23.1

Aviation and Space

     86,446         16.9

Workers Compensation

     51,442         10.0

Casualty:

     

U.S. Excess Casualty

     106,049         20.7

Healthcare

     36,698         7.2

U.S. Management and Professional Liability

     17,805         3.5

Non-U.S. Management and Professional Liability

     15,429         3.0

Accident and Health

     9,045         1.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Casualty

     185,026         36.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 512,219         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marine and excess casualty.    The marine and excess casualty line of business includes a diverse portfolio of marine business underwritten across the Lloyd’s and London markets and Continental Europe (writing hull, cargo, marine and energy liabilities, war and terrorism, and specie insurance, either on a standalone basis or within multiline packages) and international excess casualty (focusing on large commercial and industrial risks through Torus’ Lloyd’s and London platforms).

Property.    The property portfolio comprises a diverse book of property insurance that serves a global client base, including general property, onshore energy, upstream and offshore energy, power and utilities and construction business. Most lines are written on a full value, primary, excess of loss or quota share basis.

Aviation and space.    The aviation and space line serves a global client base with respect to aviation products written on an admitted and/or excess and surplus lines basis in all 50 U.S. states, with facultative general aviation and products business underwritten through Torus’ Lloyd’s platform. The line also includes airline insurance, focusing on low cost carriers and regional operators, European general aviation broker lineslips, aviation terrorism and war hull insurance, as well as space in-orbit and launch risks.

Workers compensation.    The workers compensation line of business consists of U.S. policies written for employers on a multiple state, federal acts, applicable common law and/or traditional state act coverage basis. Torus’ portfolio includes a range of industries, including energy, maritime, automotive dealers, construction, healthcare, oil and gas, and manufacturing businesses. Business is written on a direct basis through partnerships with independent agents, managing general underwriters, and select wholesale brokers throughout the U.S.

Casualty.    The casualty portfolio consists of Torus’ U.S. excess casualty, global management and professional liability, global healthcare, and personal accident lines.

 

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U.S. excess casualty.    Torus provides umbrella, excess and retained limit products to U.S. clients across a range of market segments and small to mid-market businesses. Business is underwritten through traditional platforms as well as Torus’ proprietary online underwriting system, Escape, and through the use of managing general agent programs.

Healthcare.    The healthcare line includes U.S. healthcare products written on a direct or reinsurance basis to clients such as acute care centers, nursing homes, small hospitals, physician groups, senior living facilities and others.

U.S. management and professional liability.    Torus provides primary management and professional liability products for clients worldwide through its specialist underwriting teams located in the U.S. This line of business includes directors and officers, employment practices liability, and fiduciary liability coverage to private, not-for-profit and micro-cap public companies. The line also includes lawyers’ professional liability and commercial errors and omissions liability.

Non-U.S. management and professional liability.    Torus provides management and professional liability coverage internationally, including for directors and officers of companies ranging from small, family-owned companies and not-for-profit organizations to publicly listed, multinational corporations across numerous industry segments, as well as financial institutions. Clients include, among others, architects, accountants, engineers, real estate agents, solicitors, investment advisors, business consultants, IT professionals, and media companies.

Accident and health.    The accident and health line, written through Torus’ Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301, includes a wide variety of worldwide risks, such as specialist aviation and marine crew personal accident and loss of license coverage, as well as accidental death, permanent and temporary disability, and sports / high net worth individual business.

Torus’ Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301

Torus’ Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301 is managed by Lloyd’s managing agency, Torus Underwriting Management Limited. Through Syndicate 1301, Torus offers a variety of products for small and middle market clients, as well as multinational organizations, across several specialty lines of business. Lloyd’s business includes: accident and health, sports personal accident, loss of license, aviation, construction, excess casualty, marine cargo, hull and liability, property direct and facultative, property binders, power and utilities, specie and fine art, U.S. healthcare, and war and terrorism.

In addition to underwriting business directly at Lloyd’s in London, Torus provides local access to the Lloyd’s market across Continental Europe, including in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. U.S. healthcare business can be written locally from Torus’ Jersey City, New Jersey office through Torus U.S. Intermediaries Inc., a Lloyd’s-approved service company.

Distribution

Most of the business in the Torus segment is placed through insurance and reinsurance brokers and managing general agents. Torus seeks to develop relationships with insurance and reinsurance brokers, insurance and reinsurance companies, corporations and financial intermediaries to develop and underwrite business. Torus also reviews opportunities to renew select business from Enstar acquisitions, where the business is aligned with its growth strategy. In addition to traditional, field-based underwriting platforms, Torus utilizes two online broker portals: Escape (in its U.S. excess casualty business) and XPRESS (in its European management and professional liability business).

 

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We had an ownership interest in Torus only for nine months in 2014, but for illustrative purposes, independent brokers Marsh Inc., Willis Group Holdings Ltd. and Aon Benfield Group Ltd. accounted for approximately 36% of Torus’ gross premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2014, as described in the table below:

 

Broker/Agent    2014  

Marsh & McLennan Companies

     14.0

Willis Group

     11.0

Aon Benfield

     11.0

Others (individually less than 10%)

     64.0
  

 

 

 
     100.0
  

 

 

 

Claims Management

Claims in respect of business written by Syndicate 1301 and Torus’ other London market business are primarily notified by various central market bureaus. The claims bureaus and the leading syndicate advise movement in loss reserves to all syndicates participating on the risk. Our claims department may adjust the case reserves it records from those advised by the bureaus as deemed necessary.

Claims in respect of non-bureau business are handled by Torus’ experienced claims professionals. Torus uses claims handling guidelines along with a global claims management system to review, report and administer claims. With respect to certain lines of business, Torus may use third-party administrators to manage and pay claims on its behalf and advise with respect to case reserves.

Reinsurance Ceded

On an annual basis, Torus purchases a tailored outwards reinsurance program designed to manage its risk profile. The majority of Torus’ total third party reinsurance cover is with highly rated reinsurers or is collateralized by letters of credit.

Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense

The reserves for unpaid reported losses and loss expenses are established by management based on reports from brokers, ceding companies and insureds and represent the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to, or specifically identified by us. The reserve for incurred but not reported losses and loss expenses is established by management based on actuarially determined estimates of ultimate losses and loss expenses. Inherent in the estimate of ultimate losses and loss expenses are expected trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors which may vary significantly as claims are settled. Accordingly, ultimate losses and loss expenses may differ materially from the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, will be recorded in earnings in the period in which they become known. Prior period development arises from changes to loss estimates recognized in the current year that relate to loss reserves established in previous calendar years.

 

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the liability for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance ceded in our Torus segment:

 

     April 1, 2014 to
December 31, 2014
 
     (in thousands of
U.S. dollars)
 

Balance as at April 1

   $   

Less: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

       
  

 

 

 
       

Acquired on purchase of subsidiaries

     464,682   

Effect of exchange rate movement

     (16,716

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities:

  

Current period

     229,488   

Prior periods

     (11,059
  

 

 

 

Total net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     218,429   
  

 

 

 

Net losses paid:

  

Current period

     (49,489

Prior periods

     (80,315
  

 

 

 

Total net losses paid

     (129,804
  

 

 

 

Net balance as at December 31

     536,591   

Plus: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     325,209   
  

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31

   $ 861,800   
  

 

 

 

Life and Annuities

Our life and annuities segment consists of the operations of our subsidiaries managing our closed-block of life and annuity business, which primarily consists of the companies we acquired in the Pavonia acquisition on March 31, 2013. The Pavonia business operates out of our New Jersey office. The segment also includes Laguna Life Limited, a small Irish-based closed-life company formerly known as CitiLife Financial Limited, which we acquired from Citigroup Insurance Holding Corporation in 2011.

We have also signed a definitive agreement to acquire NSA, which is anticipated to close during the second quarter of 2015. The transaction is expected to add life policy benefits of approximately $121.0 million to this segment, comprised of credit and traditional life insurance business that we will operate in run-off.

Similar to our non-life run-off segment, our life and annuities companies are no longer writing new policies, however, unlike that segment, these companies continue to generate premiums with respect to their in-force policies.

Our strategy in the life and annuities segment differs from our non-life business, in particular because we have limited ability to shorten the duration of the liabilities of these businesses through either early claims settlement, commutations or policy buy-backs. Instead, we hold the policies to their natural maturity or lapse, while aiming to efficiently manage our invested assets in those businesses to match the duration and cash flows of the liability profile, and will pay claims as they come due.

 

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Annuities

The current operations of one of the Pavonia companies relate solely to the assumption of a closed block of structured settlement, lottery, and other immediate annuities (also known as the periodic payment annuity, or PPA, business). The company no longer writes new business. Reserves relating to the PPA business constitute approximately 77% of the aggregate reserves of the Pavonia companies as at December 31, 2014. The contracts within the portfolio are largely structured settlements, although the portfolio also includes a smaller amount of lottery annuities and supplementary contracts.

The PPA business was issued from 1982 to 1995, although the majority of the reserves pertain to the period from 1985 to 1989. The contracts within the portfolio operate pursuant to a variety of different payment features, such as life contingency payments, certain payments (or a combination thereof), one-time lump payments, or payments patterns such as level, compound increase or fixed amount increase payments. Regardless of payment structure, however, the portfolio generally has known and predictable cash flows, which makes the asset liability matching process and the mitigation of interest rate risk a vital component to our management of this portfolio. We have a long duration held-to-maturity investment portfolio designed to manage the cash flow obligations of the PPA business.

Life Business

The other operations of the acquired Pavonia companies relate to non-annuity portfolios, which include credit life and disability insurance, term life insurance, and corporate owned life insurance and assumed reinsurance of term and ordinary life and accidental death and dismemberment products sold in the U.S. and Canada. The operations of Laguna Life Limited include term life insurance primarily sold in the U.K. and Europe. This business is shorter in duration than that of the PPA business and, given the premium income associated with these portfolios, the reserves (based upon net present value of future cash flows) remain highly sensitive to lapse rates as well as mortality rates.

Life and Annuity Benefits and Claims Reserves

We estimate our life and annuity benefit and claim reserves on a present value basis using standard actuarial techniques and cash flow models. We establish and maintain our life and annuity reserves at a level that we estimate will, when taken together with future premium payments and investment income expected to be earned on associated premiums, be sufficient to support future cash flow benefit obligations and third party servicing obligations as they become payable.

The table below summarizes our policy benefits for life and annuity contracts as at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     2014     2013  

Life

   $ 344,215      $ 380,874   

Annuities

     938,121        963,323   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,282,336        1,344,197   

Fair value adjustments

     (61,472     (71,097
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 1,220,864      $ 1,273,100   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See the “Policy Benefits for Life and Annuity Contracts” discussion in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” for discussion of our reserves in this segment.

 

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Financial Strength Ratings

In our active underwriting businesses, financial strength ratings are an important factor in establishing competitive position and in product marketing. Financial strength ratings by third party organizations provide an opinion of an insurer’s or reinsurer’s financial strength and ability to meet ongoing obligations to its policyholders. Lloyd’s ratings apply to business written through Syndicate 609 and to business written through Torus’ Syndicate 1301. Lloyd’s is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, “A+” (Strong) by Standard and Poor’s (or S&P) and “AA-” (Very Strong) by Fitch Ratings. Torus’ operating insurance entities have been assigned a financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

These ratings reflect A.M. Best’s, S&P’s, and Fitch’s opinions of capitalization, performance and management, and are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold our securities. These ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn at the discretion of the agencies. The A.M. Best rating for Torus of “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best is the fourth highest of 16 rating levels.

Refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “— Downgrades of financial strength ratings at Torus or Lloyd’s could materially and negatively impact our active underwriting business and our company” for more information regarding the importance of financial strength ratings.

Competition

Our non-life run-off and life and annuities business segments compete in international markets with domestic and international reinsurance companies to acquire and manage insurance and reinsurance companies in run-off and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business in run-off. The acquisition and management of companies and portfolios in run-off is highly competitive, and driven by a number of factors, including proposed acquisition price, reputation, and financial resources. Some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do, have been operating for longer than we have and have established long-term and continuing business relationships throughout the insurance and reinsurance industries, which can be a significant competitive advantage. As a result, we may not be able to compete successfully in the future for suitable acquisition candidates or run-off portfolio management engagements.

Our Atrium and Torus active underwriting segments operate in the highly competitive insurance and reinsurance markets, where companies compete on the basis of many factors, including premium rates, reputation and perceived financial strength, the terms and conditions of the products offered, ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, speed of claims payments and quality of administrative services, relationships with insurance and reinsurance companies and insurance intermediaries, capacity and coverage offered, experience in the particular risk to be underwritten, and various other factors.

Atrium and Torus compete in the international insurance and reinsurance markets directly with numerous other parties, including established global insurance and reinsurance companies, start-up insurance and reinsurance entities, other Lloyd’s syndicates, as well as capital markets and securitization structures aimed at managing risk. Many of these competitors have significant operating histories, underwriting expertise and capacity, extensive capital resources, and longstanding customer relationships. Any of these factors can be a significant competitive advantage and may make it difficult for us to write business effectively and profitably. Because few barriers exist to prevent insurers and reinsurers from entering the non-life active underwriting business, market conditions and capital capacity influence the degree of competition at any specific point in time. Periods of intense competition, which typically include broader coverage terms, lower prices and excess underwriting capacity, are referred to as a “soft market,” while a favorable insurance market is referred to as a “hard market” and is characterized by stricter coverage terms, higher prices and lower underwriting capacity.

 

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Historically, the performance of the non-life active underwriting business has tended to fluctuate in cyclical periods of price competition and excess underwriting capacity, followed by periods of high premium rates and shortages of underwriting capacity. This cyclical market pattern can be more pronounced in the specialty insurance and reinsurance markets in which Atrium and Torus compete.

Employees

As of December 31, 2014, we had 1,201 employees. All non-Bermudian employees who operate out of our Bermuda office are subject to governmental approval of Bermuda work permits. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, and our management believes that our relationship with our employees is excellent.

The table below summarizes the total number of employees we had as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by operating segment:

 

     2014      2013  

Non-life run-off

     521         529   

Atrium

     157         161   

Torus

     474           

Life and annuities

     49         49   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     1,201         739   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

With our acquisition of Companion on January 27, 2015, we added approximately 120 employees to our non-life run-off segment.

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

The following table summarizes our gross premiums written by each of our operating segments by geographic area. Geographic distribution in subsequent years is subject to variation based upon market conditions and business strategies.

 

     Non-Life Run-off     Atrium     Torus     Life and Annuities     Total  
     Total      %     Total      %     Total      %     Total      %     Total      %  
     (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except percentages)  

United States

   $ 110         0.9   $ 82,355         53.3   $ 204,301         39.9   $ 91,847         81.2   $ 378,613         47.7

United Kingdom

     10,329         80.5     8,434         5.5     230,943         45.1     1,291         1.1     250,997         31.7

Europe

     859         6.7     9,898         6.4     76,975         15.0     2,597         2.3     90,329         11.4

Asia

             0.0     8,582         5.6             0.0             0.0     8,582         1.1

Rest of World

     1,520         11.9     44,979         29.2             0.0     17,395         15.4     63,894         8.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 12,818         100.0   $ 154,248         100.0   $ 512,219         100.0   $ 113,130         100.0   $ 792,415         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

In our non-life run-off segment, excluding net premiums earned, our revenues from external customers included fees and commission income from management, consulting and other services through our subsidiaries located in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Given the global nature of the clients and the risks, extracting and quantifying the fees and commission income attributable to certain geographic locations would be impracticable.

In our Atrium segment, excluding net premiums earned, revenues included fees and commissions earned primarily in the United Kingdom, although Atrium also has offices in the United States, Canada and Singapore.

 

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Investments

We derive a significant portion of our income from our invested assets. As a result, our operating results depend in part on the performance of our investment portfolio. Because of the unpredictable nature of losses that may arise under our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ insurance or reinsurance policies and as a result of our opportunistic commutation strategy in our non-life run-off business, our liquidity needs can be substantial and may arise at any time. Except for that portion of our portfolio that is invested in non-investment grade securities, we generally follow a conservative investment strategy designed to emphasize the preservation of our invested assets and provide sufficient liquidity for the prompt payment of claims and contract liabilities, as well as for settlement of commutation payments.

As of December 31, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents, inclusive of restricted amounts, of approximately $1.5 billion. Our cash and cash equivalent portfolio is comprised mainly of cash, high-grade fixed deposits, commercial paper with maturities of less than three months at the time of acquisition and money market funds. As of December 31, 2014, we held investments on our balance sheet of approximately $6.0 billion. Our investment portfolio consists primarily of investment grade, liquid, fixed maturity securities of short-to-medium duration, equities and other investments.

Across all of our segments, we strive to structure our investments in a manner that recognizes our liquidity needs for future liabilities. In that regard, we attempt to correlate the maturity and duration of our investment portfolio to our general liability profile. If our liquidity needs or general liability profile unexpectedly change, we may adjust the structure of our investment portfolio to meet new business needs.

We utilize various companies to provide investment advisory and/or management services. We have agreed to pay investment management fees to the managers. These fees, which vary depending on the amount of assets under management, are included in net investment income. The total fees we paid to our investment managers for the year ended December 31, 2014 were approximately $9.5 million, including approximately $1.3 million to our largest single investment manager.

Our investment performance is subject to a variety of risks, including risks related to general economic conditions, market volatility, interest rate fluctuations, foreign exchange risk, liquidity risk and credit and default risk. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. A significant increase in interest rates could result in significant losses, realized or unrealized, in the value of our investment portfolio. A portion of our non-investment grade securities consists of alternative investments that subject us to restrictions on redemption, which may limit our ability to withdraw funds for some period of time after the initial investment. The values of, and returns on, such investments may also be more volatile. For more information on these risks, refer to “Item  1A. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Investments.”

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, our aggregate invested assets included:

 

   

cash and cash equivalents, inclusive of restricted amounts;

 

   

a trading portfolio of fixed maturity securities, short-term investments and equities as well as an available-for-sale portfolio of fixed maturity securities and short-term investments, all of which are recorded at fair value on our balance sheet;

 

   

a held-to-maturity portfolio of fixed maturity securities, supporting our annuity business within Pavonia, which are recorded at amortized cost on our balance sheet; and

 

   

investments in various private equity, fixed income, fixed income hedge, equity, real estate debt and collateralized loan obligation (CLO) equity funds, along with direct investments in CLO equities, all of which are recorded at fair value on our balance sheet.

 

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The fair value of our aggregate invested assets by type and by classification for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

     As at December 31, 2014      As at December 31, 2013  
     Fair Value of Invested Assets by Type             Fair Value of Invested Assets by Type         
     Trading      Held-to
Maturity
     Available-
for-Sale
     Total      Trading      Held-to
Maturity
     Available-
for-Sale
     Total  
     (In thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Fixed maturities and short-term investments:

                       

U.S. government and agency

   $ 744,660       $ 20,559       $ 24,342       $ 789,561       $ 439,946       $ 18,132       $ 28,343       $ 486,421   

Non-U.S. government

     368,945         38,689         70,494         478,128         476,224         22,327         86,292         584,843   

Corporate

     1,986,873         767,124         101,056         2,855,053         2,123,675         759,100         77,904         2,960,679   

Municipal

     25,607         —           —           25,607         41,034         —           —           41,034   

Residential mortgage-backed

     308,621         —           3,243         311,864         218,457         —           17,507         235,964   

Commercial mortgage-backed

     139,907         —           —           139,907         114,637         —           —           114,637   

Asset-backed

     388,194         —           41,976         430,170         248,748         —           36,318         285,066   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity and short-term investments

     3,962,807         826,372         241,111         5,030,290         3,662,721         799,559         246,364         4,708,644   

Equities

     150,130         —           —           150,130         182,033         —           —           182,033   

Other investments

     836,868         —           —           836,868         569,293         —           —           569,293   

Cash and cash equivalents

     963,402         —           —           963,402         643,841         —           —           643,841   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     534,974         —           —           534,974         397,657         —           —           397,657   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total aggregate invested assets at fair value

   $ 6,448,181       $ 826,372       $ 241,111       $ 7,515,664       $ 5,455,545       $ 799,559       $ 246,364       $ 6,501,468   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For additional information regarding our investment portfolio, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments.”

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)

Risk assumption is inherent in our business and appropriately setting risk appetite and executing our business strategies in accordance therewith is key to our performance. Effective risk oversight is an important priority for our Boards of Directors (both at the Company level and at a subsidiary level), and we place strong emphasis on ensuring we have a robust risk management framework to identify, measure, manage, report and monitor risks that affect the achievement of our strategic, operational and financial objectives.

 

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The overall objective of our risk management framework is to support good risk governance, support the achievement of business objectives and provide overall benefits to us by adding value to the control environment, and contributing to an effective business strategy, efficiency in operations and processes, strong financial performance, accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, a good reputation with key stakeholders, business continuity planning, and capital planning.

Risk Governance and Risk Management Organization

Our enterprise risk management, or ERM, consists of numerous processes and controls that have been designed by our senior management (including our risk management team), with oversight by our Board of Directors and its committees, management by our executive leaders, and implementation by employees across our organization.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors and its committees have risk oversight responsibility and play an active role in overseeing management of the risks we face. Our Audit Committee, comprised entirely of independent directors, oversees our risk management framework, reviews our overall risk appetite with input from management, reviews our risk management methodologies and oversees management’s execution of our risk management objectives. Our Investment Committee is responsible for overseeing investment-related risk, including those related to cash and investment portfolio and investment strategy; our Compensation Committee oversees compensation-related risks; and our Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing corporate governance-related risks.

Executive and Risk Management Organization

In addition to director oversight, our ERM governance structure is directed by our ERM steering committees, which include senior management and members of the global executive team. The committees provide oversight and governance of our ERM initiatives, oversee the operation of our internal controls, attempt to mitigate identified risks within appetite, and provide analysis to management in order to appropriately manage and govern the business and the associated risks on a day-to-day basis.

Our Risk Management department focuses primarily on implementing and overseeing the administration of the ERM steering committees’ directives and facilitating an efficient, effective and consistent approach to risk management across our Group. Our Internal Audit department independently reviews the effectiveness of our risk management framework. The results of audits are monitored by the Audit Committee. Our other executive management committees have oversight of specific risk management processes, including, for example, those relating to underwriting and reserving matters.

Entity Level Management

At the operating subsidiary level, risks attendant to our individual insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are also overseen by the subsidiary boards of directors, subsidiary risk committees and other committees, and management teams, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and our risk management framework.

Certain risks related to our Atrium and Torus segments are distinct from our non-life run-off and life and annuities segments, and these businesses include external stakeholders that also differ from our other businesses, including our joint venture partners, rating agencies, and, with respect to Atrium, third-party Lloyd’s names who provide approximately 75% of the underwriting capacity to Syndicate 609. Accordingly, in addition to the Group oversight of risks attendant to our active underwriting businesses, Atrium and Torus each maintain dedicated risk governance and management frameworks to manage risk, return and capital in the individual businesses, which fit into and form part of our Group ERM

 

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practices. These frameworks include oversight at the Atrium and Torus holding company boards of directors, as well as executive risk committees and other committees that manage and monitor risks relevant to specified functional areas. Individualized risk policies and risk appetites are established and tailored to the specific needs of Atrium and Torus, respectively. Enstar senior executives serve as members of the Atrium and Torus boards of directors and certain committees.

Each regulated insurance and reinsurance subsidiary has its own risk register documenting its risk landscape with risk and control owners assigned, which is maintained through a risk management software system. The Group information technology department maintains risk registers with more detailed IT-specific risks at jurisdictional level.

We conduct the risk assessment process on a quarterly or biannual basis for the Group and for each of our regulated insurance and reinsurance subsidiary companies. The assessment process is facilitated and recorded using a risk management software system. The risk management department reviews and consolidates these risk assessments on a quarterly basis and aggregates the assessment at a jurisdictional and Group level to facilitate discussion and challenge and to assess the overall risk categories.

We recognize the importance of information technology and management of data in supporting our businesses, and we utilize a number of technology platforms to assist in our ERM, underwriting, financial and regulatory reporting processes and procedures across our organization. We review and seek to enhance our technological systems on an ongoing basis.

Risk Appetite

Our risk appetite framework considers material risks in our business relating to, among other things, strategic risk, acquisition risk, reserving risk, market risk, credit/counterparty risk, regulatory/reputational risk, operational risk, and various active underwriting risks. Our risk appetite is established at the Group level and represents the amount of risk that we are willing to accept compared to risk metrics based on our shareholders equity, capital resources, potential financial loss, and other risk-specific measures. Risk levels are monitored and any deviations from pre-established levels are reported in order to facilitate responsive action.

Our non-life run-off and life and annuities operating subsidiaries derive individual risk appetites and risk level monitoring consistent with the Group-wide framework. These are managed by the subsidiary boards of directors and management teams, with ultimate oversight by the Audit Committee.

Atrium and Torus establish individual risk appetites unique to each business and aligned with the Group-wide risk management framework. Atrium and Torus risk appetites are set in conjunction with annual business planning and include, among other things, risk tolerances with respect to individual lines of business. We consider and review risk aggregation across our active underwriting businesses.

Risk Categories

We manage our ERM process based on the following major categories of risk within our business. Our ERM is a dynamic process, with updates continually being made as a result of changes in our business, industry and the economic environment. This process and our controls cannot provide absolute assurance that our risk management objectives will be met or that all risks will be appropriately identified and managed, and accordingly, the possibility of material adverse effects on our company remains. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for important information on the risks we face.

Strategic Risk.    Strategic risk is the risk of unintended adverse impact on the business plan objectives arising from business decisions, improper implementation of those decisions, ability to adapt to changes in the external environment, or circumstances that are beyond our control. We manage strategic risk by utilizing a strategic business planning process involving our executive management

 

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and Board of Directors. Our annual business plan is reviewed and overseen by our executive management and Board of Directors, and actual performance, trends, and uncertainties are monitored in comparison to the plan throughout the year. We specifically evaluate acquisition opportunities pursuant to a detailed and proprietary process that takes into account, among other things, the risk of the transaction and potential returns, the portfolio’s risk exposures, claim practices, reserve requirements and outstanding claims, as well as risks specifically related to our ability to integrate the acquired business. Our governance process, led by our Board of Directors, reviews newly proposed transaction opportunities, capital-raising matters, and other significant business initiatives.

Insurance Risk.    Insurance risk refers to the risks spanning many aspects of our insurance operations, including risk assumed upon acquisitions/portfolio transfers, risk associated with our reserving assumptions, and life and annuities portfolio risk. We manage these risks through our acquisition evaluation process, reserving practices discussed above in “Operating Segments,” as well as through our commutation and policy buy-back strategy and claims management practices.

Market Risk.    Market risk is the risk of loss resulting from underperforming investment returns, dilution of invested capital, or adverse financial market movements (such as interest rates or exchange rates). Investments are primarily managed by our Investment Department, which is overseen by our Investment Committee. We manage market risk in a number of ways, including use of investment guidelines, regular reviews of investment opportunities, market conditions, and portfolio duration, oversight of the selection and performance of external asset managers, regular stress testing of the portfolio against known and hypothetical scenarios against established tolerance levels, and, where possible, foreign currency asset/liability matching.

Liquidity Risk.    Liquidity risk is the risk that we are unable to realize investments and other assets in order to settle financial obligations when they fall due or that we would have to incur excessive cost to do so. We manage this risk generally by following a conservative investment strategy designed to emphasize the preservation of our invested assets and provide sufficient liquidity for the prompt payment of claims and contract liabilities, as well as for settlement of commutation payments. Liquidity risk also includes the risk of our dependence of our future cash flows upon the availability of dividends or other statutorily permissible payments from our subsidiaries, which is limited by applicable laws and regulations. We manage this risk through our capital planning processes, which include reviews of minimum capital resources requirements at our regulated subsidiaries and anticipated distributions, as well as anticipated capital needs.

Credit / Counterparty Risk.    Credit and counterparty risk is the risk of a change in the value of receivables, reinsurance recoverables, or investments due to the failure or inability of counterparties to meet contractual obligations. In our run-off businesses, we manage credit risk with respect to our reinsurance recoverables by ongoing monitoring of counterparty ratings, working to achieve prompt payment of reinsured claims, as well as through our commutation strategy. In our active underwriting businesses, we firstly mitigate credit risk through our reinsurance purchasing process, where reinsurers are subject to financial security and rating requirements prior to approval and by limiting of exposure to individual reinsurers. Thereafter we manage credit risk by the regular monitoring of reinsurance recoveries and premium due directly or via brokers and other intermediaries. In our fixed maturity and short-term investment portfolios, which represent approximately 50.5% of our total assets, we attempt to mitigate credit risk through diversification and issuer exposure limitation.

Operational Risk.    Operational risk is the risk of a loss arising from inadequate or failed internal processes, or from external events, personnel, systems or third parties. Due to our acquisitive strategy, operational risk also includes risks and challenges associated with integrating new companies into the Group. We seek to mitigate operational risks through the application of our policies and procedures and internal control and compliance processes throughout the Group and a focus on acquisition

 

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integration and assimilation of new companies into our internal control systems, including but not limited to business continuity planning, information security procedures, financial reporting controls and a review process for material third-party vendor usage.

Reputational Risk.    Reputational risk is the risk that an act or omission by us or any of our employees could result in damage to our reputation or loss of trust among our stakeholders. We manage reputational risk through a focus on compliance with laws and regulations, adherence to our policies and procedures (including our Code of Conduct) and our internal controls, an established corporate governance framework and practices, and communication and engagement with external stakeholders.

Active Underwriting Risk.    Underwriting risk in our active underwriting businesses relates to the inherent uncertainty as to the occurrence, amount and timing of insurance liabilities we assume through our underwriting process. Our Atrium and Torus subsidiaries manage exposure levels across risk categories to maintain them within the approved risk appetite. Underwriting risk management strategies may differ depending on the line of business involved and the type of account being insured or reinsured.

We strive to mitigate underwriting risk through numerous controls and strategies, including diversification of our portfolios by class and geography, purchasing reinsurance, establishing a business plan and associated parameters, underwriting peer review, authority limits, underwriting guidelines that provide detailed underwriting criteria and a framework for pricing, along with the use of specialized underwriting teams supported by actuarial, catastrophe modeling, claims, risk management, legal, finance, and other technical personnel.

In some business lines we are exposed to multiple insured losses arising out of a single occurrence or catastrophe, such as a natural catastrophe event (for example, a hurricane, windstorm, tornado, flood or earthquake) or a man-made event (for example, war, terrorism, airplane crashes and other transportation-related accidents, or building fires). We model and manage our individual and aggregate exposures to these catastrophic events and other material correlated exposures in accordance with our risk appetite.

Atrium manages its underwriting exposure through a combination of reporting zonal aggregations, realistic disaster scenarios and stochastic modeling. For U.S. natural perils, Atrium uses a major commercial vendor model to monitor its exposure to catastrophe risk.

Torus manages its underwriting exposure primarily through monitoring: (i) probable maximum loss (or PML) for natural catastrophe risk, (ii) realistic disaster scenarios for man-made events and certain natural catastrophe risks, and (iii) applying absolute maximum limits by line of business. Torus also uses a major commercial vendor model to monitor its overall exposure to natural catastrophe risk in correlated geographic zones.

Individual Atrium and Torus lines of business utilize internally developed pricing models to evaluate individual underwriting decisions within the context of business plans and risk appetites. Atrium and Torus each use internally developed capital models as a comprehensive tool for business and capital planning, which include providing information on key risks and facilitating an understanding of the interaction among the risks and related exposures.

The incidence, timing and severity of catastrophes and other event types are inherently unpredictable and it is difficult to estimate the amount of loss any given occurrence will generate. Accordingly, there is material uncertainty around our ability to measure exposures, which can cause actual exposures and losses to deviate from our estimates.

 

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Regulation

General

The business of insurance and reinsurance is regulated in most countries, although the degree and type of regulation varies significantly from one jurisdiction to another. We have a significant presence in Bermuda, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia, as well as some European countries, and are subject to extensive regulation under the applicable statutes in these countries. A summary of the material regulations governing us in these countries is set forth below.

With our acquisitive strategy, we may become subject in the future to regulation in new jurisdictions or additional regulations in existing jurisdictions depending on the location and nature of any companies acquired. In addition, regulatory authorities may seek to regulate insurance entities that operate within a group regardless of their domiciliary jurisdictions. If an insurer were to be supervised as part of a group, the insurer could become subject to additional regulation. While we are not currently group supervised, it is possible that a regulator having regulatory authority over certain of our subsidiaries could determine in the future that some or all of those subsidiaries should also be supervised by such regulator as a group, which could lead to increased regulation of our companies.

Bermuda

Enstar Group Limited is not itself currently subject to Bermuda insurance regulations. However, the Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda and related regulations, as amended, or, together, the Insurance Act, regulate the insurance and reinsurance business of our operating subsidiaries in Bermuda. The Insurance Act imposes certain solvency and liquidity standards and auditing and reporting requirements and grants the Bermuda Monetary Authority, or BMA, powers to supervise, investigate, require information and the production of documents and intervene in the affairs of insurance companies.

Significant requirements pertaining to our regulated Bermuda subsidiaries vary depending on the class in which our company is registered, but generally include the appointment of a principal representative in Bermuda, the appointment of an independent auditor, the appointment of an approved loss reserve specialist, the filing of annual statutory financial statements, the filing of statutory financial returns, compliance with group solvency and supervision rules (if applicable), and compliance with the Insurance Code of Conduct (relating to corporate governance, risk management and internal controls).

Our regulated Bermuda subsidiaries must also comply with a minimum liquidity ratio and minimum solvency margin. The minimum liquidity ratio requires that the value of relevant assets must not be less than 75% of the amount of relevant liabilities. The minimum solvency margin, which varies depending on the class of the insurer, is determined as a percentage of either net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses or premiums or pursuant to a risk-based capital measure. Torus Insurance (Bermuda) Limited, our Class 4 insurer domiciled in Bermuda, which continues to underwrite new business, is subject to an enhanced capital requirement (or ECR) determined pursuant to a risk-based capital measure.

Each of our regulated Bermuda subsidiaries would be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends if it were in breach of its minimum solvency margin or liquidity ratio or if the declaration or payment of such dividends would cause it to fail to meet such margin or ratio. In addition, each of our regulated Bermuda subsidiaries is prohibited, without the prior approval of the Bermuda regulator, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s statutory financial statements. Our Bermuda insurance companies that are in run-off are required to seek BMA approval for any dividends or distributions.

 

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The BMA has established a group supervision framework for insurance groups. The BMA does not act as group supervisor for Enstar or our subsidiaries; it previously acted as the group supervisor of our Torus group, but during 2014 determined it would no longer do so. If the BMA were to become a group supervisor for our companies, we would expect it to, among other things, assess the group’s compliance with the BMA’s solvency rules, perform ongoing supervisory review and assessment of the group’s financial position and governance systems, coordinate the gathering and dissemination of relevant or essential information, and convene and conduct supervisory discussions with other supervisory authorities that have regulatory oversight over entities within the group.

The BMA maintains supervision over the controllers of all Bermuda registered insurers, and accordingly, any person who, directly or indirectly, becomes a holder of at least 10%, 20%, 33% or 50% of our ordinary shares must notify the BMA in writing within 45 days of becoming such a holder (or ceasing to be such a holder). The BMA may object to such a person and require the holder to reduce its holding of ordinary shares and direct, among other things, that voting rights attaching to the ordinary shares shall not be exercisable.

United Kingdom and Lloyd’s

United Kingdom

Our U.K.-based insurance subsidiaries consist primarily of run-off companies and Torus Insurance (UK) Limited (acquired April 1, 2014), which is continuing to underwrite new business. These subsidiaries are regulated by the U.K. Prudential Regulatory Authority, or the PRA, and the Financial Conduct Authority, or the FCA, which together replaced the Financial Services Authority effective April 1, 2013 (we collectively refer to the PRA and FCA in this section as the “U.K. Regulator”). Our U.K. run-off subsidiaries may not underwrite new business. E.U. directives also allow certain of our regulated U.K. subsidiaries to conduct business in E.U. states other than the U.K. within the scope of permission granted by the U.K. Regulator without the necessity of additional licensing or authorization in E.U. countries.

Our U.K.-based insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain adequate financial resources in accordance with the requirements of the U.K. Regulator. The calculation of the minimum capital resources requirements in any particular case depends on, among other things, the type and amount of insurance business written and claims paid by the insurance company.

In addition, the U.K. Regulator’s Individual Capital Adequacy Standards framework, or ICAS framework, requires insurance companies to carry out various capital modeling and risk management exercises in order to calculate a company-specific Individual Capital Assessment amount, or ICA amount, which is the company’s internal calculation of its capital requirements under the ICAS framework. For companies in run-off, the U.K. Regulator typically requires specific loadings to be applied to a company’s ICA (as stipulated by the U.K. Regulator) in order to calculate a company’s Individual Capital Guidance (ICG), which represents the amount of capital a company is required to hold. This is intended to ensure a company holds sufficient capital such that there is no material risk that its liabilities cannot be met as they fall due.

In 2009, the European Parliament approved the Solvency II framework directive. Solvency II is expected to take effect in January 2016, although our U.K. subsidiaries have been preparing for compliance in advance of that date. Solvency II will set out new, strengthened E.U.-wide requirements on capital adequacy and risk management for insurers with the aim of increasing policyholder protection, instilling greater risk awareness and improving the international competitiveness of E.U. insurers.

The U.K. Regulator’s rules require our U.K. insurance subsidiaries to obtain regulatory approval for any proposed or actual payment of a dividend. The U.K. Regulator uses the ICG and the estimated capital requirement for Solvency II purposes when assessing requests to make distributions.

 

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Under the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 (or FSMA), any company or individual (together with its or his concert parties) proposing to directly or indirectly acquire “control” over a U.K. authorized insurance company (which is generally defined as acquiring 10% or more of the shares or voting power in a U.K. authorized insurance company or its parent company) must seek prior approval of the U.K. Regulator of his intention to do so. A person who is already deemed to have “control” will require prior regulatory approval of if the person increases the level of “control” beyond 20%, 30% and 50%.

Lloyd’s

We participate in the Lloyd’s market through our interests in: (i) Atrium’s Syndicate 609; (ii) Shelbourne, which consists of an approved Lloyd’s managing agent, a corporate member and Syndicate 2008, a wholly aligned syndicate that has permission to underwrite RITC and other run-off or discontinued business type transactions with other Lloyd’s syndicates; and (iii) Torus’ Syndicate 1301 and Torus Underwriting Management Limited (the Lloyd’s managing agent for this syndicate).

Our Lloyd’s operations are subject to regulation by the U.K. Regulator and compliance with the Lloyd’s Act(s) and Byelaws and regulations, as well as the applicable provisions of the FSMA. The Council of Lloyd’s has wide discretionary powers to regulate members’ underwriting, and its exercise of these powers might affect the return on an investment of the corporate member in a given underwriting year. This discretion includes the ability to assess up to 3% of a member’s underwriting capacity in any one year as a Central Fund contribution.

The underwriting capacity of a member of Lloyd’s must be supported by providing a deposit (referred to as “Funds at Lloyd’s”) in the form of cash, securities or letters of credit in an amount determined under the ICA. The amount of the Funds at Lloyd’s is assessed annually and is determined by Lloyd’s in accordance with the capital adequacy rules established by the U.K. Regulator.

Business plans, including maximum underwriting capacity, for Lloyd’s syndicates requires annual approval by the Lloyd’s Franchise Board, which may require changes to any business plan or additional capital to support underwriting plans.

In order to achieve finality and to release their capital, Lloyd’s members are usually required to have transferred their liabilities through an approved RITC, such as offered by Syndicate 2008. RITC is generally put in place after the third year of operations of a syndicate year of account. On successful conclusion of RITC, any profit from the syndicate’s operations for that year of account can be remitted by the managing agent to the syndicate’s members.

The Lloyd’s market is currently in the Solvency II internal model application process under Lloyd’s supervision. Our Lloyd’s operations will therefore be required to meet Solvency II standards when they come into effect.

Lloyd’s approval is required before any person can acquire control of a Lloyd’s managing agent or Lloyd’s corporate member.

United States

Our insurance and reinsurance companies domiciled in the U.S. consist of property and casualty companies and life and annuities companies in run-off, as well as Torus Specialty Insurance Company (a U.S. excess and surplus lines insurer) and Torus National Insurance Company (a U.S. admitted insurer that is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia), both of which continue to issue

 

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new policies. Our U.S. insurers are subject to extensive governmental regulation and supervision by the states in which they are domiciled, licensed and/or eligible to conduct business. The insurance laws and regulations of the state of domicile have the most significant impact on operations.

Generally, regulatory authorities have broad regulatory powers over such matters as licenses, standards of solvency, premium rates, policy forms, marketing practices, claims practices, investments, security deposits, restrictions on size of risks that may be insured under a single policy, methods of accounting, form and content of financial statements, reserves and provisions for unearned premiums, unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance, minimum capital and surplus requirements, dividends and other distributions to shareholders, periodic examinations, annual and other report filings, and transactions among affiliates.

U.S. insurers are also required to maintain minimum levels of solvency and liquidity as determined by law, and to comply with risk-based capital requirements and licensing rules. Insurers having less statutory surplus than required by the risk-based capital calculation will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action. If any of our U.S. insurers were to have risk-based capital levels that are below required levels, they would be subject to increased regulatory scrutiny and control by their domestic and possibly other insurance regulators. As of December 31, 2014, all of our U.S. insurers exceeded their required levels of risk-based capital.

Applicable insurance laws also limit the amount of dividends or other distributions our U.S. insurers can pay to us. The insurance regulatory limitations are generally based on statutory net income and/or certain levels of statutory surplus as determined by the insurer’s state or states of domicile. Generally, prior regulatory approval must be obtained before an insurer may pay a dividend or make a distribution above a specified level.

All states have enacted legislation regulating insurance holding company systems that requires each insurance company in the system to register with the insurance department of its state of domicile and furnish information concerning the operations of companies within the holding company system that may materially affect the operations, management or financial condition of the insurers within the system. In 2010, the NAIC adopted amendments to the Insurance Holding Company System Regulatory Act and Regulation, which have taken effect in some states in which our U.S. insurers are domiciled and may be adopted in other states in the future. The amendments impose more extensive informational requirements on parents and other affiliates of licensed insurers with the purpose of protecting them from enterprise risk, including requiring an annual enterprise risk report by the ultimate controlling person of the insurers identifying the material risks within the insurance holding company system that could pose enterprise risk to the insurers and requiring a person divesting its controlling interest to make a confidential advance notice filing.

The NAIC has also adopted the Risk Management and Own Risk and Solvency Assessment Model Act, which requires insurers to maintain a risk management framework and establishes a legal requirement for insurers or their insurance group to conduct an Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) in accordance with the NAIC’s ORSA Guidance Manual. The ORSA Model Act has been adopted in states in which certain of our U.S. insurers are domiciled with a January 1, 2015 effective date. We currently anticipate that our U.S. domiciled insurers will meet the exemption from the requirements of the ORSA Model Act for insurers and reinsurers domiciled in the U.S. and insurance groups (both U.S. and international) with less than the minimum amount of annual direct written and unaffiliated assumed premium for the next year. It is possible that the ORSA requirements may apply to certain of our U.S. insurers beginning in 2016. Although not currently subject to ORSA, we and our U.S. domiciled insurers maintain a risk management framework to identify, assess, monitor, manage, and report on material and relevant risks on a continuous and forward looking basis and to determine the funds necessary to ensure solvency requirements are satisfied.

 

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The Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, represents a comprehensive overhaul of the financial services industry within the U.S. and, among other things, established the Financial Services Oversight Council and created within the United States Department of the Treasury a new Federal Insurance Office. These bodies are authorized to study, monitor and report to Congress on the U.S. insurance industry and the significance of global reinsurance to the U.S. insurance market. The Dodd-Frank Act also authorizes the federal preemption of certain state insurance laws and streamlines the regulation of reinsurance and surplus lines/non-admitted insurance. Many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will become effective over time, and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act require the implementation of regulations that have not yet been adopted. These regulations, when adopted, may affect our industry and our business.

Before a person can acquire control of a domestic insurer (including a reinsurer) or any person controlling such insurer (including acquiring control of Enstar Group Limited), prior written approval must be obtained from the insurance commissioner of the state in which the domestic insurer is domiciled and, under certain circumstances, from insurance commissioners in other jurisdictions. Generally, state statutes and regulations provide that “control” over a domestic insurer or person controlling a domestic insurer is presumed to exist if any person, directly or indirectly, owns, controls, holds with the power to vote, or holds proxies representing, 10% or more of the voting securities or securities convertible into voting securities of the domestic insurer or of a person who controls the domestic insurer.

One of the Pavonia companies that we acquired on March 31, 2013 has a Canadian branch operation, which is subject to regulation by the Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions in Canada. Canadian regulations require compliance with risk-based capital measures and also place certain restrictions on dividends.

Australia

Our Australian regulated insurance entities (which include our insurance subsidiary and our non-operating holding company) are subject to prudential supervision by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, or APRA. APRA is the primary regulatory body responsible for regulating compliance with the Insurance Act 1973. APRA has issued prudential standards that apply to general insurers in relation to capital adequacy, the holding of assets in Australia, risk management, business continuity management, reinsurance management, outsourcing, audit and actuarial reporting and valuation, the transfer and amalgamation of insurance businesses, governance, and the fit and proper assessment of the insurer’s responsible persons.

APRA’s prudential standards require that all insurers maintain and meet prescribed capital adequacy requirements to enable their insurance obligations to be met under a wide range of circumstances.

As of January 1, 2015, APRA introduced revised prudential standards on risk management and governance. These requirements include the need for regulated insurance entities to have a risk management framework that is consistent and integrated with its risk profile and capital strength, supported by a risk management function and subject to comprehensive review. APRA’s proposed risk management enhancements include the requirement that regulated insurance entities have a board risk committee that provides the Board with objective non-executive oversight of the implementation and on-going operation of its risk management framework, and the requirement that regulated insurance entities designate a chief risk officer who is involved in, and provides effective challenge to, activities and decisions that may materially affect the regulated insurance entities’ risk profile. Our Australian regulated insurance entities are compliant with these standards.

 

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An insurer must obtain APRA’s written consent prior to making any capital releases, including any payment of dividends. Our insurance subsidiary must provide APRA a valuation prepared by an appointed actuary that demonstrates that the tangible assets of the insurer, after the proposed capital reduction, are sufficient to cover its insurance liabilities to a 99.5% level of sufficiency of capital before APRA will consent to a capital release or dividend.

Under the Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998, the interest of an individual shareholder or a group of associated shareholders in an insurer is generally limited to a 15% “stake” of the insurer. A person’s stake is the aggregate of the person’s voting power and the voting power of the person’s associates. A higher percentage limit may be approved by the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia on national interest grounds. Any shareholder of Enstar Group Limited with a “stake” greater than 15% has received approval to hold that stake from the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Europe

In addition to Bermuda, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States, we have subsidiaries in Switzerland and Ireland, as well as Torus Insurance Europe, a Liechtenstein-based company that continues to underwrite new business. We have signed an agreement to acquire Nationale Suisse Belgium, a Belgian insurer, and following closing will be regulated in Belgium. We may, in the future, acquire new subsidiaries in other countries.

Our Swiss insurance subsidiary is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, or FINMA, pursuant to the Insurance Supervisory Act 2004. This subsidiary is obligated to maintain a minimum solvency margin based on the Solvency I and Swiss Solvency Test regulations as stipulated by the Insurance Supervisory Act. The amount of dividends that this subsidiary is permitted to distribute is restricted to freely distributable reserves, which consist of retained earnings, the current year profit and free reserves. Any dividend exceeding the current year profit requires FINMA’s approval. The solvency and capital requirements must continue to be met following any distribution.

Our subsidiaries in other European jurisdictions are also regulated by regulators in their respective home countries. Typically, such regulation is for the protection of policyholders and ceding insurance companies rather than shareholders. While the degree and type of regulation to which we are subject in each country may differ, regulatory authorities generally have broad supervisory and administrative powers over such matters as licenses, standards of solvency, investments, reporting requirements relating to capital structure, ownership, financial condition and general business operations, special reporting and prior approval requirements with respect to certain transactions among affiliates, methods of accounting, form and content of the consolidated financial statements, reserves for unpaid losses and LAE, reinsurance, minimum capital and surplus requirements, dividends and other distributions to shareholders, periodic examinations and annual and other report filings.

Available Information

We maintain a website with the address http://www.enstargroup.com. The information contained on our website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this filing. We make available free of charge (other than an investor’s own Internet access charges) on or through our website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the material is electronically filed with or otherwise furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of our code of conduct and the governing charters for the audit, investment,

 

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nominating and governance and compensation committees of our board of directors are available free of charge on our website. The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Any of the following risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical or anticipated results. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face. There may be additional risks that we currently consider not to be material or of which we are not currently aware, and any of these risks could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical or anticipated results.

You should carefully consider these risks along with the other information included in this document, including the matters addressed above under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” as well as risks included elsewhere in our documents filed with the SEC, before investing in any of our securities. We may amend, supplement or add to the risk factors described below from time to time in future reports filed with the SEC.

Risks Relating to our Insurance Businesses

If we are unable to implement our business strategies successfully, including with respect to our newer active underwriting and life and annuities segments, our business, results of operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Our future results of operations will depend in significant part on the extent to which we can implement our business strategies successfully, including with respect to our newer active underwriting and life and annuities segments. We entered the active underwriting business with our acquisitions of Atrium and Arden (in late 2013) and Torus (in April 2014) and we significantly expanded our portfolio of closed-life run-off business with our acquisition of the Pavonia companies (in early 2013). We have less experience operating these businesses. Our ability to develop and execute our business strategies with respect to these new businesses and our core non-life run-off business is essential to our success, future growth opportunities, expanded market visibility and increased access to capital.

Our business strategies include: generating future acquisition opportunities that are carefully reviewed and priced effectively, including by utilizing our active underwriting platforms; professionally and efficiently managing claims; successfully commuting assumed liabilities and ceded reinsurance assets; profitably underwriting selected specialty lines; and prudently managing our investments in a manner that recognizes our liquidity needs. We may not be able to implement these strategies or any future strategies fully or realize the anticipated results of our strategies as a result of significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to successfully implement our business strategies, we may not be able to achieve future growth in our earnings and our financial condition may suffer and, as a result, holders of our ordinary shares may receive lower returns.

If our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ loss reserves are inadequate to cover their actual losses, our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ net earnings and capital and surplus would be reduced, which could have a materially adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are required to maintain reserves to cover their estimated ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses for both reported and unreported incurred claims. These reserves are only estimates of what our subsidiaries consider the settlement and administration of claims will cost based on facts and circumstances known to the subsidiaries, as well as actuarial methodologies and procedures and estimates of future trends and developments and other variable factors such as inflation. Our commutation activity and claims settlement and development in recent years in our non-life run-off segment has resulted in net reductions in provisions for prior period losses and loss adjustment expenses of $288.9 million, $257.1 million and $238.0

 

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million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Although past experience indicates that our non-life run-off loss reserves have been more than adequate to meet our liabilities, because of the uncertainties that surround estimating losses and loss adjustment expenses (which are discussed above in “Item 1. Business — Operating Segments — Non-life Run-off —Reserves for Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense”), we cannot be certain that ultimate losses will not exceed these estimates of losses and loss adjustment expenses in the future. If our subsidiaries’ reserves are insufficient to cover their actual losses and loss adjustment expenses, our subsidiaries would have to augment their reserves and incur a charge to their earnings. These charges could be material and would reduce our net earnings and capital and surplus.

The difficulty in estimating our non-life subsidiaries’ reserves is increased because these loss reserves include reserves for potential asbestos and environmental, or A&E, liabilities (at December 31, 2014, A&E gross and net loss reserves were approximately 9.7% and 11.6%, respectively, of total gross and net non-life loss reserves). A&E liabilities are especially hard to estimate (for many reasons, including long waiting periods and reporting delays and difficulties identifying contamination sources and allocating damage liability), developed case law and adequate claim history do not always exist for such claims, and changes in the legal and tort environment affect the development of such claims. Ultimate values for such claims cannot be estimated using traditional reserving techniques and there are significant uncertainties in estimating the amount of our subsidiaries’ potential losses for these claims. Our subsidiaries have not made any changes in reserve estimates that might arise as a result of any proposed U.S. federal legislation related to asbestos. To further understand this risk, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses — Latent Claims.”

In our active underwriting businesses, U.S. GAAP does not permit insurers and reinsurers to reserve for catastrophes until they occur, which means that claims from these events could cause substantial volatility in our financial results for any fiscal quarter or year and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations, as well as our financial strength ratings.

For a discussion of reserving risk in our life and annuities business, see “Our life and annuities business is subject to the risk that actual experience relating to mortality, morbidity, policy persistency, and investment yield may be different than our assumptions and could cause our reserves to be inadequate, or our results of operations in this business to suffer materially.”

Our expansion into the active underwriting business (through our acquisitions of Atrium and Torus) presents certain risks and uncertainties described below, as well as others that we may encounter, which could cause a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Underwriting is inherently a matter of judgment, involving important assumptions about matters that are unpredictable and beyond our control, and for which historical experience and probability analysis may not provide sufficient guidance. In addition to the risks and uncertainties that impact all of our business segments, our Atrium and Torus active underwriting businesses expose us to risks that include, but are not limited to, those set forth below. Any of these risks could result in underperformance of the active underwriting businesses compared to our expectations, and could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations:

 

   

Exposure to claims arising out of unpredictable natural and man-made catastrophic events (including hurricanes, windstorms, tsunamis, severe weather, earthquakes, floods, fires, droughts, explosions, environmental contamination, acts of terrorism, war or political unrest) and

 

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changing climate patterns and ocean temperature conditions, which could adversely affect our earnings and financial condition and cause substantial volatility in our results of operations for any fiscal quarter or year;

 

   

Failure of our risk management and loss limitation methods (described in “Item 1. Business – Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)”) to adequately manage our exposure to losses or provide sufficient protection against losses from our exposures;

 

   

The intense competition for business in this industry, including competition from major global insurance and reinsurance companies and underwriting syndicates that may have greater experience and resources than our companies or that may be more highly rated than our companies, or competition resulting from industry consolidation;

 

   

Dependence on a limited number of brokers, managing general agents and other third parties to support our business, both in terms of the volume of business we rely on them to place and the credit risk we assume from them; and

 

   

Susceptibility to the effects of inflation due to premiums being established before the ultimate amounts of losses and loss adjustment expense are known.

The cyclical nature of the insurance and reinsurance business may make it more difficult for Atrium and Torus to operate profitably and may negatively impact our ability to execute our active underwriting strategies successfully.

The insurance and reinsurance industry has historically been characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity, as well as periods when shortages of underwriting capacity permitted more favorable premium levels. An increase in premium levels is often offset by an increasing supply of underwriting capacity (including by new entrants, market instruments and structures, and additional commitments by existing insurers) that may cause prices to decrease. Changes in the frequency and severity of losses suffered by insureds and insurers also impact industry cycles. We cannot predict whether market conditions will improve, remain constant or deteriorate. Negative market conditions could lead to a significant reduction in premium rates, impair our ability to underwrite at rates that we consider appropriate and commensurate with the risk assumed, result in less favorable policy terms and drive fewer submissions for our active underwriting services. These factors could cause our earnings to decrease and our results of operations to fluctuate significantly from period to period.

Cyclical market conditions also impact the availability and cost of reinsurance that our active underwriting companies seek to purchase. Atrium and Torus purchase reinsurance as part of our risk management strategy. Market conditions may limit or prevent our active underwriting companies from obtaining the types and amounts of reinsurance that we consider adequate for our business needs. If our active underwriting companies are unable to purchase reinsurance, or if reinsurance is available on less favorable terms or only with less creditworthy reinsurers, we may retain a higher proportion of risks then we would otherwise prefer, incur additional expense, or purchase reinsurance from companies who present a higher credit risk. Any of these factors could negatively impact our financial performance.

Downgrades of financial strength ratings at Torus or Lloyd’s could materially and negatively impact our active underwriting business and our company.

Financial strength ratings are an important factor in establishing the competitive position of insurance and reinsurance companies. The Torus operating insurance entities were assigned a financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Following the announcement of the agreement to acquire Torus, its ratings were placed under review by A.M. Best with negative implication. Immediately following the completion of the acquisition of Torus, A.M. Best removed the Torus entities

 

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from under review with negative implications and assigned a negative outlook, which it stated was primarily due to its historical performance and challenging market conditions. This outlook or a ratings downgrade or withdrawal could negatively impact Torus’ competitive position in the industry, severely limit or prevent Torus from writing new insurance and reinsurance contracts as policyholders move their business to other more highly-rated companies, and permit certain ceding companies to cancel reinsurance contracts Torus has issued. Such a change could also inhibit our ability to implement our business and growth strategies successfully.

In addition, Lloyd’s ratings apply to business written through Syndicate 609 and Torus’ Syndicate 1301. Lloyd’s is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best, “A+” (Strong) by Standard and Poor’s (or S&P) and “AA-” (Very Strong) by Fitch Ratings. Financial strength ratings downgrades at Lloyd’s could adversely affect our Lloyd’s syndicates’ ability to trade in certain classes of business at current levels.

Emerging claim and coverage issues could adversely affect our business.

As industry practices and legal, judicial, social and other environmental conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims and coverage may emerge. These issues may adversely affect the adequacy of our provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses by either extending coverage beyond the envisioned scope of insurance policies and reinsurance contracts, or by increasing the number or size of claims. Our exposure to these uncertainties could be exacerbated by an increase in insurance and reinsurance contract disputes, arbitration and litigation. The full effects of these and other unforeseen emerging claim and coverage issues are extremely hard to predict. In some instances, these changes may not become apparent until some time after we have acquired or issued the contracts that are affected by the changes. As a result, the full extent of liability under these insurance or reinsurance contracts may not be known for many years after a contract has been issued.

Exit and finality opportunities provided by solvent schemes of arrangement may not continue to be available, which may result in the diversion of our resources to settle policyholder claims for a substantially longer run-off period and increase the associated costs of run-off of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.

With respect to our U.K., Bermudian and Australian insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, the local legislation provides for the possibility of pursuing strategies to achieve complete finality and concluding the run-off of a company by promoting solvent schemes of arrangement. Solvent schemes of arrangement have been a popular means of achieving financial certainty and finality for insurance and reinsurance companies incorporated or managed in the U.K., Bermuda or Australia, by making a one-time full and final settlement of an insurance and reinsurance company’s liabilities to policyholders. In April 2014, the U.K. Prudential Regulation Authority (or the PRA) issued a supervisory statement that indicated that the PRA may require policyholders to be offered continuity of cover as part of a solvent scheme of arrangement proposal, in order to be compatible with the PRA’s statutory objective of securing an appropriate degree of protection for policyholders.

A solvent scheme of arrangement is an arrangement between a company and its creditors or any class of them. For a solvent scheme of arrangement to become binding on the creditors, a meeting of each class of creditors must be called, with the permission of the local court, to consider and, if thought fit, approve the solvent scheme of arrangement. The requisite statutory majority of creditors of not less than 75% in value and 50% in number of those creditors actually attending the meeting, either in person or by proxy, must vote in favor of a solvent scheme of arrangement. Once the solvent scheme of arrangement has been approved by the statutory majority of voting creditors of the company, it requires the sanction of the local court at a hearing at which creditors may appear. The court must be satisfied that the scheme is fair, following a full consideration of the relevant evidence and of the scheme’s individual merits.

 

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Should a solvent scheme of arrangement promoted by any of our insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries fail to receive the requisite approval by creditors or sanction by the court, or if solvent schemes are no longer available to the same extent, we will have to run off these liabilities until expiry, which may result in the diversion of our resources to settle policyholder claims for a substantially longer run-off period and increase the associated costs of run-off, resulting potentially in a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our life and annuities business is subject to the risk that actual experience relating to mortality, morbidity, policy persistency, and investment yield may be different than our assumptions and could cause our reserves to be inadequate or our results of operations in this business to suffer materially.

The performance of our life and annuities business is highly dependent on our ability to manage the run-off successfully and operate the business effectively and efficiently. Our reserves for life and annuity policy benefits are based on certain assumptions, including mortality, morbidity, policy persistency/lapse rates, expenses, and discount rates, which are impacted by expected investment yields on the assets that support these liabilities. The adequacy of our reserves is contingent on actual experience related to these key assumptions, which were generally established at the time of issue and reviewed and adjusted upon our acquisition. Under GAAP, these assumptions are locked in throughout the life of the contract unless a premium deficiency develops, which means the impact of the difference between assumptions and actual experience is reflected in results of operations each period. In addition, if actual experience differs from these assumptions, our reserves may not be adequate, which would require us to add to reserves, or the cost of claims could increase. This could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Our life subsidiaries are exposed to the risk of catastrophic mortality, such as a pandemic or other event that causes a large number of deaths. In an economic downturn, our life insurance subsidiaries may experience an elevated incidence of lapses of life insurance policies because there is a greater risk that policyholders may choose to defer paying insurance premiums or stop paying insurance premiums altogether (or that the policyholders who remain may consist of a non-diversified selection of holders). Any of these events could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Fluctuations in the reinsurance industry may cause our operating results to fluctuate significantly.

The reinsurance industry historically has been subject to significant fluctuations and uncertainties. Factors that affect the industry in general may also cause our operating results to fluctuate. As a result, the industry’s and our profitability may be affected significantly by:

 

   

fluctuations in interest rates, inflationary pressures and other changes in the investment environment, which affect returns on invested capital and may affect the ultimate payout of loss amounts and the costs of administering books of reinsurance business;

 

   

volatile and unpredictable developments, such as those that have occurred since 2008 in the world-wide financial and credit markets, which may adversely affect the recoverability of reinsurance from our reinsurers;

 

   

changes in reserves resulting from different types of claims that may arise and the development of judicial interpretations relating to the scope of insurers’ liability; and

 

   

the overall level of economic activity and the competitive environment in the industry.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Acquisitions

Our inability to successfully price acquisitions and manage our portfolio of insurance and reinsurance companies may adversely impact our ability to grow our business and may result in material losses.

Our run-off business entails acquiring and managing closed insurance and reinsurance companies and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance. This business differs from the business of traditional insurance and reinsurance underwriting in that our companies and portfolios in run-off no longer underwrite new policies and are subject to the risk that their stated provisions for losses and loss adjustment expense, or LAE, may not be sufficient to cover future losses and the cost of run-off. Because our non-life companies and portfolios in run-off generally no longer collect underwriting premiums, our sources of capital to cover losses are limited to our stated reserves, reinsurance coverage and retained earnings. Although our life and annuities businesses do collect premiums on in-force policies, they are subject to the risk that the premiums they receive and the assets supporting our stated policy benefits for life and annuity contracts may not be sufficient to cover future obligations and costs. Our active underwriting businesses, although they produce new premium revenue, also remain subject to many of these risks.

In order for us to achieve positive operating results, we must first price acquisitions on favorable terms relative to the risks posed by the acquired businesses and then successfully manage the acquired businesses by efficiently managing claims, collecting from reinsurers and controlling expenses. Failure to do these things successfully could result in us having to cover losses sustained with retained earnings, which would materially and adversely impact our ability to grow our business and may result in material losses.

We have made, and expect to continue to make, acquisitions of insurance and reinsurance companies, and these activities may not be financially beneficial to us or our shareholders.

We have pursued and, as part of our strategy, we will continue to pursue growth through acquisitions. Since our formation in August 2001, we have acquired over 65 insurance and reinsurance companies and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business, and we expect to continue to make such acquisitions in the future. Since the beginning of 2013, we have expanded our acquisitions from primarily property and casualty run-off business to life and annuities companies in run-off, as well as active underwriting companies. We cannot assure you that the performance of the companies acquired will meet our expectations, and we cannot be certain that any of these acquisitions will be financially advantageous for us or our shareholders.

The evaluation and negotiation of potential acquisitions, as well as the integration of an acquired business or portfolio, could result in a substantial diversion of management resources. Acquisitions could involve numerous additional risks such as potential losses from unanticipated litigation, levels of claims or other liabilities and exposures, an inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition costs and financial exposures in the event that the sellers of the entities we acquire are unable or unwilling to meet their indemnification, reinsurance and other obligations to us (if any such obligations are in place).

Our ability to manage our growth through acquisitions will depend, in part, on our success in addressing these risks. Any failure by us to effectively implement our acquisition strategies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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We face challenges to realizing the expected benefits of acquisitions, which may cause underperformance relative to our expectations, unforeseen liabilities and expenses, integration difficulties and other challenges, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The acquisitions we have made and expect to make in the future may pose operational challenges, expose us to risks and divert management’s time and energy, including relating to:

 

   

funding cash flow shortages that may occur if anticipated revenues are not realized or are delayed, or if expenses are greater than anticipated;

 

   

the value of assets being lower than expected or diminishing because of credit defaults or changes in interest rates, or liabilities assumed being greater than expected;

 

   

integrating financial and operational reporting systems and internal controls, including assurance of compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and our reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act);

 

   

establishing satisfactory budgetary and other financial controls;

 

   

leveraging our existing capabilities and expertise into the business acquired and establishing synergies within our organization;

 

   

funding increased capital needs and overhead expenses;

 

   

integrating technology platforms;

 

   

obtaining and retaining management personnel required for expanded operations;

 

   

fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates relating to the assets and liabilities we may acquire;

 

   

goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges; and

 

   

complying with applicable laws and regulations.

In particular, our ability to continue to integrate and successfully operate the Torus companies will be a key component to our continued success. Torus added approximately 500 employees and a number of new offices in various countries. Torus also is a new operating segment for us. In addition to the risks discussed above, the potential challenges of integrating Torus and achieving the anticipated benefits include implementing business and underwriting plans for Torus, establishing operating efficiencies, managing expenses, retaining key employees, improving systems, and working effectively with our joint venture partners.

We must also assimilate the Torus companies into our internal control system, including by ensuring their compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and our reporting requirements under the Exchange Act as of December 31, 2015. Failure to effectively achieve this could result in us reporting a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting.

We may not complete future acquisitions within the time frame we anticipate or at all, which could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

A key part of our business strategy is completing acquisitions. Once we have signed a definitive agreement to acquire a business or portfolio, conditions to closing, such as obtaining regulatory approvals or shareholder approvals, must be met before the acquisition can be consummated. These and other closing conditions may not be satisfied at all, or may cause a material delay in the anticipated timing of closing. In addition, our ability to complete the acquisition on the originally anticipated terms, or at all, could be jeopardized if a seller receives competing proposals, if litigation is brought challenging the transaction or certain of its terms, or if regulators impose unexpected terms

 

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and conditions on the transaction. Failure to consummate an acquisition on the originally anticipated terms, or a significant delay in the closing, could result in significant expense, diversion of time and resources, reputational damage, litigation and a failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, all of which could materially adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Liquidity and Capital Resources

We may require additional capital and credit in the future that may not be available or may only be available on unfavorable terms.

Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including acquisition activity, our ability to manage the run-off of our assumed policies, our ability to establish reserves at levels sufficient to cover losses, and our underwriting plans. We may need to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings in the future. Our ability to secure this financing may be affected by a number of factors, including volatility in the worldwide financial markets and the strength of our capital position and operating results. Any equity or debt financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are not favorable to us. In the case of equity financings, dilution to our existing shareholders could result, and any securities that are part of such equity financing may have rights, preferences and privileges that are senior to those of our already outstanding securities. If we cannot obtain adequate capital or credit, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by, among other things, our inability to finance future acquisitions. See also “Risks Related to Laws and Regulations — Political, regulatory and industry initiatives could adversely affect our business by increasing the amount of regulation we face or changing the nature of the regulations that apply to us in operating our insurance businesses or acquiring new insurance businesses.

Uncertain conditions in the economy generally may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In the event of financial turmoil affecting the global banking system and financial markets (including the sovereign debt markets), additional consolidation of the financial services industry, or significant financial service institution failures, there could be a new or incremental tightening in the credit markets, low liquidity, and extreme volatility in fixed maturity, credit, currency, and equity markets. This could have a number of effects on our business, including our ability to obtain financing for future acquisitions. Even if financing is available, it may only be available at an unattractive cost of capital, which would decrease our profitability.

Economic conditions could also affect demand for and claims made under our products, our counter-party credit risk, and the ability of our customers to establish or maintain their relationships with us.

Net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains or losses also could vary materially from expectations depending on gains or losses realized on the sale or exchange of financial instruments; impairment charges resulting from revaluations of debt and equity securities and other investments; interest rates; cash balances; and changes in the fair value of derivative instruments. Increased volatility in the financial markets and overall economic uncertainty would increase the risk that the actual amounts realized in the future on our financial instruments could differ significantly from the fair values currently assigned to them.

Reinsurers may not satisfy their obligations to our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, which could result in significant losses or liquidity issues for us.

Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to credit risk with respect to their reinsurers because the transfer of risk to a reinsurer does not relieve our subsidiaries of their liability to the insured. Many reinsurance companies have been negatively impacted by the difficult financial and economic conditions since 2008, including unprecedented financial market disruption. A number of

 

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these companies, including some of those with which we conduct business, have been downgraded and/or have been placed on negative outlook by various rating agencies. In addition, reinsurers may be unwilling to pay our subsidiaries even though they are able to do so, or disputes may arise regarding payment obligations. The failure of one or more of our subsidiaries’ reinsurers to honor their obligations in a timely fashion may affect our cash flows, reduce our net earnings or cause us to incur a significant loss. Disputes with our reinsurers may also result in unforeseen expenses relating to litigation or arbitration proceedings. In addition, a reinsurer’s inability or unwillingness to honor its obligations to Atrium or Torus may negate the intended risk-reducing impact of our reinsurance purchasing programs.

As at December 31, 2014, reinsurance balances recoverable with a carrying value of $314.5 million were associated with two reinsurers, which represented 10% or more of our total non-life run-off reinsurance balances recoverable. One of those reinsurers (accounting for $139.3 million of the $314.5 million as at December 31, 2014) was rated A+, while the remaining $175.2 million of the $314.5 million as at December 31, 2014, were secured by trust funds held for the benefit of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries. Although our exposure to one of these reinsurers is mitigated by the trust fund, exposure to these and any other reinsurers who from time to time represent meaningful percentages of our total reinsurance balances recoverable may increase the risks described above.

Included within total reinsurance balances recoverable of $1,331.6 million are: (i) reinsurance balances recoverable from A- and above rated reinsurers amounting to $1,045.9 million, net of provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables of $81.0 million; (ii) reinsurance balances recoverable from less than A- rated reinsurers amounting to $204.5 million, against which there are no provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables, because the balances are secured by collateral such as trust funds or letters of credit; and (iii) reinsurance balances recoverable from less than A- rated reinsurers amounting to $81.2 million, net of provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable of $208.9 million, which are unsecured.

We are a holding company, and we are dependent on the ability of our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us.

We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries. Our only significant assets are the capital stock of our subsidiaries. As a holding company, we are dependent on distributions of funds from our subsidiaries to fund acquisitions, fulfill financial obligations in the normal course of our business, and pay dividends (in the event we sought to do so). Our subsidiaries may not generate sufficient cash from operations to enable us to make future acquisitions, fulfill other financial obligations or pay dividends.

In addition, the ability of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to make distributions to us is limited by applicable insurance laws and regulations (which are described in “Item 1. Business — Regulation”). These laws and regulations and the determinations by the regulators implementing them may significantly restrict distributions, and, as a result, our overall liquidity. The ability of all of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us may also be restricted by, among other things, other applicable laws and regulations and the terms of our bank loans and our subsidiaries’ bank loans.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may cause us to experience losses.

We maintain a portion of our investments, insurance liabilities and insurance assets denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. Consequently, we and our subsidiaries may experience foreign exchange losses, which could adversely affect our results of operations. We publish our consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars. Therefore, fluctuations in exchange rates used to convert other currencies, particularly Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds and Euros, into U.S. dollars will impact our reported financial condition, results of operations and cash flows from year to year.

 

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Our failure to comply with covenants contained in our credit facilities could trigger prepayment obligations, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We and our subsidiaries currently have two outstanding credit facilities: our Revolving Credit Facility and the Companion Facility. These credit facilities contain various business and financial covenants that impose restrictions on us and certain of our subsidiaries with respect to, among other things, limitations on mergers and consolidations, acquisitions, indebtedness and guarantees, restrictions as to certain dispositions of stock and dividends and stock repurchases, investment constraints and limitations on liens on stock. We may also enter into future credit facilities or other debt arrangements containing similar or different restrictive covenants. Our failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event of default under the credit facilities, which could result in us being required to repay the amounts outstanding under these facilities prior to maturity. These prepayment obligations could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, complying with these covenants could limit our financial and operational flexibility. Our credit facilities are described in more detail in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Loans Payable.”

Risks Relating to Our Investments

The value of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios and the investment income that our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries receive from these portfolios may decline materially as a result of market fluctuations and economic conditions, including those related to interest rates and credit spreads.

We derive a significant portion of our income from our invested assets, which consist primarily of investments in fixed maturity securities. The net investment income that our subsidiaries realize from investments in fixed maturity securities will generally increase or decrease with changes in interest rates. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. The fair market value of our subsidiaries’ fixed maturity securities generally increases or decreases in an inverse relationship with fluctuations in interest rates. A rise in interest rates would increase net unrealized losses, which would be offset over time by our ability to earn higher rates of return on funds reinvested. Conversely, a decline in interest rates would decrease net unrealized losses, which would be offset over time by lower rates of return on funds reinvested. The fair market value can also decrease as a result of any downturn in the business cycle that causes the credit quality of those securities to deteriorate. Any such deterioration of credit ratings on our fixed maturity security investments may result in the need to liquidate these securities in the financial markets. If we are required to liquidate these securities during a period of tightening credit, we may realize a significant loss.

In addition, some of our fixed maturity securities, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, carry prepayment risk, or the risk that principal will be returned more rapidly or slowly than expected, as a result of interest rate fluctuations. When interest rates decline, consumers will generally make prepayments on their mortgages, causing us to be repaid more quickly than we might have originally anticipated, meaning that our opportunities to reinvest these proceeds back into the investment markets may be at reduced interest rates (with the converse being true in a rising interest rate environment). Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are also subject to default risk on the underlying securitized mortgages, which would decrease the value of our investments.

The fair market value of our subsidiaries’ fixed maturity securities and short-term investments classified as trading and/or available-for-sale in our subsidiaries’ investment portfolios amounted to

 

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approximately $4.20 billion at December 31, 2014. The changes in the market value of our subsidiaries’ securities that are classified as trading or available-for-sale are reflected in our financial statements. Other-than-temporary impairment losses in the value of our subsidiaries’ fixed maturity securities are also reflected in our financial statements. As a result, a decline in the value of the securities in our subsidiaries’ investment portfolios may materially reduce our net income and shareholders’ equity, and may cause us to incur a significant loss. For more information on our subsidiaries’ investment portfolios, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments.”

Our investments in alternative investments may be illiquid and volatile in terms of value and returns, which could negatively affect our investment income and liquidity.

In addition to fixed maturity securities, we have invested, and may from time to time continue to invest, in alternative investments such as private equity, fixed income, fixed income hedge, equity, real estate debt and CLO equity funds. These and other similar investments may be illiquid due to restrictions on sales, transfers and redemptions, may have different, more significant risk characteristics than our investments in fixed maturity securities and may also have more volatile values and returns, all of which could negatively affect our investment income and liquidity.

Alternative or “other” investments held by our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries may not meet regulatory admissibility requirements, which may limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make capital distributions to us and, consequently, negatively impact our liquidity. As of December 31, 2014, we had an aggregate fair market value of $836.9 million of such investments, which comprised 13.9% of our total investments. For more information on our alternative investments, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Investments.”

The valuation of our investments may include methodologies, estimations and assumptions that are subject to differing interpretations and could result in changes to investment valuations that may materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations.

Fixed maturity and alternative investments, such as private equity, fixed income, fixed income hedge, equity, real estate debt and CLO equity funds, along with direct investments in CLO equities, represent the majority of our total cash and invested assets. Other than fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost, these investments are reported at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet. Fair value prices for all trading and available-for-sale securities in the fixed maturities portfolio are independently provided by our investment custodians, investment accounting service providers and investment managers, each of which utilize internationally recognized independent pricing services. We record the unadjusted price provided by our custodians, accounting service providers or managers, after we perform an internal validation process. Fair value for our alternative investments is estimated based primarily on the most recently reported net asset values reported by the fund manager, which we may adjust in our judgment following our internal review.

These valuation procedures for our alternative investments involve estimates and judgments, and during periods of market disruptions (such as periods of significantly rising or high interest rates, rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity), it may be difficult to value certain of our securities if trading becomes less frequent or market data becomes less observable. In addition, there may be certain asset classes that are now in active markets with significant observable data that become illiquid due to changes in the financial environment. In these cases, the valuation of a greater number of securities in our investment portfolio may require more subjectivity and management judgment. As a result, valuations may include inputs and assumptions that are less observable or require greater

 

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estimation as well as valuation methods that are more sophisticated or require greater estimation, which may result in values that could be less than the value at which the investments could ultimately be sold. Further, rapidly changing and unpredictable credit and equity market conditions could materially affect the valuation of securities carried at fair value as reported within our consolidated financial statements and the period-to-period changes in value could vary significantly. Decreases in value could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The nature of our business liquidity demands and the structure of our entities’ investment portfolios may adversely affect the performance of our investment portfolio and financial results and our investing flexibility.

We strive to structure our investments in a manner that recognizes our liquidity needs for future liabilities. Because of the unpredictable nature of losses that may arise under our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ insurance or reinsurance policies and as a result of our opportunistic commutation strategy, our liquidity needs can be substantial and may arise at any time. In that regard, we attempt to correlate the maturity and duration of our investment portfolio to our general liability profile. If we are unsuccessful in managing our investment portfolio within the context of this strategy, we may be forced to liquidate our investments at times and at prices that are not optimal, and we may have difficulty in liquidating some of our alternative investments due to restrictions on sales, transfers and redemptions. This could have a material adverse effect on our business and the performance of our investment portfolio.

We maintain each company within our organization and each acquired portfolio of insurance and reinsurance business in separate stand-alone entities, and therefore, we have many individual portfolios of cash and investments. Each investment portfolio has its own regulatory admissibility requirements, and each run-off entity is likely to have negative cash flows due to commutation activity, claims settlements and capital distributions. These factors reduce our overall investing flexibility.

Risks Relating to Laws and Regulation

Insurance laws and regulations restrict our ability to operate, and any failure to comply with these laws and regulations, or any investigations by government authorities, may have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to extensive regulation under insurance laws and regulations of a number of jurisdictions. Existing laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that can be paid to us by our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, prescribe solvency and capital adequacy standards that they must meet and maintain, impose restrictions on the amount and type of investments that they can hold to meet solvency and capital adequacy requirements, require them to maintain reserve liabilities, and require pre-approval of acquisitions and certain affiliate transactions. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations or to maintain appropriate authorizations and/or exemptions under applicable laws and regulations may subject our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to fines and penalties, restrict them from conducting business or result in commencement of insurance company delinquency proceedings against a non-compliant insurance or reinsurance subsidiary. The application of these laws and regulations may affect our liquidity and restrict our ability to expand our business operations through acquisitions or to pay dividends on our ordinary shares. Furthermore, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements may result in significant expenses, which could have a negative impact on our profitability. To further understand these risks, see “Item 1. Business — Regulation.”

In addition to legal and regulatory requirements, the insurance and reinsurance industry has experienced substantial volatility as a result of current investigations, litigation and regulatory activity by various insurance, governmental and enforcement authorities, including the SEC, concerning certain practices within the insurance and reinsurance industry. Our life insurance subsidiaries may be subject to life industry-specific investigations, including ongoing industry-wide investigations by state

 

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attorney generals and other regulators into compliance with unclaimed property laws and practices relating to forced-placed insurance. Insurance and reinsurance companies that we have acquired, or may acquire in the future, may have been or may become involved in these or other investigations and may have lawsuits filed against them. Our involvement in any investigations and related lawsuits would cause us to incur legal costs and, if we or any of our insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries were found to have violated any laws, we could be required to pay fines and damages, perhaps in material amounts.

If we fail to comply with applicable insurance laws and regulations, we may be subject to disciplinary action, damages, penalties or restrictions that may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our subsidiaries may not have maintained or be able to maintain their businesses in full compliance with the laws and regulations to which they are subject, or the relevant insurance regulatory authority’s interpretation of those laws and regulations, or may not have maintained or be able to maintain all required licenses and approvals. In addition, some regulatory authorities have relatively broad discretion to grant, renew or revoke licenses and approvals. If our subsidiaries do not comply with applicable regulatory requirements or do not have the requisite licenses and approvals, the insurance regulatory authorities may preclude or suspend our subsidiaries from carrying on some or all of their activities, place one or more of them into rehabilitation or liquidation proceedings, or impose monetary penalties on them. These types of actions may have a material adverse effect on our business and may preclude us from making future acquisitions or obtaining future management engagements.

Political, regulatory and industry initiatives could adversely affect our business by increasing the amount of regulation we face or changing the nature of the regulations that apply to us in operating our insurance businesses or acquiring new insurance businesses.

Increasingly, governmental authorities seem to be interested in the potential systemic risks posed by the insurance and reinsurance industry as a whole. The insurance regulatory environment has become subject to increased scrutiny across a number of jurisdictions, and authorities regularly consider enhanced or new regulatory requirements and seek to exercise their supervisory authority in new and more extensive ways. Regulators are generally concerned with the protection of policyholders above other constituencies, including our shareholders. Additional laws and regulations have been and may continue to be enacted in the wake of the recent or future financial and credit crises that may have adverse effects on our operations, financial condition and liquidity. We cannot predict the exact nature, timing or scope of these initiatives; however, we believe it is likely there will be increased regulatory intervention in our industry in the future and these initiatives could adversely affect our business.

In many of the jurisdictions in which we operate, there are increased initiatives relating to group supervision though cooperation and coordination among insurance regulators. Regulators in certain jurisdictions may seek to regulate (1) insurance entities that operate within a group regardless of their domiciliary jurisdictions and (2) non-insurance entities within a group. If an insurer were to be supervised by more than one regulator or as part of a group-wide supervision initiative, the insurer could become subject to additional regulation. It is possible that a regulator having regulatory authority over certain of our subsidiaries could determine in the future that other insurance or non-insurance subsidiaries should also be supervised by such regulator as a group, which could lead to increased regulation of our companies.

In addition, increased scrutiny by insurance regulators of investments in or acquisitions of insurers or insurance holding companies by private equity firms or hedge funds may result in imposition of additional regulatory requirements and restrictions. For example, some U.S. state insurance regulators (including the New York Department of Financial Services) are strengthening filing and disclosure

 

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requirements and imposing restrictions on transactions by private equity firms or hedge funds as a condition to approval. The NAIC is developing tools, procedures and metrics that insurance regulators can use to monitor and reduce risks that some regulators believe could be associated with the growing numbers of insurers now owned or controlled by private equity firms and hedge funds. We have in the past partnered with private equity firms in making acquisitions and may do so in the future. This increased scrutiny and regulation may make it difficult to complete U.S. acquisitions with private equity or hedge funds should we seek to do so. In addition, private equity firms have invested in Enstar and may seek to do so in the future. This increased regulation may materially and adversely impact our ability to raise capital through transactions with these types of investors.

Changes in current accounting practices and future pronouncements may materially impact our reported financial results.

Unanticipated developments in accounting practices may require us to incur considerable additional expenses to comply with such developments, particularly if we are required to prepare information relating to prior periods for comparative purposes or to apply the new requirements retroactively. The impact of changes in current accounting practices and future pronouncements cannot be predicted but may affect the calculation of net income, shareholders’ equity and other relevant financial statement line items. In particular, recent guidance and ongoing projects put in place by standard setters globally have indicated a possible move away from the current insurance accounting models toward more “fair value” based models, which could introduce significant volatility in the earnings of insurance industry participants. Furthermore, rules relating to certain accounting practices in the insurance and reinsurance industry are currently being reviewed by applicable regulatory bodies and any changes required by that review could have a material effect on the reported results of operations and financial condition of the industry or particular market participants.

Risks Relating to our Operations

We are dependent on our executive officers, directors and other key personnel and the loss of any of these individuals could adversely affect our business.

Our success substantially depends on our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and upon the ability of our senior management and other key employees to implement our business strategy. We believe that there are only a limited number of available qualified personnel in the business in which we compete, and the pool of highly skilled employees available to fill key positions at our companies may fluctuate based on market conditions. We rely substantially upon the services of our executive officers and our subsidiaries’ executive officers and directors, as well as our local management teams, to implement our business strategies. The loss of the services of any of our management or other key personnel, or the loss of the services of or our relationships with any of our directors, could have a material adverse effect on our business. Higher demand for employees having desired talents could lead to increased compensation expectations for existing and prospective personnel across our organization, which could also make it difficult to maintain labor expenses at desired levels.

Under Bermuda law, non-Bermudians (other than spouses of Bermudians, holders of a permanent resident’s certificate or holders of a working resident’s certificate) may not engage in any gainful occupation in Bermuda without an appropriate governmental work permit. As a result, if we were to lose any of our key Bermuda-based employees, the work permit laws and policies may hinder our ability to replace them.

Our directors and executive officers may have ownership interests or other involvement with entities that could compete against us, and conflicts of interest might prevent us from pursuing desirable acquisition, investment and other business opportunities.

Our directors and executive officers may have ownership interests or other involvement with entities that could compete against us, either in the pursuit of acquisition targets or in our business

 

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operations. We have also participated in transactions in which one or more of our directors or executive officers or their affiliates had an interest, and we may do so in the future. The interests of our directors and executive officers in such transactions or such entities may result in a conflict of interest for those directors and officers.

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, reviews any material transactions involving a conflict of interest and may take actions as it deems appropriate in the particular circumstances. We may not be able to pursue all advantageous transactions that we would otherwise pursue in the absence of a conflict, in particular if our Audit Committee is unable to determine that any such transaction is on terms as favorable as we could otherwise obtain in the absence of a conflict.

If we experience difficulties with our information technology assets or if there is a security breach, our business could be adversely affected.

We rely heavily on the successful, uninterrupted functioning of our information technology assets and telecommunications systems, as well as those of any third-party service providers we use. Our business is dependent upon our ability to perform, in an efficient and uninterrupted fashion, necessary business functions, such as paying claims, performing actuarial and other modeling functions, pricing, quoting and processing policies, investment management, acquisition work and other necessary legal, financial and business functions. A failure of our information technology assets or telecommunications systems could materially impact our ability to perform these functions, affect the confidentiality, availability or integrity of information or information systems, expose us to litigation and increase our administrative expenses.

Computer viruses, cyber attacks, and other external hazards, as well as any internal process or employee failures, could expose our information technology assets to security breaches that may cause critical data to be corrupted or confidential or proprietary information to be exposed, or cause system disruptions or shut-downs. In addition to our own information, we receive and may be responsible to protect confidential information from clients and other third parties, which could also be compromised in the event of a security breach. Our active underwriting companies rely on broker portals to bind certain business, and, therefore, a service interruption would negatively impact our ability to write business.

Where we rely on third parties for outsourced functions and other services, our information may be exposed to the risk of a data breach or cyber-security incident through their systems. Although we utilize numerous controls, protections and risk management strategies to attempt to mitigate these risks, and management is not aware of a material cybersecurity incident to date, the sophistication and volume of these security threats continues to rise at an increasingly rapid rate. The potential consequences of a data breach or cyber-security incident could include claims against us, significant reputational damage to our company, damage to our business as a result of disclosure of proprietary information, regulatory action against us, and dissatisfied customers, policyholders and business partners. Such an incident could cause us to lose business and commit resources, management time and money to remediate these breaches, any of which in turn could have an adverse impact on our business.

If outsourced providers such as third-party administrators, managing general agents, investment managers or other service providers were to breach obligations owed to us, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

We outsource certain business functions to third party providers, and in these relationships we are subject to the risk that these providers do not perform as anticipated or do not adhere to their obligations to us. For example, certain of our subsidiaries rely on relationships with a number of third-party administrators, under contracts pursuant to which these third-party administrators manage and

 

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pay claims on our subsidiaries’ behalf and advise with respect to case reserves. In these relationships, we rely on controls incorporated in the provisions of the administration agreement, as well as on the administrator’s internal controls, to manage the claims process within our prescribed parameters. Our Torus and Atrium subsidiaries use managing general agents, general agents and other producers to write and administer business on their behalf within underwriting authorities prescribed by Torus and Atrium. We also rely on external investment managers to provide services pursuant to the terms of our investment management agreements, including following established investment guidelines. Although we monitor these administrators, agents and producers, and managers on an ongoing basis, our monitoring efforts may not be adequate or our service providers could exceed their authorities or otherwise breach obligations owed to us, which, if material, could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

With respect to certain of our subsidiaries’ life insurance products, our subsidiaries depend upon the counterparty to an administrative services agreement in order to collect policy premiums and maintain necessary customer data. There is a risk that the counterparty may fail to perform its obligations under the agreement to provide accurate and timely premiums and data, or that we or the counterparty could experience difficulties with the operation of the supporting technology systems. Any of these risks could result in underperformance of our life and annuities business compared to our expectations, and could also have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Ordinary Shares

Our stock price may experience volatility, thereby causing a potential loss of value to our investors.

The market price for our ordinary shares may fluctuate substantially and could cause investment losses due to, among other things, the following factors:

 

   

announcements with respect to an acquisition or investment;

 

   

changes in the value of our assets;

 

   

our quarterly and annual operating results;

 

   

sales, or the possibility or perception of future sales, by our existing shareholders;

 

   

changes in general conditions in the economy and the insurance industry;

 

   

the financial markets; and

 

   

adverse press or news announcements.

A few significant shareholders may influence or control the direction of our business. If the ownership of our ordinary shares continues to be highly concentrated, it may limit your ability and the ability of other shareholders to influence significant corporate decisions.

We have a number of shareholders with large interests, including several that may be affiliated with members of our Board of Directors. The interests of Messrs. Silvester, O’Shea and Packer, First Reserve Management, L.P. (or First Reserve), Trident V, L.P. and its affiliates (or Trident), Beck Mack & Oliver (or Beck Mack) and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and its affiliates (or Goldman Sachs) may not be fully aligned with your interests, and this may lead to a strategy that is not in your best interest. As of December 31, 2014, Messrs. Silvester, O’Shea and Packer, First Reserve, Trident, Beck Mack and Goldman Sachs beneficially owned approximately 7.8%, 1.2%, 2.0%, 9.5%, 8.5%, 7.5% and 4.2%, respectively, of our outstanding voting ordinary shares. Goldman Sachs owns additional non-voting ordinary shares that, together with its voting shares, represented an economic interest of over 18% as of December 31, 2014. First Reserve owns additional non-voting ordinary shares that, together with its voting shares, represented an economic interest of over 11.5% as of December 31, 2014.

 

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Although they do not act as a group, First Reserve, Trident, Beck Mack, Goldman Sachs and each of Messrs. Silvester, O’Shea and Packer may exercise significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, and their concentrated holdings may delay or deter possible changes in control of Enstar, which may reduce the market price of our ordinary shares.

Some aspects of our corporate structure may discourage third-party takeovers and other transactions, limit voting rights of certain shareholders to 9.5% or prevent the removal of our board of directors and management.

Some provisions of our bye-laws have the effect of making more difficult or discouraging unsolicited takeover bids from third parties or preventing the removal of our current board of directors and management. In particular, our bye-laws make it difficult for any U.S. shareholder or Direct Foreign Shareholder Group (a shareholder or group of commonly controlled shareholders of Enstar that are not U.S. persons) to own or control ordinary shares that constitute 9.5% or more of the voting power of all of our ordinary shares. The votes conferred by such shares will be reduced by whatever amount is necessary so that after any such reduction the votes conferred by such shares will constitute 9.5% of the total voting power of all ordinary shares entitled to vote generally. The primary purpose of this restriction is to reduce the likelihood that we or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries will be deemed a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, for U.S. federal tax purposes. However, this limit may also have the effect of deterring purchases of large blocks of our ordinary shares or proposals to acquire us, even if some or a majority of our shareholders might deem these purchases or acquisition proposals to be in their best interests. In addition, our bye-laws provide for a classified board, whose members may be removed by our shareholders only for cause by a majority vote, and contain restrictions on the ability of shareholders to nominate persons to serve as directors, submit resolutions to a shareholder vote and request special general meetings.

These bye-law provisions make it more difficult to acquire control of us by means of a tender offer, open market purchase, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions may encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate with our directors, which we believe would generally best serve the interests of our shareholders. However, these provisions may have the effect of discouraging a prospective acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us. In addition, these bye-law provisions may prevent the removal of our current board of directors and management. To the extent these provisions discourage takeover attempts, they may deprive shareholders of opportunities to realize takeover premiums for their shares or may depress the market price of the shares.

There are regulatory limitations on the ownership and transfer of our ordinary shares.

Insurance laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries operate require prior notices or regulatory approval of changes in control of an insurer or its holding company. Different jurisdictions define changes in control differently, and generally any purchaser of 10% or more of our ordinary shares could become subject to regulation and be required to file certain notices and reports with the applicable insurance authorities. These laws may discourage potential acquisition proposals and may delay, deter or prevent a change in control of us, including transactions that some shareholders might consider to be desirable.

The market value of our ordinary shares may decline if large numbers of shares are sold, including pursuant to existing registration rights.

We have a registration rights agreement with Mr. Silvester, Trident and certain other of our shareholders. This agreement provides that Mr. Silvester and Trident may request that we effect a

 

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registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (or the Securities Act) of certain of their ordinary shares. We have also entered into a registration rights agreement with Goldman Sachs in connection with our private placement in 2011, which provides that it may make two requests that we effect a registration under the Securities Act of the voting ordinary shares and non-voting ordinary shares issued to them in the private placement. In connection with the acquisition of Torus, we entered into a registration rights agreement with First Reserve and Corsair Specialty Investors, L.P. (or Corsair) on April 1, 2014, pursuant to which we filed a resale shelf registration statement for their Registrable Securities. The agreement also provides that First Reserve may make three requests that we effect a registration under the Securities Act of its voting ordinary shares (including any voting ordinary shares into which First Reserve’s non-voting ordinary shares may convert) and that Corsair may make one such request.

All of these investors also have “piggyback” registration rights with respect to our registration of voting ordinary shares for our own account or for the account of one or more of our shareholders. As of December 31, 2014, the following shares are subject to these registration rights agreements: (i) an aggregate of approximately 2.3 million voting ordinary shares held by Mr. Silvester and Trident, (ii) 665,529 voting ordinary shares and 2,725,637 non-voting ordinary shares held by Goldman Sachs, (iii) 1,502,211 voting ordinary shares and 714,015 non-voting ordinary shares held by First Reserve, and (iv) 397,115 voting ordinary shares held by Corsair.

By exercising their registration rights, these holders could cause a large number of ordinary shares to be registered and generally become freely tradable without restrictions under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration. Our ordinary shares have in the past been, and may from time to time continue to be, thinly traded, and significant sales, pursuant to the existing registration rights or otherwise, could adversely affect the market price for our ordinary shares and impair our ability to raise capital through offerings of our equity securities.

Because we are incorporated in Bermuda, it may be difficult for shareholders to serve process or enforce judgments against us or our directors and officers.

We are a Bermuda company. In addition, certain of our officers and directors reside in countries outside the United States. All or a substantial portion of our assets and the assets of these officers and directors are or may be located outside the United States. Investors may have difficulty effecting service of process within the United States on our directors and officers who reside outside the United States or recovering against us or these directors and officers on judgments of U.S. courts based on civil liabilities provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws even though we have appointed an agent in the United States to receive service of process. Further, no claim may be brought in Bermuda against us or our directors and officers for violation of U.S. federal securities laws, as such laws do not have force of law in Bermuda. A Bermuda court may, however, impose civil liability, including the possibility of monetary damages, on us or our directors and officers if the facts alleged in a complaint constitute or give rise to a cause of action under Bermuda law.

We believe that there is doubt as to whether the courts of Bermuda would enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in actions against us or our directors and officers, as well as our independent auditors, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or original actions brought in Bermuda against us or these persons predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws. Further, there is no treaty in effect between the United States and Bermuda providing for the enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, and there are grounds upon which Bermuda courts may not enforce judgments of U.S. courts. Some remedies available under the laws of U.S. jurisdictions, including some remedies available under the U.S. federal securities laws, may not be allowed in Bermuda courts as contrary to that jurisdiction’s public policy. Because judgments of U.S. courts are not automatically enforceable in Bermuda, it may be difficult for you to recover against us based upon such judgments.

 

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Shareholders who own our ordinary shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests than shareholders of a U.S. corporation.

The Bermuda Companies Act, or the Companies Act, which applies to us, differs in certain material respects from laws generally applicable to U.S. corporations and their shareholders. As a result of these differences, shareholders who own our shares may have more difficulty protecting their interests than shareholders who own shares of a U.S. corporation. For example, class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. Under Bermuda law, only shareholders holding collectively 5% or more of our outstanding ordinary shares or numbering 100 or more are entitled to propose a resolution at our general meeting.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares.

We do not intend to pay a cash dividend on our ordinary shares. Rather, we intend to use any retained earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. From time to time, our board of directors will review our alternatives with respect to our earnings and seek to maximize value for our shareholders. In the future, we may decide to commence a dividend program for the benefit of our shareholders. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be limited by our position as a holding company that lacks direct operations, the results of operations of our subsidiaries, our financial condition, cash requirements and prospects and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. In addition, there are significant regulatory and other constraints that could prevent us from paying dividends in any event. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, on our ordinary shares may be your sole source of gain for the foreseeable future.

Our board of directors may decline to register a transfer of our ordinary shares under certain circumstances.

Our board of directors may decline to register a transfer of ordinary shares under certain circumstances, including if it has reason to believe that any non-de minimis adverse tax, regulatory or legal consequences to us, any of our subsidiaries or any of our shareholders may occur as a result of such transfer. Further, our bye-laws provide us with the option to repurchase, or to assign to a third party the right to purchase, the minimum number of shares necessary to eliminate any such non-de minimis adverse tax, regulatory or legal consequence. In addition, our board of directors may decline to approve or register a transfer of shares unless all applicable consents, authorizations, permissions or approvals of any governmental body or agency in Bermuda, the United States or any other applicable jurisdiction required to be obtained prior to such transfer shall have been obtained. The proposed transferor of any shares will be deemed to own those shares for dividend, voting and reporting purposes until a transfer of such shares has been registered on our shareholders register.

It is our understanding that while the precise form of the restrictions on transfer contained in our bye-laws is untested, as a matter of general principle, restrictions on transfers are enforceable under Bermuda law and are not uncommon. These restrictions on transfer may also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control.

Risks Relating to Taxation

We might incur unexpected U.S., U.K. or Australia tax liabilities if companies in our group that are incorporated outside those jurisdictions are determined to be carrying on a trade or business there.

We and a number of our subsidiaries are companies formed under the laws of Bermuda or other jurisdictions that do not impose income taxes; it is our contemplation that these companies will not incur substantial income tax liabilities from their operations. Because the operations of these companies generally involve, or relate to, the insurance or reinsurance of risks that arise in higher tax jurisdictions, such as the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, it is possible that the taxing

 

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authorities in those jurisdictions may assert that the activities of one or more of these companies creates a sufficient nexus in that jurisdiction to subject the company to income tax there. There are uncertainties in how the relevant rules apply to insurance businesses, and in our eligibility for favorable treatment under applicable tax treaties. Accordingly, it is possible that we could incur substantial unexpected tax liabilities.

U.S. persons who own our ordinary shares might become subject to adverse U.S. tax consequences as a result of “related person insurance income,” or RPII, if any, of our non-U.S. insurance company subsidiaries.

If the RPII rules of the Code were to apply to us, a U.S. person who owns our ordinary shares directly, or indirectly through foreign entities, on the last day of the taxable year would be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes the shareholder’s pro rata share of our non-U.S. subsidiaries’ RPII for the entire taxable year, determined as if that RPII were distributed proportionately to the U.S. shareholders at that date regardless whether any actual distribution is made. In addition, any RPII that is includible in the income of a U.S. tax-exempt organization would generally be treated as unrelated business taxable income. Although we and our subsidiaries intend to operate generally in a manner so as to qualify for certain exceptions to the RPII rules, there can be no assurance that these exceptions will be available. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that U.S. persons who own our ordinary shares will not be required to recognize gross income inclusions attributable to RPII.

In addition, the RPII rules provide that if a shareholder who is a U.S. person disposes of shares in a foreign insurance company that has RPII and in which U.S. persons collectively own 25% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, or the total value of the stock, any gain from the disposition will generally be treated as dividend income to the extent of the shareholder’s share of the corporation’s undistributed earnings and profits that were accumulated during the period that the shareholder owned the shares (whether or not those earnings and profits are attributable to RPII). Such a shareholder would also be required to comply with certain reporting requirements, regardless of the amount of shares owned by the shareholder. These rules should not apply to dispositions of our ordinary shares because we will not be directly engaged in the insurance business. The RPII rules, however, have not been interpreted by the courts or the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, and regulations interpreting the RPII rules exist only in proposed form. Accordingly, there is no assurance that our views as to the inapplicability of these rules to a disposition of our ordinary shares will be accepted by the IRS or a court.

U.S. persons who own our ordinary shares would be subject to adverse tax consequences if we or one or more of our non-U.S. subsidiaries were considered a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We believe that we and our non-U.S. subsidiaries will not be PFICs for U.S. federal income purposes for the current year. Moreover, we do not expect to conduct our activities in a manner that will cause us or any of our non-U.S. subsidiaries to become a PFIC in the future. However, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge this position or that a court will not sustain such challenge. Accordingly, it is possible that we or one or more of our non-U.S. subsidiaries might be deemed a PFIC by the IRS or a court for the current year or any future year. If we or one or more of our non-U.S. subsidiaries were a PFIC, it could have material adverse tax consequences for an investor that is subject to U.S. federal income taxation, including subjecting the investor to a substantial acceleration and/or increase in tax liability. There are currently no regulations regarding the application of the PFIC provisions of the Code to an insurance company, so the application of those provisions to insurance companies remains unclear in certain respects.

 

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U.S. persons who own 10 percent or more of our shares may be subject to taxation under the “controlled foreign corporation,” or CFC, rules.

A U.S. person that is a “10% U.S. Shareholder” of a non-U.S. corporation (i.e., a U.S. person who owns or is treated as owning at least 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote of the non-U.S. corporation) that is a CFC for an uninterrupted period of 30 days or more during a taxable year, that owns shares in the CFC directly or indirectly through non-U.S. entities on the last day of the CFC’s taxable year, must include in its gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes its pro rata share of the CFC’s “subpart F income,” even if the subpart F income is not distributed. “Subpart F income” of a non-U.S. insurance corporation typically includes foreign personal holding company income (such as interest, dividends and other types of passive income), as well as insurance and reinsurance income (including underwriting and investment income).

A non-U.S. corporation is considered a CFC if “10% U.S. Shareholders” own (directly, indirectly through non-U.S. entities or by attribution by application of the constructive ownership rules of section 958(b) of the Code (i.e., “constructively”)) more than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of that foreign corporation, or the total value of all stock of that foreign corporation. For purposes of taking into account insurance income, a CFC also includes a non-U.S. insurance company in which more than 25% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock (or more than 25% of the total value of the stock) is owned directly, indirectly through non-U.S. entities or constructively by 10% U.S. Shareholders on any day during the taxable year of such corporation, if the gross amount of premiums or other consideration for the reinsurance or the issuing of insurance exceeds 75% of the gross amount of all premiums or other consideration in respect of all risks.

We believe that because of the dispersion of our share ownership, and provisions in our organizational documents that limit voting power, no U.S. person (including our subsidiary Enstar USA, Inc., which owns certain of our non-voting shares) should be treated as owning (directly, indirectly through non-U.S. entities or constructively) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of our shares. However, the IRS could successfully challenge the effectiveness of these provisions in our organizational documents. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that a U.S. person who owns our shares will not be characterized as a 10% U.S. Shareholder.

Changes in U.S. federal income tax law could materially affect us or our shareholders.

Legislation has been proposed on various occasions to eliminate perceived tax advantages of insurance companies that have legal domiciles outside the United States but have certain U.S. connections. For example, legislation has been proposed to disallow the deduction of reinsurance premiums paid by U.S. companies to certain non-U.S. affiliates, although no such provision has been enacted to date. It is possible that such legislation could be enacted or similar legislation could be introduced in and enacted by the current Congress or future Congresses and enactment of some version of such legislation, or other changes in U.S. tax laws, regulations or interpretations thereof, could have an adverse impact on us or our shareholders.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES.

We lease office space in Hamilton, Bermuda, where our principal executive office is located. We also lease office space in a number of U.S. states, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, India, Singapore and several European countries.

We renew and enter into new leases in the ordinary course of our business. We believe that this office space is sufficient for us to conduct our current operations for the foreseeable future, although in connection with future acquisitions from time to time, we may expand to different locations or increase space to support any such growth.

 

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ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation and arbitration regarding claims. In addition to claims litigation and arbitration, we may be subject to other lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business, which may involve, among other things, allegations of underwriting errors or omissions, employment claims or regulatory activity.

We do not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Nevertheless, we cannot assure you that lawsuits, arbitrations or other litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We anticipate that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, we will continue to be subject to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation generally related to the scope of coverage with respect to asbestos and environmental and other claims. There can be no assurance that any such future litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our ordinary shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol ESGR.

Price Range of Ordinary Shares

The price range per ordinary share presented below represents the highest and lowest sales prices for our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market during each quarter of the two most recent years.

 

     2014      2013  
     High      Low      High      Low  

First Quarter

   $ 141.64       $ 119.82       $ 129.83       $ 112.72   

Second Quarter

   $ 152.47       $ 127.31       $ 138.99       $ 118.56   

Third Quarter

   $ 153.74       $ 136.31       $ 147.85       $ 131.17   

Fourth Quarter

   $ 161.94       $ 135.05       $ 142.67       $ 131.46   

Holders

On February 26, 2015 there were 1,892 shareholders of record of our voting ordinary shares and 9 shareholders of record of our non-voting ordinary shares. The number of shareholders of record of our voting ordinary shares does not represent the actual number of beneficial owners of our voting ordinary shares because shares are frequently held in “street name” by securities dealers and others for the benefit of beneficial owners who may vote the shares.

Dividends

We are a holding company and have no direct operations. Our ability to pay dividends or distributions depends almost exclusively on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends to us. Under applicable law, our subsidiaries may not declare or pay a dividend if there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are, or would after the payment be, unable to pay their liabilities as they become due, or the realizable value of their assets would thereby be less than the aggregate of their liabilities and their issued share capital and share premium accounts. Additional restrictions apply to the ability of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to distribute capital and pay dividends, as described in “Item 1. Business — Regulation,” “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources,” and “Note 19 — Dividend Restrictions and Statutory Requirements” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included within Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, our outstanding credit facilities contain restrictions on our ability and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends.

We do not intend to pay a dividend on our ordinary shares, and we did not pay any dividends on our ordinary shares in 2014 or 2013. Rather, we intend to reinvest distributions from our subsidiaries back into the company. For a further description, see “Item IA. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Ordinary Shares — We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares.”

 

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Company Stock Performance

A graph reflecting our stock performance is included below. The graph reflects the investment of $100.00 on December 31, 2009 (assuming the reinvestment of dividends) in our ordinary shares, the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the NASDAQ Insurance Index.

 

LOGO

 

      12/09      12/10      12/11      12/12      12/13      12/14  

  Enstar Group Limited

     100.00         115.83         134.48         153.36         190.24         209.38   

  NASDAQ Composite

     100.00         117.61         118.70         139.00         196.83         223.74   

  NASDAQ Insurance

     100.00         117.00         121.06         139.89         186.24         206.76   

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

None.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected historical financial information for each of the past five fiscal years has been derived from our audited historical financial statements. This information is only a summary and should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 8 of this report. The results of operations for past accounting periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future accounting period.

Since our inception, we have made numerous acquisitions of companies and portfolios of business that impact the comparability between periods of the information reflected below. In particular, our 2014 acquisition of Torus and our 2013 acquisitions of SeaBright, Pavonia, Arden and Atrium impact comparability to other periods, including with respect to net premiums earned. Our acquisitions are described in “Item 1. Business — Recent Transactions” and Notes 3 and 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)  

Selected Statements of Earnings Data:

          

Net premiums earned

   $ 646,450      $ 239,807      $ 3,511      $ 3,543      $   

Fees and commission income

     33,079        12,817        8,570        17,858        23,015   

Net investment income

     117,369        93,295        77,760        68,676        81,261   

Net realized and unrealized gains

     62,619        70,651        73,612        9,214        31,782   

Gain on bargain purchase

                          13,105          

Net (increase) reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     (9,146     163,672        237,953        293,461        311,834   

Life and annuity policy benefits

     (108,046     (78,354     300        (1,557       

Acquisition costs

     (132,573     (23,199                     

Total other expenses

     (382,516     (254,867     (210,187     (195,842     (242,865

Share of earnings of partly owned company

                                 10,704   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

     227,236        223,822        191,519        208,458        215,731   

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (13,487     (15,218     (23,502     (54,765     (41,645
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited

   $ 213,749      $ 208,604      $ 168,017      $ 153,693      $ 174,086   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per Ordinary Share Data: (1)

          

Net earnings per share attributable to Enstar Group Limited ordinary shareholders — basic

   $ 11.61      $ 12.62      $ 10.22      $ 11.03      $ 12.91   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings per share attributable to Enstar Group Limited ordinary shareholders — diluted

   $ 11.44      $ 12.49      $ 10.10      $ 10.81      $ 12.66   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — basic

     18,409,069        16,523,369        16,441,461        13,930,221        13,489,221   

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — diluted

     18,678,130        16,703,442        16,638,021        14,212,440        13,751,256   

 

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     December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)  

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

              

Total investments

   $ 6,004,149       $ 5,519,798       $ 3,352,875       $ 3,335,199       $ 2,429,106   

Total cash and cash equivalents (inclusive of restricted)

     1,498,376         1,041,498         954,855         1,223,665         1,455,354   

Reinsurance balances recoverable

     1,331,555         1,363,819         1,122,919         1,789,582         961,442   

Total assets

     9,936,885         8,620,155         5,878,261         6,606,138         5,235,904   

Losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     4,509,421         4,219,905         3,650,127         4,272,081         3,291,275   

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts

     1,220,864         1,273,100         11,027         10,835           

Loans payable

     320,041         452,446         107,430         242,710         245,278   

Total Enstar Group Limited shareholders’ equity

     2,304,850         1,755,523         1,553,755         1,386,066         948,421   

Book Value per Share:(2)

              

Basic

   $ 120.04       $ 106.21       $ 94.29       $ 84.56       $ 73.29   

Diluted

   $ 119.22       $ 105.20       $ 93.30       $ 82.97       $ 71.68   

Shares Outstanding:

              

Basic

     19,201,017         16,528,343         16,477,809         16,391,076         12,940,660   

Diluted

     19,332,864         16,707,115         16,653,120         16,705,767         13,231,320   

 

(1)

Earnings per share is a measure based on net earnings divided by weighted average ordinary shares outstanding. Basic earnings per share is defined as net earnings available to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for the period, giving no effect to dilutive securities. Diluted earnings per share is defined as net earnings available to ordinary shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares and share equivalents outstanding calculated using the treasury stock method for all potentially dilutive securities. When the effect of dilutive securities would be anti-dilutive, these securities are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

 

(2)

Basic book value per share is defined as total Enstar Group Limited shareholders’ equity available to ordinary shareholders divided by the number of ordinary shares outstanding as at the end of the period, giving no effect to dilutive securities. Diluted book value per share is defined as total shareholders’ equity available to ordinary shareholders divided by the number of ordinary shares and ordinary share equivalents outstanding at the end of the period, calculated using the treasury stock method for all potentially dilutive securities.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or included elsewhere in this annual report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Table of Contents

 

Section

   Page  

Business Overview

     71   

Key Performance Indicators

     72   

Drivers of Book Value Growth

     72   

Critical Accounting Policies

     74   

Accounting for Acquisitions — Fair Value Measurement

     74   

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses — Non-life Run-off

     76   

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses — Atrium and Torus Segments

     90   

Net Reduction in Ultimate Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Liabilities

     91   

Policy Benefits for Life and Annuity Contracts

     91   

Reinsurance Balances Recoverable

     92   

Premium Revenue Recognition

     92   

Investments

     93   

Goodwill

     96   

Intangible Assets

     96   

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

     96   

Consolidated Results of Operations — for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

     97   

Segment Reporting

     101   

Results of Operations by Segment — for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

     102   

Non-life Run-off Segment

     102   

Atrium Segment

     114   

Torus Segment

     120   

Life and Annuities Segment

     124   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     127   

Reinsurance Balances Recoverable

     128   

Cash Flows

     129   

Investments

     131   

Loans Payable

     139   

Aggregate Contractual Obligations

     141   

Commitments and Contingencies

     142   

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

     142   

Business Overview

We are a Bermuda-based holding company with a core focus of acquiring and managing insurance and reinsurance companies in run-off and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business in run-off, and providing management, consulting and other services to the insurance and reinsurance industry.

 

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Until 2013, all but one of our acquisitions had been in the non-life run-off business, which for us generally includes property and casualty, workers’ compensation, asbestos and environmental, construction defect, marine, aviation and transit, and other closed business.

While our core focus remains acquiring and managing non-life run-off business, in recent years, we expanded our business by entering into the active underwriting business through our acquisitions of Atrium and Torus. We partnered with the Trident V funds in the Atrium and Torus acquisitions, with Enstar owning an approximate 59.0% interest and Trident V owning an approximate 39.3% interest in the acquired companies (with Dowling owning a 1.7% interest). We also expanded our portfolio of run-off businesses to include closed life and annuities, primarily through our acquisition of Pavonia from HSBC Holdings plc on March 31, 2013.

Our strategies with respect to these new lines of business and our core non-life run-off business are discussed in “Item 1. Business — Company Overview,” “—Strategy” and “—Recent Transactions.”

We operate our business internationally through our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and our consulting subsidiaries in Bermuda, the United Kingdom, the United States, Europe and Australia.

Key Performance Indicators

Our primary corporate objective is growing our net book value per share. We believe this is driven primarily by growth in our net earnings, which is in turn driven in large part by successfully completing new acquisitions, effectively managing companies and portfolios of business that we have acquired, and executing on our active underwriting strategies. Our growth in book value per share on a fully diluted basis since becoming a public company on January 31, 2007 is set forth in the table below. We have achieved a compounded annual growth rate on our fully diluted book value per share of approximately 17.9% during this time.

 

LOGO

Drivers of Book Value Growth

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we increased our book value per share on a fully diluted basis by 13.3% to $119.22 per share. We grow our book value primarily in the following ways:

 

   

settling our non-life run-off net loss reserves from acquired businesses below their acquired fair value (net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities);

 

   

earning premiums in excess of related losses for our Torus, Atrium and life and annuities segments (net premiums earned);

 

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generating investment income on our cash and investment portfolios (net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains);

 

   

earning fees and commission income by providing expert run-off management services for a fixed and/or incentive based fee in our non-life run-off segment, and by providing managing general agency services through our Atrium segment (fees and commission income); and

 

   

managing our expenses as we continue to grow our operations (expenses).

The following description summarizes these and other financial statement measures that largely drive the amount of book value per share that we attain.

Net Reduction in Ultimate Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Liabilities

Our non-life run-off segment earnings comprise primarily reductions, or potential increases, of net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities. These liabilities are comprised of outstanding loss or case reserves (or OLR), losses incurred but not reported (or IBNR) and unallocated loss adjustment expenses (or ULAE) reserves.

Net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities established by management utilizing analysis performed by independent actuaries prepared on an annual basis are reviewed by our management each quarter. Reserves reflect management’s best estimate of the remaining unpaid portion of these liabilities. Prior period estimates of net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities may change as our management considers the combined impact of commutations, policy buy-backs, settlement of losses on carried reserves and the trend of incurred loss development compared to prior forecasts. Net reductions in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities are reported as negative expenses by us. For more information on how the reserves are calculated, see “— Critical Accounting Policies — Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses.”

Net Premiums Earned

We derive income from premiums from our insurance and reinsurance businesses. Insurance and reinsurance premiums are a function of the amount and type of contracts written as well as prevailing market prices and conditions. Non-life premiums are earned over the terms of the underlying coverage. Life and annuity premiums are generally earned when the premium is due from policyholders. Each of our insurance and reinsurance contracts contain different pricing, terms and conditions and expected profit margins. Therefore, the amount of premiums is not necessarily an accurate indicator of our anticipated profitability. Premium estimates are based upon information in underlying contracts and data received from clients, cedants and brokers. Changes in premium estimates are expected and may result in significant adjustments in any period. These estimates change over time as additional information regarding the underlying business volume or insured values of our clients is obtained. There is often a delay in the receipt of updated premium information from clients due to the time lag in preparing and reporting the data to us. After review by our underwriters and finance staff, we increase or decrease premium estimates as updated information from our clients is received.

Net Investment Income and Net Realized and Unrealized Gains

Our net investment income is a function of the average invested assets and the average yield that we earn on those invested assets. The investment yield on our fixed maturity investments is a function of market interest rates as well as the credit quality and duration of our fixed maturities portfolio. Our net realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments includes realized gains and losses on our fixed maturity securities and changes in fair value of our trading securities and other investments. We recognize realized gains and losses at the time of sale, and they, along with the changes in fair value

 

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of our trading securities, reflect the results of changing market conditions, including changes in market interest rates and changes in the market’s perception of the credit quality of our fixed maturity holdings. The change in fair value of other investments is principally a function of the success of the funds in which we are invested, which depends on, among other things, the underlying strategies of the funds, the ability of the fund managers to execute the fund strategies and general economic and investment market conditions.

Fees and Commission Income

Our Atrium segment earns profit commission income primarily related to the provision of managing general agency services to Syndicate 609 and its third-party members. Our non-life run-off segment generates fee income for run-off and claims services based on a combination of fixed and success-based fee arrangements. Fee income will vary from period to period depending on the timing of completion of success-based fee arrangements. Success-based fees are recorded when targets related to overall project completion or profitability goals are achieved.

Expenses

Salaries and Benefits

We are a service-based company and, as such, employee salaries and benefits are our largest expense. We have experienced significant increases in our salaries and benefits expenses as we have grown our operations, and we expect that trend to continue if we are able to expand our operations successfully.

We provide for the annual grant of bonus compensation to our officers and employees, including our senior executive officers. Bonus awards are based on a percentage of our consolidated net after-tax profits. The percentage is 15% unless our Compensation Committee exercises its discretion to change the percentage no later than 30 days after our year end. Bonus awards are payable in cash, ordinary shares or a combination of both.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses include rent and rent-related costs, professional fees (legal, investment, audit and actuarial) and travel expenses. We have operations in multiple jurisdictions and our employees travel frequently in connection with the search for acquisition opportunities and in the general management of the business.

Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest relates to the share of earnings of our subsidiaries in which there is either a noncontrolling interest or a redeemable noncontrolling interest.

Critical Accounting Policies

We believe the following accounting policies affect the more significant judgment and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

Accounting for Acquisitions — Fair Value Measurement

Non-life Run-off

The most significant liability and asset of an acquired company are typically the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses and the asset related to any reinsurance balances recoverable on these liabilities that may be contractually due to the acquired entity. The market for acquisition of run-off companies is not sufficiently active and transparent to enable us to identify reliable, market exit values

 

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for acquired assets and liabilities. Accordingly, consistent with provisions of U.S. GAAP, we have developed internal models that we believe allow us to determine fair values that are reasonable proxies for market exit values. We are familiar with the major participants in the acquisition run-off market and believe that the key assumptions we make in valuing acquired assets and liabilities are consistent with the kinds of assumptions made by such market participants. Furthermore, in our negotiation of purchase prices with sellers, it is frequently clear to us that other bidders in the market are using models and assumptions similar in nature to ours during the competitive bid process. The majority of acquisitions are completed following a public tender process whereby the seller invites market participants to provide bids for the target acquisition.

We account for acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the acquirer record the assets and liabilities acquired at their estimated fair value. The fair values of each of the insurance and reinsurance assets and liabilities acquired are derived from probability-weighted ranges of the associated projected cash flows, based on actuarially prepared information and management’s run-off strategy. Our run-off strategy, as well as that of other run-off market participants, is expected to be different from the seller’s as generally sellers are not specialized in running off insurance and reinsurance liabilities whereas we and other market participants do specialize in such run-offs.

The key assumptions used by us and, we believe, by other run-off market participants in the fair valuation of acquired companies are (i) the projected payout, timing and amounts of claims liabilities; (ii) the related projected timing and amount of reinsurance collections; (iii) a risk-free discount rate, which is applied to determine the present value of the future cash flows; (iv) the estimated unallocated loss adjustment expenses to be incurred over the life of the run-off; (v) the impact that any accelerated run-off strategy may have on the adequacy of acquired bad debt provisions; and (vi) an appropriate risk margin.

The probability-weighted projected cash flows of the acquired company are based on projected claims payouts provided by the seller predominantly in the form of the seller’s most recent independent actuarial reserve report. In the absence of the seller’s actuarial reserve report, our independent actuaries will determine the estimated claims payout.

With respect to our U.K., Bermudian and Australian insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, the local legislation provides for the possibility of pursuing strategies to achieve complete finality and conclude the run-off of a company by promoting solvent schemes of arrangement. Solvent schemes of arrangement have been a popular means of achieving financial certainty and finality for insurance and reinsurance companies incorporated or managed in the U.K., Bermuda and Australia by making a one-time full and final settlement of an insurance and reinsurance company’s liabilities to policyholders. In April 2014, the PRA issued a supervisory statement that indicated that the PRA may require policyholders to be offered continuity of cover as part of a solvent scheme of arrangement proposal, in order to be compatible with the PRA’s statutory objective of securing an appropriate degree of protection for policyholders. On acquisition of a U.K., Bermudian or Australian company, the claims payout projection is weighted according to management’s estimated probability of being able to complete a solvent scheme of arrangement. To the extent that solvent schemes of arrangement are not available to an acquired company, no weighting is applied to the projected claims payout.

On acquisition, we make a provision for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities. This provision considers the adequacy of the provision maintained and recorded by the seller in light of our run-off strategy and estimated unallocated loss adjustment expenses to be incurred over the life of the acquired run-off as projected by the seller’s actuaries or, in their absence, our actuaries. To the extent that our estimate of the total unallocated loss adjustment expense provision is different from the seller’s, an adjustment will be made. While our objective is to accelerate the run-off by completing commutations of assumed and ceded business (which would have the effect of shortening the life, and

 

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therefore the cost, of the run-off), the success of this strategy is far from certain. Therefore, the estimates of unallocated loss adjustment expenses are based on running off the liabilities and assets over the actuarially projected life of the run-off. In those domiciles where solvent schemes of arrangement are available, management’s estimates of the total unallocated loss adjustment expenses are probability-weighted in accordance with the estimated time that a solvent scheme of arrangement could be completed, which has the effect of reducing the period of the run-off and the related unallocated loss adjustment expenses. For those acquisitions in domiciles where solvent schemes of arrangement are not available, the unallocated loss adjustment expenses are estimated over the projected life of the run-off.

We believe that providing for unallocated loss adjustment expenses based on our run-off strategy is appropriate in determining the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired in an acquisition of a run-off company. We believe that other participants in the run-off acquisition marketplace factor into the price to pay for an acquisition the estimated cost of running off the acquired company based on how that participant expects to manage the assets and liabilities.

The difference between the carrying value of reserves acquired at the date of acquisition and the fair value is the Fair Value Adjustment, or FVA. The FVA is amortized over the estimated payout period and adjusted for accelerations on commutation settlements or any other new information or subsequent change in circumstances after the date of acquisition. To the extent the actual payout experience after the acquisition is materially faster or slower than anticipated at the time of the acquisition, there is an adjustment to the estimated ultimate loss reserves, or there are changes in bad debt provisions or in estimates of future run-off costs following accelerated payouts, then the amortization of the FVA is accelerated or decelerated, as the case may be, to reflect such changes.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Non-life Run-off

The following table provides a breakdown of gross losses and loss adjustment expense reserves by type of exposure as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

     2014      2013  
     OLR      IBNR      Total      OLR      IBNR      Total  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Asbestos

   $ 127,061       $ 234,551       $ 361,612       $ 152,478       $ 298,612       $ 451,090   

Environmental

     46,526         31,338         77,864         47,518         40,886         88,404   

General casualty

     414,869         362,743         777,612         383,609         261,911         645,520   

Workers compensation/personal accident

     774,225         282,943         1,057,168         944,077         383,287         1,327,364   

Marine, aviation and transit

     65,936         9,598         75,534         137,054         45,597         182,651   

Construction defect

     45,923         41,095         87,018         74,275         89,365         163,640   

Other

     626,992         171,318         798,310         664,419         233,784         898,203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,101,532       $ 1,133,586       $ 3,235,118       $ 2,403,430       $ 1,353,442       $ 3,756,872   
  

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

    

ULAE

           199,892               247,641   
        

 

 

          

 

 

 

Total

         $ 3,435,010             $ 4,004,513   
        

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

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Our primary objective in running off the operations of acquired companies and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business in run-off is to increase book value by settling loss reserves below their acquired fair value. The earnings created in each acquired company or portfolio of insurance and reinsurance business, together with the related decrease in loss reserves, lead to a reduction in the capital required for each company, thereby providing the ability to distribute both earnings and excess capital to the parent company.

To the extent that the nature of the acquired loss reserves are conducive to commutation, our aim is to settle the majority of the acquired loss reserves within a timeframe of approximately five to seven years from the date of acquisition. To the extent that acquired reserves are not conducive to commutation, we will instead adopt a disciplined claims management approach to pay only valid claims on a timely basis and endeavor to reduce the level of acquired loss adjustment expense provisions by withdrawing, where appropriate, from existing litigation and otherwise streamlining claims handling procedures.

By adopting either of the above run-off strategies, we would expect that over the targeted life of the run-off, acquired ultimate loss reserves would settle below their recorded fair value, resulting in reductions in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities. There can be no assurance, however, that we will successfully implement our strategy.

Commutations of blocks of policies, along with disciplined claims management, have the potential to produce favorable claims development compared to established reserves. For each newly-acquired company, we determine a commutation strategy that broadly identifies commutation targets using the following criteria:

 

   

Previous commutations completed by existing portfolio companies with policyholders of the newly-acquired company;

 

   

Nature of liabilities;

 

   

Size of incurred loss reserves;

 

   

Recent loss development history; and

 

   

Targets for claims audits.

Once commutation targets are identified, they are prioritized into target years of completion. At the beginning of each year, the approach to commutation negotiations is determined by the commutation team, including claims and exposure analysis and broker account reconciliations. On completion of this analysis, settlement parameters are set around incurred liabilities. Commutation discussions can take many months or even years to come to fruition. Commutation targets not completed in a particular year are re-prioritized for the following year.

Every commutation, irrespective of value, requires the approval of our Chief Financial Officer or one of our two Joint Chief Operating Officers. The impact of the commutation activity on the IBNR reserve is reflected as part of our annual actuarial reviews of reserves. However, if a significant commutation is completed during the year, loss reserves will be adjusted in the corresponding quarter to reflect management’s then best estimate of the impact on remaining IBNR reserves.

 

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The following table provides a breakdown of losses and loss adjustment expense reserves (net of reinsurance balances recoverable) by type of exposure as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     2014     2013  
     Total      % of
Total
    Total      % of
Total
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Asbestos

   $ 324,803         12.3   $ 405,323         14.1

Environmental

     64,307         2.4     75,542         2.6

General casualty

     480,066         18.2     431,362         15.0

Workers compensation/personal accident

     736,771         28.0     903,756         31.3

Marine, aviation and transit

     69,508         2.6     101,547         3.5

Construction defect

     55,551         2.1     100,576         3.5

Other

     703,403         26.8     617,233         21.4

ULAE

     199,892         7.6     247,641         8.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,634,301         100.0   $ 2,882,980         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the IBNR reserves (net of reinsurance balances receivable) accounted for $862.4 million, or 32.7%, of our total net losses and loss adjustment expenses. The reserve for IBNR (net of reinsurance balance receivable) accounted for $962.6 million, or 33.4%, of our total net loss reserves at December 31, 2013.

Annual Losses and Loss Adjustment Reviews

Because a significant amount of time can lapse between the assumption of risk, the occurrence of a loss event, the reporting of the event to an insurance or reinsurance company and the ultimate payment of the claim on the loss event, the liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is based largely upon estimates. Our management must use considerable judgment in the process of developing these estimates. The liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses for property and casualty business includes amounts determined from loss reports on individual cases and amounts for IBNR reserves. Such reserves, including IBNR reserves, are estimated by management based upon loss reports received from ceding companies, supplemented by our own estimates of losses for which no ceding company loss reports have yet been received and the results of annual independent actuarial studies.

Loss advices or reports from ceding companies are generally provided via the placing broker and comprise treaty statements, individual claims files, electronic messages and large loss advices or cash calls. Large loss advices and cash calls are provided to us as soon as practicable after an individual loss or claim is made or settled by the insured. The remaining broker advices are issued monthly, quarterly or annually depending on the provisions of the individual policies or the ceding company’s practice. For certain direct insurance policies where the claims are managed by Third Party Administrators (TPAs) and Managing General Agents (MGAs), loss bordereaux are received either monthly or quarterly depending on the arrangement with the TPA and MGA.

Where we provide reinsurance or retrocession reinsurance protection, the process of claims advice from the direct insurer to the reinsurers and/or retrocessionaires naturally involves more levels of communication, which inevitably creates delays or lags in the receipt of loss advice by the reinsurers/retrocessionaires relative to the date of first advice to the direct insurer. Certain types of exposure, typically latent health exposures such as asbestos-related claims, have inherently long reporting delays, in some cases many years, from the date a loss occurred to the manifestation and reporting of a claim and ultimately until the final settlement of the claim. For asbestos and environmental exposures, our actuaries apply explicit time lag assumptions in their reserving

 

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methodologies. This time lag varies by portfolio from one to five years depending on the relative mix of domicile, percentages of product mix of insurance, reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance, primary insurance, excess reinsurance, reinsurance of direct and reinsurance of reinsurance within any given exposure category. Exposure portfolios written from a non-U.S. domicile are assumed to have a greater time lag than portfolios written from a U.S.-domicile. Portfolios with a larger proportion of reinsurance exposures are assumed to have a greater time-lag than portfolios with a larger proportion of insurance exposures.

An industry-wide weakness in cedant reporting affects the adequacy and accuracy of reserving for advised claims. We attempt to mitigate this inherent weakness as follows:

 

  1.

We closely monitor cedant loss reporting and, for those cedants identified as providing inadequate, untimely or unusual reporting of losses, we conduct, in accordance with the provisions of the insurance and reinsurance contracts, detailed claims audits at the insured’s or reinsured’s premises. Such claims audits have the benefit of validating advised claims, determining whether the cedant’s loss reserving practices and reporting are adequate and identifying potential loss reserving issues of which our actuaries need to be made aware. Any required adjustments to advised claims reserves reported by cedants identified during the claims audits will be recorded as an adjustment to the advised case reserve.

 

  2.

Onsite claims audits are often supplemented by further reviews by our internal and external legal advisors to determine the reasonableness of advised case reserves and, if considered necessary, an adjustment to the reported case reserve will be recorded.

 

  3.

Our actuaries project expected paid and incurred loss development for each class of business, which is monitored on a quarterly basis. Should actual paid and incurred development differ significantly from the expected paid and incurred development, we will investigate the cause and, in conjunction with our actuaries, consider whether any adjustment to ultimate loss reserves is required.

Our actuaries consider the quality of ceding company data as part of their ongoing evaluation of the liability for ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses, and the methodologies they select for estimating ultimate losses inherently compensate for potential weaknesses in this data, including weaknesses in loss reports provided by cedants.

We strive to apply the highest standards of discipline and professionalism to our claims adjusting, processing and settlement, and disputes with cedants are rare. However, we are from time to time involved in various disputes and legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our claims adjusting process. The majority of the losses ceded to us are from the subscription insurance market (where there are often many insurers and reinsurers underwriting each policy), and we often are involved in disputes commenced by other co-insurers who act in unison with any litigation or dispute resolution controlled by the lead underwriter. Coverage disputes arise when the insured/reinsured and insurer/reinsurer cannot reach agreement as to the interpretation of the policy and/or application of the policy to a claim. Most insurance and reinsurance policies contain dispute resolution clauses requiring arbitration or mediation. In the absence of a contractual dispute resolution process, civil litigation would be commenced. We aim to reach a commercially acceptable resolution to any dispute, using arbitration or litigation as a last resort. We regularly monitor and provide internal reports on disputes involving arbitration and litigation and engage external legal counsel to provide professional advice and assist with case management.

In establishing reserves, management includes amounts for IBNR reserves using information from independent actuarial estimates of ultimate losses. Our independent actuaries use generally accepted actuarial methodologies to estimate ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses and those estimates are reviewed by our management.

 

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Nearly all of our unpaid claims liabilities are considered to have a long claims payout tail. Gross loss reserves for our non-life run-off subsidiaries relate primarily to casualty exposures, including latent claims, of which approximately 12.8% (2013: 13.5%) relate to asbestos and environmental, or A&E, exposures.

Within the annual loss reserve studies produced by our independent actuaries, exposures for each subsidiary are separated into homogeneous reserving categories for the purpose of estimating IBNR. Each reserving category contains either direct insurance or assumed reinsurance reserves and groups relatively similar types of risks and exposures (for example, asbestos, environmental, casualty, property) and lines of business written (for example, marine, aviation, non-marine). Based on the exposure characteristics and the nature of available data for each individual reserving category, a number of methodologies are applied. Recorded reserves for each category are selected from the indications produced by the various methodologies after consideration of exposure characteristics, data limitations and strengths and weaknesses of each method applied. This approach to estimating IBNR has been consistently adopted in the annual loss reserve studies for each period presented.

We review the external actuaries’ reports for consistency and appropriateness of methodology and assumptions, including assumptions of industry benchmarks, and discuss any concerns or changes with them. Our Chief Actuary and Chief Financial Officer then consider the reasonableness of loss reserves recommended by our external actuaries, in light of actual loss development during the year, using the following reports produced internally on a quarterly basis for each of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries:

 

  1.

Gross, ceded and net incurred loss report — This report provides, for each reporting period, the total (including commuted policies) gross, ceded and net incurred loss development for each company and a commentary on each company’s loss development prepared by our Chief Actuary. The report highlights the causes of any unusual or significant loss development activity (including commutations) and includes commentary on quality and reliability of underlying data.

 

  2.

Actual versus expected gross incurred loss development report — This report provides a summary, and commentary thereon, of each company’s (excluding companies or portfolios of business acquired in the current year) non-commuted incurred gross losses compared to the estimate of the development of non-commuted incurred gross losses provided by our external actuaries at the beginning of the year as part of the prior year’s reserving process.

 

  3.

Commutations summary schedule — This schedule summarizes all commutations completed during the year for all companies, and identifies the policyholder with which we commuted, the incurred losses settled by the commutation (comprising outstanding unpaid losses and case reserves) and the amount of the commutation settlement.

 

  4.

Analysis of paid, incurred and ultimate losses — This analysis for each company, and in the aggregate, provides a summary of the gross, ceded and net paid and incurred losses and the impact of applying our external actuaries’ recommended loss reserves. This report, reviewed in conjunction with the previous reports, provides an analytical tool to review each company’s incurred loss or gain and reduction in IBNR reserves to assess whether the ultimate reduction in loss reserves appears reasonable in light of known developments within each company.

The above reports provide our Chief Actuary and Chief Financial Officer with the relevant information to determine whether loss development (including commutations) during the year has, for each company, been sufficiently meaningful so as to warrant an adjustment to the reserves recommended by our external actuaries in the most recent actuarial study. It is not possible to quantify how much of any reserve release specifically relates to commutations or favorable development of non-commuted claims as the revised historical loss development used by the actuaries to estimate required reserves is a combination of both the elimination of historical loss development relating to commuted policies and non-commuted loss development.

 

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When establishing loss reserves we have an expectation that, in the absence of commutations and significant favorable or unfavorable non-commuted loss development compared to expectations, loss reserves will not exceed the high, or be less than the low, end of the following ranges of gross losses and loss adjustment expense reserves implied by the various methodologies used by each of our insurance subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014.

The range of gross loss and loss adjustment expense reserves implied by the various methodologies used by each of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 were:

 

     Low      Selected      High  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Asbestos

   $ 310,977       $ 361,612       $ 396,648   

Environmental

     67,519         77,864         86,399   

General casualty

     688,961         777,612         879,110   

Workers compensation/personal accident

     933,763         1,057,168         1,161,390   

Marine, aviation and transit

     66,428         75,534         87,479   

Construction defect

     75,396         87,018         94,879   

Other

     711,474         798,310         913,089   

ULAE

     199,892         199,892         199,892   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,054,410       $ 3,435,010       $ 3,818,886   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Latent Claims

Our loss reserves are related largely to casualty exposures including latent exposures relating primarily to A&E. In establishing the reserves for unpaid claims, management considers facts currently known and the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Liabilities are recognized for known claims (including the cost of related litigation) when sufficient information has been developed to indicate the involvement of a specific insurance policy and management can reasonably estimate its liability. In addition, reserves are established to cover loss development related to both known and unasserted claims.

The estimation of unpaid claim liabilities is subject to a high degree of uncertainty for a number of reasons. First, unpaid claim liabilities for property and casualty exposures in general are impacted by changes in the legal environment, jury awards, medical cost trends and general inflation. Moreover, for latent exposures in particular, developed case law and adequate claim history do not exist. There is significant coverage litigation related to these exposures, which creates further uncertainty in the estimation of the liabilities. As a result, for these types of exposures, it is especially unclear whether past claim experience will be representative of future claim experience. Ultimate values for such claims cannot be estimated using reserving techniques that extrapolate losses to an ultimate basis using loss development factors, and the uncertainties surrounding the estimation of unpaid claim liabilities are not likely to be resolved in the near future. There can be no assurance that the reserves we establish will be adequate or will not be adversely affected by the development of other latent exposures.

Our asbestos claims are primarily products liability claims submitted by a variety of insureds who operated in different parts of the asbestos distribution chain. While most such claims arise from asbestos mining and primary asbestos manufacturers, we have also been receiving claims from tertiary defendants such as smaller manufacturers, and the industry has seen an emerging trend of non-products claims arising from premises exposures. Unlike products claims, primary policies generally do not contain aggregate policy limits for premises claims, which, accordingly, remain at the primary layer and, thus, rarely impact excess insurance policies. As the vast majority of our policies are excess policies, this trend has had only a marginal effect on our asbestos exposures thus far.

 

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Asbestos reform efforts have been underway at both the federal and state level to address the cost and scope of asbestos claims to the American economy. While congressional efforts to create a federal trust fund that would replace the tort system for asbestos claims failed, several states, including Texas and Florida, have passed reforms based on “medical criteria” requiring certain levels of medically documented injury before a lawsuit can be filed, generally resulting in a drop of case filings in those states adopting this reform measure.

Asbestos claims primarily fall into two general categories: impaired and unimpaired bodily injury claims. Property damage claims represent only a small fraction of asbestos claims. Impaired claims primarily include individuals suffering from mesothelioma or a cancer such as lung cancer. Unimpaired claims include asbestosis and those whose lung regions contain pleural plaques.

Unlike traditional property and casualty insurers that either have large numbers of individual claims arising from personal lines such as auto, or small numbers of high value claims as in medical malpractice insurance lines, our primary exposures arise from A&E claims that do not follow a consistent pattern. For instance, we may encounter a small insured with one large environmental claim due to significant groundwater contamination, while a Fortune 500 company may submit numerous claims for relatively small values. Moreover, there is no set pattern for the life of an environmental or asbestos claim. Some of these claims may resolve within two years whereas others have remained unresolved for nearly two decades. Therefore, our open and closed claims data do not follow any identifiable or discernible pattern.

Furthermore, because of the reinsurance nature of the claims we manage, we focus on the activities at the reinsured level rather than at the individual claims level. The counterparties with whom we typically interact are generally insurers or large industrial concerns and not individual claimants. Claims do not follow any consistent pattern. They arise from many insureds or locations and in a broad range of circumstances. An insured may present one large claim or hundreds or thousands of small claims. Plaintiffs’ counsel frequently aggregate thousands of claims within one lawsuit. The deductibles to which claims are subject vary from policy to policy and year to year. Often claims data is only available to reinsurers, such as us, on an aggregated basis. Accordingly, we have not found claim count information or average reserve amounts to be reliable indicators of exposure for our reserve estimation process or for management of our liabilities. We have found data accumulation and claims management more effective and meaningful at the reinsured level rather than at the underlying claim level. As a result, we have designed our reserving methodologies to be independent of claim count information. As the level of exposures to a reinsured can vary substantially, we focus on the aggregate exposures and pursue commutations and policy buy-backs with the larger reinsureds.

Our future environmental loss development may be influenced by other factors including:

 

   

Existence of currently undiscovered polluted sites eligible for clean-up under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (or CERCLA) and related legislation.

 

   

Costs imposed due to joint and several liability if not all potentially responsible parties (or PRPs) are capable of paying their share.

 

   

Success of legal challenges to certain policy terms such as the “absolute” pollution exclusion.

 

   

Potential future reforms and amendments to CERCLA, particularly as the resources of Superfund — the funding vehicle, established as part of CERCLA, to provide financing for cleanup of polluted sites where no PRP can be identified — become exhausted.

The influence of each of these factors is not easily quantifiable and, as with asbestos-related exposures, our historical environmental loss development is of limited value in determining future environmental loss development using traditional actuarial reserving techniques.

 

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Our independent, external actuaries use industry benchmarking methodologies to estimate appropriate IBNR reserves for our A&E exposures. These methods are based on comparisons of our loss experience on A&E exposures relative to industry loss experience on A&E exposures. Estimates of IBNR are derived separately for each of our relevant subsidiaries and, for some subsidiaries, separately for distinct portfolios of exposure. The discussion that follows describes, in greater detail, the primary actuarial methodologies used by our independent actuaries to estimate IBNR for A&E exposures.

In addition to the specific considerations for each method described below, many general factors are considered in the application of the methods and the interpretation of results for each portfolio of exposures. These factors include the mix of product types (e.g., primary insurance versus reinsurance of primary versus reinsurance of reinsurance), the average attachment point of coverages (e.g., first-dollar primary versus umbrella over primary versus high-excess), payment and reporting lags related to the international domicile of our subsidiaries, payment and reporting pattern acceleration due to large “wholesale” settlements (e.g., policy buy-backs and commutations) pursued by us, and lists of individual risks remaining and general trends within the legal and tort environments.

1. Paid Survival Ratio Method.    In this method, our expected annual average payment amount is multiplied by an expected future number of payment years to get an indicated reserve. Our historical calendar year payments are examined to determine an expected future annual average payment amount. This amount is multiplied by an expected number of future payment years to estimate a reserve. Trends in calendar year payment activity are considered when selecting an expected future annual average payment amount. Accepted industry benchmarks are used in determining an expected number of future payment years. Each year, annual payments data is updated, trends in payments are re-evaluated and changes to benchmark future payment years are reviewed. Advantages of this method are ease of application and simplicity of assumptions. A potential disadvantage of the method is that results could be misleading for portfolios of high excess exposures where significant payment activity has not yet begun.

2. Paid Market Share Method.    In this method, our estimated market share is applied to the industry estimated unpaid losses or estimate of industry ultimate losses. The ratio of our historical calendar year payments to industry historical calendar year payments is examined to estimate our market share. This ratio is then applied to the estimate of industry unpaid losses or estimate of industry ultimate losses. Each year, calendar year payment data is updated (for both us and industry), estimates of industry unpaid losses are reviewed and the selection of our estimated market share is revisited. This method has the advantage that trends in calendar year market share can be incorporated into the selection of company share of remaining market payments. A potential disadvantage of this method is that it is particularly sensitive to assumptions regarding the time-lag between industry payments and our payments.

3. Reserve-to-Paid Method.    In this method, the ratio of estimated industry reserves to industry paid-to-date losses is multiplied by our paid-to-date losses to estimate our reserves. Specific considerations in the application of this method include the completeness of our paid-to-date loss information, the potential acceleration or deceleration in our payments (relative to the industry) due to our claims handling practices, and the impact of large individual settlements. Each year, paid-to-date loss information is updated (for both us and the industry) and updates to industry estimated reserves are reviewed. This method has the advantage of relying purely on paid loss data and so is not influenced by subjectivity of case reserve loss estimates. A potential disadvantage is that the application to our portfolios that do not have complete inception-to-date paid loss history could produce misleading results. To address this potential disadvantage, a variation of the method is also considered by multiplying the ratio of estimated industry reserves to industry losses paid during a recent period of time (e.g., 5 years) times our paid losses during that period.

4. IBNR:Case Ratio Method.    In this method, the ratio of estimated industry IBNR reserves to industry case reserves is multiplied by our case reserves to estimate our IBNR reserves. Specific

 

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considerations in the application of this method include the presence of policies reserved at policy limits, changes in overall industry case reserve adequacy and recent loss reporting history. Each year, our case reserves are updated, the estimate of industry reserves is updated and the applicability of the industry IBNR:Case Ratio is reviewed. This method has the advantage that it incorporates the most recent estimates of amounts needed to settle open cases included in current case reserves. A potential disadvantage is that results could be misleading where our case reserve adequacy differs significantly from overall industry case reserve adequacy. In these instances, the industry IBNR:Case Ratios were adjusted to reflect our portfolio case reserve adequacy.

5. Ultimate-to-Incurred Method.    In this method, the ratio of estimated industry ultimate losses to industry incurred-to-date losses is applied to our incurred-to-date losses to estimate our IBNR reserves. Specific considerations in the application of this method include the completeness of our incurred-to-date loss information, the potential acceleration or deceleration in our incurred losses (relative to the industry) due to our claims handling practices and the impact of large individual settlements. Each year incurred-to-date loss information is updated (for both us and the industry) and updates to industry estimated ultimate losses are reviewed. This method has the advantage that it incorporates both paid and case reserve information in projecting ultimate losses. A potential disadvantage is that results could be misleading where cumulative paid loss data is incomplete or where our case reserve adequacy differs significantly from overall industry case reserve adequacy. In these instances, the industry IBNR:Case Ratios were adjusted to reflect our portfolio case reserve adequacy.

6. Decay Factor Method.    In this method, a decay factor is directly applied to our payment data to estimate future payments. The decay factors were selected based on a review of our own decays and industry decays. This method is most useful where our data shows a decreasing pattern and is credible enough to be reliable. This method was introduced in 2013.

Under the Paid Survival Ratio Method, the Paid Market Share Method and the Reserve-to-Paid Method, we first determine the estimated total reserve and then deduct the reported outstanding case reserves to arrive at an estimated IBNR reserve. The IBNR:Case Ratio Method first determines an estimated IBNR reserve which is then added to the advised outstanding case reserves to arrive at an estimated total loss reserve. The Ultimate-to-Incurred Method first determines an estimate of the ultimate losses to be paid and then deducts paid-to-date losses to arrive at an estimated total loss reserve and then deducts outstanding case reserves to arrive at the estimated IBNR reserve. In the decay factor method, an initial payment is selected and reserves are estimated directly from the projection of future payments.

As of December 31, 2014, we had 30 separate insurance and/or reinsurance subsidiaries in the non-life run-off segment whose reserves are categorized into approximately 262 reserve categories in total, including 32 distinct asbestos reserving categories and 22 distinct environmental reserving categories.

To the extent that data availability allows, the six methodologies described above are applied for each of the 32 asbestos reserving categories and each of the 22 environmental reserving categories. As is common in actuarial practice, no one methodology is exclusively or consistently relied upon when selecting a recorded reserve. Consistent reliance on a single methodology to select a recorded reserve would be inappropriate in light of the dynamic nature of both the A&E liabilities in general, and our actual exposure portfolios in particular.

In selecting a recorded reserve, management considers the range of results produced by the methods, and the strengths and weaknesses of the methods in relation to the data available and the specific characteristics of the portfolio under consideration. Trends in both our data and industry data are also considered in the reserve selection process. Recent trends or changes in the relevant tort and legal environments are also considered when assessing methodology results and selecting an appropriate recorded reserve amount for each portfolio.

 

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The following key assumptions were used to estimate A&E reserves at December 31, 2014:

1. $74 Billion Ultimate Industry Asbestos Losses — This level of industry-wide losses and its comparison to industry-wide paid, incurred and outstanding case reserves is the base benchmarking assumption applied to Paid Market Share, Reserve-to-Paid, IBNR:Case Ratio and the Ultimate-to-Incurred asbestos reserving methodologies.

2. $40 Billion Ultimate Industry Environmental Losses — This level of industry-wide losses and its comparison to industry-wide paid, incurred and outstanding case reserves is the base benchmarking assumption applied to Paid Market Share, Reserve-to-Paid, IBNR:Case Ratio and the Ultimate-to-Incurred environmental reserving methodologies.

3. Loss Reporting Lag — Our subsidiaries assumed a mix of insurance and reinsurance exposures generally through the London market. As the available industry benchmark loss information, as supplied by our independent consulting actuaries, is compiled largely from U.S. direct insurance company experience, our loss reporting is expected to lag relative to available industry benchmark information. This time-lag used by each of our insurance subsidiaries varies from 1 to 5 years depending on the relative mix of domicile, percentages of product mix of insurance, reinsurance and retrocessional reinsurance, primary insurance, excess insurance, reinsurance of direct, and reinsurance of reinsurance within any given exposure category. Exposure portfolios written from a non-U.S. domicile are assumed to have a greater time-lag than portfolios written from a U.S. domicile. Portfolios with a larger proportion of reinsurance exposures are assumed to have a greater time-lag than portfolios with a larger proportion of insurance exposures.

The following tables provide a summary of the impact of changes in industry ultimate losses, from the selected $74 billion for asbestos and $40 billion for environmental, and changes in the time-lag, from the selected averages of 2.8 years for asbestos and 2.2 years for environmental, for us behind industry development that it is assumed relates to our insurance and reinsurance companies. Please note that the table below demonstrates sensitivity to changes to key assumptions using methodologies selected for determining loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses, or ALAE, at December 31, 2014 and differs from the table on page 81, which demonstrates the range of outcomes produced by the various methodologies.

 

Sensitivity to Industry Asbestos Ultimate Loss Assumption

   Asbestos Loss Reserves  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Asbestos — $79 billion

   $ 419,470   

Asbestos — $74 billion (selected)

     361,612   

Asbestos — $69 billion

     303,754   

 

Sensitivity to Industry Environmental Ultimate Loss Assumption

   Environmental Loss
Reserves
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Environmental — $42.5 billion

   $ 96,553   

Environmental — $40 billion (selected)

     77,864   

Environmental — $37.5 billion

     59,178   

 

Sensitivity to Time-Lag Assumption*

   Asbestos
Loss
Reserves
     Environmental
Loss
Reserves
 
     (in thousands of U.S.
dollars)
 

Selected average of 2.8 years asbestos, 2.2 years environmental

   $ 361,612       $ 77,864   

Increase all portfolio lags by one year

     386,925         84,094   

Decrease all portfolio lags by one year

     336,299         71,636   

 

*

Using $74 billion/$40 billion Asbestos/Environmental Industry Ultimate Loss assumptions.

 

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Due to the inability of our external actuaries to review the data, methodologies and calculations supporting the industry published estimates, our external actuaries themselves have estimated ultimate industry losses. This allows our external actuaries to better monitor the impact on us of the selected asbestos and environmental ultimate loss assumptions on an annual basis and also allow them to monitor industry payments against expectations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no changes in the assumptions regarding industry asbestos and environmental ultimate loss and loss reporting lag described on page 85.

All Other (Non-latent) Reserves

For our “All Other” (non-latent) loss exposure, a range of traditional loss development extrapolation techniques is applied by our independent actuaries and us. These methods assume that cohorts, or groups, of losses from similar exposures will increase over time in a predictable manner. Historical paid, incurred, and outstanding loss development experience is examined for earlier years to make inferences about how later years’ losses will develop. The application and consideration of multiple methods is consistent with the Actuarial Standards of Practice.

When determining which loss development extrapolation methods to apply to each company and each class of exposure within each company, we and our independent actuaries consider the nature of the exposure for each specific subsidiary and reserving segment and the available loss development data, as well as the limitations of that data. In cases where company-specific loss development information is not available or reliable, we and our independent actuaries select methods that do not rely on historical data (such as incremental or run-off methods) and consider industry loss development information published by industry sources such as the Reinsurance Association of America. In determining which methods to apply, we and our independent actuaries also consider cause of loss coding information when available.

A brief summary of the methods that are considered most frequently in analyzing non-latent exposures is provided below. This summary discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each method, as well as the data requirements for each method, all of which are considered when selecting which methods to apply for each reserve segment.

1. Cumulative Reported and Paid Loss Development Methods.    The Cumulative Reported (Case Incurred) Loss Development method relies on the assumption that, at any given state of maturity, ultimate losses can be predicted by multiplying cumulative reported losses (paid losses plus case reserves) by a cumulative development factor. The validity of the results of this method depends on the stability of claim reporting and settlement rates, as well as the consistency of case reserve levels. Case reserves do not have to be adequately stated for this method to be effective; they only need to have a fairly consistent level of adequacy at all stages of maturity. Historical “age-to-age” loss development factors (or LDFs) are calculated to measure the relative development of an accident year from one maturity point to the next. Age-to-age LDFs are then selected based on these historical factors. The selected age-to-age LDFs are used to project the ultimate losses. The Cumulative Paid Loss Development Method is mechanically identical to the Cumulative Reported Loss Development Method described above, but the paid method does not rely on case reserves or claim reporting patterns in making projections. The validity of the results from using a cumulative loss development approach can be affected by many conditions, such as internal claim department processing changes, a shift between single and multiple payments per claim, legal changes, or variations in a company’s mix of business from year to year. Typically, the most appropriate circumstances in which to apply a

 

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cumulative loss development method are those in which the exposure is mature, full loss development data is available, and the historical observed loss development is relatively stable.

2. Incremental Reported and Paid Loss Development Methods.    Incremental incurred and paid analyses are performed in cases where cumulative data is not available. The concept of the incremental loss development methods is similar to the cumulative loss development methods described above, in that the pattern of historical paid or incurred losses is used to project the remaining future development. The difference between the cumulative and incremental methods is that the incremental methods rely on only incremental incurred or paid loss data from a given point in time forward, and do not require full loss history. These incremental loss development methods are therefore helpful when data limitations apply. While this versatility in the incremental methods is a strength, the methods are sensitive to fluctuations in loss development, so care must be taken in applying them.

3. IBNR-to-Case Outstanding Method.    This method requires the estimation of consistent cumulative paid and reported (case) incurred loss development patterns and age-to-ultimate LDFs, either from data that is specific to the segment being analyzed or from applicable benchmark or industry data. These patterns imply a specific expected relationship between IBNR, including both development on known claims (bulk reserve) and losses on true late reported claims, and reported case incurred losses. The IBNR-to-Case Outstanding method can be used in a variety of situations. It is appropriate for loss development experience that is mature and possesses a very high ratio of paid losses to reported case incurred losses. The method also permits an evaluation of the difference in maturity between the business being reviewed and benchmark development patterns. Depending on the relationship of paid to incurred losses, an estimate of the relative maturity of the business being reviewed can be made and a subsequent estimate of ultimate losses driven by the implied IBNR to case outstanding ratio at the appropriate maturity can be made. This method is also useful where loss development data is incomplete and only the case outstanding amounts are determined to be reliable. This method is less reliable in situations where relative case reserve adequacy has been changing over time.

4. Bornhuetter-Ferguson Expected Loss Projection Reported and Paid Methods.    The Bornhuetter-Ferguson Expected Loss Projection Method based on reported loss data relies on the assumption that remaining unreported losses are a function of the total expected losses rather than a function of currently reported losses. The expected losses used in this analysis are based on initial selected ultimate loss ratios by year. The expected losses are multiplied by the unreported percentage to produce expected unreported losses. The unreported percentage is calculated as one minus the reciprocal of the selected cumulative incurred LDFs. Finally, the expected unreported losses are added to the current reported losses to produce ultimate losses. The calculations underlying the Bornhuetter-Ferguson Expected Loss Projection Method based on paid loss data are similar to the Bornhuetter-Ferguson calculations based on reported losses, with the exception that paid losses and unpaid percentages replace reported losses and unreported percentages. The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method is most useful as an alternative to other models for immature years. For these immature years, the amounts reported or paid may be small and unstable and therefore not predictive of future development. Therefore, future development is assumed to follow an expected pattern that is supported by more stable historical data or by emerging trends. This method is also useful when changing reporting patterns or payment patterns distort historical development of losses. Similar to the loss development methods, the Bornhuetter-Ferguson method may be applied to loss and ALAE on a combined or separate basis. The Bornhuetter-Ferguson method may not be appropriate in circumstances where the liabilities being analyzed are very mature, as it is not sensitive to the remaining amount of case reserves outstanding, or the actual development to date.

 

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5. Reserve Run-off Method.    This method first projects the future values of case reserves for all underwriting years to future ages of development. This is done by selecting a run-off pattern of case reserves. The selected case run-off ratios are chosen based on the observed run-off ratios at each age of development. Once the ratios have been selected, they are used to project the future values of case reserves. A paid on reserve factor is selected in a similar way. The ratios of the observed amounts paid during each development period to the respective case reserves at the beginning of the periods are used to estimate how much will be paid on the case reserves during each development period. These paid on reserve factors are then applied to the case reserve amounts that were projected during the first phase of this method. A summation of the resulting paid amounts yields an estimate of the liability. The Reserve Run-off Method works well when the historical run-off patterns are reasonably stable and when case reserves ultimately show a decreasing trend. Another strength of this method is that it only requires case reserves at a given point in time and incremental paid and incurred losses after that point, meaning that it can be applied in cases where full loss history is not available. In cases of volatile data where there is a persistent increasing trend in case reserves, this method will fail to produce a reasonable estimate. In several cases, reliance upon this method was limited due to this weakness.

Our independent actuaries select the appropriate loss development extrapolation methods to apply to each company and each class of exposure, and then apply these methods to calculate an estimate of ultimate losses. Our management, which is responsible for the final estimate of ultimate losses, reviews the calculations of our independent actuaries, considers whether the appropriate method was applied, and adjusts the estimate of ultimate losses as it deems necessary. Historically, we have not deviated from the recommendations of our independent actuaries. Paid-to-date losses are then deducted from the estimate of ultimate losses to arrive at an estimated total loss reserve, and reported outstanding case reserves are then deducted from estimated total loss reserves to calculate the estimated IBNR reserve.

Quarterly Reserve Reviews

In addition to an in-depth annual review, we also perform quarterly reserve reviews. This is done by examining quarterly paid and incurred loss development to determine whether it is consistent with reserves established during the preceding annual reserve review and with expected development. Loss development is reviewed separately for each major exposure type (e.g., asbestos, environmental, etc.), for each of our relevant subsidiaries, and for large “wholesale” commutation settlements versus “routine” paid and advised losses. This process is undertaken to determine whether loss development experience during a quarter warrants any change to held reserves.

Loss development is examined separately by exposure type because different exposures develop differently over time. For example, the expected reporting and payout of losses for a given amount of asbestos reserves can be expected to take place over a different time frame and in a different quarterly pattern from the same amount of environmental reserves.

In addition, loss development is examined separately for each of our relevant subsidiaries. Companies can differ in their exposure profile due to the mix of insurance versus reinsurance, the mix of primary versus excess insurance, the underwriting years of participation and other criteria. These differing profiles lead to different expectations for quarterly and annual loss development by company.

Our quarterly paid and incurred loss development is often driven by large, “wholesale” settlements — such as commutations and policy buy-backs — which settle many individual claims in a single transaction. This allows for monitoring of the potential profitability of large settlements, which, in turn, can provide information about the adequacy of reserves on remaining exposures that have not yet been settled. For example, if it were found that large settlements were consistently leading to large negative, or favorable, incurred losses upon settlement, it might be an indication that reserves on remaining exposures are redundant. Conversely, if it were found that large settlements were

 

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consistently leading to large positive, or adverse, incurred losses upon settlement, it might be an indication — particularly if the size of the losses were increasing — that certain loss reserves on remaining exposures are deficient. Moreover, removing the loss development resulting from large settlements allows for a review of loss development related only to those contracts that remain exposed to losses. Were this not done, it is possible that savings on large wholesale settlements could mask significant underlying development on remaining exposures.

Once the data has been analyzed as described above, an in-depth review is performed on classes of exposure with significant loss development. Discussions are held with appropriate personnel, including individual company managers, claims handlers and attorneys, to better understand the causes. If it were determined that development differs significantly from expectations, reserves would be adjusted.

Quarterly loss development is expected to be fairly erratic for the types of exposure insured and reinsured by us. Several quarters of low incurred loss development can be followed by spikes of relatively large incurred losses. This is characteristic of latent claims and other insurance losses that are reported and settled many years after the inception of the policy. Given the high degree of statistical uncertainty, and potential volatility, it would be unusual to adjust reserves on the basis of one, or even several, quarters of loss development activity. As a result, unless the incurred loss activity in any one quarter is of such significance that management is able to quantify the impact on the ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses, reductions or increases in losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities are carried out in the fourth quarter based on the annual reserve review described above.

As described above, our management regularly reviews and updates reserve estimates using the most current information available and employing various actuarial methods. Adjustments resulting from changes in our estimates are recorded in the period when such adjustments are determined. The ultimate liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses is likely to differ from the original estimate due to a number of factors, primarily consisting of the overall claims activity occurring during any period, including the completion of commutations of assumed liabilities and ceded reinsurance receivables, policy buy-backs and general incurred claims activity.

 

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Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

Atrium and Torus Segments

The following table provides a breakdown of the total liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses by type of exposure for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

    2014     2013  
    OLR     IBNR     Total     Atrium only  
    Atrium     Torus     Atrium     Torus     Atrium     Torus     OLR     IBNR     Total  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

General casualty

  $ 10,836      $ 77,195      $ 16,299      $ 148,617      $ 27,135        225,812      $ 10,670      $ 12,887      $ 23,557   

Workers compensation/personal accident

    7,227        9,649        10,870        20,899        18,097       
30,548
  
    8,414        10,162        18,576   

Marine, aviation and transit

    24,902        150,530        37,455        113,785        62,357     

 

264,315

  

    23,743        28,678        52,421   

Construction defect

                                              4,489        5,422        9,911   

Other

    41,085        148,601        61,798        181,127        102,883        329,728        49,262        59,501        108,763   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 84,050      $ 385,975      $ 126,422      $ 464,428      $ 210,472      $ 850,403      $ 96,578      $ 116,650      $ 213,228   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

ULAE

            2,139        11,397            2,164   
         

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Total

          $ 212,611      $ 861,800          $ 215,392   
         

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

The reserve for losses and loss expenses includes reserves for unpaid reported losses and for IBNR reserves. The reserves for unpaid reported losses and loss expenses are established by management based on reports from brokers, ceding companies and insureds and represents the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to, or specifically identified by us. The reserve for incurred but not reported losses and loss expenses is established by management based on actuarially determined estimates of ultimate losses and loss expenses. Inherent in the estimate of ultimate losses and loss expenses are expected trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors which may vary significantly as claims are settled. Accordingly, ultimate losses and loss expenses may differ materially from the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, will be recorded in earnings in the period in which they become known. Prior period development arises from changes to loss estimates recognized in the current year that relate to loss reserves established in previous calendar years.

Quarterly Reserve Reviews

The reserve for losses and loss expenses is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Each quarter, paid and incurred loss development is reviewed to determine whether it is consistent with expected development. Loss development is examined separately by class of business, and large individual losses or loss events are examined separately from regular attritional development. Discussions are held with appropriate personnel including underwriters, claims adjusters, actuaries, accountants and attorneys to fully understand quarterly loss development and implications for the quarter-end reserve balances. Based on analysis of the loss development data and the associated discussions, management determines whether any adjustment is necessary to quarter-end reserve balances.

 

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Net Reduction in Ultimate Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Liabilities

Non-life Run-off, Atrium and Torus

The change in our estimated total loss reserves for both latent and all other exposures compared to that of the previous period, less net losses paid during the period, is recorded as a reduction in net ultimate losses on our statement of earnings for the period. Our estimated total loss reserve at December 31, 2014 was determined by estimating the ultimate losses and deducting paid-to-date losses. The estimated ultimate losses, for both latent and all other (non-latent) liabilities, were determined by the amount of advised case reserves and the application of the actuarial methodologies described above to estimate IBNR reserves. Future changes in our estimates of ultimate losses are likely to have a significant impact on future operating results. Our operating objective is to commute our loss exposures and manage non-commuted loss development in a disciplined manner such that future incurred loss development will be less than expected. A combination of future commutations and better-than-expected incurred loss development of non-commuted exposures could improve the trend of loss development and, after the application of actuarial methodologies to the improved trend, reduce the December 31, 2014 estimates of ultimate losses with a positive impact on our future results. However, it is not possible to project future commutation settlements or whether incurred loss development will be better than expected, and it is possible that ultimate loss reserves could increase based on the factors discussed herein.

Policy Benefits for Life and Annuity Contracts

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Life

   $ 344,215       $ 380,874   

Annuities

     938,121         963,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,282,336         1,344,197   

Fair value adjustments

     (61,472      (71,097
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,220,864       $ 1,273,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our policy benefits for life and annuity contracts (or policy benefits) are estimated using standard actuarial techniques and cash flow models in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 944, Financial Services — Insurance. We establish and maintain our policy benefits at a level that we estimate will, when taken together with future premium payments and investment income expected to be earned on associated premiums, be sufficient to support future cash flow benefit obligations and third party servicing obligations as they become payable. We review our policy benefits regularly and perform loss recognition testing based upon cash flow projections.

Since the development of the policy benefits is based upon cash flow projection models, we must make estimates and assumptions based on experience and industry mortality tables, longevity and morbidity rates, lapse rates, expenses and investment experience, including a provision for adverse deviation. The assumptions used to determine policy benefits are determined at the inception of the contracts, reviewed and adjusted at the point of acquisition as required, and are locked-in throughout the life of the contract unless a premium deficiency develops. The assumptions are reviewed no less than annually and are unlocked if they would result in a material adverse reserve change. We establish these estimates based upon transaction-specific historical experience, information provided by the ceding company for the assumed business and industry experience. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. As the experience on the contracts emerges, the assumptions are

 

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reviewed by management. We determine whether actual and anticipated experience indicates that existing policy benefits, together with the present value of future gross premiums, are sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits, settlement and maintenance costs and to recover unamortized acquisition costs. If such a review indicates that policy benefits should be greater than those currently held, then the locked-in assumptions are revised and a charge for policy benefits is recognized at that time.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were no adjustments to the locked-in assumptions for these policy benefits.

Reinsurance Balances Recoverable

Our acquired insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries in all four of our business segments, prior to acquisition by us, used retrocessional agreements to reduce their exposure to the risk of insurance and reinsurance they assumed. Loss reserves represent total gross losses, and reinsurance receivables represent anticipated recoveries of a portion of those unpaid losses as well as amounts receivable from reinsurers with respect to claims that have already been paid. While reinsurance arrangements are designed to limit losses and to permit recovery of a portion of direct unpaid losses, reinsurance does not relieve us of our liabilities to our insureds or reinsureds. Therefore, we evaluate and monitor concentration of credit risk among our reinsurers, including companies that are insolvent, in run-off or facing financial difficulties. Provisions are made for amounts considered potentially uncollectible.

In addition to the acquired retrocessional agreements, on an annual basis, our active underwriting subsidiaries purchase tailored outwards reinsurance programs designed to manage their risk profiles. The majority of the total third-party reinsurance cover for our active underwriting subsidiaries is with Lloyd’s Syndicates or other reinsurers rated A- or better.

To estimate the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable, the reinsurance recoverable is first allocated to applicable reinsurers. As part of this process, ceded IBNR is allocated by reinsurer. We use a detailed analysis to estimate uncollectible reinsurance. The primary components of the analysis are reinsurance recoverable balances by reinsurer and bad debt provisions applied to these balances to determine the portion of a reinsurer’s balance deemed to be uncollectible. These provisions require considerable judgment and are determined using the current rating, or rating equivalent, of each reinsurer (in order to determine its ability to settle the reinsurance balances) as well as other key considerations and assumptions, such as claims and coverage issues.

Premium Revenue Recognition

Non-life Run-off, Atrium and Torus

Our premiums written are earned on a pro-rata basis over the coverage period. Our reinsurance premiums are recorded at the inception of the policy, unless policy language stipulates otherwise, and are estimated based upon information in underlying contracts and information provided by clients and/or brokers. A change in reinsurance premium estimates is made when additional information regarding changes in underlying exposures is obtained. Such changes in estimates are expected and may result in significant adjustments in future periods. We record any adjustments as premiums written in the period they are determined.

With respect to retrospectively rated contracts (where additional premium would be due should losses exceed pre-determined, contractual thresholds), any additional premiums are based upon contractual terms, and management judgment is involved in estimating the amount of losses that we expect to be ceded. We would recognize additional premiums at the time loss thresholds specified in the contract are exceeded and are earned over the coverage period, or are earned immediately if the period of risk coverage has passed. Changes in estimates of losses recorded on contracts with additional premium features would result in changes in additional premiums recognized.

 

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Life and Annuities

We generally recognize premiums from term life insurance, credit life and disability insurance and assumed life reinsurance as revenue when due from policyholders. Term life insurance, assumed life reinsurance and credit life and disability insurance policies include those contracts with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits. We match benefits and expenses with revenue to result in the recognition of profit over the life of the contracts.

Investments

Valuation of Investments

Our non-life run-off, active underwriting and life and annuity businesses invest in trading portfolios of fixed maturity and short-term investments and equities, a held-to-maturity portfolio of fixed maturity investments and an available-for-sale portfolio of fixed maturity investments. We record both the trading and available-for-sale portfolios at fair value on our balance sheet. For our trading portfolios, the unrealized gain or loss associated with the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of the investments is recorded in net earnings. For our available-for-sale portfolios, the unrealized gain or loss (other than credit losses) is excluded from net earnings and reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Fixed maturity investments classified as held-to-maturity, which are securities that we have the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are carried at amortized cost. The cost of short-term investments and fixed maturities are adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

Our other investments comprise investments in various private equity, fixed income, fixed income hedge, equity, real estate debt and CLO equity funds, along with direct investments in CLO equities. All of these other investments are recorded at fair value.

We measure fair value in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. The guidance dictates a framework for measuring fair value and a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

   

Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

 

   

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.

 

   

Level 3 — Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Thus, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Level 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3).

The use of valuation techniques may require a significant amount of judgment. During periods of market disruption, including periods of rapidly widening credit spreads or illiquidity, it may be difficult to value certain of our securities if trading becomes less frequent or market data becomes less observable.

Fixed Maturity Investments

Fixed maturity investments are subject to fluctuations in fair value due to changes in interest rates, changes in issuer-specific circumstances such as credit rating and changes in industry-specific

 

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circumstances such as movements in credit spreads based on the market’s perception of industry risks. As a result of these potential fluctuations, it is possible to have significant unrealized gains or losses on a security. At maturity, absent any credit loss, fixed maturity investments’ amortized cost will equal their fair value and no realized gain or loss will be recognized in income. If, due to an unforeseen change in loss payment patterns, we need to sell any available-for-sale investments before maturity, we could realize significant gains or losses in any period, which could have a meaningful effect on reported net income for such period.

We perform regular reviews of our available-for-sale and held-to-maturity fixed maturities portfolios and utilize a process that considers numerous indicators in order to identify investments that are showing signs of potential other-than-temporary impairment losses. These indicators include the length of time and extent of the unrealized loss, any specific adverse conditions, historic and implied volatility of the security, failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest payments, significant rating changes and recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date. The consideration of these indicators and the estimation of credit losses involve significant management judgment.

Any other-than-temporary impairment loss, or OTTI, related to a credit loss would be recognized in earnings, and the amount of the OTTI related to other factors (e.g. interest rates, market conditions, etc.) is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. If no credit loss exists but either we have the intent to sell the fixed maturity investment or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the fixed maturity investment before its anticipated recovery, then the entire unrealized loss is recognized in earnings.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment charges through earnings.

Our fixed maturity portfolio is managed by our Chief Investment Officer and outside investment advisors with oversight from our Investment Committee. Fair value prices for all investments in the fixed maturity portfolios are independently provided by the investment custodians, investment accounting service providers and investment managers, each of which utilize internationally recognized independent pricing services. Interactive Data Corporation is, however, the main pricing service utilized to estimate the fair value measurements for our fixed maturity investments. We record the unadjusted price provided by the investment custodians, investment accounting service providers or the investment managers and validate this price through a process that includes, but is not limited to: (i) comparison of prices against alternative pricing sources; (ii) quantitative analysis (e.g. comparing the quarterly return for each managed portfolio to its target benchmark); (iii) evaluation of methodologies used by external parties to estimate fair value, including a review of the inputs used for pricing; and (iv) comparing the price to our knowledge of the current investment market. Our internal price validation procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services have not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.

The independent pricing services used by the investment custodians, investment accounting service providers and investment managers obtain actual transaction prices for investments that have quoted prices in active markets. For determining the fair value of investments that are not actively traded, in general, pricing services use “matrix pricing” in which the independent pricing service uses observable market inputs including, but not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates and such other inputs as are available from market sources to determine a reasonable fair value. In addition, pricing services use valuation models, using observable data, such as an Option Adjusted Spread model, to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The Option Adjusted Spread model is commonly used to estimate fair value for securities such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.

 

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Other Investments

Our other investments are comprised of private equity, fixed income, fixed income hedge, real estate debt and CLO equity funds, along with direct investments in CLO equities, all of which are recorded at fair value on our balance sheet. These other investments are stated at fair value, which ordinarily will be the most recently reported net asset value as advised by the fund manager or administrator. Many of the fund investments publish net asset values on a daily basis and provide daily liquidity; others report on a monthly basis. Private equities typically report quarterly. We believe the reported net asset value represents the fair value market participants would apply to an interest in the various private equities or funds. The change in fair value is included in net realized and unrealized gains on investments and recognized in net earnings.

We have ongoing due diligence processes with respect to funds in which we invest and their managers. These processes are designed to assist us in assessing the quality of information provided by, or on behalf of, each fund and in determining whether such information continues to be reliable or whether further review is warranted. Certain funds do not provide full transparency of their underlying holdings; however, we obtain the audited financial statements for funds annually, and regularly review and discuss the fund performance with the fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the reported net asset values. The use of net asset value as an estimate of the fair value for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value is a permitted practical expedient. While reported net asset value is the primary input to the review, when the net asset value is deemed not to be indicative of fair value, we may incorporate adjustments to the reported net asset value (and not use the permitted practical expedient) on an investment by investment basis. These adjustments may involve significant management judgment. As at December 31, 2014, there were no material adjustments made to the reported net asset value.

For our investments in private equity funds, we measure fair value by obtaining the most recently provided capital statement from the external fund manager or third-party administrator. The funds calculate net asset value on a fair value basis. Due to a lag in the valuations reported by the managers, we record changes in the investment value with up to a three-month lag. For all publicly-traded companies within these funds, we adjust the reported net asset value based on the latest share price as of our reporting date. We have classified our investments in private equity funds as Level 3 investments because they reflect our own judgment about the assumptions that market participants might use.

The fixed income funds and equity funds in which we invest have been classified as Level 2 investments because their fair value is estimated using the net asset value provided regularly and because the fixed income funds and equity funds are highly liquid.

For our investments in fixed income hedge funds, we measure fair value by obtaining the most recently published net asset value as advised by the external fund manager or third-party administrator. The investments in the funds are classified as Level 3.

The real estate debt fund in which we invest has been classified as a Level 3 investment because its fair value is estimated using the most recent published net asset value.

For investments in the CLO equity funds, we measure fair value by obtaining the most recently published net asset value as advised by the external fund manager. We use an income approach to corroborate the reasonableness of reported net asset value. The CLO equity funds have been classified as Level 3 due to a lack of observable and relevant trades in secondary markets.

We measure the fair value of direct investments in CLO equities based on valuations provided by the external CLO equity manager. If the investment does not involve an external CLO equity manager, the fair value of the investment is based on valuations provided by the broker or lead underwriter of the investment. The CLO equities investments have been classified as Level 3 due to the use of unobservable inputs in the valuation and the limited number of relevant trades in secondary markets.

 

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Our remaining other investments are valued based on the latest available capital statements and have been classified as Level 3.

Certain funds included in other investments are subject to a lock-up period. A lock-up period refers to the initial amount of time an investor is contractually required to invest before having the ability to redeem the investment. Funds that do provide for periodic redemptions may, depending on the funds’ governing documents, have the ability to deny or delay a redemption request, which is called a “gate.” The fund may restrict redemptions because the aggregate amount of redemption requests as of a particular date exceeds a specified level. The gate is a method for executing an orderly redemption process that allows for redemption requests to be executed in a timely manner to reduce the possibility of adversely affecting the remaining investors in the fund. Typically, the imposition of a gate delays a portion of the requested redemption, with the remaining portion to be settled in cash sometime after the redemption date.

Certain funds included in other investments may be allowed to invest a portion of their assets in illiquid securities, such as private equity or convertible debt. In such cases, a common mechanism used is a “side-pocket”, whereby the illiquid security is assigned to a separate memorandum capital account or designated account. Typically, the investor loses its redemption rights in the designated account. Only when the illiquid security is sold, or is otherwise deemed liquid by the fund, may investors redeem their interest in the side-pocket. At December 31, 2014, the Company had $2.0 million of investments subject to side-pockets ($3.2 million as of December 31, 2013). There is, however, no significant uncertainty in relation to the valuation of these investments and as of December 31, 2014, management has not made any adjustments to the fair value estimate reported by the fund managers for the side-pocketed investments.

A review of fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets and liabilities. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in/out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. We perform an initial valuation of our goodwill assets and assess goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. If, as a result of the assessment, we determine the value of our goodwill asset is impaired, goodwill is written down in the period in which the determination is made.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets represent the fair value adjustments related to unpaid losses and loss expenses, unearned premium, reinsurance balances recoverable and policy benefits for life and annuity contracts along with the fair values of Lloyd’s syndicate capacity, customer relationships, management contract and brand arising from the acquisition of Atrium and the syndicate capacity, U.S insurance licenses, technology and brand arising from the acquisition of Torus. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. We recognize the amortization of all intangible assets in our consolidated statement of earnings. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization. The carrying values of intangible assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment on at least an annual basis or sooner whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. Impairment is recognized if the carrying values of the intangible assets are not recoverable from their undiscounted cash flows and are measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

In connection with the acquisitions of Arden, Atrium and Torus, certain subsidiaries have issued shares to a noncontrolling interest. These shares provide certain redemption rights to the holder, which may be settled in Enstar’s own shares or cash, at our option. We classify redeemable noncontrolling

 

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interest with redemption features that are not solely within our control within temporary equity in our consolidated balance sheets and carry them at the redemption value, which is fair value. We recognize changes in the fair value that exceed the carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interest through retained earnings as if the balance sheet date were also the redemption date.

Consolidated Results of Operations — For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of earnings data for each of the periods indicated:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

INCOME

      

Net premiums earned

   $ 646,450      $ 239,807      $ 3,511   

Fees and commission income

     33,079        12,817        8,570   

Net investment income

     117,369        93,295        77,760   

Net realized and unrealized gains

     62,619        70,651        73,612   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     859,517        416,570        163,453   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

      

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     9,146        (163,672     (237,953

Life and annuity policy benefits

     108,046        78,354        (300

Acquisition costs

     132,573        23,199          

Salaries and benefits

     211,222        124,616        100,473   

General and administrative expenses

     141,270        86,612        56,592   

Interest expense

     12,922        12,389        8,426   

Net foreign exchange losses (gains)

     5,960        (4,369     406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     621,139        157,129        (72,356
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     238,378        259,441        235,809   

INCOME TAXES

     (11,142     (35,619     (44,290
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

     227,236        223,822        191,519   

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (13,487     (15,218     (23,502
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

   $ 213,749      $ 208,604      $ 168,017   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The below table provides a split by operating segment of the net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Segment split of net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited:

      

Non-life run-off

   $ 203,282      $ 199,873      $ 163,868   

Atrium

     10,431        5,237          

Torus

     (10,553     (1,544       

Life and annuities

     10,589        5,038        4,149   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited

   $ 213,749      $ 208,604      $ 168,017   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or included elsewhere in this annual report, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated by these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed under “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this annual report.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

We reported consolidated net earnings, before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, of approximately $227.2 million and $223.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our comparative results were impacted by our 2014 acquisition of Torus and our 2013 acquisitions of SeaBright, Pavonia, Arden and Atrium. Our acquisitions are described in “Item 1. Business — Recent Transactions” and Notes 3 and 4 to our audited consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this report.

The $3.4 million increase in consolidated net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2014 was attributable primarily to:

Net premiums earned — Combined net premiums earned for our four operating segments were $646.5 million and $239.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in 2014 was due primarily to the net premiums earned by the Torus and Atrium segments, partially offset by reductions in net premiums earned of SeaBright in our non-life run-off segment as described in greater detail in the segment discussion below.

Fees and commission income — Fees and commission income was $33.1 million and $12.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase during 2014 was predominantly attributable to fees and commission income earned by the Atrium segment.

Net investment income — Net investment income was $117.4 million and $93.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase during 2014 was principally attributable to the net investment income earned on a larger base of cash and fixed maturity investments as a result of the Torus, Atrium, Arden, SeaBright and Pavonia acquisitions, along with an increase in other investment income associated with our non-life run-off segment.

Net realized and unrealized gains on investments — Net realized and unrealized gains were $62.6 million and $70.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in net realized and unrealized gains between 2014 and 2013 was attributable primarily to a decrease in net realized and unrealized gains of $58.9 million on our private equity investments and equity portfolios, partially offset by an increase in net realized and unrealized gains of $50.8 million on our fixed maturity securities, due largely to decreases in U.S. interest rates when applied to a larger base of fixed maturity investments following our 2014 and 2013 acquisitions.

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities — Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities were $9.1 million and $(163.7) million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in 2014 was attributable primarily to net increases in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $218.4 million and $55.4 million in the Torus and Atrium segments, respectively (2013: $nil and $19.3 million, respectively), which largely consisted of current period loss development related to the

 

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issuance of new insurance policies in the two segments. The net reductions in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities in our non-life run-off segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $264.7 million and $183.0 million, respectively, which includes current period incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses of $24.2 million and $74.1 million, respectively. Current period activity relates to losses incurred on current premiums earned in connection with mandatory renewal, and premium audits and reinstatement premiums, on previously written policies.

Excluding current period loss development, net losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities in our non-life run-off segment were reduced by $288.9 million and $257.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which comprised prior period loss development due to changes to estimates of historical reserves that were recognized in 2014 and 2013.

Life and annuity policy benefits — Life and annuity policy benefits were $108.0 million and $78.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in 2014 was due to the inclusion of a full year of results for Pavonia for 2014 as compared to nine months for 2013. The movements relate entirely to our life and annuities segment and are described in greater detail in the segment discussion below.

Acquisition costs — Acquisition costs were $132.6 million and $23.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase of $109.4 million was due primarily to the acquisitions of Torus ($65.7 million) and Atrium ($43.4 million).

Salaries and benefits — Salaries and benefits were $211.2 million and $124.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase of $86.6 million was due primarily to: (i) the salaries and benefits costs associated with an increased number of employees following the Torus and Atrium acquisitions; and (ii) an increase of $4.4 million in our 2014 bonus accrual of $36.5 million (2013: $32.1 million) relating primarily to a bonus accrual rate of 14.6% of pre-bonus net after tax profits under our annual incentive compensation program as compared to 13.3% in 2013.

General and administrative expenses — General and administrative expenses were $141.3 million and $86.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase of $54.7 million was principally due to the general and administrative expenses incurred in 2014 associated with the Torus and Atrium acquisitions (excluding $12.5 million of inter-segment expenses).

Income tax expense — Income tax expenses were $11.1 million and $35.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Income tax expense is generated through our foreign operations outside of Bermuda, principally in the United States, U.K and Australia. Our income tax expense may fluctuate significantly from period to period depending on the geographic distribution of pre-tax earnings or loss in any given period between different jurisdictions with different tax rates, along with our determination of any required changes in our previously determined valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets.

Noncontrolling interest — Noncontrolling interest in earnings decreased by $1.7 million to $13.5 million as a result of lower earning in those companies in which there are either noncontrolliing interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Overall, net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited increased $5.1 million, or 2.5%, from $208.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $213.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

We reported consolidated net earnings, before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, of approximately $223.8 million and $191.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012,

 

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respectively. Our comparative results were impacted by our 2013 acquisitions of SeaBright (on February 7, 2013), Pavonia (on March 31, 2013), Arden (on September 9, 2013) and Atrium (on November 25, 2013), among other factors. The increase in consolidated net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013 was attributable primarily to the following:

Net premiums earned — Combined net premiums earned for our three operating segments were $239.8 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The significant increase in 2013 was due to the acquisitions of SeaBright, Pavonia, Arden and Atrium.

Net investment income — Net investment income was $93.3 million and $77.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase during 2013 was attributable primarily to the net investment income earned on a larger base of cash and fixed maturity investments as a result of the SeaBright, Pavonia, Arden and Atrium acquisitions, although this was partially offset by lower reinvestment yields on new purchases of fixed maturity investments.

Net realized and unrealized gains on investments — Net realized and unrealized gains were $70.7 million and $73.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in net realized and unrealized gains between 2013 and 2012 was attributable primarily to net realized and unrealized losses in 2013 of $28.3 million on our fixed maturity securities, due primarily to increases in U.S. interest rates when applied to a larger base of fixed maturity investments following the acquisitions of SeaBright, Pavonia, Arden and Atrium (as compared to net realized and unrealized gains of $28.7 million in 2012), although this was largely offset by significant increases in our net realized and unrealized gains on our equities and other investments. Approximately $886.7 million of investments within Pavonia have been classified as held-to-maturity and therefore do not contribute to reported net realized or unrealized gains / (losses).

Net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities — These are comprised of the results of our non-life run-off and Atrium segments.

The non-life run-off segment results related to the combination of:

 

  (i)

net reduction in prior period ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $257.1 million and $238.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively; less

 

  (ii)

losses of $74.1 million incurred on SeaBright’s current premiums earned.

These movements related entirely to our non-life run-off segment, as discussed in our non-life run-off segment discussion below.

Atrium segment results related to losses incurred for Arden and Atrium of $19.4 million and are described in the Atrium discussion below.

Life and annuity policy benefits — Life and annuity policy benefits were $78.4 million and $(0.3) million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The significant increase in 2013 was due to the acquisition of Pavonia. The movements relate entirely to our life and annuities segment and are described in greater detail in the segment discussion below.

Acquisition costs — Acquisition costs were $23.2 million and $nil for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The balance for 2013 was due to the acquisitions of SeaBright ($14.4 million) and Pavonia ($8.8 million).

Salaries and benefits — Salaries and benefits were $124.6 million and $100.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase of $24.1 million was due primarily to: (i) the salaries and benefits costs associated with an increased number of employees following the SeaBright, Pavonia and Atrium acquisitions (we did not acquire any employees in the Arden acquisition) and (ii) an increase of $2.5 million in our 2013 bonus accrual of $32.1 million (2012: $29.6 million) relating to increased net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013 and a bonus accrual rate of 13.3% of pre-bonus net after-tax profits under our annual incentive compensation program (2012: 15%).

 

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General and administrative expenses — General and administrative expenses were $86.6 million and $56.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase of $30.0 million was principally due to the general and administrative expenses incurred in 2013 associated with the SeaBright, Pavonia, Arden and Atrium acquisitions along with arrangement and agency fees associated with our amended and restated revolving credit facility.

Income tax expense — Income tax expense was $35.6 million and $44.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Income tax expense is generated through our foreign operations outside of Bermuda, principally in the United States, U.K and Australia.

Noncontrolling interest — Noncontrolling interest in earnings decreased by $8.3 million to $15.2 million as a result of lower earnings in those companies in which there are either noncontrolling interests or redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Overall, net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited increased by $40.6 million, or 24.2%, from $168.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $208.6 million for the year ended December  31, 2013.

Segment Reporting

We previously monitored and reported our results of operations in three segments: non-life run-off, life and annuities, and active underwriting. The active underwriting segment was primarily comprised of the results of operations of Atrium and Arden. As a result of the acquisition of Torus on April 1, 2014, we began reporting and monitoring our results of operations in the following four segments.

Non-life Run-off Segment

Our non-life run-off segment is comprised of the operations and financial results of our subsidiaries that are running off their property and casualty and other non-life lines of business, as well as the run-off businesses of Arden and Torus. It also includes our smaller management business, which manages the run-off portfolios of third parties through our service companies.

Atrium Segment

Our Atrium segment is comprised of the active underwriting operations and financial results of Northshore Holdings Limited, a holding company that owns Atrium and its subsidiaries and Arden. Atrium is a managing general agent at Lloyd’s of London, which manages Syndicate 609 through a corporate capital vehicle, Atrium 5 Ltd., and provides approximately 25% of the syndicate’s underwriting capacity and capital (with the balance provided by traditional Lloyd’s Names). Atrium specializes in accident and health, aviation, marine, property, non-marine direct and facultative, liability, property and casualty binding authorities, reinsurance, upstream energy, war and terrorism insurance, cargo and fine art. Arden is a Bermuda-based reinsurance company that provides reinsurance to Atrium (through an approximately 65% quota share reinsurance arrangement with Atrium 5 Ltd.) and is currently in the process of running off certain other third-party business. Results related to Arden’s run-off business are included within our non-life run-off segment.

Torus Segment

Our Torus segment is comprised of the active underwriting operations and financial results of Bayshore Holdings Limited, a holding company that owns Torus and its subsidiaries. Torus is a global specialty insurer that offers a diverse range of property, casualty and specialty insurance through its operations in the U.K., Continental Europe, and the U.S. Torus’ active underwriting operations are reported in the Torus segment, with Torus’ run-off business reported in the non-life run-off segment.

 

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Life and Annuities Segment

Our life and annuities segment is comprised of the operations and financial results of our subsidiaries that are operating our closed-block of life and annuity businesses, which primarily consists of the companies we acquired in the Pavonia acquisition on March 31, 2013.

Results of Operations by Segment — For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

Non-life Run-off Segment

The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for our non-life run-off segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, which are summarized below:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

INCOME

      

Net premiums earned

   $ 31,168      $ 112,611      $   

Fees and commission income

     19,342        12,785        9,283   

Net investment income

     71,209        64,048        76,813   

Net realized and unrealized gains

     48,030        79,368        71,730   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     169,749        268,812        157,826   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

      

Net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     (264,711     (182,975     (237,953

Acquisition costs

     8,393        14,379          

Salaries and benefits

     127,776        117,141        99,342   

General and administrative expenses

     70,287        67,979        55,731   

Interest expense

     7,493        12,057        8,426   

Net foreign exchange losses (gains)

     8,015        (5,909     644   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (42,747     22,672        (73,810
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     212,496        246,140        231,636   

INCOME TAXES

     622        (34,191     (44,266
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

     213,118        211,949        187,370   

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (9,836     (12,076     (23,502
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

   $ 203,282      $ 199,873      $ 163,868   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Summary Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

In our non-life run-off segment, we reported consolidated net earnings, before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, of approximately $213.1 million and $212.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in earnings of approximately $1.1 million was attributable primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

an increase in net reduction in prior period ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $31.8 million (comprised of an increase in total net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $81.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, partially offset by a reduction in net increase in current period ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $49.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014);

 

  (ii)

a decrease in income tax expense of $34.8 million;

 

  (iii)

an increase in fees and commission income of $6.6 million;

 

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  (iv)

a reduction in interest expense of $4.6 million; and

 

  (v)

an increase in net investment income of $7.2 million; partially offset by

 

  (vi)

a net underwriting loss primarily related to Torus’ discontinued business of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 (comprised primarily of net premiums earned of $31.2 million less losses incurred on current period premiums of $24.2 million and acquisition costs of $8.4 million), which was a decrease of $25.5 million in net underwriting result from the net underwriting gain related to SeaBright of $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 (comprised of net premiums earned of $112.6 million less losses incurred on current period premiums of $74.1 million and acquisition costs of $14.4 million);

 

  (vii)

a decrease in net realized and unrealized gains of $31.3 million;

 

  (viii)

a net foreign exchange loss of $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, which was a $13.9 million decrease from the net foreign exchange gain of $5.9 million for the same period in 2013;

 

  (ix)

an increase in salaries and benefits of $10.6 million; and

 

  (x)

an increase in general and administrative expenses of $2.3 million.

Noncontrolling interest in earnings decreased by $2.3 million to $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of lower earnings in those companies in which there are noncontrolling interests. Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited increased by $3.4 million, or 1.7%, from $199.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $203.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Summary Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

In our non-life run-off segment, we reported consolidated net earnings, before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, of approximately $212.0 million and $187.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in earnings of approximately $24.6 million was attributable primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

an increase of $24.1 million in net underwriting result comprised of net premiums earned, less losses incurred on current period premiums and acquisition costs related to SeaBright;

 

  (ii)

an increase of $19.2 million in prior period net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities (excluding losses incurred relating to premiums earned by SeaBright in the year of $74.1 million);

 

  (iii)

a decrease in income tax expense of $10.1 million;

 

  (iv)

an increase in fees and commission income of $3.5 million;

 

  (v)

an increase in net realized and unrealized gains of $7.6 million; and

 

  (vi)

a net foreign exchange gain of $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was a $6.6 million increase from the net foreign exchange loss for the same period in 2012; partially offset by

 

  (vii)

an increase in salaries and benefits of $17.8 million;

 

  (viii)

an increase in general and administrative expenses of $12.2 million;

 

  (ix)

a decrease in net investment income of $12.8 million; and

 

  (x)

an increase in interest expense of $3.6 million.

 

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Noncontrolling interest in earnings decreased by $11.4 million to $12.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as a result of lower earnings in those companies in which there are noncontrolling interests. Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited increased by $36.0 million, or 22.0%, from $163.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 to $199.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Net Premiums Earned:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Gross premiums written

   $ 12,818          $ 14,166          $   

Ceded reinsurance premiums written

     (2,546         (4,933           
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net premiums written

     10,272       $ 1,039         9,233       $ 9,233           
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Gross premiums earned

     45,684            124,262              

Ceded reinsurance premiums earned

     (14,516         (11,651           
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net premiums earned

   $ 31,168       $ (81,443    $ 112,611       $ 112,611       $   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Premiums Earned

Gross non-life run-off premiums earned for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $45.7 million and $124.3 million, respectively. Ceded non-life run-off reinsurance premiums earned for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $14.5 million and $11.7 million, respectively.

Accordingly, net non-life run-off premiums earned for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $31.2 million and $112.6 million, respectively.

Premiums written and earned in 2014 related primarily to Torus’ run-off business whereas premiums written and earned in 2013 related to SeaBright. Because business related to Torus’ discontinued lines and SeaBright are in run-off, we would expect to have relatively low levels of net earned premium in future periods.

Fees and Commission Income:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 19,342       $ 6,557       $ 12,785       $ 3,502       $ 9,283   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Our management companies in the non-life run-off segment earned fees and commission income of approximately $19.3 million and $12.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in fees and commission income of $6.5 million related primarily to management fees charged to our Torus segment. These internal fees are eliminated upon consolidation of our results of operations. While our consulting subsidiaries continue to provide management and consultancy services, claims inspection services and reinsurance collection services to third-party clients in limited circumstances, our core focus of these subsidiaries is providing in-house services to companies within the Enstar group.

 

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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

Our management companies in the non-life run-off segment earned fees and commission income of approximately $12.8 million and $9.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in fees and commission income of $3.5 million related primarily to an increase in management fees earned from third-party agreements.

Net Investment Income and Net Realized and Unrealized Gains:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    Net Investment Income     Net Realized and Unrealized Gains  
    2014     Variance     2013     Variance     2012     2014     Variance     2013     Variance     2012  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

  $ 71,209      $ 7,161      $ 64,048      $ (12,765   $ 76,813      $ 48,030      $ (31,338   $ 79,368      $ 7,638      $ 71,730   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Net investment income for the non-life run-off segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased by $7.2 million to $71.2 million, as compared to $64.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was a result of the following:

 

  (i)

an increase of $1.4 million in investment income from equities and other investments; and

 

  (ii)

an increase of $9.8 million in other investment income related primarily to recoveries received in excess of their cost on acquired insolvent debts; partially offset by

 

  (iii)

a decrease in investment income of $4.0 million that arose primarily as a result of lower yields obtained on our cash and fixed maturity portfolios in combination with a reduction in the current year average cash and fixed maturity balances as compared to those in 2013.

Net realized and unrealized gains for the non-life run-off segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $48.0 million and $79.4 million, respectively. The decrease of $31.3 million was attributable primarily to the following items:

 

  (i)

a decrease of $39.0 million in net unrealized and realized gains in our private equity and other investment holdings attributable to:

 

   

negative returns on equity funds in 2014 compared to gains in 2013 caused by lower global equity returns and foreign exchange currency movements in underlying portfolios;

 

   

a decrease in income earned on our fixed income and private equity funds in 2014, due to lower returns earned in 2014 as compared to those earned in 2013; and

 

   

a decrease in earnings in 2014 as a result of lower returns on our hedge fund investments;

 

  (ii)

a decrease of $18.4 million in net unrealized and realized gains on our equity portfolio. The decrease between 2014 and 2013 was due mostly to lower returns from equity markets; partially offset by

 

  (iii)

net unrealized and realized gains of $7.1 million in 2014 related to fixed maturity securities, which was an increase of $26.0 million from the losses of $18.9 million in 2013. In 2013, there were significant increases in the intermediate part of the U.S. yield curve resulting in losses associated with lower valuations for fixed maturity securities. In 2014, our fixed income portfolio experienced unrealized gains largely due to our yield curve positioning as gains in longer duration securities more than offset marginal valuation losses in the intermediate part of the U.S. yield curve.

 

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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

Net investment income for the non-life run-off segment for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased by $12.8 million to $64.0 million, as compared to $76.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily a result of lower yields obtained on our cash and fixed maturity portfolios, as securities with higher yields matured and were reinvested at lower yields. This decrease was partially offset by net investment income attributable to higher cash and investment balances due to the SeaBright acquisition, which closed on February 7, 2013.

Net realized and unrealized gains for the non-life run-off segment for the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were $79.4 million and $71.7 million, respectively. The increase of $7.7 million was attributable primarily to the combination of the following items:

 

  (i)

an increase of $38.4 million in net unrealized and realized gains due to greater amounts invested in, and improved performance of, our private equity and other investment holdings; and

 

  (ii)

an increase of $16.7 million in net unrealized and realized gains due to greater amounts invested in, and improved performance of, our equity portfolios; partially offset by

 

  (iii)

net unrealized and realized losses related to fixed maturity securities of $18.9 million (including $8.3 million related to SeaBright) for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to net unrealized and realized gains of $28.7 million for the same period in 2012, due largely to increases in U.S interest rates during the year-ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the same period in 2012.

Annualized Returns

The below table presents the annualized investment returns (inclusive of net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains) earned by the non-life run-off segment on its cash and investments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Annualized Return     Average Cash and Investment Balances  
     2014     2013     2012     2014      2013      2012  
                       (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Cash and fixed maturities

     1.50     0.83     1.80   $ 3,849,259       $ 4,122,022       $ 5,043,534   

Other investments and equities

     7.49     16.88     11.83   $ 819,847         615,525         413,314   

Combined overall

     2.55     3.00     2.68   $ 4,669,106         4,737,548         5,551,399   

The average credit ratings of our fixed maturity investments in the non-life run-off segment as at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were AA-, A+ and AA-, respectively.

 

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Net (Reduction) Increase in Ultimate Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Liabilities:

The following table shows the components of the movement in the net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the non-life run-off segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
    Prior
Periods
    Current
Period
    Total     Prior
Periods
    Current
Period
    Total     Prior
Periods
(Total) (1)
 
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Net losses paid

  $ 323,621      $ 87,681      $ 411,302      $ 360,214      $ 10,656      $ 370,870      $ 314,528   

Net change in case and LAE reserves

    (285,814     (24,600     (310,414     (310,488     29,555        (280,933     (265,222

Net change in IBNR reserves

    (262,384     (39,400     (301,784     (265,206     33,928        (231,278     (267,422
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Reduction) increase in estimates of net ultimate losses

    (224,577     23,681        (200,896     (215,480     74,139        (141,341     (218,116

Paid loss recoveries on provisions for bad debt

    (11,206            (11,206                            

(Reduction) increase in provisions for bad debt

    (7,700            (7,700     1,999               1,999        (3,111

Reduction in provisions for ULAE liabilities

    (49,445     554        (48,891     (49,580            (49,580     (39,298

Amortization of fair value adjustments

    3,982               3,982        5,947               5,947        22,572   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

  $ (288,946   $ 24,235      $ (264,711   $ (257,114   $ 74,139      $ (182,975     (237,953
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we had no premium income and therefore no current period activity.

Net change in case and LAE reserves comprises the movement during the year in specific case reserve liabilities as a result of claims settlements or changes advised to us by our policyholders and attorneys, less changes in case reserves recoverable advised by us to our reinsurers as a result of the settlement or movement of assumed claims. Net change in IBNR reserves represents the change in our actuarial estimates of losses incurred but not reported, less amounts recoverable.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

The net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $264.7 million included current period incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses of $24.2 million related to current period net earned premium of $31.2 million (primarily for the portion of the run-off business acquired with Torus). Excluding current period net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $24.2 million, net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $288.9 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $224.6 million, paid loss recoveries on provisions for bad debt of $11.2 million, reduction in provisions for bad debt of $7.7 million and a reduction in provisions for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities of $49.5 million, relating to 2014 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $4.0 million.

The reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses relating to prior periods of $224.6 million comprised reductions in IBNR reserves of $262.4 million partially offset by net incurred loss development of $37.8 million. The decrease in the aggregate estimate of net IBNR reserves of $262.4 million (compared to $265.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2013), was comprised of

 

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$59.4 million relating to asbestos liabilities (compared to $69.8 million in 2013), $6.2 million relating to environmental liabilities (compared to $4.9 million in 2013), $62.5 million relating to general casualty liabilities (compared to $42.6 million in 2013), $63.6 million relating to workers compensation liabilities (compared to $42.1 million in 2013) and $70.7 million relating to all other remaining liabilities (compared to $105.8 million in 2013).

The aggregate reduction in net IBNR reserves of $262.4 million, relating to prior periods, was a result of the application, on a basis consistent with the assumptions applied in the prior period, of our actuarial methodologies to revised historical loss development data, following 98 commutations and policy buy-backs, to estimate loss reserves required to cover liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to non-commuted exposures. The prior period estimate of aggregate net IBNR reserves was reduced as a result of the combined impact on all classes of business of loss development activity during 2014, including commutations and the favorable trend of loss development related to non-commuted policies compared to prior forecasts. The net incurred loss development resulting from settlement of net advised case and LAE reserves of $285.8 million for net paid losses of $323.6 million, related to the settlement of non-commuted losses in the year and 98 commutations and policy buy-backs of assumed and ceded exposures (including the partial commutation of two of our top ten assumed exposures and two of our top ten ceded recoverables as at January 1, 2014). Net advised case and LAE reserves settled by way of commutation and policy buyback during the year ended December 31, 2014 amounted to $29.1 million (comprising $99.5 million of assumed case reserves and LAE reserves partially offset by $70.4 million of ceded incurred reinsurance recoverable case reserves).

The reduction in aggregate provisions for bad debt of $7.7 million was a result of the collection of certain reinsurance recoverables against which bad debt provisions had been provided in earlier periods.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

The net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2013 of $183.0 million included current period incurred losses of $74.1 million related to SeaBright. Excluding SeaBright’s current period incurred losses of $74.1 million, ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to prior periods were reduced by $257.1 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $215.5 million and a reduction in provisions for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities of $49.6 million, relating to 2013 run-off activity, partially offset by an increase in provisions for bad debt of $2.0 million and amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $5.9 million.

The reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses relating to prior periods of $215.5 million comprised reductions in IBNR reserves of $265.2 million partially offset by net incurred loss development of $49.7 million. The decrease in the aggregate estimate of net IBNR reserves of $265.2 million (compared to $267.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2012), consisted of $69.8 million relating to asbestos liabilities (compared to $36.4 million in 2012), $4.9 million relating to environmental liabilities (compared to $2.6 million in 2012), $42.6 million relating to general casualty liabilities (compared to $96.3 million in 2012), $42.1 million relating to workers compensation liabilities (compared to $52.7 million in 2012) and $105.8 million relating to all other remaining liabilities (compared to $79.4 million in 2012).

The aggregate reduction in net IBNR reserves of $265.2 million relating to prior periods was a result of the application, on a basis consistent with the assumptions applied in the prior period, of our actuarial methodologies to revised historical loss development data, following 108 commutations and policy buy-backs, to estimate loss reserves required to cover liabilities for unpaid losses and loss

 

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adjustment expenses relating to non-commuted exposures. The prior period estimate of aggregate net IBNR reserves was reduced as a result of the combined impact on all classes of business of loss development activity during 2013, including commutations and the favorable trend of loss development related to non-commuted policies compared to prior forecasts. The net incurred loss development resulting from settlement of net advised case and LAE reserves of $310.5 million for net paid losses of $360.2 million related to the settlement of non-commuted losses in the year and 108 commutations and policy buy-backs of assumed and ceded exposures (including the commutation of one of our top ten assumed exposures and one of our top ten ceded recoverables as at January 1, 2013). Net advised case and LAE reserves settled by way of commutation and policy buy-backs during the year ended December 31, 2013 amounted to $29.8 million (comprising $97.3 million of assumed case reserves and LAE reserves partially offset by $67.5 million of ceded incurred reinsurance recoverable case reserves).

The increase in aggregate provisions for bad debt of $2.0 million was a result of additional provisions being allowed in the quarter for contractual disputes with reinsurers, offset by cash collections and commutations on certain reinsurance receivables against which bad debt provisions had been provided in earlier periods.

Acquisition Costs:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 8,393       $ 5,986       $ 14,379       $ (14,379    $   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Acquisition costs for the non-life run-off segment were $8.4 million and $14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Acquisition costs are directly related to the amount of net premiums earned by us that, for the year ended December 31, 2014, related primarily to the portion of Torus’ business that was placed into run-off and, for the same period in 2013, related to SeaBright. We did not have any acquisition costs for the year ended December 31, 2012 as our non-life run-off segment did not have any net premiums earned during the period.

Salaries and Benefits:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 127,776       $ (10,635    $ 117,141       $ (17,799    $ 99,342   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Salaries and benefits for the non-life run-off segment, which include expenses relating to our discretionary bonus and employee share plans, were $127.8 million and $117.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The principal changes in salaries and benefits were:

 

  (i)

an increase in stock compensation costs of approximately $4.7 million due to new equity-based awards made during the year to our employees. As we continue to grow our organization we anticipate increased utilization of equity-based awards in future years as a way of incentivizing our employees;

 

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  (ii)

an increase of $4.4 million in our 2014 bonus accrual primarily relating to a bonus accrual rate of 14.6% of pre-bonus net after tax profits under our annual incentive compensation program, as compared to 13.3% for 2013; and

 

  (iii)

an increase in salaries of approximately 3% as part of annual staff performance reviews.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

Salaries and benefits for the non-life run-off segment, which include expenses relating to our discretionary bonus and employee share plans, were $117.1 million and $99.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The principal changes in salaries and benefits were:

 

  (i)

increased staff costs due to an increase in our average headcount from 392 in 2012 to 559 in 2013, primarily attributable to staff acquired on completion of the SeaBright acquisition; and

 

  (ii)

an increase in our bonus provision of $1.8 million.

General and Administrative Expenses:

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 70,287       $ (2,308    $ 67,979       $ (12,248    $ 55,731   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

General and administrative expenses for the non-life run-off segment increased by $2.3 million, from $68.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2013 to $70.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in expenses in 2014 related primarily to:

 

  (i)

an increase of $6.0 million related principally to an increase in: (a) professional fees of $1.9 million, (b) information technology costs of $1.6 million (due to increased project-related costs), and (c) $2.5 million of other costs related largely to amortization of fair value adjustments for assets and liabilities previously acquired;

 

  (ii)

an increase in rent and related expenses of $2.5 million due largely to an increase in office space and fees associated with the termination of various U.K. lease agreements as we consolidate staff into one office location; partially offset by

 

  (iii)

a decrease in bank charges of $6.2 million due to lower arrangement fees incurred on various loan and revolving credit facilities in 2014 as compared to 2013.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

General and administrative expenses for the non-life run-off segment increased by $12.2 million, from $55.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2012 to $68.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase in expenses in 2013 related primarily to:

 

  (i)

an increase in bank charges of $4.2 million due to arrangement fees for our revolving credit facility; and

 

  (ii)

additional general and administrative expenses of $11.8 million incurred in relation to the acquisition of SeaBright, which we completed in 2013.

 

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Interest Expense:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 7,493       $ 4,564       $ 12,057       $ (3,631    $ 8,426   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Interest expense of $7.5 million and $12.1 million for the non-life run-off segment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in interest expense was primarily a result of the reduction in loans outstanding as a result of the repayment of both the Clarendon and SeaBright loan facilities during 2014. For 2015, we would anticipate that interest expense will largely be consistent with 2014 as the interest expense related to the Companion loan facility (which we fully drew down on January 27, 2015) will offset the reductions associated with the repayment of the Clarendon and SeaBright facilities.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

Interest expense of $12.1 million and $8.4 million for the non-life run-off segment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in interest expense was a result of an increased total amount of loans outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period in 2012, due largely to the SeaBright acquisition.

Net Foreign Exchange (Losses) Gains

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     Variance     2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ (8,015   $ (13,924   $ 5,909       $ 6,553       $ (644
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

We recorded net foreign exchange losses of $8.0 million for the non-life run-off segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to net foreign exchange gains of $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The net foreign exchange losses for the year ended December 31, 2014 arose primarily as a result of the holding of surplus Euro and British pound assets at a time when the U.S. dollar appreciated against these currencies.

In addition to the net foreign exchange (losses) gains recorded in our consolidated statement of earnings, we recorded in our consolidated statement of comprehensive income currency translation adjustment losses, net of noncontrolling interest, related to our non-life run-off segment of $6.4 million and $13.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the currency translation adjustments related primarily to our Australian-based subsidiaries.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

We recorded net foreign exchange gains of $5.9 million for the non-life run-off segment for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to net foreign exchange losses of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The net foreign exchange gains for the year ended December 31, 2013 arose primarily as a result of holding surplus U.S. dollar assets in one of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is Australian dollars at a time when the Australian dollar depreciated sharply against the U.S. dollar. These gains were partially offset by net foreign exchange losses as a result of

 

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holding surplus British pound assets at a time when the U.S. dollar was appreciating against this currency, along with net foreign exchange losses in the fair value of our Australian dollar forward exchange contract in place at that time.

Income Tax Recovery (Expense):

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 622       $ 34,813       $ (34,191    $ 10,075       $ (44,266
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

We recorded income tax recovery (expense) for our non-life run-off segment of $0.6 million and $(34.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The decrease in income taxes of $34.8 million was due principally to a lower effective tax rate due to decreased pre-tax net income recorded in our U.S. and U.K. based subsidiaries as compared to the prior year as well as a decrease in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets in the U.S.

Income tax expense is primarily generated through our foreign operations outside of Bermuda, principally in the United States, Europe and Australia. The effective tax rate, which is calculated as income tax expense or benefit divided by income before tax, is driven primarily by the geographic distribution of pre-tax net income between jurisdictions with comparatively higher tax rates and those with comparatively lower income tax rates and as a result may fluctuate significantly from period to period.

The effective tax rate was (0.3)% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared with 13.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013 due to having proportionately lower net income in our tax paying subsidiaries in 2014 than in 2013 as well as a decrease in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets in the U.S.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

We recorded income tax expense for the non-life run-off segment of $34.2 million and $44.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The decrease in income taxes of $10.1 million was due principally to decreased pre-tax net income recorded in our U.S. and U.K. based subsidiaries as compared to the prior year.

The effective tax rate was 13.9% for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared with 18.8% for the year ended December 31, 2012. In 2013, we had proportionately lower net income in our tax paying subsidiaries than in the previous year.

Noncontrolling Interest:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 9,836       $ 2,240       $ 12,076       $ 11,426       $ 23,502   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

We recorded a noncontrolling interest in earnings of our non-life run-off segment of $9.8 million and $12.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2014 was due primarily to the decrease in earnings for those companies where there exists a noncontrolling interest. The number of subsidiaries in this segment with a noncontrolling interest decreased from 8 as at December 31, 2013 to 7 as at December 31, 2014.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

We recorded a noncontrolling interest in earnings of our non-life run-off segment of $12.1 million and $23.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2013 was due primarily to the decrease in earnings for those companies where there exists a noncontrolling interest. The number of subsidiaries in this segment with a noncontrolling interest increased from 7 as at December 31, 2012 to 8 as at December 31, 2013.

 

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Atrium Segment

The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the Atrium segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 and for the period from the date of acquisition of Atrium and Arden to December 31, 2013. The results of Atrium 5 Ltd., or Atrium 5, represent its proportionate share of the results of Syndicate 609 for which it provides 25% of the underwriting capacity and capital (in the Atrium 5 column). The results of Atrium Underwriters Ltd, or AUL, (in the AUL column) largely represent fees charged to Syndicate 609 and a 20% profit commission on the results of the syndicate less salaries and general and administrative expenses incurred in managing the syndicate. AUL also includes other Atrium Group non-syndicate fee income and associated expenses. Elimination items represent Atrium 5’s share of fees and commissions paid to AUL. The results of Northshore Holdings Limited relate primarily to amortization of intangible assets (in the Holding Companies column) and Enstar’s acquisition financing costs (in the Enstar Specific Expenses column). Northshore owns Atrium and its subsidiaries and Arden.

 

    Year Ended December 31, 2014     Period Ended
December 31,
2013
 
    Atrium                          
    Atrium 5     AUL     Elimination     Total
Atrium
    Holding
Companies
    Enstar
Specific
Expenses
    Total     Total  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

INCOME

               

Net premiums earned

  $ 135,945      $      $      $ 135,945      $      $      $ 135,945      $ 32,212   

Fees and commission income

           33,565        (7,389     26,176                      26,176        2,708   

Net investment income

    1,699        380               2,079        (108            1,971        521   

Net realized and unrealized gains

                                41               41        542   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    137,644        33,945        (7,389     164,200        (67            164,133        35,983   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

               

Net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

    54,734                      54,734        694               55,428        19,303   

Acquisition costs

    43,417                      43,417                      43,417          

Salaries and benefits

           20,142               20,142                      20,142        2,676   

General and administrative expenses

    17,569        2,349        (7,389     12,529        2,250               14,779        2,716   

Interest expense

                                       5,429        5,429        332   

Net foreign exchange (gains) losses

    (6,139     4,580               (1,559                   (1,559     1,364   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    109,581        27,071        (7,389     129,263        2,944        5,429        137,636        26,391   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    28,063        6,874               34,937        (3,011     (5,429     26,497        9,592   

INCOME TAXES

    (3,409     (1,683            (5,092                   (5,092     (185
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS (LOSS)

    24,654        5,191               29,845        (3,011     (5,429     21,405        9,407   

Less: Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (10,088     (1,995            (12,083     1,109               (10,974     (4,170
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNING (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

  $ 14,566      $ 3,196      $      $ 17,762      $ (1,902   $ (5,429   $ 10,431      $ 5,237   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss ratio (1)

    40.3              

Acquisition cost ratio (2)

    31.9              

Other operating expense ratio (3)

    12.9              
 

 

 

               

Combined ratio (4)

    85.1              
 

 

 

               

 

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(1)

Loss ratio is obtained by dividing net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities by net premiums earned by Atrium 5. Loss ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities related to the Atrium holding companies. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure would be to include these holding company expenses, which would result in a ratio of 40.8% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(2)

Acquisition cost ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned by Atrium 5.

 

(3)

Other operating expense ratio is obtained by dividing general and administrative expenses attributable to Atrium 5 by net premiums earned by Atrium. Other operating expense ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes the general and administrative expenses and salaries and benefits of AUL (including those eliminated) and Atrium holding companies. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure would be to include these AUL and Atrium holding company expenses (including AUL expenses eliminated), which would result in a ratio of 25.7% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(4)

Our combined ratio is the sum of: (i) our loss ratio; (ii) our acquisition cost ratio; and (iii) our other operating expense ratio. The combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure as described in footnotes (1) and (3). The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure would be to include these holding company and AUL expenses, which would result in a ratio of 98.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our historical combined ratio may not be indicative of future underwriting performance.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We provide loss ratio, acquisition cost ratio, other operating expense ratio, and the combined ratio in our discussions of the results for the Atrium segment in order to provide more complete information regarding our underwriting results. The ratios are calculated by dividing the related expense by net earned premiums, and the combined ratio is the sum of these ratios. Our loss, other operating expense and combined ratios are considered to be “non-GAAP” financial measures, which may be defined or calculated differently by other companies.

The Atrium loss and other operating expense ratios exclude expenses related to the holding companies, which we believe is the most meaningful presentation because these expenses are not incremental and/or directly related to the individual underwriting operations at Atrium. In the loss ratio, the excluded net increases in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of the holding companies relate to amortization of fair value purchase accounting adjustment established at the date of acquisition for Atrium’s losses and loss adjustment expenses. In the other operating expense ratio, the excluded holding company general and administrative expenses relate to amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets. The excluded salaries and benefits expenses relate to AUL managing agency employee salaries, benefits, bonuses and current year share grant costs.

The excluded AUL general and administrative expenses relate to expenses incurred in managing the syndicate, and eliminated items represent Atrium 5’s share of the fees and commissions paid to AUL. The excluded AUL salaries and benefits expenses relate to salaries, benefits, bonuses expenses, and current year share grant costs for AUL managing agency employees. We believe this is the most meaningful presentation because these costs are principally funded by the profit commission fees earned from Syndicate 609.

 

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Summary for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

For the Atrium segment, we reported consolidated net earnings, before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, of approximately $21.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The results arose primarily as a result of:

 

  (i)

net underwriting result of $37.1 million (comprised of net premiums earned of $135.9 million less $55.4 million in net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities and $43.4 million of acquisition costs);

 

  (ii)

fees and commission income of $26.2 million; and

 

  (iii)

net investment income of $2.0 million; partially offset by

 

  (iv)

salaries and benefits of $20.1 million;

 

  (v)

general and administrative expenses of $14.8 million;

 

  (vi)

interest expense of $5.4 million; and

 

  (vii)

income taxes of $5.1 million.

Noncontrolling interest in earnings of the Atrium segment of $11.0 million resulted in net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited of $10.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The noncontrolling interests’ share of earnings is greater than their 41.02% share of the Atrium segment’s net earnings due primarily to interest expense in respect of borrowings under our revolving credit facility that are recorded within the Atrium segment and 100% attributable to us.

Summary from the Dates of Acquisition to December 31, 2013

For the Atrium segment, we reported consolidated net earnings, before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest, of approximately $9.4 million from the dates of the acquisitions of Atrium and Arden to December 31, 2013.

The results arose primarily as a result of:

 

  (i)

net underwriting result of $12.9 million (comprised of net premiums earned of $32.2 million less $19.3 million in net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities);

 

  (ii)

fees and commission income of $2.7 million; and

 

  (iii)

net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains of $1.1 million; partially offset by

 

  (iv)

salaries and benefits of $2.7 million; and

 

  (v)

general and administrative expenses of $2.7 million.

Noncontrolling interest in earnings of the Atrium segment of $4.2 million resulted in net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

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Gross Premiums Written:

The following table provides gross premiums written by line of business for the Atrium segment for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2014
     % of
Total Gross
Premiums
Written
 
     (in thousands
of U.S. dollars)
        

Marine

   $ 23,531         15.2

Property and Casualty Binding Authorities

     29,355         19.0

Upstream Energy

     19,162         12.4

Reinsurance

     12,710         8.2

Accident and Health

     15,837         10.3

Non-Marine Direct and Facultative

     17,204         11.2

Liability

     18,300         11.9

Aviation

     7,883         5.1

War and Terrorism

     10,266         6.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 154,248         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Premiums Earned:

The following table provides net premiums earned by line of business for the Atrium segment for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2014
     % of
Total Net
Premiums
Earned
 
     (in thousands
of U.S. dollars)
        

Marine

   $ 21,382         15.7

Property and Casualty Binding Authorities

     25,350         18.7

Upstream Energy

     18,365         13.5

Reinsurance

     11,466         8.4

Accident and Health

     13,725         10.1

Non-Marine Direct and Facultative

     14,762         10.9

Liability

     15,722         11.6

Aviation

     7,120         5.2

War and Terrorism

     8,053         5.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 135,945         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned for the Atrium segment were $135.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and $32.2 million for the period from the date of acquisition to December 31, 2013. The increase was attributable to us only owning Atrium for approximately one month in 2013 as compared to a full year for 2014. Net premiums earned for the 2014 year reflect execution of Atrium’s underwriting strategies combined with the impact of softened market conditions across the industry. These conditions contributed to a very challenging 2015 renewal season for most lines of business, with continued pressure on pricing and overcapacity in many markets. We anticipate these challenging market conditions will continue for the rest of 2015 and as a result, Atrium may write less premium than in 2014. Atrium has, however, considered market conditions in its strategic planning and will continue to manage the impact of these conditions through maintaining underwriting discipline and strong risk management practices.

 

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Fees and Commission Income:

 

     Years Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2013  
     (in thousands of
U.S. dollars)
 

Total

   $ 26,176       $ 2,708   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Atrium segment earned fees and commission income of approximately $26.2 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fees represent management and profit commission fees earned by us in relation to AUL’s management of Syndicate 609 and other underwriting consortiums. The increase in 2014 as compared to 2013 was due primarily to us owning Atrium for a full year in 2014.

Net Investment Income and Net Realized and Unrealized Gains

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     Net Investment Income      Net Realized and
Unrealized Gains
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  
     2014      Variance      2013      2014      Variance     2013  

Total

   $ 1,971       $ 1,450       $ 521       $ 41       $ (501   $ 542   
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Atrium’s investment portfolio returned 0.53% as the investment portfolio was allocated to cash and short-duration fixed maturity investments. Fixed income yields in U.S. Dollars, Euros and British pounds remained low in 2014, which had a significant impact on the Atrium portfolio.

Net Increase in Ultimate Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Liabilities:

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded an overall net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities in the Atrium segment of $55.4 million, including net favorable prior year development of $18.7 million due to claims improvement and reserve releases largely related to our non-marine direct and facultative and upstream energy lines of business following reserve reviews. A $74.1 million increase in net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses for the current period was recorded based on the combination of expected loss ratios on current period earned premium, as well as incurred losses during the year including from the war and terrorism and aviation lines of business, and actual estimates of ultimate loss and loss adjustment expense liabilities.

There is no assurance that conditions or trends that have affected the development of our reserves in the past will continue, and prior period development may not be indicative of development in future periods.

Salaries and Benefits:

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance     2013  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 20,142       $ (17,466   $ 2,676   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Salaries and benefits for the Atrium segment were $20.1 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the total of $20.1 million was comprised of salaries and benefits of $7.5 million, total current and prior year related share grant costs of $5.2 million and discretionary bonus of approximately $7.4 million. The total current and prior year share grant costs relate to Northshore incentive plan awards to Atrium employees. Expenses relating to the discretionary bonus will be variable and dependent on Atrium’s overall profitability. Expenses relating to the share grant costs are expected to decrease in 2015, as only current year costs will be recorded.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance     2013  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 14,779       $ (12,063   $ 2,716   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

General and administrative expenses for the Atrium segment were $14.8 million and $2.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 2014 expenses were comprised of $12.6 million related to AUL’s direct expenses and Atrium’s share of the syndicate expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, expenses of $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to the amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets in the Atrium segment holding companies.

Interest Expense:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance     2013  
     (in thousands of U.S.
dollars)
 

Total

   $ 5,429       $ (5,097   $ 332   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Interest expense for the Atrium segment of $5.4 million and $0.3 million was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The interest expense recorded in the segment was in respect of borrowings under the Enstar revolving credit facility that are recorded in the segment and 100% attributable to us.

Noncontrolling Interest:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance     2013  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 10,974       $ (6,804   $ 4,170   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

We recorded noncontrolling interest in earnings of the Atrium segment of $11.0 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, Trident and Dowling had a combined 41.02% noncontrolling interest in the Atrium segment, although their share of net earnings was higher due primarily to the interest expense recorded in the segment that is 100% attributable to us.

 

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Torus Segment

The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the Torus segment for the year ended December 31, 2014 which are summarized below. These results reflect both the results of Torus Insurance Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries (in the Torus column) and the expenses related to Enstar management fees, the amortization of intangible assets, and acquisition-related expenses, each as incurred by Bayshore Holdings Limited (in the Holding Companies column), the company that owns Torus and its subsidiaries.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     Torus     Holding
Companies
    Total     Total  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

INCOME

        

Net premiums earned

   $ 380,259      $ (6,626   $ 373,633      $   

Net investment income

     5,937               5,937          

Net realized and unrealized losses

     2,136               2,136          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     388,332        (6,626     381,706          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

        

Net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     221,290        (2,861     218,429          

Acquisition costs

     65,734               65,734          

Salaries and benefits

     55,846               55,846          

General and administrative expenses

     40,503        16,995        57,498        2,554   

Net foreign exchange losses (gains)

     1,198        (253     945        18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     384,571        13,881        398,452        2,572   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     3,761        (20,507     (16,746     (2,572

INCOME TAXES

     (1,130            (1,130       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS (LOSS)

     2,631        (20,507     (17,876     (2,572

Less: Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (1,089     8,412        7,323        1,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

   $ 1,542      $ (12,095   $ (10,553   $ (1,544
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss ratio (1)

     58.2      

Acquisition cost ratio (2)

     17.3      

Other operating expense ratio (3)

     25.3      
  

 

 

       

Combined ratio (4)

     100.8      
  

 

 

       

 

(1)

Loss ratio is obtained by dividing net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities by net premiums earned attributable to Torus. Loss ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes the net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities and net premiums earned of the Torus holding companies. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure would be to include these holding company expenses, which would result in a ratio of 58.5% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(2)

Acquisition cost ratio is obtained by dividing acquisition costs by net premiums earned by Torus. Acquisition cost ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes the net premiums earned of the Torus holding companies. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure would be to include this holding company expense, which would result in a ratio of 17.6% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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(3)

Other operating expense ratio is obtained by dividing the sum of general and administrative expenses and salaries and benefits attributable to Torus by net premiums earned by Torus. Other operating expense ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure because it excludes the general and administrative expenses, salaries and benefits and the net premiums earned of the Torus holding companies. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure would be to include these holding company expenses, which would result in a ratio of 30.3% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

(4)

Our combined ratio is the sum of: (i) our loss ratio, (ii) our acquisition cost ratio and (iii) our other operating expense ratio. The combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure as described in footnotes (1), (2) and (3). The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure would be to include these holding company expenses, which would result in a ratio of 106.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our historical combined ratio may not be indicative of future underwriting performance.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We provide loss ratio, acquisition cost ratio, other operating expense ratio, and the combined ratio in our discussions of the results for the Torus segment in order to provide more complete information regarding our underwriting results. The ratios are calculated by dividing the related expense by net earned premiums, and the combined ratio is the sum of these ratios. Our ratios are considered to be “non-GAAP” financial measures, which may be defined or calculated differently by other companies.

The Torus ratios exclude expenses related to the holding companies, which we believe is the most meaningful presentation because these expenses are not incremental and/or directly related to the individual underwriting operations at Torus. In the loss ratio, the excluded net premiums earned and net increases in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of the holding companies relate to amortization of our fair value adjustment associated with unearned premium reserves acquired on the acquisition date. Torus includes all of its fair value purchase accounting adjustments established at the date of acquisition as part of the holding companies. In the other operating expense ratio, the excluded general and administrative expenses relate to management fee expenses charged by our non-life run-off segment to Torus primarily related to our direct costs incurred in managing Torus, the amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets, and acquisition-related expenses, in each case as incurred at the holding company level.

Summary for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

For the Torus segment, we reported net loss, before net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, of approximately $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The result was driven primarily by:

 

  (i)

salaries and benefits and general and administrative expenses of $113.3 million;

 

  (ii)

income taxes of $1.1 million; and

 

  (iii)

net foreign exchange losses of $0.9 million; partially offset by

 

  (iv)

net underwriting result of $89.5 million (comprised of net premiums earned of $373.6 million less $218.4 million in net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities and $65.7 million of acquisition costs); and

 

  (v)

net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains of $8.1 million.

Noncontrolling interest in the loss of the Torus segment of $7.3 million resulted in net loss attributable to Enstar Group Limited of $10.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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Gross Premiums Written:

The following table provides gross premiums written by line of business for the Torus segment from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014:

 

     Gross Premiums Written  
     From April 1, 2014
to
December 31, 2014
     % of Total Gross
Premiums Written
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Marine and Excess Casualty

   $ 70,826         13.8

Property

     118,479         23.1

Aviation and Space

     86,446         16.9

Workers Compensation

     51,442         10.0

Casualty:

     

U.S. Excess Casualty

     106,049         20.7

Healthcare

     36,698         7.2

U.S. Management and Professional Liability

     17,805         3.5

Non-U.S. Management and Professional Liability

     15,429         3.0

Accident and Health

     9,045         1.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Casualty

     185,026         36.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 512,219         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Premiums Earned:

The following table provides net premiums earned by line of business for the Torus segment from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.

 

     Net Premiums Earned  
     From April 1, 2014
to
December 31, 2014
     % of Total Net
Premiums Earned
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Marine and Excess Casualty

   $ 68,767         18.1

Property

     80,650         21.2

Aviation and Space

     54,510         14.3

Workers Compensation

     17,996         4.7

Other

     18,621         4.9

Casualty:

     

U.S. Excess Casualty

     66,065         17.4

Healthcare

     25,780         6.8

U.S. Management and Professional Liability

     19,848         5.2

Non-U.S. Management and Professional Liability

     21,519         5.7

Accident and Health

     6,503         1.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Casualty

     139,715         36.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 380,259         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net premiums earned for the Torus segment from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were $373.6 million, which included $6.6 million of holding company expense related to the amortization of our fair value adjustment associated with Torus’ acquisition date unearned premium reserves. Excluding the holding company expense, net premiums earned by Torus from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were $380.3 million.

 

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Torus repositioned itself during 2014 to focus on its core specialty products. Insurance markets have seen a general slowdown and leveling off of market conditions, with downward pressures on rates in certain lines of business. Despite the slowdown in pricing, Torus believes that good fundamentals and opportunities for profitable growth exist in many lines. In 2015, Torus looks to continue the selective expansion of its U.S. operations by using its Escape broker portal to increase access to business and focusing on workers compensation, healthcare and excess casualty lines where we believe pricing can remain strong compared to international markets. Torus will continue to explore its opportunities for expansion while maintaining a focus on risk management and underwriting returns. Enstar expects increased premiums written by Torus in 2015 as a result of owning Torus for a full year as compared to only nine months in 2014.

Net Increase in Ultimate Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Liabilities:

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded an overall net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the Torus segment of $218.4 million, which includes an adjustment of $2.9 million for amortization of fair value adjustments within the holding company. The segment recorded a net favorable prior period reserve development of $8.4 million due to claims improvement and reserve releases, largely related to our marine and non-marine property lines of business. A $229.5 million increase in net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the current period was recorded based on expected loss ratios on current period earned premium and loss development during the year ended December 31, 2014, including additional net losses incurred of $7.7 million in Torus’ power and utility business and $13.2 million in the aviation and space line.

There is no assurance that conditions or trends that have affected the development of our reserves in the past will continue, and prior period development may not be indicative of development in future periods.

Net Investment Income and Net Realized and Unrealized Gains:

Net investment income for the Torus segment for the period from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 was $5.9 million. Net realized and unrealized gains for the Torus segment for the period from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were $2.1 million. The average credit ratings of our fixed maturity investments in the Torus segment as at December 31, 2014 were AA-.

Salaries and Benefits:

Salaries and benefits for the Torus segment from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were $55.8 million. The salaries and benefits were related primarily to $52.5 million of direct salaries and benefits for approximately 500 employees of Torus, inclusive of discretionary bonus costs accrued of approximately $4.6 million, and $3.2 million costs associated with employee share awards granted in the period.

General and Administrative Expenses:

General and administrative expenses for the Torus segment from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were $57.5 million. The amounts consisted of $40.5 million directly incurred by Torus’ operations and $17.0 million of holding company costs relating to: (i) management fee expenses of $10.2 million charged by our non-life run-off segment to Bayshore primarily relating to our direct costs incurred in managing Torus; (ii) expenses of $3.8 million related to the amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets; and (iii) $2.9 million of acquisition related expenses incurred by Bayshore.

 

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General and administrative expenses for the Torus segment for the year ended December 31, 2013 were $2.6 million and related to pre-acquisition costs of the holding company.

Noncontrolling Interest:

We recorded noncontrolling interest in the net loss of the Torus segment of $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, Trident and Dowling held a combined 41.02% noncontrolling interest in the Torus segment.

Life and Annuities Segment

The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for our life and annuities segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, which are summarized below.

Following the Pavonia acquisition, we reevaluated our segment reporting and began including the results of Laguna within the life and annuities segment for each of the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Accordingly, our 2014 and 2013 results for the life and annuities segment are substantially different than our 2012 results, when we only owned Laguna.

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

INCOME

      

Net premiums earned

   $ 105,704      $ 94,984      $ 3,511   

Fees and commission income

     32                 

Net investment income

     39,470        30,182        947   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     12,412        (9,259     1,882   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     157,618        115,907        6,340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

      

Life and annuity policy benefits

     108,046        78,354        (300

Acquisition costs

     15,029        8,820          

Salaries and benefits

     7,458        4,799        1,131   

General and administrative expenses

     11,177        16,039        1,574   

Interest expense

     1,218        1,456          

Net foreign exchange (gains) losses

     (1,441     158        (238
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     141,487        109,626        2,167   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     16,131        6,281        4,173   

INCOME TAXES

     (5,542     (1,243     (24
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

   $ 10,589      $ 5,038      $ 4,149   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Premiums Earned:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance     2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Term life insurance

   $ 28,825       $ 3,235      $ 25,590       $ 22,079       $ 3,511   

Assumed life reinsurance

     24,745         9,161        15,584         15,584           

Credit life and disability

     52,134         (1,676     53,810         53,810           
  

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

 
   $ 105,704         $ 94,984          $ 3,511   
  

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Net premiums earned in our life and annuities segment were $105.7 million and $95.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in net premiums earned was the result of three additional months of premiums from Pavonia in 2014 as compared to 2013 (we acquired Pavonia on March 31, 2013). This increase was partially offset by acquisition costs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 of approximately $15.0 million and $8.8 million, respectively, primarily attributable to commissions on credit premiums earned by Pavonia. Substantially all of the net premiums earned in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 related to the U.S. and Canadian business of the Pavonia companies.

The term life business consists of 10, 15, 20 and 30 year direct term business with approximately 90% of premiums to be earned over the next 20 years. The assumed life reinsurance premiums will continue to be earned until the year 2053; however, approximately 70% are expected to be earned within the next 12 years. Credit life and disability premiums are monthly premiums received on credit products that mostly consist of sub-prime mortgages in the U.S. and Canada; approximately 90% of these premiums are expected to be earned before the year 2023. Substantially all net premiums earned in 2014 relate to the acquisition of the Pavonia companies. The premiums are expected to reduce by approximately 15-20% per annum as the blocks of business continue to run-off and policies lapse.

For our life and annuities business, although the companies no longer write new business, the strategy differs from the non-life run-off business, in particular because the companies have limited ability to shorten the duration of the liabilities in this business through either early claims settlement, commutations or policy buy backs. Instead, the companies will hold the policies associated with the life and annuities business to their natural maturity or lapse and will pay claims as they fall due.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

Net premiums earned were $95.0 million and $3.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Substantially all net premiums earned in 2013 relate to the acquisition of the Pavonia companies. We separately recorded acquisition costs from the date of acquisition to December 31, 2013 of approximately $8.8 million associated with the premiums earned by Pavonia. Net premiums earned in 2012 related to the Laguna term life business.

Net Investment Income and Net Realized and Unrealized (Losses) Gains:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     Net Investment Income      Net Realized and Unrealized (Losses) Gains  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012      2014      Variance      2013     Variance     2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $  39,470       $ 9,288       $ 30,182       $ 29,235       $ 947       $ 12,412       $ 21,671       $ (9,259   $ (11,141   $ 1,882   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

     

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Net investment income for the life and annuities segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $39.5 million and $30.2 million, respectively. The increase was due primarily to the inclusion of the investments of the Pavonia companies for the full year in 2014.

Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains for the life and annuities segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $12.4 million and $(9.3) million, respectively. The increase in net realized and unrealized gains of $21.7 million was due primarily to unrealized gains on fixed maturity investments in respect of the Pavonia companies. The gains were due mostly to declines across the U.S. yield curve compared to increases in U.S. yield curves in the previous year.

 

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The current operations of one of the Pavonia companies relates solely to periodic payment annuities. We have a long duration held-to-maturity investment portfolio to manage the cash flow obligations of these annuities. This held-to-maturity portfolio is carried at amortized cost, and earns investment income. As a result we would not anticipate any unrealized gains or losses on the portfolio. The carrying value of the held-to-maturity portfolio comprises approximately 70% of the Pavonia investments. The remaining 30% of the Pavonia investments consists of fixed maturity investments classified as trading securities, which relate to the non-periodic payment annuity business.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

Net investment income for the life and annuities segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $30.2 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The increase was due primarily to the inclusion of the cash and fixed maturity securities associated with the acquisition of the Pavonia companies on March 31, 2013.

Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains for the life and annuities segment for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were ($9.3) million and $1.9 million, respectively. The increase in net realized and unrealized losses of $11.1 million was due primarily to unrealized losses on fixed maturity investments acquired with the non-periodic payment annuity business, which were due largely to increases in U.S. yield curves during the year ended December 31, 2013.

Annualized Returns

The table below presents the annualized investment returns (inclusive of net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains (losses)) earned by the life and annuities segment on its average cash and investments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Annualized Return     Average Cash and Investment Balances  
     2014     2013     2012     2014      2013      2012  
                       (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Cash and fixed maturities

     3.88     1.93     5.80   $ 1,294,443       $ 1,040,455       $ 48,736   

Other investments and equities

     10.06     2.84         17,025         10,924           

Combined overall

     3.96     2.00     5.80     1,311,468         1,044,440         48,736   

The average credit ratings of our fixed maturity investments in the life and annuities segment as at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were A+, A+ and AA-, respectively.

Life and Annuity Policy Benefits:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     Variance     2013     Variance     2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Periodic payment annuity benefits paid

   $ 52,700      $ (15,204   $ 37,496      $ (37,496   $   

Reductions in periodic payment annuity benefit reserves

     (25,214     5,946        (19,268     19,268          
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net change in periodic payment annuity benefit reserves

     27,486          18,228            
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net life claims benefits paid

     101,603        (37,296     64,307        (64,307  

Net change in life claims benefit reserves

     (33,818     18,375        (15,443     15,143        (300

Amortization of fair value adjustments

     12,775        (1,513     11,262        (11,262       
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net ultimate change in life benefit reserves

     80,560          60,126          (300
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
   $ 108,046        $ 78,354        $ (300
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Life and annuity policy benefits were $108.0 million and $78.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase was attributable primarily to the inclusion of the Pavonia business results for twelve months in 2014 as opposed to nine months in 2013. PPA benefits paid during the year ended December 31, 2014 were $52.7 million, which was an average of approximately $4.4 million per month, partially offset by a reduction in PPA benefit reserves of $25.2 million. Net ultimate change in life benefit reserves of $80.6 million year ended December 31, 2014 was comprised of net life claims benefits paid of $101.6 million and amortization of fair value adjustments of $12.8 million, partially offset by net change in life claims benefit reserves of $33.8 million.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

Life and annuity policy benefits were $78.4 million and ($0.3) million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. PPA benefits paid during the year ended December 31, 2013 were $37.5 million, which was an average of approximately $4.2 million per month, offset by a reduction in PPA benefit reserves of $19.3 million. Net ultimate change in life benefit reserves of $60.1 million was comprised of net life claims benefits paid of $64.3 million and amortization of fair value adjustments of $11.3 million, partially offset by net change in life claims benefit reserves of $15.4 million.

Life and annuity policy benefits for 2012 related to the Laguna term life business.

General and Administrative Expenses:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      Variance      2013      Variance      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Total

   $ 11,177       $ 4,862       $ 16,039       $ (14,465    $ 1,574   
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

General and administrative expenses were $11.1 million and $16.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in expenses was primarily related to non-recurring Pavonia transaction costs of approximately $4.0 million in 2013, partially offset by the additional expenses of operating the Pavonia business for a full year in 2014. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of information technology, rent, premium taxes, bank charges, legal and professional fees, and other expenses.

Comparison of Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

General and administrative expenses were $16.0 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The expenses in 2013 related to our acquisition and operation of Pavonia in 2013, while 2012 expenses related only to the Laguna business.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our capital management strategy is to preserve sufficient capital to enable us to make future acquisitions while maintaining a conservative investment strategy. As we are a holding company and have no substantial operations of our own, our assets consist primarily of investments in subsidiaries. The potential sources of the cash flows to Enstar as a holding company consist of dividends, advances and loans from our subsidiary companies.

 

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Our future cash flows depend upon the availability of dividends or other statutorily permissible payments from our subsidiaries. The ability to pay dividends and make other distributions is limited by the applicable laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries operate, including Bermuda, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Europe, which subject these subsidiaries to significant regulatory restrictions. These laws and regulations require, among other things, certain of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to maintain minimum capital resources requirements and limit the amount of dividends and other payments that these subsidiaries can pay to us, which in turn may limit our ability to pay dividends and make other payments. For more information on these laws and regulations, see “Business — Regulation”.

As of December 31, 2014, all of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries’ capital resources levels were in excess of the minimum levels required. Our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and make other forms of distributions may be limited by our repayment obligations under certain of our outstanding loan facility agreements.

We believe that restrictions on liquidity resulting from restrictions on the payments of dividends by our subsidiary companies will not have a material impact on our ability to meet our cash obligations. Retained earnings of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are not currently restricted, as our minimum capital solvency margins are covered by share capital and additional paid-in-capital.

Historically, our sources of funds primarily consisted of cash and investment portfolios acquired on the completion of the acquisition of an insurance or reinsurance company in run-off. These acquired cash and investment balances are classified as cash provided by investing activities. With our recent acquisitions of Pavonia, Atrium and Torus we now collect premiums. We expect to incur and pay losses associated with those premiums.

We expect to use funds acquired from cash and investment portfolios, collected premiums, collections from reinsurance debtors, fees and commission income, investment income and proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments, to meet expected claims payments and operational expenses with the remainder used for acquisitions and additional investments. With the acquisitions of Atrium, Torus and Pavonia we now expect a net provision of cash from operations as investment income earned and collected premiums will generally be in excess of total net claim payments, losses incurred on earned premiums and operating expenses. We expect our operating cash flows, together with our existing capital base and cash and investments acquired on the acquisition of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, to be sufficient to meet cash requirements and to operate our business. We currently do not intend to pay dividends on our ordinary shares.

At December 31, 2014, we had total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents and investments of approximately $7.50 billion, compared to approximately $6.56 billion at December 31, 2013. Our cash and cash equivalent portfolio is comprised mainly of cash, high-grade fixed deposits, commercial paper with maturities of less than three months and money market funds.

Reinsurance Balances Recoverable

Our acquired insurance and reinsurance run-off subsidiaries, prior to acquisition, used retrocessional agreements to reduce their exposure to the risk of insurance and reinsurance assumed. Our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries remain liable to the extent that retrocessionaires do not meet their obligations under these agreements, and therefore, we evaluate and monitor concentration of credit risk among our reinsurers. Provisions are made for amounts considered potentially uncollectible.

 

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On an annual basis, both Torus and Atrium purchase a tailored outwards reinsurance program designed to manage their risk profiles. The majority of Atrium’s total third-party reinsurance cover is with Lloyd’s Syndicates or other highly rated reinsurers. The majority of Torus’ total third-party reinsurance cover is with highly rated reinsurers or is collateralized by letters of credit.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had reinsurance balances recoverable of $1.33 billion and $1.36 billion, respectively. The decrease of $32.3 million in reinsurance balances recoverable was primarily a result of commutations and cash collections made during the year ended December 31, 2014 in our non-life run-off segment, partially offset by balances associated with the Torus acquisition.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable relating to reinsurance balances recoverable was $289.9 million and $338.6 million, respectively. To estimate the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable, the balances are first allocated to applicable reinsurers using management judgment. As part of this process, ceded IBNR reserves are allocated by reinsurer. The ratio of the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable to total non-life reinsurance balances recoverable (excluding provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable) as of December 31, 2014 decreased to 17.9% as compared to 19.9% as of December 31, 2013, primarily as a result of reinsurance balances recoverable of Torus acquired during the year that required minimal provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable partally offset by commutations and cash collections from reinsurers with minimal bad debt provisions.

Included within total reinsurance balances recoverable of $1.33 billion are: (i) reinsurance balances recoverable from A- and above rated reinsurers amounting to $1.05 billion, net of provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables of $81.0 million; (ii) reinsurance balances recoverable from less than A- rated reinsurers amounting to $204.5 million, against which there are no provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables because the balances are secured by collateral such as trust funds or letters of credit; and (iii) reinsurance balances recoverable from less than A- rated reinsurers amounting to $81.2 million, net of provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverables of $208.9 million, which are unsecured.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities in the last three years:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  

Total cash provided by (used in):

   2014      2013      2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Operating activities

   $ 497,619       $ (62,387    $ (187,350

Investing activities

     (292,098      (365,789      228,631   

Financing activities

     131,586         423,076         (233,773

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (17,546      (5,949      (3,092
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     319,561         (11,049      (195,584

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     643,841         654,890         850,474   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 963,402       $ 643,841       $ 654,890   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data — Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012” for further information.

 

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Operating

Net cash provided by our operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $497.6 million compared to net cash used in our operating activities of $62.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. This $560.0 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was due primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

a net increase of $920.5 million in the purchases, sales and maturities of trading securities between 2014 and 2013; partially offset by

 

  (ii)

an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $967.3 million in 2014 compared to $706.9 million in 2013 due to reserves acquired from our current year acquisitions activity partially offset by decreases in reserves due to commutations and claim settlements during the year.

Net cash used in our operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $62.4 million compared to $187.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. This $125.0 million decrease in cash used in operating activities was due primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

a net increase of $115.7 million in the purchases, sales and maturities of trading securities between 2013 and 2012;

 

  (ii)

an increase in reinsurance balances recoverable of $236.3 million in 2013 due primarily to increased balances associated with our current year acquisitions;

 

  (iii)

a decrease in funds held by reinsured companies of $175.8 million in 2013 compared to an increase of $257.5 million in 2012, due primarily to the RITC transaction completed by Syndicate 2008 in 2012;

 

  (iv)

an increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses of $706.9 million in 2013 compared to $623.2 million in 2012 due to reserves acquired from our current year acquisition activity; and

 

  (v)

an increase in unearned premiums of $82.0 million in 2013 due to our current year acquisition activity of companies that wrote or continue to write premiums.

Investing

Investing cash flows consist primarily of cash acquired net of acquisitions along with net proceeds on the sale and purchase of available-for-sale and other investments. Net cash used in investing activities was $292.1 million and $365.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease of $73.7 million in investing cash flows between 2014 and 2013 was due primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

net cash provided by acquisitions was $37.5 million in 2014 relating to Torus (which required significantly less cash used because we funded the majority of our share of the purchase price by issuing new shares), compared to net cash used of $409.6 million in 2013, due primarily to the acquisitions of Pavonia, Arden, and Atrium during 2013; partially offset by

 

  (ii)

a net decrease of $188.2 million in the purchases, sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities between 2014 and 2013; and

 

  (iii)

a net increase of $166.1 million in the purchase and redemption of other investments between 2014 and 2013.

Net cash used in investing activities was $365.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $228.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease of $594.4 million in investing cash flows between 2013 and 2012 was due primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

an increase of $409.6 million in net cash used for acquisitions between 2013 and 2012, due primarily to the acquisitions of Pavonia, Arden, and Atrium during 2013;

 

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  (ii)

an increase of $78.6 million in restricted cash and cash equivalents during 2013, compared to a decrease of $73.2 million in 2012;

 

  (iii)

a decrease of $157.4 million in the sales and maturity of available-for-sale securities between 2013 and 2012; partially offset by

 

  (iv)

a decrease of $107.2 million in the purchase of other investments between 2013 and 2012.

Financing

Net cash provided by financing activities was $131.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $423.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease of $291.5 million in cash provided by financing activities was attributable primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

a reduction in funds provided by bank loans of $299.8 million between 2014 and 2013. In 2013, we drew down approximately $370.0 million on our revolving credit facility and other loan facilities for the acquisitions of SeaBright, Pavonia, Arden and Atrium; whereas for 2014, we used $70.0 million of our revolving credit facility in connection with our acquisition of Torus; and

 

  (ii)

an increase in repayments of loans of $159.7 million between 2014 and 2013 due primarily to the repayment of both the SeaBright and Clarendon loan facilities during 2014; partially offset by

 

  (iii)

contributions to surplus by Trident and Dowling of $290.8 million in 2014 (related to the acquisition of Torus) as compared to contributions by Trident of $96.7 million in 2013 in connection with the acquisitions of Atrium and Arden.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $423.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to ($233.8) million during the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase of $656.9 million in cash provided by financing activities was attributable primarily to the following:

 

  (i)

an increase of $369.8 million in cash received attributable to bank loans between 2012 and 2013, and a decrease of $95.0 million in the repayment of bank loans between 2012 and 2013;

 

  (ii)

an increase in contribution to surplus of subsidiary by redeemable noncontrolling interest of $96.7 million in 2013 compared to $nil in 2012; and

 

  (iii)

a distribution of capital and dividends to noncontrolling interests of $3.9 million in 2013 compared to $99.2 million in 2012.

Investments

Aggregate invested assets, comprising cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, fixed maturities, short-term investments, equities and other investments, were $7.50 billion as of December 31, 2014 compared to $6.56 billion as of December 31, 2013, an increase of 14.3%. The increase in cash and invested assets resulted principally from the completion of the acquisition of Torus.

We hold trading portfolios of fixed maturities, short-term investments, equities and other investments; available-for-sale portfolios of fixed maturities; and a held-to-maturity portfolio of fixed maturities. Our available-for-sale and trading portfolios are recorded at fair value.

Our held-to-maturity portfolio relates to our PPA business within our life and annuities segment. In an effort to match the expected cash flow requirements of the long-term liabilities associated with the

 

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business, we invest a portion of our fixed maturity investments in longer duration securities that we intend to hold to maturity. We classify these securities as held-to-maturity in our consolidated balance sheet. This held-to-maturity portfolio is recorded at amortized cost. As a result, we do not record changes in the fair value of this portfolio, which should reduce the impact on shareholders’ equity of fluctuations in fair value of those investments.

The table below shows the aggregate amounts of our investments carried at fair value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
    Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

U.S. government and agency

   $ 769,002         14.8   $ 468,289         10.0

Non-U.S. government

     439,439         8.5     562,516         12.1

Corporate

     2,087,929         40.2     2,201,579         47.2

Municipal

     25,607         0.5     41,034         0.9

Residential mortgaged-backed

     311,864         6.0     235,964         5.1

Commercial mortgage-backed

     139,907         2.7     114,637         2.5

Asset-backed

     430,170         8.3     285,066         6.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed maturities

     4,203,918         81.0     3,909,085         83.9

Other investments

     836,868         16.1     569,293         12.2

Equities — U.S.

     106,895         2.1     115,285         2.5

Equities — International

     43,235         0.8     66,748         1.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 5,190,916         100.0   $ 4,660,411         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The table below shows the aggregate fair values of our investments classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
    Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

U.S. government and agency

   $ 20,559         2.5   $ 18,132         2.3

Non-U.S. government

     38,689         4.7     22,327         2.8

Corporate

     767,124         92.8     759,100         94.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 826,372         100.0     799,559         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2014, we held investments on our balance sheet totaling approximately $6.0 billion, compared to approximately $5.52 billion at December 31, 2013, with net unrealized losses included in accumulated comprehensive income of approximately $3.0 million compared to unrealized gains of approximately $3.1 million at December 31, 2013. As at December 31, 2014, we had approximately $3.6 billion of restricted assets compared to approximately $2.9 billion at December 31, 2013. The increase in restricted assets is primarily due to 2014 acquisition activity.

Across all of our segments, we strive to structure our investments in a manner that recognizes our liquidity needs for future liabilities. In that regard, we attempt to correlate the maturity and duration of our investment portfolio to our general liability profile. If our liquidity needs or general liability profile unexpectedly change, we may adjust the structure of our investment portfolio to meet new business needs.

 

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For our non-life run-off segment, our strategy of commuting our liabilities has the potential to accelerate the natural payout of losses. Therefore, we maintain a relatively short-duration investment portfolio in order to provide liquidity for commutation opportunities and avoid having to liquidate longer dated investments. Accordingly, the majority of our investment portfolio consists of highly rated fixed maturities, including U.S. government and agency investments, highly rated sovereign and supranational investments, high-grade corporate investments, and mortgage-backed and asset-backed investments. We allocate a portion of our investment portfolio to other investments, including private equity funds, fixed income funds, fixed income hedge funds, equity funds, real estate debt fund, CLO equities and CLO equity funds. At December 31, 2014, these other investments totaled $836.9 million, or 13.9%, of our total balance sheet investments (December 31, 2013: $569.3 million or 10.3%).

For our life and annuities segment, we have limited ability to shorten the duration of the policy benefits for life and annuity contracts liabilities and, as a result, we maintain a longer duration investment portfolio that attempts to match the cash flows and duration of our liability profile. Accordingly, the majority of this portfolio consists of highly rated fixed maturity investments, primarily corporate bonds.

Our fixed maturity investments associated with our PPA business are primarily highly rated corporate bonds with which we attempt to match duration and cash flows to the liability profile for this business. As these fixed maturity investments are classified as held-to-maturity, we invest surplus cash flows from maturities into longer dated fixed maturities. As at December 31, 2014, the duration of our fixed maturity investment portfolio associated with our PPA business was shorter than the liabilities, as a significant amount of the liabilities extend beyond 30 years and it is difficult, due to limited investment options, to match duration and cash flows beyond that period.

Our fixed maturity investments associated with our non-PPA life business are primarily highly rated corporate bonds with which we attempt to match duration and cash flows to the liability profile for this business (the non-PPA life business has a short-duration liability profile). These fixed maturity investments are classified as trading, and therefore we may sell existing securities to buy higher yielding securities and funds in the future. As at December 31, 2014, the duration of our fixed maturity investment portfolio associated with our non-PPA life business was shorter than the liabilities, although we have the discretion to change this in the future.

Fixed Maturity and Short-term Investments

The maturity distribution for our fixed maturity and short-term investments held as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:

 

     December 31, 2014     December 31, 2013  
     Fair Value      % of
Total
    Fair Value      % of
Total
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

One year or less

   $ 893,490         17.8   $ 871,881         18.5

More than one year through two years

     853,279         16.9     1,345,596         28.6

More than two years through five years

     1,313,918         26.1     769,176         16.3

More than five years through ten years

     390,691         7.8     478,033         10.2

More than ten years

     696,971         13.9     608,291         12.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,148,349         82.5     4,072,977         86.5

Residential mortgage-backed

     311,864         6.2     235,964         5.0

Commercial mortgage-backed

     139,907         2.8     114,637         2.4

Asset-backed

     430,170         8.5     285,066         6.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 5,030,290         100.0   $ 4,708,644         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, our fixed maturity investments and short-term investment portfolio had an average credit quality rating of AA- and A+, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our fixed maturity investments rated BBB or lower comprised 9.4% and 9.5% of our total investment portfolio, respectively.

At December 31, 2014, we had approximately $130.5 million of short-term investments (December 31, 2013: $313.5 million). Short-term investments are managed as part of our investment portfolio and have a maturity of greater than three months up to one year when purchased. Short-term investments are carried at fair value.

The following tables summarize the composition of the amortized cost and fair value of our fixed maturity investments, short-term investments, equities and other investments carried at fair value at the date indicated by ratings as assigned by major rating agencies.

 

At December 31, 2014

  Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value     % of Total
Investments
    AAA
Rated
    AA Rated     A Rated     BBB
Rated
    Non-
Investment
Grade
    Not Rated  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Fixed maturity and short-term investments

                 

U.S. government & agency

  $ 766,967      $ 769,002        14.8   $      $ 766,175      $ 2,827      $      $      $   

Non-U.S. government

    448,661        439,439        8.5     162,813        169,859        68,839        37,928                 

Corporate

    2,100,972        2,087,929        40.2     117,545        505,697        1,080,974        331,657        31,603        20,453   

Municipal

    25,452        25,607        0.5     5,993        11,790        7,824                        

Residential mortgage-backed

    311,152        311,864        6.0     32,023        269,777        4,351        4,584        1,118        11   

Commercial mortgage-backed

    139,984        139,907        2.7     79,016        21,223        19,266        19,414        988          

Asset-backed

    431,509        430,170        8.3     245,767        64,838        29,586        11,911        78,068          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity and short-term investments

  $ 4,224,697        4,203,918        81.0     643,157        1,809,359        1,213,667        405,494        111,777        20,464   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          15.3     43.0     28.9     9.6     2.7     0.5

Equities

                 

U.S.

      106,895        2.1                                        106,895   

International

      43,235        0.8                                        43,235   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equities

      150,130        2.9                                        150,130   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     100.0

Other investments

                 

Private equity funds

      197,269        3.8                                        197,269   

Fixed income funds

      335,026        6.4                                        335,026   

Fixed income hedge funds

      59,627        1.1                                        59,627   

Equity funds

      150,053        2.9                                        150,053   

Real estate debt fund

      33,902        0.7                                        33,902   

CLO equities

      41,271        0.8                                        41,271   

CLO equity funds

      16,022        0.3                                        16,022   

Other

      3,698        0.1                                        3,698   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other investments

      836,868        16.1                                        836,868   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     100.0

Total investments

    $ 5,190,916        100.0   $ 643,157      $ 1,809,359      $ 1,213,667      $ 405,494      $ 111,777      $ 1,007,462   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          12.4     34.9     23.4     7.8     2.1     19.4

 

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At December 31, 2013

  Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value     % of Total
Investments
    AAA
Rated
    AA Rated     A Rated     BBB
Rated
    Non-
Investment
Grade
    Not Rated  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Fixed maturity and short-term investments

                 

U.S. government & agency

  $ 468,198      $ 468,289        10.0   $ 4,391      $ 458,477      $ 434      $      $      $ 4,987   

Non-U.S. government

    553,724        562,516        12.1     215,224        208,322        115,423        11,095        12,452          

Corporate

    2,197,955        2,201,579        47.2     143,552        542,216        1,052,315        388,815        26,507        48,174   

Municipal

    40,889        41,034        0.9     8,500        25,355        7,179                        

Residential mortgage-backed

    236,984        235,964        5.1     12,596        204,217        7,507        3,960        809        6,875   

Commercial mortgage-backed

    115,351        114,637        2.5     38,081        31,893        29,631        8,826        6,206          

Asset-backed

    283,940        285,066        6.1     207,146        34,808        13,260        4,733        7,174        17,945   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity and short-term investments

  $ 3,897,041        3,909,085        83.9     629,490        1,505,288        1,225,749        417,429        53,148        77,981   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          16.1     38.5     31.3     10.7     1.4     2.0

Equities

                 

U.S.

      115,285        2.5                                        115,285   

International

      66,748        1.4                                        66,748   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equities

      182,033        3.9                                        182,033   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     100.0

Other investments

                 

Private equity funds

      161,229        3.5                                        161,229   

Fixed income funds

      194,375        4.2                                        194,375   

Fixed income hedge funds

      68,157        1.4                                        68,157   

Equity funds

      109,355        2.3                                        109,355   

Real estate debt fund

      32,113        0.7                                        32,113   

Other

      4,064        0.1                                        4,064   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other investments

      569,293        12.2                                        569,293   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     100.0

Total investments

    $ 4,660,411        100.0   $ 629,490      $ 1,505,288      $ 1,225,749      $ 417,429      $ 53,148      $ 829,307   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          13.5     32.3     26.3     9.0     1.1     17.8

 

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The following tables summarize the composition of the amortized cost and fair value of our held-to-maturity fixed maturity investments by ratings as assigned by major rating agencies.

 

At December 31, 2014

  Amortized
Cost
    Fair
Value
    % of Total
Investments
    AAA
Rated
    AA Rated     A Rated     BBB
Rated
    Non-
Investment
Grade
    Not
Rated
 
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Fixed maturity:

                 

U.S. government & agency

  $ 20,257      $ 20,559        2.5   $ 6,821      $ 13,738      $      $      $      $   

Non-U.S. government

    38,613        38,689        4.7            30,795        7,894                        

Corporate

    754,363        767,124        92.8     48,074        202,231        468,748        42,748        5,323          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity investments

  $ 813,233      $ 826,372        100.0   $ 54,895      $ 246,764      $ 476,642      $ 42,748      $ 5,323      $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          6.6     29.9     57.7     5.2     0.6    

 

At December 31, 2013

  Amortized
Cost
    Fair
Value
    % of Total
Investments
    AAA
Rated
    AA Rated     A Rated     BBB
Rated
    Non-
Investment
Grade
    Not
Rated
 
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Fixed maturity:

                 

U.S. government & agency

  $ 19,992      $ 18,132        2.2   $      $ 18,058      $      $      $      $ 74   

Non-U.S. government

    23,592        22,327        2.8            22,327                               

Corporate

    815,803        759,100        95.0     44,552        198,803        463,000        47,157        5,125        462   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity investments

  $ 859,387      $ 799,559        100.0   $ 44,552      $ 239,188      $ 463,000      $ 47,157      $ 5,125      $ 536   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
          5.6     29.9     57.9     5.9     0.6     0.1

The fair value of our fixed maturity investments will fluctuate with changes in the interest rate environment and when changes occur in the overall investment market and in overall economic conditions. We recorded no impairment losses in 2014 and 2013.

Our fixed maturity portfolio is managed by our Chief Investment Officer and outside investment advisors with oversight from our Investment Committee.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our gross unrealized losses on our available-for-sale investments totaled $4.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we held 120 and nil, respectively, available-for-sale investments that were in an unrealized loss position for longer than twelve months. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, no investments were considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, our gross unrealized losses on our held-to-maturity investments totaled $3.7 million and $60.0 million, respectively. Our held-to-maturity investments relate entirely to our Pavonia PPA business acquired on March 31, 2013.

 

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Other Investments

The table below shows the fair value of our portfolio of other investments held at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

     Total Fair Value  
     As at
December 31,
2014
     As at
December 31,
2013
 
     (in thousands of U.S. Dollars)  

Private equity funds

   $ 197,269       $ 161,229   

Fixed income funds

     335,026         194,375   

Fixed income hedge funds

     59,627         68,157   

Equity funds

     150,053         109,355   

Real estate debt fund

     33,902         32,113   

CLO equities

     41,271           

CLO equity funds

     16,022           

Other

     3,698         4,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 836,868       $ 569,293   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had total unfunded capital commitments related to other investments of approximately $99.9 million and $114.2 million, respectively.

Measuring the Fair Value of Other Investments using Net Asset Valuations

The following table presents the fair value, unfunded commitments and redemption frequency for the funds included within other investments. These investments are all valued at net asset value as at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

December 31, 2014

  Total Fair
Value
    Gated/
Side Pocket
Investments
    Investments
without Gates
or Side Pockets
    Unfunded
Commitments
     Redemption
Frequency
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)       

Private equity funds

  $ 197,269      $      $ 197,269      $ 99,885       Not eligible

Fixed income funds

    335,026               335,026              Daily, monthly and
quarterly

Fixed income hedge funds

    59,627        1,958        57,669              Quarterly after lock-up
periods expire

Equity funds

    150,053               150,053              Bi-monthly

Real estate debt fund

    33,902               33,902              Monthly

CLO equity funds

    16,022               16,022              Not eligible

Other

    1,363               1,363              Not eligible
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    
  $ 793,262      $ 1,958      $ 791,304      $ 99,885      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

December 31, 2013

  Total Fair
Value
    Gated/Side
Pocket
Investments
    Investments
without Gates
or Side Pockets
    Unfunded
Commitments
     Redemption
Frequency

Private equity funds

  $ 161,229      $      $ 161,229      $ 113,585       Not eligible

Fixed income funds

    194,375               194,375              Daily to monthly

Fixed income hedge funds

    68,157        3,150        65,007              Quarterly after lock-up
periods expire

Equity funds

    109,355               109,355              Bi-monthly

Real estate debt fund

    32,113               32,113              Monthly

Other

    4,064               4,064        655       Not eligible
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    
  $ 569,293      $ 3,150      $ 566,143      $ 114,240      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

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Private equity funds

This class comprises several private equity funds that invest primarily in the financial services industry. All of our investments in private equity funds are subject to restrictions on redemptions and sales that are determined by the governing documents and limit our ability to liquidate those investments. These restrictions have been in place since the dates the initial investments were made.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had approximately $197.3 million and $161.2 million, respectively, of other investments recorded in private equity funds, which represented 2.6% and 2.5% of total investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Due to a lag in the valuations reported by the managers, we record changes in the investment value with up to a three-month lag. Management regularly reviews and discusses fund performance with our fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the reported net asset values and to assess whether any events have occurred within the lag period that would affect the valuation of the investments.

Fixed income funds

This class comprises a number of positions in diversified fixed income funds that are managed by third party managers. Underlying investments vary from high grade corporate bonds to non-investment grade senior secured loans and bonds, but are generally invested in liquid fixed income markets. These funds have regularly published prices. The funds have liquidity terms that vary from daily up to quarterly.

Fixed income hedge funds

This class comprises hedge funds that invest in a diversified portfolio of debt securities. The hedge funds have imposed lock-up periods of three years from the time of our initial investment. Once eligible, redemptions will be permitted quarterly with 90 days’ notice.

Equity funds

This class comprises equity funds that invest in a diversified portfolio of international publicly-traded equity securities.

Real estate debt fund

This class comprises a real estate debt fund that invests primarily in U.S. commercial real estate loans and securities. A redemption request for this fund can be made 10 days after the date of any monthly valuation; the fund states that it will make commercially reasonable efforts to redeem the investment within the next monthly period.

CLO equities

This class comprises investments in the equity tranches of term-financed securitizations of diversified pools of corporate bank loans. CLO equities denote direct investments by us in these securities.

CLO equity funds

This class comprises two funds that invest primarily in the equity tranches of term-financed securitizations of diversified pools of corporate bank loans.

Other

This class primarily comprises a fund that provides loans to educational institutions throughout the U.S. and its territories. Through these investments, we participate in the performance of the underlying loan pools. This investment matures when the loans are paid down and cannot be redeemed before maturity. Also included within this class is a catastrophe bond acquired as part of our acquisition of Torus.

 

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Eurozone Exposure

At December 31, 2014, we did not own any investments in fixed maturity securities (which include bonds that are classified as cash and cash equivalents) or fixed income funds issued by sovereign governments of Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece or Spain.

Loans Payable

Our long-term debt consists of loan facilities used to partially finance certain of our acquisitions or significant new business transactions and our revolving credit facility, or the EGL Revolving Credit Facility, which can be used for permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The EGL Revolving Credit Facility replaced our prior revolving credit facility on September 16, 2014.

Our acquisition term loan facilities related to our 2011 acquisition of Clarendon National Insurance Company, or the Clarendon Facility, our 2013 acquisition of SeaBright, or the SeaBright Facility, and our 2015 acquisition of Companion, or the Companion Facility.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, we incurred interest expense of approximately $12.9 million, $12.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively, on our loan facilities. All of our currently outstanding loan facilities are floating rate loans, and the fair values of these loans approximate their book values.

Amounts of loans payable outstanding, and accrued interest, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 total approximately $320.0 million and $452.4 million, respectively, and comprise:

 

                   As at December 31,  

Facility

   Date of Facility      Term      2014      2013  
                   (in thousands of
U.S. dollars)
 

EGL Revolving Credit Facility

     September 16, 2014         5 Years       $ 319,550       $   

Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility

     July 8, 2013         5 Years                 258,800   

Companion Facility

     December 24, 2014         4 Years                   

SeaBright Facility

     December 21, 2012         3 Years                 111,000   

Clarendon Facility

     July 12, 2011         4 Years                 78,995   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term bank debt

           319,550         448,795   

Accrued interest on loans payaable

           491         3,651   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans payable

         $ 320,041       $ 452,446   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Companion Facility

On December 24, 2014, Sussex, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as borrower and guarantor, entered into the Companion Facility with National Australia Bank Limited and Barclays Bank PLC, or the Lenders. The Companion Facility provides for a four-year term loan facility pursuant to which Sussex was permitted to borrow up to an aggregate of $109.0 million to fund 50% of the consideration payable for the acquisition of Companion. Sussex fully drew down on the Companion Facility and completed the acquisition of Companion on January 27, 2015.

The Companion Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of Sussex, including the capital stock of Companion, and by a first priority security interest in the stock of Sussex. Interest is payable at the end of each interest period chosen by Sussex, or, at the latest, each six months. The interest rate is LIBOR plus 2.75%.

 

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The Companion Facility imposes various financial and business covenants on Sussex including limitations on mergers and consolidations, acquisitions, indebtedness and guarantees, restrictions as to dispositions of stock and assets (except for certain permitted dispositions), restrictions on dividends, and limitations on liens.

During the existence of any event of default (as specified in the Companion Facility), the lenders may declare all or a portion of outstanding amounts immediately due and payable, declare all or a portion of borrowed amounts payable upon demand, or proceed against the security. During the existence of any payment default, the interest rate would be increased by 1.0%. The Companion Facility terminates and all amounts borrowed must be repaid on December 24, 2018.

EGL Revolving Credit Facility

On September 16, 2014, we and certain of our subsidiaries, as borrowers and as guarantors, entered into the EGL Revolving Credit Facility Agreement with National Australia Bank Limited (or NAB), Barclays Bank PLC (or Barclays), and Royal Bank of Canada (or RBC), as mandated lead arrangers and original lenders, and NAB as agent, or the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (expiring in September 2019) pursuant to which we are permitted to borrow up to an aggregate of $500 million, or the EGL Revolving Credit Facility, which is available to fund permitted acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement replaces and refinances our Prior Credit Agreement (as defined below). Our ability to draw on the EGL Revolving Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions.

Interest is payable at the end of each interest period chosen by us or, at the latest, each six months. The interest rate is LIBOR plus a margin factor initially set at 2.75%. The margin factor is subject to variation (ranging from 2.50% to 3.25%) in the event of a change to our long term senior unsecured debt rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Fitch Ratings Ltd. Any unused portion of the EGL Revolving Credit Facility will be subject to a commitment fee of 35% of the applicable margin factor. The EGL Revolving Credit Facility imposes various financial and business covenants on us and our subsidiaries, including certain limitations on mergers and consolidations, acquisitions, indebtedness and guarantees, restrictions as to dispositions of stock and assets, and limitations on liens.

During the existence of any event of default (as specified in the Credit Agreement), the agent may cancel the commitments of the lenders, declare all or a portion of outstanding amounts immediately due and payable or declare all or a portion of outstanding amounts payable upon demand. During the existence of any payment default, the interest rate would be increased by 1.0%. The EGL Revolving Credit Facility terminates and all amounts borrowed must be repaid on the fifth anniversary of the date of the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement refinanced and replaced, in its entirety, our Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, originally dated June 14, 2011, as amended from time to time, and as amended and restated pursuant to the Restatement Agreement, dated July 8, 2013, among us and certain of our subsidiaries, NAB and Barclays, as mandated lead arrangers, NAB, Barclays and RBC, as original lenders, and NAB as agent, or the Prior Credit Agreement. The Prior Credit Agreement had permitted us to borrow up to an aggregate of $375 million on a secured basis over a five-year term, or the Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility. Effective September 16, 2014 and concurrent with our entry into the Credit Agreement, we terminated the Prior Credit Agreement. Outstanding borrowings under the Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility totaled $319.6 million and were refinanced on September 16, 2014 with borrowings pursuant to the EGL Revolving Credit Facility.

 

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We were in compliance with all covenants under the Prior Credit Agreement and no material early termination fees were incurred in connection with the termination.

The Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility had been secured by a first priority lien on the stock of certain of our subsidiaries and certain of our bank accounts held with Barclays and into which amounts received in respect of any capital release from certain of our subsidiaries were required to be paid. In connection with the termination of the Prior Credit Agreement, all security pursuant to the Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility was released, effective September 16, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the unused portion of the EGL Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $180.5 million. As of December 31, 2014, all of the covenants relating to the EGL Revolving Credit Facility were met.

On February 27, 2015, the Credit Agreement was amended and restated, in order to: (i) increase the amount we are permitted to borrow to $665.0 million; (ii) add Lloyd’s Bank plc as a Lender; and (iii) reallocate the capacity provided among the four Lenders into equal shares.

Clarendon Facility

On September 30, 2014, we fully repaid the remaining $66.0 million of outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Clarendon Facility out of the proceeds of distributions from Clarendon. We had previously repaid $13.0 million of the outstanding principal on the Clarendon Facility on March 17, 2014. All security pursuant to the Clarendon Facility was released in connection with the full repayment of the facility.

SeaBright Facility

On June 25, 2014, we fully repaid the remaining $89.0 million of outstanding principal and accrued interest on the SeaBright Facility out of the proceeds of distributions from SeaBright. We had previously repaid $22.0 million of the outstanding principal on the SeaBright Facility on March 31, 2014. All security pursuant to the SeaBright Facility was released in connection with the full repayment of the facility.

Aggregate Contractual Obligations

The following table shows our aggregate contractual obligations and commitments by time period remaining to due date as at December 31, 2014.

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     

Total

     Less than
1 Year
     1 - 3
years
     3 - 5
years
     More than
5 Years
 
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Operating Activities

              

Estimated gross reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses (1)

   $ 4,660.0       $ 1,134.8       $ 1,605.3       $ 655.9       $ 1,264.0   

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts (2)

     2,540.8         80.4         74.4         73.8         2,312.2   

Operating lease obligations

     43.4         11.1         16.6         10.0         5.7   

Investing Activities

              

Investment commitments

     99.9         40.0         50.7         4.6         4.6   

Financing Activities

              

Acquisition funding

     256.5         256.5                           

Loan repayments (including estimated interest payments)

     325.8         265.4         60.4                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 7,926.4       $ 1,788.2       $ 1,807.4       $ 744.3       $ 3,586.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(1)

The reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses represent management’s estimate of the ultimate cost of settling losses. The estimation of losses is based on various complex and subjective judgments. Actual losses paid may differ, perhaps significantly, from the reserve estimates reflected in our financial statements. Similarly, the timing of payment of our estimated losses is not fixed and there may be significant changes in actual payment activity. The assumptions used in estimating the likely payments due by period are based on our historical claims payment experience and industry payment patterns, but due to the inherent uncertainty in the process of estimating the timing of such payments, there is a risk that the amounts paid in any such period can be significantly different from the amounts disclosed above.

The amounts in the above table represent our estimates of known liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and do not take into account corresponding reinsurance recoverable amounts that would be due to us. Furthermore, reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded in the audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 are computed on a fair value basis, whereas the expected payments by period in the table above are the estimated payments at a future time and do not reflect the fair value adjustment in the amount payable.

 

(2)

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts recorded in our audited consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2014 of $1,220.9 million are computed on a discounted basis, whereas the expected payments by period in the table above are the estimated payments at a future time and do not reflect a discount of the amount payable.

Commitments and Contingencies

Investments

The following table provides a summary of our outstanding unfunded investment commitments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

December 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

Original

Commitments

 

Commitments

 

Original

Commitments

 

Commitments

 

Funded

 

Unfunded

   

Funded

 

Unfunded

$311,000   $211,115   $99,885   $291,000   $176,760   $114,240

Guarantees

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had, in total, parental guarantees supporting a subsidiary’s insurance obligations in the amount of approximately $238.6 million and $228.5 million, respectively.

Acquisitions and Significant New Business

As of December 31, 2014, we had entered into definitive agreements with respect to the purchase of Companion, which closed on January 27, 2015, and the Reciprocal of America loss portfolio transfer, which closed on January 15, 2015. On February 5, 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the purchase of NSA. These agreements are described in “Item 1. Business — Recent Transactions.”

Legal Proceedings

Refer to “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” for a description of our litigation matters.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2014, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

 

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ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following risk management discussion and the estimated amounts generated from sensitivity presented are forward-looking statements of market risk assuming certain market conditions occur. Future results may differ materially from these estimated results due to, among other things, actual developments in the global financial markets, changes in the composition of our investment portfolio, or changes in our business strategies. The results of analysis we use to assess and mitigate risk are not projections of future events or losses. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for additional information regarding our forward-looking statements.

We are principally exposed to four types of market risk: interest rate risk; credit risk; equity price risk and foreign currency risk. Our policies to address these risks in 2014 were not materially different than those used in 2013, and, based on our current knowledge and expectations, we do not currently anticipate significant changes in our market risk exposures or in how we will manage those exposures in future reporting periods.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the price sensitivity of a security to changes in interest rates. Our investment portfolio includes fixed maturity investments and short-term investments, whose fair values will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. We attempt to maintain adequate liquidity in our fixed maturity investments portfolio with a strategy designed to emphasize the preservation of our invested assets and provide sufficient liquidity for the prompt payment of claims and contract liabilities, as well as for settlement of commutation payments. We also monitor the duration and structure of our investment portfolio.

The following tables summarize the aggregate hypothetical increase (decrease) in fair value from an immediate parallel shift in the treasury yield curve, assuming credit spreads remain constant, in our cash and fixed maturity and short-term investments portfolio classified as trading and available for sale for the years indicated:

Interest Rate Movement Analysis on Market Value

of Cash, Short-Term Investments and Investments Classified as Trading and Available-for-Sale

 

     Interest Rate Shift in Basis Points  

At December 31, 2014

   -100     -50     0     +50     +100  
     (in millions of U.S. dollars)  

Total Market Value

   $ 5,752      $ 5,730      $ 5,702      $ 5,671      $ 5,640   

Market Value Change from Base

     0.9     0.5     0     (0.5 )%      (1.1 )% 

Change in Unrealized Value

   $ 50      $ 28      $ 0      $ (31   $ (62

At December 31, 2013

   -100     -50     0     +50     +100  

Total Market Value

   $ 4,999      $ 4,979      $ 4,951      $ 4,919      $ 4,888   

Market Value Change from Base

     1.0     0.6     0     (0.7 )%      (1.3 )% 

Change in Unrealized Value

   $ 48      $ 28      $ 0      $ (32   $ (63

Credit Risk

Credit risk relates to the uncertainty of a counterparty’s ability to make timely payments in accordance with contractual terms of the instrument or contract. We are exposed to direct credit risk within our portfolios of fixed maturity and short-term investments, and through customers, brokers and reinsurers in the form of premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables, respectively, as discussed below.

 

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Fixed Maturity and Short Term Investments

As a holder of fixed maturity and short-term investments and mutual funds, we have exposure to credit risk as a result of investment ratings downgrades or issuer defaults. In an effort to mitigate this risk, our investment portfolio consists primarily of investment grade-rated, liquid, fixed maturity investments of short-to-medium duration and mutual funds. At December 31, 2014, approximately 54.8% of our fixed maturity investments and short-term investment portfolio was rated AA or higher by a major rating agency (December 31, 2013: 51.4%) with 11.2% (December 31, 2013: 12.8%) rated BBB or lower. The portfolio as a whole had an average credit quality rating of AA- (December 31, 2013: A+). In addition, we manage our portfolio pursuant to guidelines that follow what we believe are prudent standards of diversification. The guidelines limit the allowable holdings of a single issue and issuers and, as a result, we do not believe we have significant concentrations of credit risk.

Reinsurance

We also have exposure to credit risk as it relates to our reinsurance balances recoverable. Our acquired reinsurance subsidiaries, prior to acquisition, used retrocessional agreements to reduce their exposure to the risk of insurance and reinsurance assumed. Additionally, on an annual basis, Atrium and Torus purchase tailored outwards reinsurance programs designed to manage their risk profile. Our subsidiaries remain liable to the extent that retrocessionaires and reinsurers do not meet their obligations under these agreements and, therefore, we evaluate and monitor concentration of credit risk among our reinsurers.

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, reinsurance balances recoverable with a carrying value of approximately $314.5 million and $256.2 million, respectively, were associated with two and one reinsurers, respectively, which represented 10% or more of total non-life run-off reinsurance balances recoverable. One of those reinsurers (accounting for $139.3 million of the $314.5 million as at December 31, 2014) was rated A+, while the remaining $175.2 million of the $314.5 million as at December 31, 2014 were secured by trust funds held for the benefit of our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.

Equity Price Risk

Our portfolio of equity investments, including the equity funds included in other investments (collectively, “equities at risk”), has exposure to equity price risk, which is the risk of potential loss in fair value resulting from adverse changes in stock prices. Our global equity portfolio is correlated with a blend of the S&P 500 and MSCI World indices and changes in this blend of indices would approximate the impact on our portfolio. The fair value of our equities at risk at December 31, 2014 was approximately $300.2 million (December 31, 2013: $291.4 million). At December 31, 2014, the impact of a 10% decline in the overall market prices of our equities at risk would be approximately $30.0 million (December 31, 2013: $29.1 million), on a pre-tax basis.

Foreign Currency Risk

Through our subsidiaries located in various foreign countries, we conduct our insurance and reinsurance operations in a variety of non-U.S. currencies. As the functional currency for the majority of our subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates related to these subsidiaries will have a direct impact on the valuation of our assets and liabilities denominated in local currencies. All changes in foreign exchange rates, with the exception of non-U.S. dollar denominated investments classified as available-for-sale, are recognized currently in foreign exchange gains (losses) in our consolidated statements of earnings.

 

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We have exposure to foreign currency risk due to our ownership of our Irish, U.K., Canadian, and Australian subsidiaries whose functional currencies are the Euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Australian dollar.

The foreign exchange gain or loss resulting from the translation of our subsidiaries’ financial statements (expressed in Euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Australian dollar functional currency) into U.S. dollars is classified in the currency translation adjustment account, which is a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

Our foreign currency policy is to broadly manage, where possible, our foreign currency risk by seeking to match our liabilities under insurance and reinsurance policies that are payable in foreign currencies with assets that are denominated in such currencies, subject to regulatory constraints, and to selectively use foreign currency exchange contracts. The matching process is carried out quarterly in arrears and therefore any mismatches occurring in the period may give rise to foreign exchange gains and losses, which could adversely affect our operating results. We are, however, required to maintain assets in non-U.S. dollars to meet certain local country branch and regulatory requirements, which restricts our ability to manage these exposures through the matching of our assets and liabilities. In addition, we do utilize foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk.

The table below summarizes our primary net exposures as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 to foreign currencies for our subsidiaries whose functional currency is U.S. dollars:

 

2014

   GBP      Euro      AUD      CDN      Other      Total  
     (in millions of U.S. dollars)   

Total net foreign currency exposure

   $ 62.6       $ 15.0       $ (4.0    $ 16.0       $ (28.0    $ 61.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pre-tax impact of a 10% movement of the U.S. dollar(1)

   $ 6.3       $ 1.5       $ (0.4    $ 1.6       $ (2.8    $ 6.2   

2013

   GBP      Euro      AUD      CDN      Other      Total  
     (in millions of U.S. dollars)  

Total net foreign currency exposure

   $ 67.0       $ 18.0       $ 1.0       $ 16.0       $ (10.0    $ 92.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pre-tax impact of a 10% movement of the U.S. dollar(1)

   $ 6.7       $ 1.8       $ 0.1       $ 1.6       $ (1.0    $ 9.2   

 

(1)

Assumes 10% change in U.S. dollar relative to other currencies

Effects of Inflation

We do not believe that inflation has had or will have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, however, the actual effects of inflation on our results cannot be accurately known until claims are ultimately resolved. Inflation may affect interest rates, as well as losses and loss adjustment expenses (by causing the cost of claims to rise in the future). Although loss reserves are established to reflect likely loss settlements at the date payment is made, we would be subject to the risk that inflation could cause these costs to increase above established reserves.

 

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

 

         Page      

December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     147   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013

     148   

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     149   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     150   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December  31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     151   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

     152   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

     153   

Schedule I — Summary of Investments Other than in Related Parties

     234   

Schedule II — Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

     235   

Schedule III — Supplementary Insurance Information

     238   

Schedule IV — Reinsurance

     239   

Schedule VI — Supplementary Information Concerning Property/Casualty Insurance Operations

     240   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     242   

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Enstar Group Limited:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Enstar Group Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement Schedules I, II, III, IV, and VI as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement Schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement Schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Enstar Group Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement Schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Enstar Group Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 2, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG Audit Limited

Hamilton, Bermuda

March 2, 2015

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

    2014     2013  
    (expressed in thousands of U.S.  
    dollars, except share data)  

ASSETS

   

Short-term investments, trading, at fair value

  $ 130,516      $ 281,002   

Short-term investments, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014 — $nil; 2013 — $32,477)

           32,504   

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value

    3,832,291        3,381,719   

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost

    813,233        859,387   

Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014 — $244,110; 2013 — $210,825)

    241,111        213,860   

Equities, trading, at fair value

    150,130        182,033   

Other investments, at fair value

    836,868        569,293   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

    6,004,149        5,519,798   

Cash and cash equivalents

    963,402        643,841   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

    534,974        397,657   

Accrued interest receivable

    37,581        38,864   

Accounts receivable

    79,237        75,351   

Premiums receivable

    391,008        111,748   

Income taxes recoverable

    11,510        5,481   

Deferred tax assets

    50,506        34,295   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

    114,197          

Reinsurance balances recoverable

    1,331,555        1,363,819   

Funds held by reinsured companies

    134,628        237,789   

Deferred acquisition costs

    61,706          

Goodwill and intangible assets

    201,150        150,071   

Other assets

    21,282        41,441   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 9,936,885      $ 8,620,155   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

   

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

  $ 4,509,421      $ 4,219,905   

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts

    1,220,864        1,273,100   

Unearned premiums

    468,626        70,698   

Insurance and reinsurance balances payable

    276,723        281,028   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    126,721        97,103   

Income taxes payable

    22,450        23,721   

Deferred tax liabilities

    43,958        53,328   

Loans payable

    320,041        452,446   

Other liabilities

    50,642        70,444   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    7,039,446        6,541,773   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

   

REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

    374,619        100,859   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

Share capital

   

Authorized, issued and fully paid, par value $1 each (authorized 2014: 156,000,000; 2013: 156,000,000)

   

Ordinary shares (issued and outstanding 2014: 15,761,365; 2013: 13,802,706)

    15,761        13,803   

Non-voting convertible ordinary shares:

   

Series A (issued 2014: 2,972,892; 2013: 2,972,892)

    2,973        2,973   

Series C (issued and outstanding 2014: 2,725,637; 2013: 2,725,637)

    2,726        2,726   

Series E (issued and outstanding 2014: 714,015; 2013: Nil)

    714          

Treasury shares at cost (Series A non-voting convertible ordinary shares 2014: 2,972,892; 2013: 2,972,892)

    (421,559     (421,559

Additional paid-in capital

    1,321,715        962,145   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    (12,686     13,978   

Retained earnings

    1,395,206        1,181,457   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Enstar Group Limited Shareholders’ Equity

    2,304,850        1,755,523   

Noncontrolling interest

    217,970        222,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    2,522,820        1,977,523   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $ 9,936,885      $ 8,620,155   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

     2014     2013     2012  
     (expressed in thousands of U.S.  
     dollars, except share and per share data)  

INCOME

      

Net premiums earned

   $ 646,450      $ 239,807      $ 3,511   

Fees and commission income

     33,079        12,817        8,570   

Net investment income

     117,369        93,295        77,760   

Net realized and unrealized gains

     62,619        70,651        73,612   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     859,517        416,570        163,453   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

      

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     9,146        (163,672     (237,953

Life and annuity policy benefits

     108,046        78,354        (300

Acquisition costs

     132,573        23,199          

Salaries and benefits

     211,222        124,616        100,473   

General and administrative expenses

     141,270        86,612        56,592   

Interest expense

     12,922        12,389        8,426   

Net foreign exchange losses (gains)

     5,960        (4,369     406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     621,139        157,129        (72,356
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

     238,378        259,441        235,809   

INCOME TAXES

     (11,142     (35,619     (44,290
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

     227,236        223,822        191,519   

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (13,487     (15,218     (23,502
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

   $ 213,749      $ 208,604      $ 168,017   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE — BASIC

      

Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders

   $ 11.61      $ 12.62      $ 10.22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE — DILUTED

      

Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited shareholders

   $ 11.44      $ 12.49      $ 10.10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — basic

     18,409,069        16,523,369        16,441,461   

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — diluted

     18,678,130        16,703,442        16,638,021   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

     2014     2013     2012  
     (expressed in thousands of U.S.
dollars)
 

NET EARNINGS

   $ 227,236      $ 223,822      $ 191,519   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

      

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on fixed income investments arising during the year

     (6,297     (2,045     1,232   

Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net earnings

     (58     (491     (5,123
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized losses arising during the year, net of reclassification adjustment

     (6,355     (2,536     (3,891

(Increase) decrease in defined benefit pension liability

     (5,477     4,930        (2,461

Currency translation adjustment

     (19,421     (19,473     3,556   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive loss

     (31,253     (17,079     (2,796
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     195,983        206,743        188,723   

Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (8,898     (8,600     (23,365
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

   $ 187,085      $ 198,143      $ 165,358   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

    2014     2013     2012  
    (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

Share Capital — Ordinary Shares

     

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 13,803      $ 13,752      $ 13,665   

Issue of shares

    1,915        6        43   

Share awards granted/vested

    43        45        44   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  $ 15,761      $ 13,803      $ 13,752   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share Capital — Series A Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares

     

Balance, beginning and end of year

  $ 2,973      $ 2,973      $ 2,973   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share Capital — Series C Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares

     

Balance, beginning and end of year

  $ 2,726      $ 2,726      $ 2,726   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share Capital — Series E Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares

     

Balance, beginning of year

  $      $      $   

Conversion of Series B Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock

    714                 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  $ 714      $      $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Share Capital — Series B Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock

     

Balance, beginning of year

  $      $      $   

Issue of shares

    714                 

Shares converted to Series E Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares

    (714              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  $      $      $   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury Shares

     

Balance, beginning and end of year

  $ (421,559   $ (421,559   $ (421,559
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

     

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 962,145      $ 958,571      $ 956,329   

Issue of shares and warrants

    354,622        650        (872

Share awards granted/vested

                  343   

Amortization of equity incentive plan

    4,948        2,924        2,771   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  $ 1,321,715      $ 962,145      $ 958,571   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to Enstar Group Limited

     

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 13,978      $ 24,439      $ 27,096   

Currency translation adjustment

     

Balance, beginning of year

    14,264        27,821        25,616   

Change in currency translation adjustment

    (17,043     (13,557     2,205   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

    (2,779     14,264        27,821   

Defined benefit pension liability

     

Balance, beginning of year

    (2,249     (7,179     (4,718

Change in defined benefit pension liability

    (5,477     4,930        (2,461
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

    (7,726     (2,249     (7,179

Unrealized gain on investments

     

Balance, beginning of year

    1,963        3,797        6,198   

Change in unrealized gain on investments

    (4,144     (1,834     (2,401
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

    (2,181     1,963        3,797   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  $ (12,686   $ 13,978      $ 24,439   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retained Earnings

     

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 1,181,457      $ 972,853      $ 804,836   

Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited

    213,749        208,604        168,017   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  $ 1,395,206      $ 1,181,457      $ 972,853   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling Interest

     

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 222,000      $ 221,478      $ 297,345   

Return of capital

    (11,864            (30,245

Dividends paid

    (18,108     (3,908     (68,987

Contribution of capital

    18,081                 

Reallocation from redeemable noncontrolling interest

    1,028                 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest*

    9,429        11,048        23,502   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    (2,181     (5,916     1,352   

Net movement in unrealized holding losses on investments

    (415     (702     (1,489
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

  $ 217,970      $ 222,000      $ 221,478   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

*

Excludes net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

     2014     2013     2012  
     (expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net earnings

   $ 227,236      $ 223,822      $ 191,519   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows provided by operating activities:

      

Net realized and unrealized investment gains

     (32,651     (188     (42,233

Net realized and unrealized gains from other investments

     (29,968     (70,463     (31,379

Other items

     (1,268     11,276        (765

Depreciation and amortization

     5,792        1,055        1,469   

Net amortization of premiums and discounts

     54,979        51,505        28,758   

Net movement of trading securities held on behalf of policyholders

     4,256        3,485        24,225   

Sales and maturities of trading securities

     2,974,318        2,679,826        2,468,584   

Purchases of trading securities

     (2,087,611     (2,713,581     (2,618,029

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Reinsurance balances recoverable

     434,605        430,542        666,793   

Funds held by reinsured companies

     113,771        175,750        (257,504

Other assets

     57,752        155,177        63,952   

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     (967,263     (706,880     (623,174

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts

     (52,236     6,443          

Insurance and reinsurance balances payable

     (187,178     (165,896     (65,475

Unearned premiums

     4,998        (81,967       

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     12,662        (30,295     (3,209

Other liabilities

     (34,575     (31,998     9,118   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

     497,619        (62,387     (187,350
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

   $ 37,540      $ (409,560   $   

Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities

     110,180        196,507        353,913   

Purchase of held-to-maturity securities

            (112       

Purchase of available-for-sale securities

     (117,624     (15,739       

Maturities of held-to-maturity securities

     36,680        18,449          

Movement in restricted cash and cash equivalents

     (114,538     (78,638     73,226   

Purchase of other investments

     (349,652     (107,396     (214,558

Redemption of other investments

     104,684        28,568        16,839   

Other investing activities

     632        2,132        (789
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities

     (292,098     (365,789     228,631   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Distribution of capital to noncontrolling interest

   $ (11,864   $      $ (30,245

Contribution by noncontrolling interest

     17,768                 

Contribution by redeemable noncontrolling interest

     273,035        96,689          

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest

     (18,108     (3,908     (68,987

Receipt of loans

     70,000        369,800          

Repayment of loans

     (199,245     (39,505     (134,541
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     131,586        423,076        (233,773
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON FOREIGN CURRENCY CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (17,546     (5,949     (3,092
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     319,561        (11,049     (195,584

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

     643,841        654,890        850,474   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

   $ 963,402      $ 643,841      $ 654,890   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                          

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

      

Net income taxes paid

   $ 41,830      $ 32,115      $ 27,938   

Interest paid

   $ 16,130      $ 9,114      $ 9,155   

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

(Tabular information expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except share and per share data)

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Enstar Group Limited (“Enstar” or the “Company”) was formed in August 2001 under the laws of Bermuda. The Company’s core focus is acquiring and managing insurance and reinsurance companies in run-off and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business in run-off, and providing management, consulting and other services to the insurance and reinsurance industry. Since the Company’s formation, it has completed the acquisition of over 65 insurance and reinsurance companies and portfolios of insurance and reinsurance business. The Company also operates active underwriting businesses, including the Atrium group of companies, which manage and underwrite specialist insurance and reinsurance business for Lloyd’s Syndicate 609, and the Torus group of companies, an A-rated global specialty insurance group with multiple global underwriting platforms. Additionally the Company operates closed life and annuities businesses.

With the Company’s 2014 acquisition of Torus Insurance Holdings Limited (“Torus”) and its 2013 acquisitions of the Pavonia companies (“Pavonia”), Arden Reinsurance Company Ltd. (“Arden”) and Atrium Underwriters Ltd. (“Atrium”), it now measures the results of its operations in four segments:

 

  (i)

Non-life run-off — This segment is comprised of the operations and financial results of the Company’s subsidiaries that are running off their property and casualty and other non-life lines of business together with the run-off businesses of Arden and Torus. It also includes the Company’s management business, which manages the run-off portfolios of third parties through its service companies.

 

  (ii)

Atrium — This active underwriting segment is comprised of the operations and financial results of Northshore Holdings Limited, a holding company that owns Atrium and its subsidiaries and Arden. Atrium is a managing general agent at Lloyd’s of London, which manages Syndicate 609 through a corporate capital vehicle, Atrium 5 Ltd., and provides approximately 25% of the syndicate’s underwriting capacity and capital (with the balance provided by traditional Lloyd’s Names). Atrium specializes in accident and health, aviation, marine, property, non-marine direct and facultative, liability, property and casualty binding authorities, reinsurance, upstream energy, war and terrorism insurance, cargo and fine art. Arden is a Bermuda-based reinsurance company that provides reinsurance to Atrium (through an approximately 65% quota share reinsurance arrangement with Atrium 5 Ltd.) and is currently in the process of running off certain other third-party business. Results related to Arden’s run-off business are included within the Company’s non-life run-off segment.

 

  (iii)

Torus — This active underwriting segment is comprised of the operations and financial results of Bayshore Holdings Limited, a holding company that owns Torus and its subsidiaries. Torus is a global specialty insurer that offers a diverse range of property, casualty and specialty insurance through its operations in the U.K., Continental Europe, and the U.S. Torus’ active underwriting operations are reported in the Torus segment, with Torus’ run-off business reported in the non-life run-off segment.

 

  (iv)

Life and annuities — This segment is comprised of the operations and financial results of the Company’s subsidiaries that are operating its closed-block of life and annuity businesses, which primarily consists of the companies it acquired in the Pavonia acquisition on March 31, 2013.

 

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2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Results of operations for subsidiaries acquired are included from the dates of their acquisition by the Company. Intercompany transactions are eliminated on consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While management believes that the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements reflect its best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include, but are not limited to:

 

   

reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses;

 

   

policy benefits for life and annuity contracts;

 

   

gross and net premiums written and net premiums earned;

 

   

reinsurance balances recoverable, including the provisions for uncollectible amounts;

 

   

other-than-temporary impairments in the carrying value of available-for-sale investment securities;

 

   

valuation of certain other investments that are measured using significant unobservable inputs;

 

   

valuation of goodwill and intangible assets; and

 

   

fair value estimates associated with accounting for acquisitions.

Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described below:

(a) Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents.

(b) Investments

Short-term investments and fixed maturity investments

Short-term investments comprise investments with a maturity greater than three months up to one year from the date of purchase. Fixed maturities comprise investments with a maturity of greater than one year from the date of purchase.

 

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Short-term investments and fixed maturities classified as trading are carried at fair value, with realized and unrealized holding gains and losses included in net earnings and reported as net realized and unrealized gains and losses.

Short-term investments and fixed maturity investments classified as held-to-maturity securities, which are securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are carried at amortized cost. The cost of short-term investments and fixed maturities are adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.

Short-term and fixed maturity investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from net earnings and reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments classified as available-for-sale are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings.

The costs of short-term and fixed maturity investments are adjusted for amortization of premium or discount, recognized using the effective yield method and included in net investment income. For mortgage-backed and asset-backed investments, and any other holdings for which there is a prepayment risk, prepayment assumptions are evaluated and revised on a regular basis.

Investment purchases and sales are recorded on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investments are based upon specific identification of the cost of investments.

Fixed maturity investments classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity are reviewed quarterly to determine if they have sustained an impairment of value that is, based on management’s judgement, considered to be other than temporary. The process includes reviewing each fixed maturity investment that is below cost and: (1) determining if the Company has the intent to sell the fixed maturity investment; (2) determining if it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the fixed maturity investment before its anticipated recovery; and (3) assessing whether a credit loss exists, that is, whether the Company expects that the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the fixed maturity investment is less than the amortized cost basis of the investment. In evaluating credit losses, the Company considers a variety of factors in the assessment of a fixed maturity investment including: (1) the time period during which there has been a significant decline below cost; (2) the extent of the decline below cost and par; (3) the potential for the investment to recover in value; (4) an analysis of the financial condition of the issuer; (5) the rating of the issuer; and (6) failure of the issuer of the investment to make scheduled interest or principal payments. If management concludes an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired (“OTTI”), then the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost of the investment is presented as an OTTI charge in the consolidated statements of earnings, with an offset for any non-credit related loss component of the OTTI charge to be recognized in other comprehensive income. Accordingly, only the credit loss component of the OTTI amount would have an impact on the Company’s earnings.

Equities

Equities are classified as trading and are carried at fair value with realized and unrealized holding gains and losses included in net earnings and reported as net realized and unrealized gains and losses.

Other investments

Other investments include investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies (collectively “private equities”) and fixed income, hedge, equity, real estate debt and CLO

 

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equity funds that carry their investments at fair value, along with direct investments in CLO equities. These other investments are stated at fair value, which ordinarily will be the most recently reported net asset value as advised by the fund manager or administrator. Many of the Company’s fund investments publish net asset values on a daily basis and provide daily liquidity; others report on a monthly basis. Private equities typically report quarterly. The Company believes the reported net asset value represents the fair value market participants would apply to an interest in the various private equities or funds. The change in fair value is included in net realized and unrealized gains on investments and recognized in net earnings.

(c) Deferred Acquisition Costs

Acquisition costs, consisting principally of commissions and brokerage expenses and certain premium taxes and fees incurred at the time a contract or policy is issued and that vary with and are directly related to the Company’s reinsurance and insurance business, are deferred and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned. Deferred acquisition costs are limited to their estimated realizable value by line of business based on the related unearned premiums, anticipated claims and claim expenses and anticipated investment income.

(d) Losses and loss adjustment expenses

Non-life run-off

The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses in the non-life run-off segment includes an amount determined from reported claims and an amount, based on historical loss experience and industry statistics, for losses incurred but not reported determined using a variety of actuarial methods. These estimates are continually reviewed and are necessarily subject to the impact of future changes in factors such as claim severity and frequency, changes in economic conditions including the impact of inflation, legal developments and changes in social attitudes. While management believes that the amount is adequate, the ultimate liability may be significantly in excess of, or less than, the amounts provided. Adjustments will be reflected as part of net increase or reduction in losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities in the periods in which they become known. Premium and commission adjustments may be triggered by incurred losses and any amounts are recorded in the same period that the related incurred loss is recognized.

Commutations provide an opportunity for the Company to exit exposures to entire policies with insureds and reinsureds for an agreed upon payment, or payments, often at a discount to the previously estimated ultimate liability. As a result of exiting all exposures to such policies, all advised case reserves and incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves relating to the insured or reinsured are eliminated. A commutation is recognized upon the execution of a commutation release agreement. Following completion of a commutation, all the related balances, including insurance and reinsurance balances payable and/or receivable, funds held by ceding companies, and losses and loss adjustment expenses (including fair value adjustments and estimated IBNR), are written off with corresponding gain or loss recorded in the net reduction of ultimate losses. A commutation may result in a net gain irrespective of whether the settlement exceeds the advised case reserves. Advised case reserves are those reserve estimates for a specific loss or losses reported to the Company by either the broker or insured or reinsured. IBNR reserves are established by the Company at a class of business or exposure level for claims that have not yet been reported to the Company but can reasonably be expected to have occurred, as well as for the future development of reported claims. A commutation settlement is a negotiated settlement of both the advised case reserves and an estimate of the IBNR reserves that relate to the policies being commuted. For latent exposures with a long reporting tail, the

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

estimated level of IBNR reserves may be significantly higher than the advised case reserves. In such an instance, the commutation settlement of a block of such policies may be greater than the advised case reserves but less than the aggregate of the advised case reserves plus the estimated related IBNR reserves, resulting in a total saving to the remaining liability.

To the extent possible, all prior historical loss development that relates to commuted exposures is eliminated to produce revised historical loss development for the remaining non-commuted exposures. The Company’s estimates of IBNR reserves are not determined at the policyholder level but at the aggregate class of business or exposure level. Therefore, the Company does not typically identify a specific amount of IBNR reserves settled with each commutation. Rather, on an annual basis in the fourth quarter, the Company’s actuaries apply their actuarial methodologies to the remaining aggregate exposures and revised historical loss development information to reassess their estimates of gross and net ultimate liabilities and required gross and net IBNR reserves. Should a commutation that the Company considers significant occur in one of the first three quarters, then the Company, in conjunction with its independent actuaries, would estimate the amount of IBNR that would be associated with the policies being commuted. If the financial impact (including release of IBNR) of the commutation is considered significant, the Company would adjust its estimate of ultimate loss and loss adjustment expense liabilities in the quarter that the commutation was concluded. The agreed commutation settlement is recorded in net losses paid.

To the extent that commuted policies are protected by reinsurance, then the Company will, on completion of a commutation with an insured or reinsured, negotiate with the reinsurers to contribute their share of the commutation settlement. Any amounts received from such reinsurers will be recorded in net losses paid and the impact of any savings or loss on reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses will be included in the actuarial reassessment of net ultimate liabilities and net IBNR reserves.

Commutations of acquired companies’ exposures have the effect of accelerating the payout of claims compared to the probability-weighted ranges of actuarially projected cash flows that the Company applies when estimating the fair values of assets and liabilities at the time of acquisition. Any material acceleration of payout together with the impact of any material loss reserve savings in any period will also accelerate the amortization of fair value adjustments in that period.

The Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries also establish provisions for loss adjustment expenses relating to run-off costs for the estimated duration of the run-off, which are included in losses and loss adjustment expenses. These provisions are assessed at each reporting date, and provisions relating to future periods are adjusted to reflect any changes in estimates of the periodic run-off costs or the duration of the run-off, including the impact of any acceleration of the run-off period that may be caused by commutations. Provisions relating to the current period together with any adjustment to future run-off provisions are included in net reduction in ultimate loss and loss adjustment expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Atrium and Torus

The reserves for losses and loss expenses in the Atrium and Torus segments includes reserves for unpaid reported losses and for IBNR reserves. The reserves for unpaid reported losses and loss expenses are established by management based on reports from brokers, ceding companies and insureds and represent the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to, or specifically identified by the Company. The reserve for IBNR losses is established by management based on actuarially determined estimates of ultimate losses and loss expenses. Inherent in the estimate of ultimate losses and loss expenses are expected trends in claim severity and frequency and

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

other factors which may vary significantly as claims are settled. Accordingly, ultimate losses and loss expenses may differ materially from the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, will be recorded in earnings in the period in which they become known. Prior period development arises from changes to loss estimates recognized in the current year that relate to loss reserves established in previous calendar years.

(e) Reinsurance balances recoverable

Amounts billed to, and due from, reinsurers result from paid movements in the underlying assumed business and are calculated in accordance with the terms of the individual reinsurance contracts.

Similarly, reinsurance balances recoverable related to the Company’s assumed case reserves are calculated by applying the terms of any applicable reinsurance coverage to movements in the underlying assumed case reserves. The Company’s estimate of reinsurance balances recoverable related to its assumed IBNR reserves is recognized on a basis consistent with the underlying assumed IBNR reserves.

The Company’s reinsurance balances recoverable are presented net of a provision for uncollectible amounts, reflecting the amount deemed not collectible due to credit quality, collection problems due to location of the reinsurer, contractual disputes with reinsurers over individual contentious claims, contract language or coverage or for some other reason.

(f) Retroactive reinsurance and novations

Consideration received for business assumed by way of novation and premiums received on retroactive reinsurance is recorded in the balance sheet. The difference between the consideration received and liabilities assumed is recorded as an intangible asset or liability. Intangible assets or liabilities are subsequently amortized using the interest method over the expected claims settlement periods. As changes in estimates of timing or amount of losses and loss adjustment expenses are recognized, the amortization is adjusted retrospectively and included in losses and loss adjustment expenses in the period of the charge.

(g) Premium revenue recognition

Non-life premiums written are earned on a pro-rata basis over the period the coverage is provided. Reinsurance premiums are recorded at the inception of the policy, are based upon contractual terms and for certain business are estimated based on underlying contracts or from information provided by clients and/or brokers. Changes in reinsurance premium estimates are expected and may result in adjustments in future periods. These estimates change over time as additional information regarding changes in underlying exposures is obtained. Any subsequent differences arising on such estimates are recorded as premiums written in the period in which they are determined.

Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written that relate to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Premiums ceded are similarly pro-rated over the period the coverage is provided with the unearned portion being deferred as prepaid reinsurance premiums.

Certain contracts written prior to the business going into run-off, are retrospectively rated and additional premium will be due should losses exceed pre-determined contractual thresholds. These

 

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required additional premiums are based upon contractual terms and management judgment is involved with respect to the estimate of the amount of losses that the Company expects to be ceded. Additional premiums are recognized at the time loss thresholds specified in the contract are exceeded and are earned over the coverage period, or are earned immediately if the period of risk coverage has passed. Changes in estimates of losses recorded on contracts with additional premium features will result in changes in additional premiums based on contractual terms.

Life and annuities

The Pavonia companies, prior to going into run-off, wrote various U.S. and Canadian life insurance, including credit life and disability insurance, term life insurance, assumed life reinsurance and annuities. The Pavonia companies will continue to recognize premiums on term life insurance, assumed life reinsurance and credit life and disability insurance.

Premiums from term life insurance, credit life and disability insurance and assumed life reinsurance are generally recognized as revenue when due from policyholders. Term life, assumed life reinsurance and credit life and disability policies include those contracts with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits. Benefits and expenses are matched with such revenue to result in the recognition of profit over the life of the contracts.

(h) Premiums Receivable

Premiums receivable represent amounts currently due and amounts not yet due on insurance and reinsurance policies. Premiums for insurance policies are generally due at inception. Premiums for reinsurance policies generally become due over the period of coverage based on the policy terms. The Company monitors the credit risk associated with premiums receivable, taking into consideration that credit risk is reduced by the Company’s contractual right to offset loss obligations or unearned premiums against premiums receivable. Amounts deemed uncollectible are charged to net earnings in the period they are determined. Changes in the estimate of premiums written will result in an adjustment to premiums receivable in the period they are determined. Certain contracts are retrospectively rated and provide for a final adjustment to the premium based on the final settlement of all losses. Premiums receivable on such contracts are adjusted based on the estimate of losses the Company expects to incur, and are not considered due until all losses are settled.

(i) Policy Benefits for Life and Annuity Contracts

The Company’s policy benefits for life and annuity contracts (“policy benefits”) are calculated using standard actuarial techniques and cash flow models in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 944, Financial Services —Insurance. The Company establishes and maintains its policy benefits at a level that the Company estimates will, when taken together with future premium payments and investment income expected to be earned on associated premiums, be sufficient to support all future cash flow benefit obligations and third party servicing obligations as they become payable. The Company reviews its policy benefits regularly and performs loss recognition testing based upon cash flow projections.

Since the development of the policy benefits is based upon cash flow projection models, the Company makes estimates and assumptions based on experience and industry mortality tables, longevity and morbidity rates, lapse rates, expenses and investment experience, including a provision for adverse deviation. The assumptions used to determine policy benefits are determined at the inception of

 

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the contracts, reviewed and adjusted at the point of acquisition, as required, and are locked-in throughout the life of the contract unless a premium deficiency develops. The assumptions are reviewed no less than annually and are unlocked if they would result in a material adverse reserve change. The Company establishes these estimates based upon transaction-specific historical experience, information provided by the ceding company for the assumed business and industry experience. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. As the experience on the contracts emerges, the assumptions are reviewed by management. The Company determines whether actual and anticipated experience indicates that existing policy benefits, together with the present value of future gross premiums, are sufficient to cover the present value of future benefits, settlement and maintenance costs and to recover unamortized acquisition costs. If such a review indicates that policy benefits should be greater than those currently held, then the locked-in assumptions are revised and a charge for policy benefits is recognized at that time.

Because of the many assumptions and estimates used in establishing policy benefits and the long-term nature of the contracts, the reserving process, while based on actuarial techniques, is inherently uncertain.

(j) Redeemable noncontrolling interest

In connection with the acquisitions of Arden, Atrium and Torus, certain subsidiaries have issued shares to a noncontrolling interest. These shares provide certain redemption rights to the holder, which may be settled in the Company’s own shares or cash, at the Company’s option. The Company classifies redeemable noncontrolling interest with redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Company within temporary equity in its consolidated balance sheets and carries them at the redemption value, which is fair value. The Company recognizes changes in the fair value that exceed the carrying value of redeemable noncontrolling interest through retained earnings as if the balance sheet date were also the redemption date.

(k) Fees and commission income

Fixed fee income is recognized in accordance with the term of the Company’s third-party management agreements. Time-based fees are recognized as services are provided. Success-based fees are recognized when all of the contractual requirements specified in the agreement are met. Profit commissions are recorded on an accrual basis, and are earned in line with the annual accounting results of the syndicate managed by Atrium.

(l) Foreign exchange

The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities of entities whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated at period end exchange rates. Revenue and expenses of such foreign entities are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The effect of the currency translation adjustments for these foreign entities is included in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Other foreign currency assets and liabilities that are considered monetary items are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated at transaction date exchange rates. These exchange gains and losses are included in the determination of net earnings.

 

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(m) Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding and excludes any dilutive effects of warrants, options and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of ordinary and ordinary share equivalents outstanding calculated using the treasury stock method for all potentially dilutive securities. When the effect of dilutive securities would be anti-dilutive, these securities are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

(n) Acquisitions

The Company uses the purchase method in accounting for acquisitions. The difference between the fair value of net assets acquired and purchase price is recorded as goodwill or negative goodwill.

The purchase method of accounting requires that the acquirer record the assets and liabilities acquired at their estimated fair value. The fair values of each of the reinsurance assets and liabilities acquired are derived from probability-weighted ranges of the associated projected cash flows, based on actuarially prepared information and management’s run-off strategy. The Company’s run-off strategy, as well as that of other run-off market participants, is expected to be different from the sellers as generally sellers are not specialized in running off insurance and reinsurance liabilities whereas the Company and other market participants do specialize in such run-offs.

The key assumptions used by the Company and, it believes, by other run-off market participants in the fair valuation of acquired companies are (i) the projected payout, timing and amount of claims liabilities; (ii) the related projected timing and amount of reinsurance collections; (iii) a risk-free discount rate, which is applied to determine the present value of the future cash flows; (iv) the estimated unallocated loss adjustment expenses to be incurred over the life of the run-off; (v) the impact of any accelerated run-off strategy; and (vi) an appropriate risk margin.

The difference between the original carrying value of reinsurance liabilities and reinsurance assets acquired at the date of acquisition and their fair value is recorded as an intangible asset or other liability, which the Company refers to as the fair value adjustment (“FVA”). The FVA is amortized over the estimated payout period of outstanding losses and loss expenses acquired. To the extent the actual payout experience after the acquisition is materially faster or slower than anticipated at the time of the acquisition, there is an adjustment to the estimated ultimate loss reserves, or there are changes in bad debt provisions or in estimates of future run-off costs following accelerated payouts, then the amortization of the FVA is adjusted to reflect such changes.

(o) Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company performs an initial valuation of its goodwill assets and assesses goodwill for impairment on an annual basis. If, as a result of the assessment, the Company determines the value of its goodwill asset is impaired, goodwill is written down in the period in which the determination is made.

(p) Intangible Assets

Intangible assets represent the fair value adjustments related to unpaid losses and loss expenses, reinsurance balances recoverable and policy benefits for life and annuity contracts along with the fair values of Lloyd’s syndicate capacity, customer relationships, management contract and brand arising

 

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from the acquisition of Atrium and the syndicate capacity, U.S. insurance licenses, technology and brand arising from the acquisition of Torus. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. The Company recognizes the amortization of all intangible assets in the consolidated statement of earnings. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization. The carrying values of intangible assets are reviewed for indicators of impairment on at least an annual basis. Impairment is recognized if the carrying values of the intangible assets are not recoverable from their undiscounted cash flows and are measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value.

(q) Share-based compensation

The Company primarily uses three types of share-based compensation: restricted shares, cash-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs) and shares issued under the Company’s employee share purchase plans. With the exception of SARs and the incentive plan awards in Northshore issued to certain employees of Atrium, the Company’s share-based compensation awards qualify for equity classification. The fair value of the compensation cost is measured at the grant date and is expensed over the period for which the employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. Both the Company’s SARs and the Northshore incentive plan awards are classified as liability awards. Liability classified awards are recorded at fair value within accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet with changes in fair value relating to the vested portion of the award recorded within salaries and benefits in the consolidated statements of earnings.

(r) Income taxes

Certain subsidiaries and branches of the Company operate in jurisdictions where they are subject to taxation. Current and deferred income taxes are charged or credited to net income, or, in certain cases, to accumulated other comprehensive income, based upon enacted tax laws and rates applicable in the relevant jurisdiction in the period in which the tax becomes accruable or realizable. Deferred income taxes are provided for all temporary differences between the bases of assets and liabilities used in the financial statements and those used in the various jurisdictional tax returns. When management’s assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded against the deferred tax assets.

The Company recognizes a tax benefit relating to uncertain tax positions only where the position is more likely than not to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. A liability is recognized for any tax benefit (along with any interest and penalty, if applicable) claimed in a tax return in excess of the amount allowed to be recognized in the financial statements under U.S. GAAP. Any changes in amounts recognized are recorded in the period in which they are determined.

(s) Derivative instruments

The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and carries them at the fair value of the instrument. The Company uses derivative instruments for purposes of its overall foreign currency risk management strategy. Changes in fair value and realized gains or losses on derivative instruments are recorded in net foreign exchange gains and losses.

New Accounting Standards Adopted in 2014

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-17, Pushdown Accounting

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-17, which provides an acquired entity with an option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event

 

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in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. The amendments in this ASU apply to the separate financial statements of an acquired entity and its subsidiaries that are a business (either public or non-public) upon the occurrence of an event in which an acquirer (an individual or an entity) obtains control of the acquired entity. An acquired entity may elect the option to apply pushdown accounting in the reporting period in which the change-in-control event occurs. An acquired entity should determine whether to elect to apply pushdown accounting for each individual change-in-control event in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. If pushdown accounting is applied to an individual change-in-control event, that election is irrevocable. If an acquired entity elects the option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements, it should disclose information in the current reporting period that enables users of financial statements to evaluate the effect of pushdown accounting. This ASU applies to all pushdown elections occurring after November 18, 2014 and its adoption did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2013-12, Definition of a Public Business Entity

In December 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-12, which defines the term “public business entity.” The definition of a public business entity will be used in considering the scope of new financial guidance and will identify whether the guidance does or does not apply to public business entities. The amendment in this ASU provides a single definition of public business entity for use in future financial accounting and reporting guidance. The amendment did not affect existing requirements and did not have an effective date. Its adoption by the Company during the year did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, with the objective of improving the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 seeks to reduce the diversity in practice by providing guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits to better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses, or tax credit carryforwards exist. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2014 and its adoption did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

ASU 2014-16, Determining whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, which is based on the final consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force on Issue 13-G. The ASU is intended to reduce the diversity in practice related to how entities determine the nature of the host contract of a hybrid instrument issued in the form of a share (e.g., convertible preferred stock) as part of the analysis for determining whether the hybrid instrument contains any embedded derivatives that must be bifurcated under ASC 815-15. Currently, reporting entities use one of two acceptable methods (as long as the accounting policy is applied consistently) for determining the nature of a host contract: the chameleon approach and the whole-instrument approach. Under the ASU, entities with instruments within the scope of the ASU would be required to apply the whole-instrument approach when determining the nature of the host contract in a hybrid financial instrument issued in the form of a share. The chameleon approach would no longer be

 

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permitted. ASU 2014-16 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, however, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The ASU applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB ASC including ASC 944 — Insurance. However, while contracts within the scope of ASC 944 are excluded from the scope of the ASU, certain insurance-related contracts should be accounted for under the ASU, for example contracts under which service providers charge their customers fixed fees in exchange for an agreement to provide services for an uncertain future event. Certain of the ASU’s provisions also apply to transfers of non-financial assets, including in-substance non-financial assets that are not an output of an entity’s ordinary activities (e.g., sales of (1) property, plant, and equipment; (2) real estate; or (3) intangible assets). Such provisions include guidance on recognition (including determining the existence of a contract and control principles) and measurement. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016, for public entities and early application is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, however, it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. ACQUISITIONS

2015

Nationale Suisse Assurance S.A.

On February 5, 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Harper Holdings SARL, entered into a definitive agreement with Nationale Suisse to acquire its Belgian subsidiary, Nationale Suisse Assurance S.A. (“NSA”). NSA is a Belgium-based insurance company writing non-life insurance (which the Company expects to operate in run-off as part of its non-life run-off segment) and life insurance (which the Company expects to operate in run-off as part of its life and annuities segment).

The total consideration for the transaction will be 33.7 million (approximately $38.5 million) (subject to certain possible closing adjustments). The Company expects to finance the purchase price from cash on hand. Completion of the transaction is conditioned on, among other things, governmental and regulatory approvals and satisfaction of various customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2015.

Companion Property and Casualty Insurance Company

On January 27, 2015, the Company and Sussex Holdings, Inc. (“Sussex”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the previously announced acquisition of Companion Property and Casualty Insurance Company (“Companion”) from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Companion is a South Carolina-based insurance group writing property, casualty, specialty and workers compensation business, and has also provided fronting and third party administrative services.

 

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The total consideration for the transaction was $218.0 million, which was financed 50% through borrowings under a bank loan facility provided by National Australia Bank Limited (“NAB”) and Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) and 50% from cash on hand.

2014

Torus Insurance Holdings Limited

On April 1, 2014, Kenmare Holdings Ltd. (“Kenmare”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, together with Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P., which are managed by Stone Point Capital LLC (collectively, “Trident”), completed the acquisition of Torus Insurance Holdings Limited (“Torus”). Torus is an A- rated global specialty insurer with six wholly-owned insurance vehicles, including Lloyd’s Syndicate 1301. At closing, Torus became directly owned by Bayshore Holdings Ltd. (“Bayshore”), which was 60% owned by Kenmare and 40% owned by Trident.

The purchase price for Torus was established in the amended and restated amalgamation agreement as $646.0 million, to be paid partly in cash and partly in the Company’s stock. The number of Company shares to be issued was fixed at the signing of the amalgamation agreement on July 8, 2013 and was determined by reference to an agreed-upon value per share of $132.448, which was the average closing price of the Company’s voting ordinary shares, par value $1.00 per share (the “Voting Ordinary Shares”), over the 20 trading days prior to such signing date. On the day before closing of the amalgamation, the Voting Ordinary Shares had a closing price of $136.31 per share. At closing, the Company contributed cash of $41.6 million towards the purchase price and $3.6 million towards related transaction expenses, as well as 1,898,326 Voting Ordinary Shares and 714,015 shares of Series B Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock of the Company (the “Non-Voting Preferred Shares”). Based on a price of $136.31 per share, the Company’s contribution of cash and shares to the purchase price totaled $397.7 million in the aggregate. Trident contributed cash of $258.4 million towards the purchase price and $2.4 million towards related transaction expenses. Based on a price of $136.31 per share, the aggregate purchase price paid by the Company and Trident was $656.1 million.

FR XI Offshore AIV, L.P., First Reserve Fund XII, L.P., FR XII A Parallel Vehicle L.P. and FR Torus Co-Investment, L.P. (collectively, “First Reserve”) received 1,501,211 Voting Ordinary Shares, 714,015 Non-Voting Preferred Shares and cash consideration in the transaction. Following the approval of the Company’s shareholders of an amendment to its bye-laws on June 10, 2014, First Reserve’s Non-Voting Preferred Shares converted on a share-for-share basis into 714,015 shares of newly created Series E Non-Voting Convertible Common Shares (the “Series E Non-Voting Ordinary Shares”). Corsair Specialty Investors, L.P. (“Corsair”) received 397,115 Voting Ordinary Shares and cash consideration in the transaction. The remaining Torus shareholders received all cash. As a result of the amalgamation, First Reserve now owns approximately 9.5% and 11.5%, respectively, of the Company’s Voting Ordinary Shares and outstanding share capital.

Upon the closing of the Torus acquisition, Bayshore, Kenmare and Trident entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement (the “Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement”), which was subsequently amended, as described in “Dowling Co-investments in Bayshore and Northshore” below.

 

Purchase price

   $ 656,088   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired at fair value

   $ 643,088   
  

 

 

 

Excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired

   $ 13,000   
  

 

 

 

 

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The purchase price was allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities of Torus based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The Company recognized goodwill of $13.0 million, all of which was recorded within the Torus segment and is attributable primarily to Torus’ assembled workforce. The Company also recognized indefinite lived intangible assets of $23.9 million and other definite lived intangible assets of $20.0 million.

Prior to acquisition, Torus ceased underwriting certain lines of business in order to focus on core property, casualty and specialty lines. The results of the discontinued lines of business that were placed into run-off are included within the Company’s non-life run-off segment.

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Torus transaction at the acquisition date, allocated by segment.

 

     Torus
Segment
     Non-life
Run-off

Segment
     Total  

ASSETS

        

Short-term investments, trading, at fair value

   $ 73,425       $ 25,888       $ 99,313   

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value

     736,765         329,235         1,066,000   

Other investments

     2,068                 2,068   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

     812,258         355,123         1,167,381   

Cash and cash equivalents

     211,718         127,890         339,608   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     22,779                 22,779   

Premiums receivable

     321,350                 321,350   

Reinsurance balances recoverable — reserves

     210,742         152,057         362,799   

Reinsurance balances recoverable — paids

     21,122         20,100         41,222   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     144,221         25,221         169,442   

Intangible assets

     43,900                 43,900   

Other assets

     37,621                 37,621   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     1,825,711         680,391         2,506,102   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     675,424         588,822         1,264,246   

Insurance and reinsurance balances payable

     140,997         42,447         183,444   

Unearned premium

     343,840         49,122         392,962   

Other liabilities

     22,362                 22,362   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,182,623         680,391         1,863,014   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AT FAIR VALUE

     643,088                 643,088   

Goodwill

     13,000                 13,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

ACQUISITION DATE FAIR VALUE

   $ 656,088       $       $ 656,088   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition:

 

         Amount          Economic
    Useful Life    

Syndicate capacity

   $ 4,000       Indefinite

U.S. insurance licences

     19,900       Indefinite

Technology

     15,000       4 Years

Brand

     5,000       6 years
  

 

 

    

Intangible assets as of the acquisition date

   $ 43,900      
  

 

 

    

 

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The fair value of the Lloyd’s syndicate capacity was estimated using the multi-period excess-earnings method, a form of the income approach. Lloyd’s syndicate capacity represents Torus’s authorized premium income limit to write insurance business in the Lloyd’s market. The capacity is renewed annually at no cost to the Company but may be freely purchased or sold, subject to Lloyd’s approval. The ability to write insurance business within the syndicate capacity is indefinite, with the premium income limit being set annually by the Company, subject to Lloyd’s approval.

U.S. insurance licenses represent the intangible asset related to Torus’ licenses and have been valued based on recent market transactions.

Technology represents the intangible asset related to Torus’ capitalized software and has been valued on a replacement cost basis.

Brand represents the intangible asset related to the Torus name and was valued using the income approach.

From April 1, 2014, the date of acquisition, to December 31, 2014, the Company earned premiums of $373.6 million, recorded net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $218.4 million on those earned premiums, and recorded $10.6 million in net loss (after noncontrolling interest) in its consolidated statement of earnings related to the active underwriting portion of the Torus segment.

From the date of acquisition to December 31, 2014, the Company earned premiums of $28.6 million, recorded net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $20.6 million on those earned premiums, and recorded $0.1 million in net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited in its consolidated statement of earnings related to Torus’ non-life run-off business.

 

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Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information (Unaudited)

The operating results for Torus have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The following pro forma condensed combined statement of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 combines the historical consolidated statements of earnings of the Company with those historical consolidated statements of earnings of Torus, giving effect to the business combinations and related transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2013 and 2014, as applicable. The unaudited pro forma financial information presented below is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisition of Torus had taken place at the beginning of each period presented, nor is it indicative of future results.

 

     Enstar Group
Limited
    Unaudited  

2014

     Torus     Proforma
Adjustments
    Enstar  Group
Limited - Proforma
 

Total income

   $ 859,517      $ 147,193      $ (1,846   $ 1,004,864   

Total expenses

     (632,281     (145,479     3,670        (774,090

Total noncontrolling interest

     (13,487            (1,451     (14,938
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 213,749      $ 1,714      $ 373      $ 215,836   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Summary of the Pro Forma Adjustments to the Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 (Unaudited):

 

Income:

  

(a) Adjustment to recognize amortization of fair value adjustments related to unearned premium

     (1,846

Expenses:

  

(a) Adjustment to recognize amortization of definite-lived intangible assets

     (1,146

(b) Adjustment to recognize amortization of fair value adjustments related to acquired losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities and reinsurance balances recoverable

     4,816   
  

 

 

 
     3,670   

(c) Adjustment to noncontrolling interest for pro forma condensed consolidated statement of earnings

     (1,451

 

     Enstar Group
Limited
    Unaudited  

2013

     Torus     Proforma
Adjustments
    Enstar Group
Limited - Proforma
 

Total income

   $ 416,570      $ 633,700      $ (7,384   $ 1,042,886   

Total expenses

     (192,748     (707,700     14,678        (885,770

Total noncontrolling interest

     (15,218            27,363        12,145   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 208,604      $ (74,000   $ 34,657      $ 169,261   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Summary of the Pro Forma Adjustments to the Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2013 (Unaudited):

 

Income:

  

(a) Adjustment to recognize amortization of fair value adjustments related to unearned premium

     (7,384

Expenses:

  

(a) Adjustment to recognize amortization of definite-lived intangible assets

     (4,583

(b) Adjustment to recognize amortization of fair value adjustments related to acquired losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities and reinsurance balances recoverable

     19,261   
  

 

 

 
     14,678   

(c) Adjustment to noncontrolling interest for pro forma condensed consolidated statement of earnings

     27,363   

Changes in Ownership Interests relating to Holding Companies for our Active Underwriting Businesses

Dowling Co-investments in Bayshore and Northshore

On May 8, 2014, Dowling Capital Partners I, L.P. (“Dowling”) purchased common shares of both Bayshore and Northshore from Kenmare and Trident (on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective interests) for an aggregate amount of $15.4 million.

Prior to the sale of shares to Dowling, Kenmare and Trident owned 60% and 40% of Bayshore and Northshore, respectively. Following the sale Kenmare, Trident and Dowling owned 59.0%, 39.3% and 1.7%, of Bayshore and Northshore, respectively.

In connection with the sale of Bayshore shares, the Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement was amended and restated. The Amended and Restated Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement, among other things, provides that Kenmare has the right to appoint three members to the Bayshore board of directors and Trident has the right to appoint two members. The Amended and Restated Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement includes a five-year period (the “Restricted Period”) during which no shareholder can transfer its ownership interest in Bayshore to a third party unless approved by a super-majority of the shareholders. Following the Restricted Period: (i) each shareholder must offer Kenmare and Trident the right to buy its shares before the shares are offered to a third party; (ii) Kenmare can require each other shareholder to participate in a sale of Bayshore to a third party as long as Kenmare owns 55% of the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Bayshore held by Kenmare and Trident; (iii) each shareholder has the right to be included on a pro rata basis in any sales made by another shareholder; and (iv) each of Kenmare, Trident and Dowling has the right to buy its pro rata share of any new securities issued by Bayshore.

The Amended and Restated Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement also provides that during the 90-day period following the fifth anniversary of the Torus closing, and at any time following the seventh anniversary of such closing, Kenmare would have the right to purchase the Bayshore shares owned by all other shareholders of Bayshore at their then fair market value, which would be payable in cash. Following the seventh anniversary of the Torus closing, Trident would have the right to require Kenmare to purchase all of Trident’s shares in Bayshore for their then current fair market value and Dowling would have the right to participate in such transaction by requiring Kenmare to purchase all of its shares in Bayshore on the same terms. Kenmare would have the option to pay for such shares either in cash or by delivering the Company’s Voting Ordinary Shares.

 

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In connection with the sale of Northshore shares, the Northshore Shareholders’ Agreement was amended and restated. The Amended and Restated Northshore Shareholders’ Agreement provides for substantially the same rights and obligations as the Amended and Restated Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement, except that the fifth and seventh anniversaries refer to the Arden closing (which occurred on September 9, 2013).

2013

Atrium

On November 25, 2013, Kenmare and Trident completed the acquisition of Atrium.

The purchase price for Atrium was $158.0 million. Kenmare’s portion of the purchase price was $94.8 million, and was financed by borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

The purchase price and net assets acquired at fair value are as follows:

 

Purchase price

   $ 158,000   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired at fair value

   $ 119,152   
  

 

 

 

Excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired

   $ 38,848   
  

 

 

 

The purchase price was allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities of Atrium based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The Company recognized goodwill of $38.8 million, all of which was recorded within the Atrium segment and is attributable primarily to Atrium’s assembled workforce. The Company also recognized indefinite-lived intangible assets of $63.0 million and other definite lived intangible assets of $27.0 million.

 

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The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date.

 

ASSETS

  

Short-term investments, available-for-sale, at fair value

   $ 33,535   

Short-term investments, trading, at fair value

     12,526   

Fixed maturities, available-for-sale, at fair value

     156,142   

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value

     10,751   
  

 

 

 

Total investments

     212,954   

Cash and cash equivalents

     44,842   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     12,305   

Premiums receivable

     41,855   

Reinsurance balances recoverable

     32,375   

Deferred premium

     26,224   

Funds withheld

     19,579   

Intangibles

     90,000   

Other assets

     7,977   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     488,111   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     216,319   

Insurance and reinsurance balances payable

     20,834   

Unearned premium

     42,738   

Deferred taxes

     39,740   

Other liabilities

     49,328   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     368,959   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AT FAIR VALUE

     119,152   

Goodwill

     38,848   
  

 

 

 

ACQUISITION DATE FAIR VALUE

   $ 158,000   
  

 

 

 

The net unearned premiums acquired included a decrease of $16.7 million to adjust net unearned premiums to fair value. This fair value adjustment is included within unearned premiums on the consolidated balance sheet. As at December 31, 2014, $16.0 million has been amortized to acquisition costs in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive income. As at December 31, 2014, the remaining balance of the fair value adjustment was $0.7 million, which will be amortized to acquisition costs in 2015.

The following table summarizes the intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition:

 

     Amount    

Economic

Useful Life

Syndicate capacity

   $ 32,900      Indefinite

Management contract

     30,100      Indefinite

Distribution channel

     20,000      15 Years

Brand

     7,000      10 years
  

 

 

   

Intangible assets as of the acquisition date

   $ 90,000     
  

 

 

   

The fair value of the Lloyd’s syndicate capacity was estimated using the multi-period excess-earnings method. Lloyd’s syndicate capacity represents Atrium’s authorized premium income limit to

 

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write insurance business in the Lloyd’s market. Atrium’s proportionate share of Syndicate 609 (the syndicate through which it conducts its Lloyd’s operations) is approximately 25%. The capacity is renewed annually at no cost to the Company but may be freely purchased or sold, subject to Lloyd’s approval. The ability to write insurance business within the syndicate capacity is indefinite with the premium income limit being set annually by the Company, subject to Lloyd’s approval.

Atrium provides underwriting, actuarial and support services to Syndicate 609 pursuant to a management contract. The fair value of the management contract was estimated using the income approach.

Distribution channels represent broker relationships and the network of insurance companies through which Atrium conducts its operations. The fair value of Atrium’s distribution channel was estimated using the income approach. Critical inputs into the valuation model for customer relationships and broker relationships include estimates of expected premium and attrition rates, and discounting at a weighted average cost of capital. Brand represents the intangible asset related to the Atrium name and was valued using the income approach.

Arden

On September 9, 2013, Kenmare and Trident, completed the acquisition of Arden through Northshore.

The purchase price for Arden was $79.6 million. Kenmare’s portion of the purchase price was $47.8 million, and was financed by borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

 

Purchase price

   $ 79,600   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired at fair value

   $ 79,600   
  

 

 

 

The following summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition, allocated by segment:

 

     Atrium
Segment
     Non-life
Run-off Segment
     Total  

ASSETS

        

Short-term investments, trading, at fair value

   $ 16,340       $ 12,512       $ 28,852   

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value

     9,351         46,077         55,428   

Other investments

             2,867         2,867   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

     25,691         61,456         87,147   

Cash and cash equivalents

             23,037         23,037   

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

     10,213         21,599         31,812   

Premiums receivable

     74,452         49,769         124,221   

Reinsurance balances recoverable

             354,810         354,810   

Other assets

             12,016         12,016   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     110,356         522,687         633,043   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

        

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     56,160         427,567         483,727   

Insurance and reinsurance balances payable

             59,304         59,304   

Unearned premium

             10,412         10,412   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     56,160         497,283         553,443   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AT FAIR VALUE

   $ 54,196       $ 25,404       $ 79,600   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Pavonia

On March 31, 2013, the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Pavonia Holdings (US), Inc., completed the acquisition of all of the shares of Household Life Insurance Company of Delaware (“HLIC DE”) and HSBC Insurance Company of Delaware (“HSBC DE”) from Household Insurance Group Holding Company, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc. HLIC DE and HSBC DE are both Delaware-domiciled insurers in run-off. HLIC DE owns three other insurers domiciled in Michigan, New York, and Arizona, which are also in run-off (collectively with HLIC DE and HSBC DE, the “Pavonia companies”). The aggregate cash purchase price was $155.6 million and was financed in part by a drawing of $55.7 million under the Company’s revolving credit facility. The Pavonia companies wrote various U.S. and Canadian life insurance, including credit life and disability insurance, term life insurance, assumed life reinsurance and annuities.

The purchase price and fair value of the assets acquired in the Pavonia acquisition were as follows:

 

Purchase price

   $ 155,564   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired at fair value

   $ 155,564   
  

 

 

 

The following summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:

 

ASSETS

  

Short-term investments, trading, at fair value

   $ 40,404   

Short-term investments, held-to-maturity, at fair value

     10,268   

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value

     329,985   

Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at fair value

     876,474   
  

 

 

 

Total investments

     1,257,131   

Cash and cash equivalents

     81,849   

Accrued interest receivable

     15,183   

Funds held by reinsured companies

     47,761   

Other assets

     59,002   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     1,460,926   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Policyholder benefits for life and annuity contracts

     1,255,632   

Reinsurance balances payable

     39,477   

Unearned premium

     5,618   

Other liabilities

     4,635   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     1,305,362   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AT FAIR VALUE

   $ 155,564   
  

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013, the date of acquisition of the Pavonia companies, all of the companies were either in run-off or, immediately following the acquisition, were placed into run-off, and accordingly are no longer writing any new policies. The Pavonia companies continue to collect premiums in relation to the unexpired policies assumed on acquisition.

 

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SeaBright

On February 7, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of SeaBright Holdings Inc. (“SeaBright”), through the merger of its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, AML Acquisition, Corp. with and into SeaBright (the “Merger”), with SeaBright surviving the Merger as the Company’s indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary. SeaBright owns SeaBright Insurance Company, an Illinois-domiciled insurer that is commercially domiciled in California, which wrote direct workers’ compensation business. The aggregate cash purchase price paid by the Company for all equity securities of SeaBright was approximately $252.1 million, which was funded in part with $111.0 million borrowed under a four-year term loan facility provided by NAB and Barclays.

Immediately following the acquisition, SeaBright was placed into run-off, and accordingly is no longer writing new insurance policies. Since its acquisition, SeaBright had renewed expiring insurance policies when it was obligated to do so by regulators, but has received approvals from all states relieving it of this obligation to renew any further policies.

The purchase price and fair value of the assets acquired in the SeaBright acquisition were as follows:

 

Purchase price

   $ 252,091   
  

 

 

 

Net assets acquired at fair value

   $ 252,091   
  

 

 

 

The following summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:

 

ASSETS

  

Short-term investments, trading, at fair value

   $ 25,171   

Fixed maturities, trading, at fair value

     683,780   
  

 

 

 

Total investments

     708,951   

Cash and cash equivalents

     41,846   

Accrued interest receivable

     6,344   

Premiums receivable

     112,510   

Reinsurance balances recoverable

     117,462   

Other assets

     4,515   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     991,628   
  

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

  

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     592,774   

Unearned premium

     93,897   

Loans payable

     12,000   

Insurance balances payable

     3,243   

Other liabilities

     37,623   
  

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     739,537   
  

 

 

 

NET ASSETS ACQUIRED AT FAIR VALUE

   $ 252,091   
  

 

 

 

The net unearned premiums acquired included a decrease of $14.4 million to adjust net unearned premiums to fair value. This fair value adjustment was included within unearned premiums on the

 

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December 31, 2013 consolidated balance sheet. This amount was amortized to acquisition costs in the consolidated statements of earnings during 2013. The amortization approximated the amount of SeaBright’s deferred acquisition costs that would have been recognized as acquisition costs had they not been fair valued under acquisition accounting. As at December 31, 2013, this fair value adjustment was fully amortized.

4. SIGNIFICANT NEW BUSINESS

2015

Reciprocal of America

On January 15, 2015, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Providence Washington Insurance Company, completed the loss portfolio transfer reinsurance transaction with Reciprocal of America (in Receivership) and its Deputy Receiver relating to a portfolio of workers compensation business in run-off. The total net insurance reserves assumed were approximately $162.1 million, with an equivalent amount of cash and/or investments being received as consideration.

Shelbourne RITC Transaction

Effective January 1, 2015, Lloyd’s Syndicate 2008, which is managed by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary and Lloyd’s managing agent, Shelbourne Syndicate Services Limited, entered into a reinsurance to close contract (“RITC”) of the 2012 and prior underwriting years of account of another Lloyd’s syndicate, under which Syndicate 2008 assumed total net insurance reserves of approximately £17.2 million (approximately $26.9 million) for cash consideration of an equal amount.

2014

Shelbourne RITC Transactions

Effective January 1, 2014, Syndicate 2008 entered into an RITC of the 2011 and prior underwriting years of account of another Lloyd’s syndicate, under which Syndicate 2008 assumed total net insurance reserves of approximately £17.0 million (approximately $28.1 million) for cash consideration of an equal amount.

2013

Shelbourne RITC Transactions

Effective January 1, 2013, Syndicate 2008 entered into an RITC of the 2009 underwriting year of account of another Lloyd’s syndicate and a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement with a further Lloyd’s syndicate in respect of its 2010 underwriting year of account, under which Syndicate 2008 assumed total gross insurance reserves of approximately £33.8 million (approximately $51.4 million) for cash consideration of an equal amount.

American Physicians

On April 26, 2013, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Providence Washington Insurance Company (“PWIC”), completed the assignment and assumption of a portfolio of workers’

 

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compensation business from American Physicians Assurance Corporation and APSpecialty Insurance Company (collectively “APS”). Total assets and liabilities assumed were approximately $35.3 million.

2012

Claremont

On August 6 and December 17, 2012, the Company, through Fitzwilliam, entered into novation agreements with Claremont and two of Claremont’s reinsurers with respect to their existing quota share contracts. Under the novation agreements, Fitzwilliam replaced the reinsurers on the quota share contracts in exchange for total assets and liabilities of approximately $38.0 million.

Zurich Danish Portfolio

On June 30, 2012, the Company, through the Danish branch of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Marlon Insurance Company Limited (“Marlon”), acquired, by way of loss portfolio transfer under Danish law, a portfolio of reinsurance and professional disability business from the Danish branch of Zurich Insurance Company (“Zurich”). Marlon received total assets and assumed liabilities of approximately $60.0 million.

Shelbourne RITC Transactions

On January 1, 2012, Syndicate 2008 transferred the assets and liabilities relating to its 2009 and prior underwriting years of account into its 2010 underwriting year of account by means of an RITC transaction. Following the transfer, the existing noncontrolling interest held by its other investors ceased, resulting in the Company now providing 100% of the underwriting capacity for Syndicate 2008.

Effective December 31, 2012, Syndicate 2008 entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance agreement with another Lloyd’s syndicate in respect of its 2009 and prior years of account (the “2009 liabilities”), under which Syndicate 2008 assumed total gross insurance reserves of approximately £193.0 million (approximately $313.3 million) for consideration of an equal amount. Effective January 1, 2014, the 2012 Lloyd’s underwriting year of account of Syndicate 2008 entered into a partial RITC transaction with respect to the 2009 liabilities.

5. INVESTMENTS

The Company holds: (i) trading portfolios of fixed maturity investments, short-term investments, equities and other investments; (ii) a held-to-maturity portfolio of fixed maturity investments; and (iii) available-for-sale portfolios of fixed maturity and short-term investments. The Company’s trading and available-for-sale portfolios are recorded at fair value. The Company’s held-to-maturity portfolio is recorded at amortized cost.

In the normal course of the Company’s investing activities, it actively manages allocations to non-controlling tranches of structured securities issued by variable interest entities (“VIEs”). These structured securities include residential mortgage-backed, commercial mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and are included in the tables below.

The Company’s other investments are comprised of private equity funds, fixed income funds, fixed income hedge funds, equity and real estate debt funds. The Company also holds both direct and indirect investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) equity-tranched securities, which are all variable interests issued by VIEs. The indirect investments are in the form of CLO equity funds. For

 

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these variable interests, the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that are most significant to the economic performance of the VIEs and, accordingly, it is not the primary beneficiary for any of these VIEs. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss on these interests is limited to the amount of its investment. The Company has not provided financial or other support with respect to these structured securities other than its original investment.

Trading

The estimated fair values of the Company’s investments in fixed maturity investments, short-term investments and equities classified as trading securities were as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

U.S. government and agency

   $ 744,660       $ 439,946   

Non-U.S. government

     368,945         476,224   

Corporate

     1,986,873         2,123,675   

Municipal

     25,607         41,034   

Residential mortgage-backed

     308,621         218,457   

Commercial mortgage-backed

     139,907         114,637   

Asset-backed

     388,194         248,748   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total fixed maturity and short-term investments

     3,962,807         3,662,721   

Equities — U.S.

     106,895         115,285   

Equities — International

     43,235         66,748   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,112,937       $ 3,844,754   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included within residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities as at December 31, 2014 were securities issued by U.S. governmental agencies with a fair value of $263.4 million (as at December 31, 2013: $177.9 million).

The increase in the Company’s investments classified as trading securities of $268.2 million was due primarily to additional fixed maturity investments acquired in the Torus acquisition.

The contractual maturities of the Company’s short-term and fixed maturity investments classified as trading are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
 

One year or less

   $ 837,557       $ 829,644         20.9

More than one year through two years

     787,810         780,979         19.7

More than two years through five years

     1,161,708         1,159,917         29.3

More than five years through ten years

     289,359         289,911         7.3

More than ten years

     66,793         65,634         1.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,143,227         3,126,085         78.9

Residential mortgage-backed

     307,847         308,621         7.8

Commercial mortgage-backed

     139,984         139,907         3.5

Asset-backed

     389,529         388,194         9.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,980,587       $ 3,962,807         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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As at December 31, 2013

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
 

One year or less

   $ 800,815       $ 808,707         22.1

More than one year through two years

     1,191,586         1,195,752         32.6

More than two years through five years

     682,735         688,963         18.8

More than five years through ten years

     357,925         351,422         9.6

More than ten years

     38,270         36,035         1.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,071,331         3,080,879         84.1

Residential mortgage-backed

     219,461         218,457         6.0

Commercial mortgage-backed

     115,351         114,637         3.1

Asset-backed

     247,596         248,748         6.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,653,739       $ 3,662,721         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables set forth certain information regarding the credit ratings (provided by major rating agencies) of the Company’s fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as trading:

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
 

AAA

   $ 527,466         13.3

AA

     1,747,389         44.1

A

     1,164,604         29.4

BBB

     391,107         9.9

Non-Investment Grade

     111,777         2.8

Not Rated

     20,464         0.5
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,962,807         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013

   Fair Value      % of Total
Fair
Value
 

AAA

   $ 502,057         13.7

AA

     1,430,107         39.1

A

     1,191,142         32.5

BBB

     408,466         11.1

Non-Investment Grade

     53,148         1.5

Not Rated

     77,801         2.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,662,721         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Held-to-maturity

The Company holds a portfolio of held-to-maturity securities to support the annuity business acquired with Pavonia. The amortized cost and estimated fair values of the Company’s fixed maturity investments classified as held-to-maturity were as follows:

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding

Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding

Losses
Non-OTTI
     Fair
Value
 

U.S. government and agency

   $ 20,257       $ 322       $ (20    $ 20,559   

Non-U.S. government

     38,613         325         (249      38,689   

Corporate

     754,363         16,182         (3,421      767,124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 813,233       $ 16,829       $ (3,690    $ 826,372   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013

   Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
Non-OTTI
     Fair Value  

U.S. government and agency

   $ 19,992       $ 6       $ (1,866    $ 18,132   

Non-U.S. government

     23,592         19         (1,284      22,327   

Corporate

     815,803         105         (56,808      759,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 859,387       $ 130       $ (59,958    $ 799,559   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, none of these securities were considered to be other than temporarily impaired.

The contractual maturities of the Company’s fixed maturity investments classified as held-to-maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

One year or less

   $ 10,369       $ 10,350         1.2

More than one year through two years

     19,939         19,957         2.4

More than two years through five years

     68,945         69,031         8.4

More than five years through ten years

     99,171         98,922         12.0

More than ten years

     614,809         628,112         76.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 813,233       $ 826,372         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

One year or less

   $ 17,541       $ 17,579         2.2

More than one year through two years

     76,825         75,742         9.5

More than two years through five years

     10,873         10,869         1.3

More than five years through ten years

     133,102         126,541         15.8

More than ten years

     621,046         568,828         71.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 859,387       $ 799,559         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following tables set forth certain information regarding the credit ratings (provided by major rating agencies) of the Company’s fixed maturity investments classified as held-to-maturity:

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

AAA

   $ 53,893       $ 54,895         6.6

AA

     245,460         246,764         29.9

A

     466,317         476,642         57.7

BBB

     42,107         42,748         5.2

Non-Investment Grade

     5,456         5,323         0.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 813,233       $ 826,372         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

AAA

   $ 47,949       $ 44,552         5.6

AA

     259,163         239,188         29.9

A

     496,986         463,001         57.9

BBB

     49,281         47,157         5.9

Non-Investment Grade

     5,478         5,125         0.6

Not Rated

     530         536         0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 859,387       $ 799,559         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Available-for-sale

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of the Company’s fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as available-for-sale were as follows:

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
Non-OTTI
     Fair
Value
 

U.S. government and agency

   $ 24,167       $ 182       $ (7    $ 24,342   

Non-U.S. government

     72,913         386         (2,805      70,494   

Corporate

     101,745         964         (1,653      101,056   

Residential mortgage-backed

     3,305         76         (138      3,243   

Asset-backed

     41,980         15         (19      41,976   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 244,110       $ 1,623       $ (4,622    $ 241,111   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013

   Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Holding
Losses
Non-OTTI
     Fair
Value
 

U.S. government and agency

   $ 28,050       $ 303       $ (10    $ 28,343   

Non-U.S. government

     84,443         1,871         (22      86,292   

Corporate

     76,942         1,221         (259      77,904   

Residential mortgage-backed

     17,523         102         (118      17,507   

Asset-backed

     36,344         4         (30      36,318   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 243,302       $ 3,501       $ (439    $ 246,364   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Included within residential mortgage-backed securities as at December 31, 2014 were securities issued by U.S. governmental agencies with a fair value of $1.1 million (as at December 31, 2013: $12.5 million).

The following tables summarize the Company’s fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position as well as the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss by length of time the securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:

 

    12 Months or Greater     Less Than 12 Months     Total  

As at December 31, 2014

  Fair
Value
    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
    Unrealized
Losses
 

U.S. government and agency

  $ 528      $      $ 3,678      $ (6   $ 4,206      $ (6

Non-U.S. government

    17,051        (1,534     20,300        (1,271     37,351        (2,805

Corporate

    39,964        (1,003     40,072        (651     80,036        (1,654

Residential mortgage-backed

    2,073        (138                   2,073        (138

Asset-backed

    11,215        (12     14,720        (7     25,935        (19
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 70,831      $ (2,687   $ 78,770      $ (1,935   $ 149,601      $ (4,622
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    12 Months or Greater     Less Than 12 Months     Total  

As at December 31, 2013

  Fair
Value
    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
    Unrealized
Losses
    Fair
Value
    Unrealized
Losses
 

U.S government and agency

  $      $      $ 11,416      $ (10   $ 11,416      $ (10

Non-U.S. government

                  20,406        (22     20,406        (22

Corporate

                  51,478        (259     51,478        (259

Residential mortgage-backed

                  13,632        (118     13,632        (118

Asset-backed

                  24,898        (30     24,898        (30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $      $      $ 121,830      $ (439   $ 121,830      $ (439
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the number of securities classified as available-for-sale in an unrealized loss position was 212 and 135, respectively, with a fair value of $149.6 million and $121.8 million, respectively. Of these securities, the number of securities that had been in an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer was 120 and nil, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, none of these securities were considered to be other than temporarily impaired.

The contractual maturities of the Company’s fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as available-for-sale are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

One year or less

   $ 54,491       $ 53,496         22.2

More than one year through two years

     53,936         52,343         21.7

More than two years through five years

     86,157         84,970         35.2

More than five years through ten years

     1,890         1,858         0.8

More than ten years

     2,351         3,225         1.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     198,825         195,892         81.2

Residential mortgage-backed

     3,305         3,243         1.4

Asset-backed

     41,980         41,976         17.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 244,110       $ 241,111         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

As at December 31, 2013

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

One year or less

   $ 45,295       $ 45,596         18.5

More than one year through two years

     73,763         74,101         30.1

Due after two years through three years

     67,637         69,344         28.1

More than five years through ten years

     69         70         0.1

More than ten years

     2,671         3,428         1.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     189,435         192,539         78.2

Residential mortgage-backed

     17,523         17,507         7.1

Asset-backed

     36,344         36,318         14.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 243,302       $ 246,364         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following tables set forth certain information regarding the credit ratings (provided by major rating agencies) of the Company’s fixed maturity and short-term investments classified as available-for-sale:

 

As at December 31, 2014

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

AAA

   $ 117,866       $ 115,691         48.0

AA

     62,707         61,970         25.7

A

     49,039         49,063         20.3

BBB

     14,498         14,387         6.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 244,110       $ 241,111         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2013

   Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
     % of Total
Fair
Value
 

AAA

   $ 125,729       $ 127,433         51.7

AA

     74,692         75,181         30.5

A

     33,834         34,607         14.1

BBB

     8,957         8,963         3.6

Not Rated

     90         180         0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 243,302       $ 246,364         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Process

The Company assesses whether declines in the fair value of its fixed maturity investments classified as available-for-sale and held-to-maturity represent impairment losses that are other-than-temporary and whether a credit loss exists in accordance with its accounting policies. In assessing whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell a fixed maturity investment before its anticipated recovery, the Company considers various factors including its future cash flow requirements, legal and regulatory requirements, the level of its cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and fixed maturity investments available-for-sale in an unrealized gain position, and other relevant factors. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment losses due to required sales. The Company determined that, as at December 31, 2014, no credit losses existed.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Other Investments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s other investments were as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Private equity funds

   $ 197,269       $ 161,229   

Fixed income funds

     335,026         194,375   

Fixed income hedge funds

     59,627         68,157   

Equity funds

     150,053         109,355   

Real estate debt fund

     33,902         32,113   

CLO equities

     41,271           

CLO equity funds

     16,022           

Other

     3,698         4,064   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 836,868       $ 569,293   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Private equity funds

This class comprises several private equity funds that invest primarily in the financial services industry. All of the Company’s investments in private equity funds are subject to restrictions on redemptions and sales that are determined by the governing documents and limit the Company’s ability to liquidate those investments. These restrictions have been in place since the dates the initial investments were made by the Company.

As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $197.3 million and $161.2 million, respectively, of other investments recorded in private equity funds, which represented 2.6% and 2.5% of total investments, cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Due to a lag in the valuations reported by the managers, the Company records changes in the investment value with up to a three-month lag. Management regularly reviews and discusses fund performance with the Company’s fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the reported net asset values and to assess whether any events have occurred within the lag period that would affect the valuation of the investments.

Fixed income funds

This class comprises a number of positions in diversified fixed income funds that are managed by third party managers. Underlying investments vary from high grade corporate bonds to non-investment grade senior secured loans and bonds, but are generally invested in liquid fixed income markets. These funds have regularly published prices. The funds have liquidity terms that vary from daily up to quarterly.

Fixed income hedge funds

This class comprises hedge funds that invest in a diversified portfolio of debt securities. The hedge funds have imposed lock-up periods of three years from the time of the Company’s initial investment. Once eligible, redemptions will be permitted quarterly with 90 days’ notice.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Equity funds

This class comprises equity funds that invest in a diversified portfolio of international publicly-traded equity securities.

Real estate debt fund

This class comprises a real estate debt fund that invests primarily in U.S. commercial real estate loans and securities. A redemption request for this fund can be made 10 days after the date of any monthly valuation; the fund states that it will make commercially reasonable efforts to redeem the investment within the next monthly period.

CLO equities

This class comprises investments in the equity tranches of term-financed securitizations of diversified pools of corporate bank loans. CLO equities denote direct investments by the Company in these securities.

CLO equity funds

This class comprises two funds that invest primarily in the equity tranches of term-financed securitizations of diversified pools of corporate bank loans.

Other

This class primarily comprises a fund that provides loans to educational institutions throughout the U.S. and its territories. Through these investments, the Company participates in the performance of the underlying loan pools. This investment matures when the loans are paid down and cannot be redeemed before maturity. Also included within this class is a catastrophe bond acquired as part of the Company’s acquisition of Torus.

Redemption restrictions on other investments

Certain funds included in other investments are subject to a lock-up period. A lock-up period refers to the initial amount of time an investor is contractually required to invest before having the ability to redeem the investment. Funds that do provide for periodic redemptions may, depending on the funds’ governing documents, have the ability to deny or delay a redemption request, which is called a “gate.” The fund may restrict redemptions because the aggregate amount of redemption requests as of a particular date exceeds a specified level. The gate is a method for executing an orderly redemption process that allows for redemption requests to be executed in a timely manner to reduce the possibility of adversely affecting the remaining investors in the fund. Typically, the imposition of a gate delays a portion of the requested redemption, with the remaining portion to be settled in cash sometime after the redemption date.

Certain funds included in other investments may be allowed to invest a portion of their assets in illiquid securities, such as private equity or convertible debt. In such cases, a common mechanism used is a “side-pocket,” whereby the illiquid security is assigned to a separate memorandum capital account or designated account. Typically, the investor loses its redemption rights in the designated account. Only when the illiquid security is sold, or is otherwise deemed liquid by the fund, may investors redeem their interest in the side-pocket.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had $2.0 million of investments subject to side-pockets ($3.2 million as of December 31, 2013). As of December 31, 2014, management has not made any adjustments to the fair value estimate reported by the fund managers for the side-pocketed investments.

The following tables present the fair value, unfunded commitments and redemption frequency for the funds included within other investments. These investments are all valued at net asset value as at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

December 31, 2014

  Total Fair
Value
    Gated/Side
Pocket
Investments
    Investments
without Gates
or Side Pockets
    Unfunded
Commitments
    Redemption
Frequency

Private equity funds

  $ 197,269      $      $ 197,269      $ 99,885      Not eligible

Fixed income funds

    335,026               335,026             Daily, monthly and quarterly

Fixed income hedge funds

    59,627        1,958        57,669             Quarterly after lock-up
periods expire

Equity funds

    150,053               150,053             Bi-monthly

Real estate debt fund

    33,902               33,902             Monthly

CLO equity funds

    16,022               16,022             Not eligible

Other

    1,363               1,363             Not eligible
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
  $ 793,262      $ 1,958      $ 791,304      $ 99,885     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

December 31, 2013

  Total Fair
Value
    Gated/Side
Pocket
Investments
    Investments
without Gates
or Side Pockets
    Unfunded
Commitments
    Redemption
Frequency

Private equity funds

  $ 161,229      $      $ 161,229      $ 113,585      Not eligible

Fixed income funds

    194,375               194,375             Daily to monthly

Fixed income hedge funds

    68,157        3,150        65,007             Quarterly after lock-up
periods expire

Equity funds

    109,355               109,355             Bi-monthly

Real estate debt fund

    32,113               32,113             Monthly

Other

    4,064               4,064        655      Not eligible
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
  $ 569,293      $ 3,150      $ 566,143      $ 114,240     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price at which to sell an asset or transfer a liability (i.e. the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels as follows:

 

   

Level 1 — Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments.

 

   

Level 2 — Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or for which significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

   

Level 3 — Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own judgment about assumptions that market participants might use.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following is a summary of valuation techniques or models the Company uses to measure fair value by asset and liability classes.

Fixed Maturity Investments

The Company’s fixed maturity investments portfolio is managed by the Company’s Chief Investment Officer and outside investment advisors with oversight from the Company’s Investment Committee. Fair values for all securities in the fixed maturity investments portfolio are independently provided by the investment custodians, investment accounting service providers and investment managers, each of which utilize internationally recognized independent pricing services. Interactive Data Corporation is, however, the main pricing service utilized to estimate the fair value measurements for the Company’s fixed maturity investments. The Company records the unadjusted price provided by the investment custodians, investment accounting service providers or the investment managers and validates this price through a process that includes, but is not limited to: (i) comparison of prices against alternative pricing sources; (ii) quantitative analysis (e.g. comparing the quarterly return for each managed portfolio to its target benchmark); (iii) evaluation of methodologies used by external parties to estimate fair value, including a review of the inputs used for pricing; and (iv) comparing the price to the Company’s knowledge of the current investment market. The Company’s internal price validation procedures and review of fair value methodology documentation provided by independent pricing services have not historically resulted in adjustment in the prices obtained from the pricing service.

The independent pricing services used by the investment custodians, investment accounting service providers and investment managers obtain actual transaction prices for securities that have quoted prices in active markets. For determining the fair value of securities that are not actively traded, in general, pricing services use “matrix pricing” in which the independent pricing service uses observable market inputs including, but not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates and such other inputs as are available from market sources to determine a reasonable fair value. In addition, pricing services use valuation models, using observable data, such as an Option Adjusted Spread model, to develop prepayment and interest rate scenarios. The Option Adjusted Spread model is commonly used to estimate fair value for securities such as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities.

The following describes the techniques generally used to determine the fair value of the Company’s fixed maturity investments by asset class.

 

   

U.S. government and agency securities consist of securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and mortgage pass-through agencies such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and other agencies. The significant inputs used to determine the fair value of these securities include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes. These are considered to be observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified within Level 2.

 

   

Non-U.S. government securities consist of bonds issued by non-U.S. governments and agencies along with supranational organizations. The significant inputs used to determine the fair value of these securities include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades and broker-dealer quotes. These are considered to be observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified within Level 2.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

   

Corporate securities consist primarily of investment-grade debt of a wide variety of corporate issuers and industries. The fair values of these securities are determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, benchmark yields, and industry and market indicators. These are considered observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified within Level 2. Where pricing is unavailable from pricing services, the Company obtains non-binding quotes from broker-dealers. This is generally the case when there is a low volume of trading activity and current transactions are not orderly. In this event, securities are classified within Level 3. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had one corporate security classified as Level 3.

 

   

Municipal securities consist primarily of bonds issued by U.S.-domiciled state and municipal entities. The fair values of these securities are determined using the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes and benchmark yields. These are considered observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified within Level 2.

 

   

Asset-backed securities consist primarily of investment-grade bonds backed by pools of loans with a variety of underlying collateral. The significant inputs used to determine the fair value of these securities include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, prepayment speeds and default rates. These are considered observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified within Level 2.

 

   

Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities include both agency and non-agency originated securities. The significant inputs used to determine the fair value of these securities include the spread above the risk-free yield curve, reported trades, benchmark yields, broker-dealer quotes, prepayment speeds and default rates. These are considered observable market inputs and, therefore, the fair values of these securities are classified within Level 2. Where pricing is unavailable from pricing services, the Company obtains non-binding quotes from broker-dealers. This is generally the case when there is a low volume of trading activity and current transactions are not orderly. In this event, securities are classified within Level 3. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had no residential or commercial mortgage-backed securities classified as Level 3.

Equities

The Company’s equities are predominantly traded on the major exchanges and are primarily managed by two external advisors. The Company uses Interactive Data Corporation, an internationally recognized pricing service, to estimate the fair value for all of its equities. The Company’s equities are widely diversified and there is no significant concentration in any specific industry.

The Company has categorized all of its investments in equities other than preferred stock as Level 1 investments because the fair values of these investments are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The fair value estimates of the Company’s preferred stock is based on observable market data and, as a result, has been categorized as Level 2, with the exception of one investment in preferred stock that has been categorized as Level 3.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Other investments

The Company has ongoing due diligence processes with respect to funds in which it invests and their managers. These processes are designed to assist the Company in assessing the quality of information provided by, or on behalf of, each fund and in determining whether such information continues to be reliable or whether further review is warranted. Certain funds do not provide full transparency of their underlying holdings; however, the Company obtains the audited financial statements for funds annually, and regularly reviews and discusses the fund performance with the fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the reported net asset values. The use of net asset value as an estimate of the fair value for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value is a permitted practical expedient. While reported net asset value is the primary input to the review, when the net asset value is deemed not to be indicative of fair value, the Company may incorporate adjustments to the reported net asset value (and not use the permitted practical expedient) on an investment by investment basis. These adjustments may involve significant management judgment. As at December 31, 2014, there were no material adjustments made to the reported net asset value.

For its investments in private equity funds, the Company measures fair value by obtaining the most recently provided capital statement from the external fund manager or third-party administrator. The funds calculate net asset value on a fair value basis. For all publicly-traded companies within these funds, the Company adjusts the reported net asset value based on the latest share price as of the Company’s reporting date. The Company has classified its investments in private equity funds as Level 3.

The fixed income funds and equity funds in which the Company invests have been classified as Level 2 investments because their fair value is estimated using the published net asset value and because the fixed income funds and equity funds are highly liquid.

For its investments in fixed income hedge funds, the Company measures fair value by obtaining the most recently published net asset value as advised by the external fund manager or third-party administrator. The investments in the funds are classified as Level 3.

The real estate debt fund in which the Company invests has been valued based on the most recent published net asset value. This investment has been classified as Level 3.

The Company measures the fair value of its direct investment in CLO equities based on valuations provided by the Company’s external CLO equity manager. If the investment does not involve an external CLO equity manager, the fair value of the investment is valued based on valuations provided by the broker or lead underwriter of the investment (the “broker”). The Company’s CLO equity investments have been classified as Level 3 due to the use of unobservable inputs in the valuation and the limited number of relevant trades in secondary markets.

In providing valuations, the CLO equity manager and brokers use observable and unobservable inputs. Of the significant unobservable market inputs used, the default and loss severity rates involve the most judgment and create the most sensitivity. A significant increase (or decrease) in either of these significant inputs in isolation would result in lower (or higher) fair value estimates for direct investments in the Company’s CLO equities and, in general, a change in default rate assumptions will be accompanied by a directionally similar change in loss severity rate assumptions. Collateral spreads and estimated maturity dates are less judgmental inputs because they are based on the historical average of actual spreads and the weighted average life of the current underlying portfolios,

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

respectively. A significant increase (or decrease) in either of these significant inputs in isolation would result in higher (or lower) fair value estimates for direct investments in the Company’s CLO equities. In general, these inputs have no significant interrelationship with each other or with default and loss severity rates.

On a quarterly basis, the Company receives the valuation from the external CLO manager and brokers and then reviews the underlying cash flows and key assumptions used by the manager/broker. The Company reviews and updates the significant unobservable inputs based on information obtained from secondary markets. These inputs are the responsibility of the Company and the Company assesses the reasonableness of the inputs (and if necessary, updates the inputs) through communicating with industry participants, monitoring of the transactions in which the Company participates (for example, to evaluate default and loss severity rate trends), and reviewing market conditions, historical results, and emerging trends that may impact future cash flows.

If valuations from the external CLO equity manager or brokers were not available, the Company would use an income approach based on certain observable and unobservable inputs to value these investments. An income approach is also used to corroborate the reasonableness of the valuations provided by the external manager and brokers. Where an income approach is followed, the valuation is based on available trade information, such as expected cash flows and market assumptions on default and loss severity rates. Other inputs used in the valuation process include asset spreads, loan prepayment speeds, collateral spreads and estimated maturity dates.

For its investments in the CLO equity funds, the Company measures fair value by obtaining the most recently published net asset value as advised by the external fund manager. The Company uses an income approach to corroborate the reasonableness of reported net asset value. The CLO equity funds have been classified as Level 3 due to a lack of observable and relevant trades in secondary markets.

The Company’s remaining other investments have been valued based on the latest available capital statements, and have all been classified as Level 3.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with the provisions of the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification 820, the Company has categorized its investments that are recorded at fair value among levels as follows:

 

     December 31, 2014  
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     Total Fair
Value
 

U.S. government and agency

   $       $ 769,002       $       $ 769,002   

Non-U.S. government

             439,439                 439,439   

Corporate

             2,087,329         600         2,087,929   

Municipal

             25,607                 25,607   

Residential mortgage-backed

             311,864                 311,864   

Commercial mortgage-backed

             139,907                 139,907   

Asset-backed

             430,170                 430,170   

Equities — U.S.

     96,842         5,203         4,850         106,895   

Equities — International

     24,365         18,870                 43,235   

Other investments

             487,078         349,790         836,868   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 121,207       $ 4,714,469       $ 355,240       $ 5,190,916   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2013  
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     Total Fair
Value
 

U.S. government and agency

   $       $ 468,289       $       $ 468,289   

Non-U.S. government

             562,516                 562,516   

Corporate

             2,200,970         609         2,201,579   

Municipal

             41,034                 41,034   

Residential mortgage-backed

             235,964                 235,964   

Commercial mortgage-backed

             114,637                 114,637   

Asset-backed

             285,066                 285,066   

Equities — U.S.

     97,470         13,090         4,725         115,285   

Equities — International

     35,677         31,071                 66,748   

Other investments

             303,724         265,569         569,293   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 133,147       $ 4,256,361       $ 270,903       $ 4,660,411   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following tables present the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those assets classified as held-to-maturity in the consolidated balance sheet but for which disclosure of the fair value is required as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

     December 31, 2014  
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)
     Significant
Other Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     Total Fair
Value
 

U.S. government and agency

   $       $ 20,559       $       $ 20,559   

Non-U.S. government

             38,689                 38,689   

Corporate

             767,124                 767,124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $       $ 826,372       $       $ 826,372   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2013  
      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets

(Level 1)
     Significant
Other Observable
Inputs

(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)
     Total Fair
Value
 

U.S. government and agency

   $       $ 18,132       $       $ 18,132   

Non-U.S. government

             22,327                 22,327   

Corporate

             759,100                 759,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $       $ 799,559       $       $ 799,559   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During 2014 and 2013, the Company had no transfers between Levels 1 and 2.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014:

 

     Fixed
Maturity
Investments
     Other
Investments
     Equity
Securities
     Total  

Level 3 investments as of January 1, 2014

   $ 609       $ 265,569       $ 4,725       $ 270,903   

Purchases

             158,927                 158,927   

Sales

             (104,684              (104,684

Total realized and unrealized gains through earnings

     (9      29,978         125         30,094   

Net transfers into and/or (out of) Level 3

                               
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2014

   $ 600       $ 349,790       $ 4,850       $ 355,240   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amount of net gains (losses) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 included in earnings attributable to the fair value of changes in assets still held at December 31, 2014 was $30.1 million. All of this amount was included in net realized and unrealized gains.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for all investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs during the twelve months ended December 31, 2013:

 

     Fixed
Maturity
Investments
     Other
Investments
     Equity
Securities
     Total  

Level 3 investments as of January 1, 2013

   $ 540       $ 202,730       $ 3,401       $ 206,671   

Purchases

             44,032                 44,032   

Sales

             (28,568              (28,568

Total realized and unrealized gains through earnings

     69         47,375         1,324         48,768   

Net transfers into and/or (out of) Level 3

                               
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Level 3 investments as of December 31, 2013

   $ 609       $ 265,569       $ 4,725       $ 270,903   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amount of net (losses) gains for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 included in earnings attributable to the fair value of changes in assets still held at December 31, 2013 was $48.8 million. All of this amount was included in net realized and unrealized gains.

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains

Components of net realized and unrealized gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Gross realized gains on available-for-sale securities

   $ 196       $ 705       $ 5,850   

Gross realized (losses) on available-for-sale securities

     (138      (214      (727

Net realized gains on trading securities

     23,881         13,488         13,569   

Net unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities

     8,712         (13,791      23,541   

Net realized and unrealized gains on other investments

     29,968         70,463         31,379   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains

   $ 62,619       $ 70,651       $ 73,612   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities

   $ 110,180       $ 196,507       $ 353,913   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Net Investment Income

Major categories of net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Interest from fixed maturity investments

   $ 150,890       $ 123,555       $ 78,767   

Interest from cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments

     6,682         13,705         14,924   

Net amortization of bond premiums and discounts

     (54,979      (51,505      (28,758

Dividends from equities

     5,854         4,923         2,961   

Other investments

     1,335         652         661   

Interest on other receivables

     728         2,001         6,887   

Other income

     14,042         2,999         5,229   

Interest on deposits held with clients

     1,969         3,650         1,368   

Policy loan interest

     1,192                   

Investment expenses

     (10,344      (6,685      (4,279
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 117,369       $ 93,295       $ 77,760   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Restricted Assets

The Company is required to maintain investments and cash and cash equivalents on deposit with various regulatory authorities to support its insurance and reinsurance operations. The investments and cash and cash equivalents on deposit are available to settle insurance and reinsurance liabilities. The Company also utilizes trust accounts to collateralize business with its insurance and reinsurance counterparties. These trust accounts generally take the place of letter of credit requirements. The assets in trusts as collateral are primarily highly rated fixed maturity securities. The carrying value of the Company’s restricted assets, including restricted cash of $535.0 million and $397.7 million, as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was as follows:

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Collateral in trust for third party agreements

   $ 2,630,259       $ 2,002,374   

Assets on deposit with regulatory authorities

     653,192         608,940   

Collateral for secured letter of credit facilities

     300,468         310,938   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,583,919       $ 2,922,252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The increase in restricted assets of $661.7 million since December 31, 2013 is primarily as a result of the acquisition of Torus.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

6. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

From time to time, the Company uses foreign currency forward contracts as part of its overall foreign currency risk management strategy or to obtain exposure to a particular financial market, as well as for yield enhancement. These derivatives are not designated as hedging investments.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company did not enter into any new derivative instruments. The following table sets forth the estimated fair value of derivative instruments recorded within other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments recorded in net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

Foreign Exchange

Forward Contract

  Contract Date     Settlement Date     Contract
Amount
    Settlement
Amount
    Fair Value as at
December 31,
    Net Foreign
Exchange
(Losses) Gains
 

2014

           

Australian dollar

    November 26, 2013        January 3, 2014        AU$45,000        $41,036      $      $ (130

U.S Dollar

    July 1, 2013        January 3, 2014        $40,887        AU$45,000               130   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $      $   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

2013

           

Australian dollar

    November 26, 2013        January 3, 2014        AU$45,000        $41,036      $ 779      $ 779   

U.S Dollar

    July 1, 2013        January 3, 2014        $40,887        AU$45,000        (630     (630

Australian dollar

    February 8, 2012        May 10, 2013        AU$45,000        $36,099               303   

British pound

    March 6, 2012        March 6, 2013        UKP17,000        $26,611               1,023   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 149      $ 1,475   
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

2012

           

Australian dollar

    February 8, 2012        May 10, 2013        AU$35,000        $36,099      $ (238   $ (238

British pound

    March 6, 2012        March 6, 2013        UKP17,000        $26,611        (1,023     (1,023

Australian dollar

    February 8, 2012        December 19, 2012        AU$25,000        $26,165                 
         

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ (1,261   $ (1,261
         

 

 

   

 

 

 

7. REINSURANCE BALANCES RECOVERABLE

The following table provides the total reinsurance balances recoverable as at December 31, 2014 and, 2013:

 

    2014     2013  
    Non-life
Run-off
    Atrium     Torus     Life and
Annuities
    Total     Non-life
Run-off
    Atrium     Life and
Annuities
    Total  

Recoverable from reinsurers on:

                 

Outstanding losses

  $ 568,386      $ 9,582      $ 181,067      $ 25,125      $ 784,160      $ 788,705      $ 10,777      $ 28,556      $ 828,038   

Losses incurred but not reported

    278,696        14,565        154,850        467        448,578        402,675        9,887        782        413,344   

Fair value adjustments

    (46,373     4,131        (10,708            (52,950     (69,847     4,391               (65,456
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total reinsurance reserves recoverable

    800,709        28,278        325,209        25,592        1,179,788        1,121,533        25,055        29,338        1,175,926   

Paid losses recoverable

    129,750        1,289        19,845        883        151,767        177,459        7,845        2,589        187,893   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 930,459      $ 29,567      $ 345,054      $ 26,475      $ 1,331,555      $ 1,298,992      $ 32,900      $ 31,927      $ 1,363,819   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The Company’s acquired insurance and reinsurance run-off subsidiaries, prior to acquisition, used retrocessional agreements to reduce their exposure to the risk of insurance and reinsurance assumed. The Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries remain liable to the extent that retrocessionaires do not meet their obligations under these agreements, and therefore, the Company evaluates and monitors concentration of credit risk among its reinsurers. Provisions are made for amounts considered potentially uncollectible.

On an annual basis, both Torus and Atrium purchase a tailored outwards reinsurance program designed to manage their risk profiles. The majority of Atrium’s total third party reinsurance cover is with Lloyd’s Syndicates or other highly rated reinsurers. The majority of Torus’ total third party reinsurance cover is with highly rated reinsurers or is collateralized by letters of credit.

The fair value adjustments, determined on acquisition of insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, are based on the estimated timing of loss and loss adjustment expense recoveries and an assumed interest rate equivalent to a risk free rate for securities with similar duration to the reinsurance recoverables acquired plus a spread to reflect credit risk, and are amortized over the estimated recovery period, as adjusted for accelerations in timing of payments as a result of commutation settlements.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had, excluding reinsurance recoverables related to its life and annuities segment, reinsurance balances recoverable of $1.30 billion and $1.33 billion, respectively. The decrease of $26.8 million in reinsurance balances recoverable was primarily a result of commutations and cash collections made during the year ended December 31, 2014 in the Company’s non-life run-off segment partially offset by balances associated with the Torus acquisition.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable relating to reinsurance balances recoverable was $289.9 million and $338.6 million, respectively. To estimate the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable, the balances are first allocated to applicable reinsurers using management judgment. As part of this process, ceded IBNR reserves are allocated by reinsurer. The ratio of the provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable to total non-life reinsurance balances recoverable (excluding provision for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable) as of December 31, 2014 decreased to 17.9% as compared to 19.9% as of December 31, 2013, primarily as a result of reinsurance balances recoverable of Torus acquired during the year that required minimal provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable, offset by commutations and cash collections from reinsurers with minimal bad debt provisions.

Life and Annuities

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the reinsurance balances recoverable associated with the Company’s life and annuities business amounting to $26.5 million and $31.9 million, respectively, consisted of term life business ceded by Pavonia to reinsurers under various quota share arrangements. All of the reinsurers as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were rated A- and above by a major rating agency.

Top Ten Reinsurers

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the top ten reinsurers of the Company’s business accounted for 64.9% and 68.3%, respectively, of total reinsurance balances recoverable (which includes total reinsurance reserves and paid losses recoverable) and included $310.9 million and $290.1 million,

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

respectively, of IBNR reserves recoverable. With the exception of one non-rated reinsurer from which $175.2 million was recoverable (December 31, 2013: $256.2 million recoverable from one non-rated reinsurer and $41.4 million recoverable from one BBB+ rated reinsurer), the other top ten reinsurers, as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, were all rated A- or better. Reinsurance balances recoverable by reinsurer were as follows:

 

     2014     2013  
     Reinsurance
Recoverables
     % of
Total
    Reinsurance
Recoverables
     % of
Total
 

Top 10 reinsurers

   $ 864,166         64.9   $ 930,943         68.3

Other reinsurers’ balances > $1 million

     453,734         34.1     423,013         31.0

Other reinsurers’ balances < $1 million

     13,655         1.0     9,863         0.7
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,331,555         100.0   $ 1,363,819         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, reinsurance balances recoverable with a carrying value of $314.5 million and $256.2 million, respectively, were associated with two and one reinsurers, respectively, which represented 10% or more of total non-life run-off reinsurance balances recoverable. One of those reinsurers (accounting for $139.3 million of the $314.5 million as at December 31, 2014) was rated A+, while the remaining $175.2 million of the $314.5 million as at December 31, 2014 was secured by trust funds held for the benefit of the Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries.

Provisions for Uncollectible Reinsurance Recoverables

Included within total reinsurance balances recoverable of $1,331.6 million are: (i) reinsurance balances recoverable from A- and above rated reinsurers amounting to $1,045.9 million, net of provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable of $81.0 million; (ii) reinsurance balances recoverable from less than A- rated reinsurers amounting to $204.5 million, against which there are no provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable, because the balances are secured by collateral such as trust funds or letters of credit; and (iii) reinsurance balances recoverable from less than A-rated reinsurers amounting to $81.2 million, net of provisions for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable of $208.9 million, which are unsecured.

8. LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES

The following table provides the total losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities as at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

    2014     2013  
    Non-life
Run-off
    Atrium     Torus     Total     Non-life
Run-off
    Atrium     Total  

Outstanding

  $ 2,202,187      $ 73,803      $ 387,171      $ 2,663,161      $ 2,541,934      $ 79,826      $ 2,621,760   

Incurred but not reported

    1,406,420        113,149        477,264        1,996,833        1,717,870        98,583        1,816,453   

Fair value adjustment

    (173,597     25,659        (2,635     (150,573     (255,291     36,983        (218,308
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 3,435,010      $ 212,611      $ 861,800      $ 4,509,421      $ 4,004,513      $ 215,392      $ 4,219,905   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses includes an amount determined from reported claims and an amount based on historical loss experience and industry statistics for losses

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

incurred but not reported using a variety of actuarial methods. The Company’s loss reserves cover multiple lines of business, which include workers compensation, general casualty, asbestos and environmental, marine, aviation and transit, construction defects and other non-life lines of business.

The reserves for unpaid reported losses and loss adjustment expenses are established by management based on reports from brokers, ceding companies and insureds and represents the estimated ultimate cost of events or conditions that have been reported to, or specifically identified by the Company. The reserve for IBNR losses and loss expenses is established by management based on actuarially determined estimates of ultimate losses and loss expenses. Inherent in the estimate of ultimate losses and loss expenses are expected trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors which may vary significantly as claims are settled. Accordingly, ultimate losses and loss expenses may differ materially from the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. These estimates are reviewed regularly and, as experience develops and new information becomes known, the reserves are adjusted as necessary. Such adjustments, if any, will be recorded in earnings in the period in which they become known. Prior period development arises from changes to loss estimates recognized in the current year that relate to loss reserves established in previous calendar years.

In establishing the reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses related to asbestos and environmental claims, management considers facts currently known and the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Liabilities are recognized for known claims (including the cost of related litigation) when sufficient information has been developed to indicate the involvement of a specific insurance policy, and management can reasonably estimate its liability. In addition, reserves have been established to cover additional exposures on both known and unreported claims. Estimates of the reserves are reviewed and updated continually. Developed case law and adequate claim history do not exist for such claims, especially because significant uncertainty exists about the outcome of coverage litigation and whether past claim experience will be representative of future claim experience. In view of the changes in the legal and tort environment that affect the development of such claims, the uncertainties inherent in valuing asbestos and environmental claims are not likely to be resolved in the near future. Ultimate values for such claims cannot be estimated using traditional reserving techniques and there are significant uncertainties in estimating the amount of the Company’s potential losses for these claims. There can be no assurance that the reserves established by the Company will be adequate or will not be adversely affected by the development of other latent exposures. The Company’s liability for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 included $389.1 million and $480.9 million, respectively that represented an estimate of its net ultimate liability for asbestos and environmental claims. The gross liability for such claims as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $439.5 million and $539.5 million, respectively.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The total net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities in the Company’s non-life run-off, Atrium and Torus segments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
    Non-life
Run-off
    Atrium     Torus     Total     Non-life
Run-off
    Atrium     Total     Non-life
Run-off
(Total)
 

Net losses paid

  $ 411,302      $ 57,611      $ 129,804      $ 598,717      $ 370,870      $ 30,626      $ 401,496      $ 314,528   

Net change in case and LAE reserves

    (310,414     (2,684     37,604        (275,494     (280,933     (9,621     (290,554     (265,222

Net change in IBNR reserves

    (301,784     11,557        58,870        (231,357     (231,278     (1,653     (232,931     (267,422
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Reduction) increase in estimates of net ultimate losses

    (200,896     66,484        226,278        91,866        (141,341     19,352        (121,989     (218,116

Paid loss recoveries on provisions for bad debt

    (11,206                   (11,206                            

(Reduction) increase in provisions for bad debt

    (7,700                   (7,700     1,999               1,999        (3,111

(Reduction) increase in provisions for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities

    (48,891     9        (5,088     (53,970     (49,580     (49     (49,629     (39,298

Amortization of fair value adjustments

    3,982        (11,065     (2,761     (9,844     5,947               5,947        22,572   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

  $ (264,711   $ 55,428      $ 218,429      $ 9,146      $ (182,975   $ 19,303      $ (163,672   $ (237,953
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Non-Life Run-off Segment

The tables below provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 of the non-life run-off segment (losses incurred and paid are reflected net of reinsurance recoverables):

 

     Non-Life Run-off  
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2012  

Balance as at January 1

   $ 4,004,513       $ 3,650,127       $ 4,272,082   

Less: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     1,121,533         876,220         1,383,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,882,980         2,773,907         2,889,079   

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities:

        

Current period

     24,235         74,139           

Prior periods

     (288,946      (257,114      (237,953
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     (264,711      (182,975      (237,953
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses paid:

        

Current period

     (87,681      (10,656        

Prior periods

     (312,415      (360,214      (314,528
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net losses paid

     (400,096      (370,870      (314,528
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate movement

     (49,267      4,936         14,833   

Acquired on purchase of subsidiaries

     436,765         557,476           

Assumed business

     28,630         100,506         422,476   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net balance as at December 31

     2,634,301         2,882,980         2,773,907   

Plus: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     800,709         1,121,533         876,220   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31

   $ 3,435,010       $ 4,004,513       $ 3,650,127   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities in the non-life run-off segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 

    Non-Life Run-off  
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012  
    Prior
Period
    Current
Period
    Total     Prior
Period
    Current
Period
    Total     Prior
Period
(Total)(1)
 

Net losses paid

  $ 323,621      $ 87,681      $ 411,302      $ 360,214      $ 10,656      $ 370,870      $ 314,528   

Net change in case and LAE reserves

    (285,814     (24,600     (310,414     (310,488     29,555        (280,933     (265,222

Net change in IBNR reserves

    (262,384     (39,400     (301,784     (265,206     33,928        (231,278     (267,422
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Reduction) increase in estimates of net ultimate losses

    (224,577     23,681        (200,896     (215,480     74,139        (141,341     (218,116

Paid loss recoveries on provisions for bad debt

    (11,206            (11,206                            

(Reduction) increase in provisions for bad debt

    (7,700            (7,700     1,999               1,999        (3,111

Reduction in provisions for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities

    (49,445     554        (48,891     (49,580            (49,580     (39,298

Amortization of fair value adjustments

    3,982               3,982        5,947               5,947        22,572   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

  $ (288,946   $ 24,235      $ (264,711   $ (257,114   $ 74,139      $ (182,975   $ (237,953
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company had no premium income and therefore no current period activity.

Net change in case and loss adjustment expense reserves (“LAE reserves”) comprises the movement during the year in specific case reserve liabilities as a result of claims settlements or changes advised to the Company by its policyholders and attorneys, less changes in case reserves recoverable advised by the Company to its reinsurers as a result of the settlement or movement of assumed claims. Net change in IBNR represents the change in the Company’s actuarial estimates of losses incurred but not reported.

Year Ended December 31, 2014

The net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2014 of $264.7 million included current period incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses of $24.2 million related to current period net earned premium of $31.2 million (primarily for the portion of the run-off business acquired with Torus). Excluding current period net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities of $24.2 million, net ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities relating to prior periods were reduced by $288.9 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $224.6 million, paid loss recoveries on provisions for bad debt of $11.2 million, reduction in provisions for bad debt of $7.7 million and a reduction in

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

provisions for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities of $49.5 million, relating to 2014 run-off activity, partially offset by amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $4.0 million.

The reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses relating to prior periods of $224.6 million comprised reductions in IBNR reserves of $262.4 million partially offset by net incurred loss development of $37.8 million. The decrease in the aggregate estimate of net IBNR reserves of $262.4 million (compared to $265.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2013), was comprised of $59.4 million relating to asbestos liabilities (compared to $69.8 million in 2013), $6.2 million relating to environmental liabilities (compared to $4.9 million in 2013), $62.5 million relating to general casualty liabilities (compared to $42.6 million in 2013), $63.6 million relating to workers compensation liabilities (compared to $42.1 million in 2013) and $70.7 million relating to all other remaining liabilities (compared to $105.8 million in 2013).

The aggregate reduction in net IBNR reserves of $262.4 million relating to prior periods was a result of the application, on a basis consistent with the assumptions applied in the prior period, of the Company’s actuarial methodologies to revised historical loss development data, following 98 commutations and policy buy-backs, to estimate loss reserves required to cover liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to non-commuted exposures. The prior period estimate of aggregate net IBNR reserves was reduced as a result of the combined impact on all classes of business of loss development activity during 2014, including commutations and the favorable trend of loss development related to non-commuted policies compared to prior forecasts. The net incurred loss development resulting from settlement of net advised case and LAE reserves of $285.8 million for net paid losses of $323.6 million, related to the settlement of non-commuted losses in the year and 98 commutations and policy buy-backs of assumed and ceded exposures (including the partial commutation of two of the Company’s top ten assumed exposures and two of the Company’s top ten ceded recoverables as at January 1, 2014). Net advised case and LAE reserves settled by way of commutation and policy buyback during the year ended December 31, 2014 amounted to $29.1 million (comprising $99.5 million of assumed case reserves and LAE reserves partially offset by $70.4 million of ceded incurred reinsurance recoverable case reserves).

The reduction in aggregate provisions for bad debt of $7.7 million was a result of the collection of certain reinsurance recoverables against which bad debt provisions had been provided in earlier periods.

Year Ended December 31, 2013

The net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2013 of $183.0 million included current period incurred losses of $74.1 million related to SeaBright. Excluding SeaBright’s current period incurred losses of $74.1 million, ultimate losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to prior periods were reduced by $257.1 million, which was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $215.5 million and a reduction in provisions for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities of $49.6 million, relating to 2013 run-off activity, partially offset by an increase in provisions for bad debt of $2.0 million and amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $5.9 million.

The reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses relating to prior periods of $215.5 million comprised reductions in IBNR reserves of $265.2 million partially offset by net incurred loss development of $49.7 million. The decrease in the aggregate estimate of net IBNR reserves of $265.2 million (compared to $267.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2012), was comprised

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

of $69.8 million relating to asbestos liabilities (compared to $36.4 million in 2012), $4.9 million relating to environmental liabilities (compared to $2.6 million in 2012), $42.6 million relating to general casualty liabilities (compared to $96.3 million in 2012), $42.1 million relating to workers compensation liabilities (compared to $52.7 million in 2012) and $105.8 million relating to all other remaining liabilities (compared to $79.4 million in 2012).

The aggregate reduction in net IBNR reserves of $265.2 million relating to prior periods was a result of the application, on a basis consistent with the assumptions applied in the prior period, of our actuarial methodologies to revised historical loss development data, following 108 commutations and policy buy-backs, to estimate loss reserves required to cover liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to non-commuted exposures. The prior period estimate of aggregate net IBNR reserves was reduced as a result of the combined impact on all classes of business of loss development activity during 2013, including commutations and the favorable trend of loss development related to non-commuted policies compared to prior forecasts. The net incurred loss development resulting from settlement of net advised case and LAE reserves of $310.5 million for net paid losses of $360.2 million, related to the settlement of non-commuted losses in the year and 108 commutations and policy buy-backs of assumed and ceded exposures (including the commutation of one of our top ten assumed exposures and one of our top ten ceded recoverables as at January 1, 2013). Net advised case and LAE reserves settled by way of commutation and policy buy-back during the year ended December 31, 2013 amounted to $29.8 million (comprising $97.3 million of assumed case reserves and LAE reserves partially offset by $67.5 million of ceded incurred reinsurance recoverable case reserves).

The increase in aggregate provisions for bad debt of $2.0 million was a result of additional provisions being allowed in the quarter for contractual disputes with reinsurers, offset by cash collections and commutations on certain reinsurance receivables against which bad debt provisions had been provided in earlier periods.

Year Ended December 31, 2012

The net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2012 of $238.0 million was attributable to a reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $218.1 million, a reduction in aggregate provisions for bad debt of $3.1 million and a reduction in estimates of unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities of $39.3 million, relating to 2012 run-off activity, partially offset by the amortization of fair value adjustments over the estimated payout period relating to companies acquired amounting to $22.6 million.

The reduction in estimates of net ultimate losses of $218.1 million comprised net incurred loss development of $49.3 million and reductions in net IBNR reserves of $267.4 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2012, one of the Company’s insurance entities, following an exposure-based review of all advised claims, allocated $52.4 million of net IBNR reserves to specific net case and LAE reserves. Excluding this allocation, net incurred loss development for the year ended December 31, 2012 was a favorable $3.1 million and reductions in net IBNR reserves amounted to $215.0 million. The decrease in the aggregate estimate of net IBNR reserves of $215.0 million, excluding the allocation of $52.4 million from net IBNR reserves to specific net case and LAE reserves (compared to $224.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2011), was comprised of $36.4 million relating to asbestos liabilities (compared to $57.9 million in 2011), $2.6 million relating to environmental liabilities (compared to $2.8 million in 2011), $96.3 million relating to general casualty liabilities (compared to $91.6 million in 2011), and $79.7 million relating to all other remaining liabilities (compared to $72.5 million in 2011).

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The aggregate reduction in net IBNR reserves of $215.0 million was a result of the application, on a basis consistent with the assumptions applied in the prior period, of the Company’s actuarial methodologies to revised historical loss development data, following 101 commutations, to estimate loss reserves required to cover liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses relating to non-commuted exposures. The prior period estimate of aggregate net IBNR reserves was reduced as a result of the combined impact on all classes of business of loss development activity during 2012, including commutations and the favorable trend of loss development related to non-commuted policies compared to prior forecasts. The net incurred favorable loss development, excluding the allocation by one of the Company’s insurance entities of $52.4 million from net IBNR reserves to specific net case and LAE reserves, of $3.1 million, resulting from settlement of net advised case and LAE reserves of $317.6 million for net paid losses of $314.5 million, related to the settlement of non-commuted losses in the year and 101 commutations of assumed and ceded exposures. Net incurred liabilities settled by way of commutation during the year ended December 31, 2012 amounted to $26.6 million (comprising $163.1 million of assumed incurred liabilities partially offset by $136.5 million of ceded incurred reinsurance recoverables) compared to the net aggregate reduction in advised case reserves during the same period of $317.6 million (excluding the allocation of $52.4 million from net IBNR reserves to specific net case and LAE reserves).

The reduction in aggregate provisions for bad debt of $3.1 million was a result of the collection of certain reinsurance recoverables against which bad debt provisions had been provided in earlier periods.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Atrium and Torus Segments

The Company began reporting with respect to its Atrium segment in the fourth quarter of 2013 following the acquisition of Atrium and began reporting with respect to its Torus segment in the second quarter of 2014 following the acquisition of Torus. The Company did not have an active underwriting business for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The tables below provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (losses incurred and paid are reflected net of reinsurance recoverables):

 

     Atrium      Torus  
     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013      2014  

Balance as at January 1

   $ 215,392       $       $   

Less: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     25,055                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     190,337                   

Acquired on purchase of subsidiaries

             200,374         464,682   

Effect of exchange rate movement

     (3,821      1,286         (16,716

Net increase (reduction) in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities:

        

Current period

     74,094         19,303         229,488   

Prior periods

     (18,666              (11,059
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

     55,428         19,303         218,429   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net losses paid:

        

Current period

     (29,626      (30,626      (49,489

Prior periods

     (27,985              (80,315
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net losses paid

     (57,611      (30,626      (129,804
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net balance as at December 31

     184,333         190,337         536,591   

Plus: total reinsurance reserves recoverable

     28,278         25,055         325,209   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31

   $ 212,611       $ 215,392       $ 861,800   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities for the Company’s Atrium and Torus segments for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the Company’s Atrium segment for December 31, 2013 was as follows:

 

    Years Ended December 31,  
    2014     2013  
    Atrium     Torus     Atrium  
    Prior
Period
    Current
Period
    Total     Prior
Period
    Current
Period
    Total     Prior
Period
    Current
Period
    Total  

Net losses paid

  $ 27,985      $ 29,626      $ 57,611      $ 80,315      $ 49,489      $ 129,804      $      $ 30,626      $ 30,626   

Net change in case and LAE reserves

    (16,986     14,302        (2,684     24,208        13,396        37,604               (9,621     (9,621

Net change in IBNR reserves

    (18,114     29,671        11,557        (105,177     164,047        58,870               (1,653     (1,653
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Reduction) increase in estimates of net ultimate losses

    (7,115     73,599        66,484        (654     226,932        226,278               19,352        19,352   

(Reduction) increase in provisions for unallocated loss adjustment expense liabilities

    (486     495        9        (7,644     2,556        (5,088            (49     (49

Amortization of fair value adjustments

    (11,065            (11,065     (2,761            (2,761                     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

  $ (18,666   $ 74,094      $ 55,428      $ (11,059   $ 229,488      $ 218,429      $   —      $ 19,303      $ 19,303   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

9. POLICY BENEFITS FOR LIFE AND ANNUITY CONTRACTS

The Company has entered into long duration contracts that subject the Company to mortality, longevity and morbidity risks and which are accounted for as life and annuity premiums earned. Life and annuity benefit reserves are established using assumptions for investment yields, mortality, morbidity, lapse and expenses, including a provision for adverse deviation. The Company establishes and reviews its life and annuity reserves regularly based upon cash flow projections. The Company establishes and maintains its life and annuity reinsurance reserves at a level that the Company estimates will, when taken together with future premium payments and investment income expected to be earned on associated premiums, be sufficient to support all future cash flow benefit obligations and third party servicing obligations as they become payable. Refer to Note 2(i) — Significant Accounting Policies — Policy Benefits for Life and Annuity Contracts” for a description of the assumptions used and the process for establishing the Company’s assumptions and estimates.

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Life

   $ 344,215       $ 380,874   

Annuities

     938,121         963,323   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,282,336         1,344,197   

Fair value adjustments

     (61,472      (71,097
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,220,864       $ 1,273,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

10. PREMIUMS WRITTEN AND EARNED

The following tables provide a summary of net premiums written and earned in our non-life run-off, Atrium, Torus and life and annuities segments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

     Years Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     Premiums
Written
    Premiums
Earned
    Premiums
Written
    Premiums
Earned
    Premiums
Written
     Premiums
Earned
 

Non-life run-off

             

Gross

   $ 12,818      $ 45,684      $ 14,166      $ 124,262      $       $   

Ceded

     (2,546     (14,516     (4,933     (11,651               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ 10,272      $ 31,168      $ 9,233      $ 112,611      $       $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Atrium

             

Gross

   $ 154,248      $ 153,816      $ 35,524      $ 37,726      $       $   

Ceded

     (17,973     (17,871     (5,420     (5,514               
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ 136,275      $ 135,945      $ 30,104      $ 32,212      $       $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Torus

             

Gross

   $ 512,219      $ 528,135      $      $      $       $   

Ceded

     (113,045     (154,502                             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

   $ 399,174      $ 373,633      $      $      $       $   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Life and annuities

             

Life

   $ 104,233      $ 105,704      $ 63,856      $ 94,984      $ 3,511       $ 3,511   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 649,954      $ 646,450      $ 103,193      $ 239,807      $ 3,511       $ 3,511   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

11. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table shows the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets as at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

2014

  Goodwill     Intangible assets with
a definite life-Other
    Intangible assets with
an indefinite life
    Total     Intangible assets with
a definite life-FVA
 

Balance as at January 1, 2014

  $ 60,071      $ 27,000      $ 63,000      $ 150,071      $ 223,947   

Acquired during the year

    13,000        20,000        24,031        57,031        (65,000

Intangible assets amortization

           (5,952            (5,952     148   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2014

  $ 73,071      $ 41,048      $ 87,031      $ 201,150      $ 159,095   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

2013

  Goodwill     Intangible assets with
a definite life-Other
    Intangible assets with
an indefinite life
    Total     Intangible assets with
a definite life-FVA
 

Balance as at January 1, 2013

  $ 21,222      $      $      $ 21,222      $ 211,507   

Acquired during the year

    38,849        27,000        63,000        128,849        33,623   

Intangible assets amortization

                                (21,183
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as at December 31, 2013

  $ 60,071      $ 27,000      $ 63,000      $ 150,071      $ 223,947   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets with a definite life include:

 

  (i)

Fair value adjustments (“FVA”) related to outstanding losses and loss adjustment expenses, policy benefits for life and annuity contracts, unearned premiums and reinsurance recoverables. These are included as a component of each balance sheet item. FVA are amortized in proportion to future premiums for policy benefits for life and annuity contracts, over the estimated payout or recovery period for outstanding losses and loss adjustment expenses and reinsurance recoverables and as the unearned premiums expire for business in-force as of the acquisition date; and

 

  (ii)

Other intangible assets include the distribution channel, Lloyd’s capacity, technology and brand related to the Company’s acquisitions of Atrium and Torus. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period ranging from four to fifteen years.

Intangible asset amortization for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $5.8 million, $21.2 million and $22.6 million, respectively.

Intangible assets with an indefinite life include assets associated with the Lloyd’s syndicate capacity for Torus and Atrium, Torus’ U.S. insurance licenses, and Atrium’s management contract with Syndicate 609 in relation to underwriting, actuarial and support services it provides.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The gross carrying value, accumulated amortization and net carrying value of intangible assets by type at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

    2014     2013  
    Gross
Carrying
Value
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Value
    Gross
Carrying
Value
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Carrying
Value
 

Intangible assets with a definite life:

           

Fair value adjustments:

           

Losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

  $ 449,986      $ (299,413   $ 150,573      $ 500,485      $ (282,178   $ 218,307   

Reinsurance balances recoverable

    (193,617     140,667        (52,950     (179,116     113,659        (65,457

Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts

    86,332        (24,860     61,472        86,332        (15,235     71,097   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 342,701      $ (183,606   $ 159,095      $ 407,701      $ (183,754   $ 223,947   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other:

           

Distribution channel

  $ 20,000      $ (1,444   $ 18,556      $ 20,000      $      $ 20,000   

Technology

    15,000        (3,125     11,875                        

Brand

    12,000        (1,383     10,617        7,000               7,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 47,000      $ (5,952   $ 41,048      $ 27,000      $      $ 27,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets with an indefinite life:

           

Lloyd’s syndicate capacity

  $ 37,031      $      $ 37,031      $ 32,900      $      $ 32,900   

Licenses

    19,900               19,900                        

Management contract

    30,100               30,100        30,100               30,100   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 87,031      $      $ 87,031      $ 63,000      $      $ 63,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014, the allocation of the goodwill to the Company’s non-life run-off, Atrium and Torus segments was $21.2 million, $38.9 million and $13.0 million, respectively, as compared to $21.2 million, $38.9 million and $nil as at December 31, 2013. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company completed its assessment for impairment of goodwill and concluded that there had been no impairment of its carried goodwill amount.

The estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years related to the Company’s intangible assets with a definite life is as follows:

 

Year

   Non-life
Run-off
     Atrium      Torus      Life and
Annuities
     Total  

2015

   $ 3,202       $ (5,038    $ 2,864       $ 8,664       $ 9,692   

2016

     4,641         (3,135      2,807         7,676         11,989   

2017

     7,514         (1,110      3,155         7,144         16,703   

2018

     7,574         57         790         6,384         14,805   

2019

     7,686         754         191         6,156         14,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 30,617       $ (8,472    $ 9,807       $ 36,024       $ 67,976   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

12. LOANS PAYABLE

The Company’s long-term debt consists of loan facilities used to partially finance certain of the Company’s acquisitions or significant new business transactions and its Revolving Credit Facility (the “EGL Revolving Credit Facility”), which can be used for permitted acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The EGL Revolving Credit Facility replaced the Company’s prior revolving credit facility on September 16, 2014.

The Company had a term facility related to the 2011 acquisition of Clarendon National Insurance Company (the “Clarendon Facility”), and a term facility related to the 2013 acquisition of SeaBright (the “SeaBright Facility”), which have been fully repaid as discussed below. The Company has a term facility related to the 2015 acquisition of Companion (the “Companion Facility”).

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company incurred interest expense of $12.9 million, $12.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively, on its loan facilities. All of the Company’s currently outstanding loan facilities are floating rate loans, and the fair values of these loans approximate their book values.

Amounts of loans payable outstanding, and accrued interest, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 total $320.0 million and $452.4 million, respectively, and comprise:

 

Facility

   Date of Facility      Facility
Term
     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

EGL Revolving Credit Facility

     September 16, 2014         5 Years       $ 319,550       $   

Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility

     July 8, 2013         5 Years                 258,800   

Companion Facility

     December 24, 2014         4 Years                   

SeaBright Facility

     December 21, 2012         3 Years                 111,000   

Clarendon Facility

     July 12, 2011         4 Years                 78,995   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term bank debt

        319,550         448,795   

Accrued interest

        491         3,651   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans payable

         $ 320,041       $ 452,446   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Companion Facility

On December 24, 2014, Sussex, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, as borrower and guarantor, entered into the Companion Facility with NAB and Barclays (the “Lenders”). The Companion Facility provides for a four-year term loan facility pursuant to which Sussex was permitted to borrow up to an aggregate of $109.0 million to fund 50% of the consideration payable for the acquisition of Companion. Sussex fully drew down on the Companion Facility and completed the acquisition of Companion on January 27, 2015.

The Companion Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of Sussex, including the capital stock of Companion, and by a first priority security interest in the stock of Sussex. Interest is payable at the end of each interest period chosen by Sussex, or, at the latest, each six months. The interest rate is LIBOR plus 2.75%.

The Companion Facility imposes various financial and business covenants on Sussex including limitations on mergers and consolidations, acquisitions, indebtedness and guarantees, restrictions as to dispositions of stock and assets (except for certain permitted dispositions), restrictions on dividends, and limitations on liens.

 

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

During the existence of any event of default (as specified in the Companion Facility), the lenders may declare all or a portion of outstanding amounts immediately due and payable, declare all or a portion of borrowed amounts payable upon demand, or proceed against the security. During the existence of any payment default, the interest rate would be increased by 1.0%. The Companion Facility terminates and all amounts borrowed must be repaid on December 24, 2018.

EGL Revolving Credit Facility

On September 16, 2014, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as borrowers and as guarantors, entered into the EGL Revolving Credit Facility Agreement with NAB, Barclays and Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”), as mandated lead arrangers and original lenders, and NAB as agent (the “Credit Agreement”).

The Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (expiring in September 2019) pursuant to which the Company is permitted to borrow up to an aggregate of $500 million, which is available to fund permitted acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement replaces and refinances the Company’s Prior Credit Agreement (as defined below). The Company’s ability to draw on the EGL Revolving Credit Facility is subject to customary conditions.

Interest is payable at the end of each interest period chosen by the Company or, at the latest, each six months. The interest rate is LIBOR plus a margin factor initially set at 2.75%. The margin factor is subject to variation (ranging from 2.50% to 3.25%) in the event of a change to the Company’s long term senior unsecured debt rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or Fitch Ratings Ltd. Any unused portion of the EGL Revolving Credit Facility will be subject to a commitment fee of 35% of the applicable margin factor. The EGL Revolving Credit Facility imposes various financial and business covenants on the Company and its subsidiaries, including certain limitations on mergers and consolidations, acquisitions, indebtedness and guarantees, restrictions as to dispositions of stock and assets, and limitations on liens.

During the existence of any event of default (as specified in the Credit Agreement), the agent may cancel the commitments of the lenders, declare all or a portion of outstanding amounts immediately due and payable or declare all or a portion of outstanding amounts payable upon demand. During the existence of any payment default, the interest rate would be increased by 1.0%. The EGL Revolving Credit Facility terminates and all amounts borrowed must be repaid on the fifth anniversary of the date of the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement refinances and replaces, in its entirety, the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, originally dated June 14, 2011, as amended from time to time, and as amended and restated pursuant to the Restatement Agreement, dated July 8, 2013, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, NAB and Barclays, as mandated lead arrangers, NAB, Barclays and RBC, as original lenders, and NAB as agent (the “Prior Credit Agreement”). The Prior Credit Agreement had permitted the Company to borrow up to an aggregate of $375 million on a secured basis over a five-year term (the “Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility”). Effective September 16, 2014 and concurrent with its entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company terminated the Prior Credit Agreement. Outstanding borrowings under the Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility totaled $319.6 million and were refinanced on September 16, 2014 with borrowings pursuant to the EGL Revolving Credit Facility.

The Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Prior Credit Agreement and no material early termination fees were incurred in connection with the termination.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility had been secured by a first priority lien on the stock of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and certain bank accounts held with Barclays in the name of the Company and into which amounts received in respect of any capital release from certain of the Company’s subsidiaries were required to be paid. In connection with the termination of the Prior Credit Agreement, all security pursuant to the Prior EGL Revolving Credit Facility was released, effective September 16, 2014.

As of December 31, 2014, the unused portion of the EGL Revolving Credit Facility was approximately $180.5 million. As of December 31, 2014, all of the covenants relating to the EGL Revolving Credit Facility were met.

Restated EGL Revolving Credit Facility

On February 27, 2015, the Credit Agreement was amended and restated (the “Restated EGL Revolving Credit Facility”) in order to: (i) increase the amount the Company is permitted to borrow to $665.0 million, (ii) add Lloyd’s Bank plc as a Lender, and (iii) reallocate the capacity provided among the four Lenders into equal shares.

Clarendon Facility

On September 30, 2014, the Company fully repaid the remaining $66.0 million of outstanding principal and accrued interest on the Clarendon Facility out of the proceeds of distributions from Clarendon. The Company had previously repaid $13.0 million of the outstanding principal on the Clarendon Facility on March 17, 2014. All security pursuant to the Clarendon Facility was released in connection with the full repayment of the facility.

SeaBright Facility

On June 25, 2014, the Company fully repaid the remaining $89.0 million of outstanding principal and accrued interest on the SeaBright Facility out of the proceeds of distributions from SeaBright. The Company had previously repaid $22.0 million of the outstanding principal on the SeaBright Facility on March 31, 2014. All security pursuant to the SeaBright Facility was released in connection with the full repayment of the facility.

13. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

Redeemable noncontrolling interest (“RNCI”) comprises the ownership interest held by Trident in both Bayshore and Northshore. As of December 31, 2014, Trident’s RNCI was as follows:

 

     As at December 31, 2014  
     Bayshore     Northshore  

Trident

     39.32     39.32
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Northshore owns 100% of Atrium and Arden and Bayshore owns 100% of Torus. The RNCI is classified outside of permanent shareholders’ equity on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets due to the redemption rights held. The Company recognizes changes in the redemption value of the RNCI in Bayshore’s and Northshore’s earnings as if the balance sheet date were also the redemption date. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no adjustments recorded through retained earnings as the redemption value of Trident’s interests approximated their carrying values.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

On March 30, 2014, Trident contributed $260.8 million to Bayshore in relation to its 40% share of both the purchase price of Torus and the transaction costs related to the acquisition. On May 8, 2014, Dowling purchased common shares of both Northshore and Bayshore from Kenmare and Trident (on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective interests) for an aggregate amount of $15.4 million. The impact on Trident of the Dowling transaction was to reduce its RNCI in both Bayshore and Northshore from 40% to 39.32%.

During the second quarter of 2014, a Fitzwilliam Insurance Limited (“Fitzwilliam”) segregated cell, of which Kenmare owned 60% and Trident owned 40%, entered into a 100% quota share reinsurance of Torus’ non-life run-off reserves with effect from January 1, 2014. On September 30, 2014, Kenmare and Trident transferred their interests in the Fitzwilliam cell to Bayshore, with Trident’s $18.1 million portion of the total capital contribution to Bayshore increasing its RNCI in Bayshore.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amount of the equity attributable to the RNCI is as follows:

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

   2014     2013  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 100,859      $   

Capital contributions

     272,722        96,689   

Net earnings attributable to RNCI

     4,059        4,170   

Accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to RNCI

     (1,993       

Transfer of net loss from noncontrolling interest

     (1,028       
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $ 374,619      $ 100,859   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

14. SHARE CAPITAL

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the authorized share capital was 111,000,000 ordinary shares (“Voting Ordinary Shares”) and non-voting convertible ordinary shares (“Non-Voting Ordinary Shares”), each par value $1.00 per share, and 45,000,000 preference shares of par value $1.00 per share. Each Voting Ordinary Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote. In accordance with the Company’s bye-laws, however, any U.S. shareholder or direct foreign shareholder group whose shares constitute 9.5% or more of the voting power of the Voting Ordinary Shares would be entitled to less than one vote for each Voting Ordinary Share held by them.

Issued and fully paid Voting Ordinary Shares of par value $1.00 each:

 

     2014      2013  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 13,803       $ 13,752   

Issue of shares

     1,915         6   

Share awards granted/vested

     43         45   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

   $ 15,761       $ 13,803   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Issued and fully paid non-voting convertible ordinary shares of par value $1.00 each:

 

     2014      2013  

Series A—Balance, beginning and end of year

   $ 2,973       $ 2,973   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2014      2013  

Series C—Balance, beginning and end of year

   $ 2,726       $ 2,726   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2014      2013  

Series E:

     

Balance, beginning of year

   $       $   

Issue of shares

     714           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

   $ 714       $   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Series A Non-Voting Ordinary Shares were held in treasury and the Series C and E shares were issued and outstanding. The Series C shares were issued to affiliates of Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“Goldman Sachs”) during 2011. In the Goldman Sachs transaction, the Company created Series B and Series D Non-Voting Ordinary Shares, but no shares in these series are issued and outstanding.

In connection with the agreement to acquire Torus, on July 8, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors created 4,000,000 shares of Series B Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the “Non-Voting Preferred Shares”), from the authorized and unissued preference shares. On completion of the Torus acquisition on April 1, 2014, the Company issued in total 1,501,211 Voting Ordinary Shares and 714,015 Non-Voting Preferred Shares to First Reserve and 397,115 Voting Ordinary Shares to Corsair.

At the Company’s annual general meeting on June 10, 2014, the Company’s shareholders approved the amendment to its bye-laws to create the Series E Non-Voting Ordinary Shares, an additional series of Non-Voting Ordinary Shares. Pursuant to the terms of the Non-Voting Preferred Shares, the Non-Voting Preferred Shares held by First Reserve converted on a share-for share basis into Series E Non-Voting Ordinary Shares immediately following the annual general meeting.

Additionally, the amended bye-laws approved by the Company’s shareholders provide that all other Non-Voting Ordinary Shares authorized under the Company’s bye-laws but not classified as Series A, B, C or D Non-Voting Ordinary Shares will be classified as Series E Non-Voting Ordinary Shares.

The Series E Non-Voting Ordinary Shares:

 

   

have all of the economic rights (including dividend rights) attaching to Voting Ordinary Shares but are non-voting except in certain limited circumstances;

 

   

will automatically convert at a one-for-one exchange ratio (subject to adjustment for share splits, dividends, recapitalizations, consolidations or similar transactions) into Voting Ordinary Shares if the registered holder transfers them in a widely dispersed offering;

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

   

may only vote on matters as required under Bermuda law, and if required to vote under Bermuda law in connection with any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Company, would have aggregate voting power not to exceed 0.01% of the aggregate voting power of the Company’s issued share capital; and

 

   

require the registered holders’ written consent in order to vary the rights of the shares in a significant and adverse manner.

15. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the comparison of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

    2014     2013     2012  

Basic earnings per ordinary share:

     

Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited

  $ 213,749      $ 208,604      $ 168,017   

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — basic

    18,409,069        16,523,369        16,441,461   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited — basic

  $ 11.61      $ 12.62      $ 10.22   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per ordinary share:

     

Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited

  $ 213,749      $ 208,604      $ 168,017   

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — basic

    18,409,069        16,523,369        16,441,461   

Share equivalents:

     

Unvested shares

    57,184        117,850        162,454   

Restricted share units

    15,986        18,056        19,478   

Warrants

    58,957        44,167          

Preferred shares

    136,934                 

Options

                  14,628   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding — diluted

    18,678,130        16,703,442        16,638,021   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar Group Limited — diluted

  $ 11.44      $ 12.49      $ 10.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

16. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Summary

Components of salaries and benefits are summarized as follows:

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Salaries and benefits

   $ 154,638       $ 83,563       $ 63,689   

Defined contribution pension plan expense

     9,217         6,023         4,240   

2006 equity incentive plan

     10,885         2,923         2,894   

2011-2015 annual incentive compensation program

     36,482         32,107         29,650   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total salaries and benefits

   $ 211,222       $ 124,616       $ 100,473   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

2006 Equity Incentive Plan

The employee share awards for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized as follows:

 

    2014     2013     2012  
    Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Fair
Value of
the Award
    Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Fair
Value of
the Award
    Number of
Shares
    Weighted
Average
Fair
Value of
the Award
 

Nonvested — January 1

    115,159      $ 15,997        160,644      $ 17,989        203,930      $ 20,026   

Granted

    34,606        4,646        4,959        557        5,633        472   

Vested

    (48,584     6,462        (50,444     5,855        (48,919     4,736   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Nonvested — December 31

    101,181      $ 15,470        115,159      $ 15,997        160,644      $ 17,989   
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

The total unrecognized compensation cost related to the Company’s non-vested share awards under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) as at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $4.6 million, $4.7 million and $7.6 million, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over the next 1.6 years, which is the weighted average contractual life of the awards. Compensation costs of $3.9 million, $2.9 million and $2.8 million relating to these share awards were recognized in the Company’s statement of earnings for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, 28,575, nil and 191 shares, respectively, were awarded to non-executive officer employees under the Equity Plan.

Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted cash-settled stock appreciation right awards (“SARs”) under the Equity Plan. SARs give the holder the right, upon exercise, to receive in cash the difference between the market price per share of the Company’s ordinary shares at the time of exercise and the exercise price of the SARs. The exercise price of the SAR is equal to the market price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the date of the grant. Vested SARs are exercisable for periods not to exceed either 4 or 10 years from the date of grant.

The Company has recorded compensation expense for the SARs based on the estimated fair value on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which requires the use of subjective assumptions related to the expected stock price volatility, expected term, expected dividend yield and risk-free interest rate. SARs are liability-classified awards for which compensation expense and the liability are re-measured using the then-current Black Scholes assumptions at each interim reporting date based upon the portion of the requisite service period rendered.

As at December 31, 2014, the Company has 1,068,001 SARs outstanding to certain employees pursuant to the terms of the Equity Plan and has recorded in salaries and benefits, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compensation expense of $7.0 million in respect of the awards. The Company did not grant any SARs during the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the SARs using the Black-Scholes option valuation model as at December 31, 2014:

 

     As at
December 31, 2014
 

Weighted average fair value per SAR

   $ 37.63   

Weighted average volatility

     21.24   

Weighted average risk-free interest rate

     0.81

Dividend yield

     0   

The following table summarizes the SARs activity:

 

     2014  
     Number of
SARs
     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price of SARs
     Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic  Value(1)
 

Balance, beginning of year

                

Granted

     1,104,401            

Forfeited

     (36,400         
  

 

 

          

Balance, end of year

     1,068,001       $ 140.53         2.39       $ 13,199   
  

 

 

          

 

(1)

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the pre-tax difference between the exercise price of the underlying share awards and the closing price per share of the Company’s ordinary shares of $152.89 on December 31, 2014.

2011-2015 Annual Incentive Compensation Program

The accrued expense relating to the Enstar Group Limited 2011-2015 Annual Incentive Compensation Program for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $36.5 million, $32.1 million and $29.6 million, respectively.

Enstar Group Limited Employee Share Purchase Plan

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, compensation costs for each year of $0.1 million relating to the shares issued under the Amended and Restated Enstar Group Limited Employee Share Purchase Plan (“Share Plan”) were recognized in the Company’s statement of earnings. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, 6,031, 4,959 and 5,442 shares, respectively, have been issued to employees under the Share Plan.

Northshore Incentive Plans

During 2014, Northshore implemented long-term incentive plans that awarded time-based restricted shares of Northshore to certain Atrium employees. Shares generally vest over two to three years, although certain awards began vesting in 2014. These share awards have been classified by the Company as liability awards.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, compensation costs of $5.2 million relating to the long-term incentive plans were recorded as part of salaries and benefits within the Company’s consolidated statement of earnings.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Deferred Compensation and Ordinary Share Plan for Non-Employee Directors

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, 3,716, 3,566 and 3,029 restricted share units, respectively, were credited to the accounts of non-employee directors under the Enstar Group Limited Deferred Compensation and Ordinary Share Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”). The Company recorded expenses related to the restricted share units for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 of $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Following the decisions not to stand for relection of Whit Armstrong and Charles T. Akre, Jr. from the Board of Directors, 11,749 restricted share units previously credited to their accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan were converted into the same number of the Company’s ordinary shares on July 1, 2014, with fractional shares paid in cash. Also on July 1, 2014, 14,922 restricted stock units previously credited to Mr. Armstrong’s account under a deferred compensation plan assumed in the Company’s merger with Enstar USA, Inc., now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, were converted into the same number of the Company’s ordinary shares.

In addition, with the resignation of Kenneth J. LeStrange from the Board of Directors, 1,560 restricted share units previously credited to his account under the Deferred Compensation Plan were converted into the same number of the Company’s ordinary shares on January 2, 2015, with fractional shares paid in cash.

Pension Plan

The Company provides pension benefits to eligible employees through various plans sponsored by the Company. All pension plans, except for the noncontributory defined benefit pension plan acquired in the Providence Washington transaction in 2010 (the “PWAC Plan”), are structured as defined contribution plans.

Pension expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $9.2 million, $6.0 million and $4.5 million, respectively. The increase for 2014 over the same periods in 2013 and 2012 was attributable to the increase in employee headcount (and associated additional defined contribution plan expense) as a result of the April 2014 acquisition of Torus and the November 2013 acquisition of Atrium.

The Company recorded pension expense relating to the PWAC Plan of $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During 2014, an actuarial review was performed on the PWAC plan, which determined that the PWAC Plan’s unfunded liability, as at December 31, 2014, was $12.6 million as compared to $7.8 million as at December 31, 2013. As at December 31, 2014, PW Acquisition Company had an accrued liability of $12.6 million for the unfunded PWAC Plan liability.

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

17. TAXATION

Earnings before income taxes includes the following components:

 

         2014              2013              2012      

Domestic (Bermuda)

   $ 154,453       $ 193,063       $ 30,839   

Foreign

     83,925         66,378         204,970   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 238,378       $ 259,441       $ 235,809   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Tax expense for income taxes is comprised of:

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Current:

        

Domestic (Bermuda)

   $       $       $   

Foreign

     39,455         30,787         34,704   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     39,455         30,787         34,704   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

        

Domestic (Bermuda)

                       

Foreign

     (28,313      4,832         9,586   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     (28,313      4,832         9,586   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total tax expense

   $ 11,142       $ 35,619       $ 44,290   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Under current Bermuda law, the Company and its Bermuda subsidiaries are exempted from paying any taxes in Bermuda on their income or capital gains until March 2035.

The Company has operating subsidiaries and branch operations in the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and Europe and is subject to federal, foreign, state and local taxes in those jurisdictions. In addition, certain distributions from some foreign sources may be subject to withholding taxes.

The expected income tax provision for the foreign operations computed on pre-tax income at the weighted-average tax rate has been calculated as the sum of the pre-tax income in each jurisdiction multiplied by that jurisdiction’s applicable statutory tax rate.

The actual income tax rate differed from the amount computed by applying the effective rate of 0% under Bermuda law to earnings before income taxes as shown in the following reconciliation:

 

         2014             2013             2012      

Earnings before income tax

   $ 238,378      $ 259,441      $ 235,809   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expected tax rate

     0.0     0.0     0.0

Foreign taxes at local expected rates

     12.3     5.1     20.8

Change in uncertain tax positions

     (0.9 )%      (1.0 )%      0.1

Benefit of loss carryovers

     (1.2 )%         

Change in valuation allowance

     (12.6 )%      7.2     (3.0 )% 

Investment write-off

     2.3        

Foreign currency translation

     0.8     (0.3 )%      (1.5 )% 

Other

     4.0     2.7     2.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     4.7     13.7     18.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Deferred income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between income determined for financial reporting purposes and income tax purposes. The temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented in the table below:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Deferred tax assets

     

Benefit of losses, deductions, and other carryforwards

   $ 261,514       $ 187,377   

Claims reserves, principally due to discounting for tax

     167,338         217,283   

Unrecognized income

     19,194           

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable

     22,102         22,303   

Other

     25,855           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     496,003         426,963   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

     

Investments

     (63,060      (31,932

Unrecognized income

             (21,740

Intangible assets from acquisition

     (18,000      (18,000

Other

             (5,424
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance

     414,943         349,867   

Valuation allowance

     (408,394      (366,650
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

   $ 6,549       $ (16,783
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.K. insurance subsidiaries and branch operations had tax loss carryforwards, which do not expire, and deductions available for tax purposes of approximately $284.2 million and $357.4 million, respectively. Certain of the Company’s U.K. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries have tax loss carryforwards that arose prior to acquisition. Under U.K. tax law, these tax loss carryforwards are available to offset future taxable income generated by the acquired company without time limit.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, U.S. subsidiaries had deductible losses for tax purposes of approximately $370.7 million and $315.0 million, respectively. Under U.S. tax law, these tax losses can be carried forward and could be available to offset future taxable income of the companies that experienced the losses.

The Company has estimated future taxable income of its foreign subsidiaries and has provided a valuation allowance in respect of those loss carryforwards where it does not expect to realize a benefit. The Company has considered all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard in determining the amount of the valuation allowance.

The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $nil, $2.2 million and $5.8 million relating to uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were certain reductions to unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of statutes of limitations of $2.2 million, $0.3 million and $nil, respectively, which were included in net earnings.

 

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Balance, beginning of year

   $ 2,249       $ 5,821       $ 5,621   

Gross increases — tax positions related to prior years

             114         221   

Gross decreases — tax positions related to prior years

             (3,346      (12

Lapse of statute of limitations

     (2,249      (340      (9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

   $       $ 2,249       $ 5,821   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the balances at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $nil, $1.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively, of tax positions for which the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, other than interest and penalties, the disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not affect the annual effective tax rate but would accelerate the payment of cash to the taxing authority to an earlier period.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a part of income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized a benefit for the reversal of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in the amount of $nil, $0.2 million and $nil, respectively. The Company had approximately $nil, $0.7 million and $1.5 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company’s operating subsidiaries in specific countries may be subject to audit by various tax authorities and may have different statutes of limitations expiration dates. With limited exceptions, the Company’s major subsidiaries that operate in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia are no longer subject to tax examinations for years before 2011, 2011 and 2008, respectively.

Because the Company operates in many jurisdictions, its net earnings are subject to risk due to changing tax laws and tax rates around the world. The current, rapidly changing economic environment may increase the likelihood of substantial changes to tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company cannot predict what, if any, legislation will actually be proposed or enacted, or what the effect of any such legislation might be on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Stone Point Capital LLC

Following several private transactions occurring from May 2012 to July 2012, Trident acquired 1,350,000 of the Company’s Voting Ordinary Shares (which now constitutes approximately 8.5% of the Company’s outstanding Voting Ordinary Shares). On November 6, 2013, the Company appointed James D. Carey to its Board of Directors. Mr. Carey is the sole member of an entity that is one of four general partners of the entities serving as general partners for Trident, is a member of the investment committees of such general partners, and is a member and senior principal of Stone Point Capital LLC, the manager of the Trident funds.

 

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In addition, the Company has entered into certain agreements with Trident with respect to Trident’s co-investments in Atrium, Arden, and Torus. These include investors’ agreements and shareholders’ agreements, which provide for, among other things: (i) the Company’s right to redeem Trident’s equity interest in the Atrium/Arden and Torus transactions in cash at fair market value within the 90 days following the fifth anniversary of the Arden and Torus closings, respectively, and at any time following the seventh anniversary of the Arden and Torus closings, respectively; and (ii) Trident’s right to have its equity co-investment interests in the Atrium/Arden and Torus transactions redeemed by the Company at fair market value (which the Company may satisfy in either cash or its ordinary shares) following the seventh anniversaries of the Arden closing and Torus closing, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has included $374.6 million as redeemable non-controlling interest on its balance sheet relating to these Trident co-investment transactions. Pursuant to the terms of the shareholders’ agreements, Mr. Carey serves as a Trident representative on the boards of Torus and the holding companies established in connection with the Atrium/Arden and Torus co-investment transactions.

As at December 31, 2014, the Company has investments in four funds (carried within other investments) and a registered investment company affiliated with entities owned by Trident or otherwise affiliated with Stone Point Capital LLC. The fair value of the investments in the four funds was $202.6 million as of December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: two funds with a fair value $87.7 million), while the fair value of the Company’s investment in the registered investment company was $25.6 million and $nil as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Subsequent to December 31, 2014, the Company made a commitment to invest up to an additional $40.0 million in one of these funds. For the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized $(0.7) million and $3.8 million respectively, in net realized and unrealized losses and gains in respect of these investments.

The Company also has separate accounts managed by Eagle Point Credit Management, which is an affiliate of entities owned by Trident, with respect to which the Company incurred approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million in management fees for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

In addition, the Company has invested in two funds managed by Sound Point Capital, an entity in which Mr. Carey has an indirect minority ownership interest and serves as director. The fair value of the Company’s investments in Sound Point Capital funds was $39.9 million as of December 31, 2014 (December 31, 2013: one fund with a fair value of $21.6 million). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company has recognized $0.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in net realized and unrealized gains in respect of Sound Point Capital investments.

Goldman Sachs & Co.

Affiliates of Goldman Sachs own approximately 4.2% of the Company’s Voting Ordinary Shares and 100% of the Company’s Series C Non-Voting Ordinary Shares. Sumit Rajpal, a managing director of Goldman Sachs, was appointed to the Board of Directors in connection with Goldman Sachs’ investment in the Company. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had investments in two funds (carried within other investments) affiliated with entities owned by Goldman Sachs, which had a fair value of $36.3 million (December 31, 2013: one fund with a value of $3.2 million). During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Company invested £12.5 million (approximately $20.7 million) in indirect non-voting interests of two companies affiliated with Hastings Insurance Group Limited. The investment had a fair value of $25.1 million as at December 31, 2014. The Company’s interests are held in accounts managed by affiliates of Goldman Sachs, with respect to which the Company incurred

 

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approximately $0.3 million in management fees for the year ended December 31, 2014. Goldman Sachs affiliates have an approximately 50% interest in the Hastings companies, and Mr. Rajpal serves as a director of the entities in which the Company has invested. For the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized $7.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in net realized and unrealized gains in respect of the Goldman Sachs-affiliated investments.

During 2015, a Goldman Sachs affiliate began providing investment management services to one of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to an arms-length agreement reflecting customary terms and conditions.

Affiliates of Goldman Sachs own approximately 22% of Global Atlantic Financial Group (“GAFG”), which owns entities that provide reinsurance to Arden. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s total reinsurance recoverable from GAFG entities amounted to $230.5 million and $340.8 million, respectively. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, reinsurance balances recoverable from a particular non-rated GAFG entity with a carrying value of $175.2 million and $256.1 million, respectively, represented 10% or more of the Company’s total non-life run-off reinsurance balances recoverable. The $175.2 million and $256.1 million recoverable from that GAFG entity at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was secured by a trust fund. The balance of $55.3 million and $84.7 million as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, was recoverable from GAFG entities rated A- and higher.

19. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends

The Company’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is dependent upon the ability of its insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries to distribute capital and pay dividends to it. The Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to certain regulatory restrictions on the distribution of capital and payment of dividends in the jurisdictions in which they operate as more fully described below. The restrictions are generally based on net income or levels of capital and surplus as determined in accordance with the relevant statutory accounting practices. Failure of these subsidiaries to meet their applicable regulatory requirements could result in restrictions on any distributions of capital or retained earnings and/or stricter regulatory oversight of the subsidiaries. In addition, the Company’s ability to pay dividends and make other forms of distributions is further limited by repayment obligations in the Company’s outstanding loan facility agreements.

As at December 31, 2014, the amount of consolidated retained earnings of the Company that was free of restrictions and therefore potentially available to be distributed to the Company’s ordinary shareholders was $1,395.2 million (2013: $1,181.5 million). This amount is held primarily within our insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and represents retained earnings held in those companies in excess of their minimum regulatory requirements. Although these amounts are in excess of statutory minimums, regulators may nonetheless further restrict distributions, and therefore actual amounts available for distribution to shareholders are likely to be significantly less. In addition, the Company does not intend to pay dividends on its ordinary shares, as it intends instead to reinvest any distributions from its subsidiaries back into the Company, primarily as a means to fund future acquisitions.

Statutory Requirements

The Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries prepare their statutory financial statements in conformity with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the applicable local regulatory authority. The statutory financial statements may vary materially from statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

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The statutory capital and surplus amounts for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and statutory net income (loss) amounts for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 for the Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries based in Bermuda, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and Europe were as follows:

 

     Statutory Capital and Surplus                       
     Minimum Required      Actual      Statutory Income (Loss)  
     2014      2013      2014      2013      2014      2013      2012  

Bermuda

   $ 315,870       $ 109,010       $ 1,509,433       $ 833,263       $ 41,750       $ 103,852       $ 98,247   

U.K.

   $ 76,475       $ 83,410       $ 519,227       $ 592,992       $ 107,030       $ 76,685       $ 64,015   

Australia

   $ 63,174       $ 65,894       $ 68,840       $ 99,174       $ 6,271       $ 19,131       $ 4,651   

U.S.

   $ 154,732       $ 138,331       $ 822,336       $ 879,947       $ 91,576       $ 4,725       $ (42,109

Europe

   $ 29,946       $ 12,965       $ 182,573       $ 142,216       $ 11,959       $ 11,035       $ 7,578   

The Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to insurance laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which they operate, including Bermuda, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States and Europe. Certain material aspects of these laws and regulations as they relate to solvency, dividends and capital and surplus are summarized below.

Bermuda

The Company’s Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are registered under the Insurance Act 1978 of Bermuda and related regulations, as amended (the “Insurance Act”). The Insurance Act requires that the Company’s Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries maintain certain solvency and liquidity standards. The minimum liquidity ratio requires that the value of relevant assets must not be less than 75% of the amount of relevant liabilities. The minimum solvency margin, which varies depending on the class of the insurer, is determined as a percentage of either net reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses or premiums or pursuant to a risk-based capital measure. The Company’s Bermuda subsidiary, Torus Insurance (Bermuda) Limited (“TIBL”), is required to maintain a minimum statutory capital and surplus (its Enhanced Capital Requirement or “ECR”) equal to the greater of a minimum solvency margin and its Bermuda Solvency Capital Requirement (“BSCR”). TIBL’s BSCR is calculated based on a standard risk-based capital model developed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. As at December 31, 2014, TIBL’s minimum solvency margin was greater than its BSCR.

Each of the Company’s regulated Bermuda insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries would be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends if it were in breach of its minimum solvency margin (which is a function of outstanding losses) or liquidity ratio (which is a function of relevant assets) or if the declaration or payment of such dividends would cause it to fail to meet such margin or ratio. In addition, each of the Company’s regulated Bermuda insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries is prohibited, without the prior approval of the Bermuda regulator, from reducing by 15% or more its total statutory capital as set out in its previous year’s statutory financial statements. The Company’s Bermuda insurance companies that are in run-off are required to seek regulatory approval for any dividends or distributions.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, each of the Company’s Bermuda-based insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries exceeded their respective minimum solvency and liquidity requirements. The Bermuda insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries in aggregate exceeded minimum solvency requirements by $1.19 billion as of December 31, 2014 (2013: $724.3 million) and exceeded minimum liquidity requirements by $928.5 million as of December 31, 2014 (2013: $459.1 million).

 

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United Kingdom

The Company’s U.K. based insurance subsidiaries are regulated by the U.K. Prudential Regulatory Authority (the “PRA”) and the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which together replaced the Financial Services Authority effective April 1, 2013 (the PRA and FCA collectively, the “U.K. Regulator”).

The Company’s U.K.-based insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain adequate financial resources in accordance with the requirements of the U.K. Regulator. The calculation of the minimum capital resources requirements in any particular case depends on, among other things, the type and amount of insurance business written and claims paid by the insurance company. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, all of the Company’s U.K. insurance subsidiaries maintained capital in excess of the minimum capital resources requirements (or received a waiver from the U.K. Regulator from the requirement to remedy any shortfall) and complied with the relevant U.K. Regulator requirements. The U.K.-based insurance subsidiaries, in aggregate, maintained capital in excess of the minimum capital resources requirements by $442.8 million and $509.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

In addition, the U.K. Regulator’s Individual Capital Adequacy Standards framework (“ICAS framework”), requires insurance companies to carry out various capital modeling and risk management exercises in order to calculate a company-specific Individual Capital Assessment amount (“ICA amount”), which is the company’s internal calculation of its capital requirements under the ICAS framework. For companies in run-off, the U.K. Regulator typically requires specific loadings to be applied to a company’s ICA (as stipulated by the U.K. Regulator) in order to calculate a company’s Individual Capital Guidance (ICG), which represents the amount of capital a company is required to hold. This is intended to ensure a company holds sufficient capital such that there is no material risk that its liabilities cannot be met as they fall due. In 2009, the European Parliament approved the Solvency II framework directive. Solvency II is expected to take effect in January 2016 although our U.K. subsidiaries have been preparing for compliance in advance of that date. Solvency II will set out new, strengthened EU-wide requirements on capital adequacy and risk management for insurers with the aim of increasing policyholder protection, instilling greater risk awareness and improving the international competitiveness of EU insurers.

The U.K. Regulator’s rules require the Company’s U.K. insurance subsidiaries to obtain regulatory approval for any proposed or actual payment of a dividend. The U.K. Regulator uses the ICG and the estimated capital requirement for Solvency II purposes when assessing requests to make distributions and therefore dividends approved by the U.K. Regulator will often significantly differ from any surplus capital above the entity’s minimum capital resources requirements.

Lloyd’s

As of December 31, 2014, the Company participated in the Lloyd’s market through its interests in: (i) Atrium Underwriting Group, which manages Syndicate 609 and provides approximately one quarter of the syndicate’s capital; (ii) Shelbourne, which consists of an approved Lloyd’s managing agent, a corporate member and Syndicate 2008, a wholly aligned syndicate that has permission to underwrite RITC and other legacy or discontinued business type transactions with other Lloyd’s syndicates; and (iii) Torus’ Syndicate 1301 and Torus Underwriting Management Limited (the Lloyd’s managing agent for this syndicate). The Lloyd’s market is currently in the Solvency II internal model application process under Lloyd’s supervision. The Company’s Lloyd’s operations will therefore be required to meet Solvency II standards when they come into effect.

 

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The underwriting capacity of a member of Lloyd’s must be supported by providing a deposit (referred to as “Funds at Lloyd’s”) in the form of cash, securities or letters of credit in an amount determined under the ICA. The amount of the Funds at Lloyd’s is assessed annually and is determined by Lloyd’s in accordance with the capital adequacy rules established by the U.K. Regulator. In order to achieve finality and to release their capital, Lloyd’s members are usually required to have transferred their liabilities through an approved RITC, such as offered by Syndicate 2008. RITC is generally put in place after the third year of operations of a syndicate year of account. On successful conclusion of RITC, any profit from the syndicate’s operations for that year of account can be remitted by the managing agent to the syndicate’s members.

As at December 31, 2014, the Company’s total capital commitment to its Lloyd’s Syndicates was £250.7 million (approximately $390.6 million). The capital commitment was financed from available cash on hand of $310.6 million and a letter of credit facility of $80.0 million.

Australia

The Company’s Australian insurance subsidiary is regulated and subject to prudential supervision by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (“APRA”). APRA is the primary regulatory body responsible for regulating compliance with the Insurance Act 1973. APRA’s prudential standards require that all insurers maintain and meet prescribed capital adequacy requirements to enable their insurance obligations to be met under a wide range of circumstances.

An insurer must obtain APRA’s written consent prior to making any capital releases, including any payment of dividends. The Company’s insurance subsidiary must provide APRA a valuation prepared by an appointed actuary that demonstrates that the tangible assets of the insurer, after the proposed capital reduction, are sufficient to cover its insurance liabilities to a 99.5% level of sufficiency of capital before APRA will consent to a capital release or dividend. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s Australian-based insurance subsidiary exceeded the required 99.5% level of sufficiency by $5.7 million and $33.3 million, respectively.

United States

The Company’s U.S. non-life run-off and active underwriting insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are subject to the insurance laws and regulations of the states in which they are domiciled, licensed and/or eligible to conduct business. These laws restrict the amount of dividends the subsidiaries can pay to the Company. The restrictions are generally based on statutory net income and/or certain levels of statutory surplus as determined in accordance with the relevant statutory accounting requirements of the individual domiciliary states or states in which any of the insurance or reinsurance subsidiaries are domiciled. Generally, prior regulatory approval must be obtained before an insurer may pay a dividend or make a distribution above a specified level.

The U.S. subsidiaries are required to file annual statements with insurance regulatory authorities prepared on a statutory basis prescribed or permitted by such authorities. Statutory accounting principles differ from U.S. GAAP in the treatment of various items, including treatment of deferred acquisition costs, deferred income taxes, required investment reserves, reserve calculation assumptions and surplus notes. For all of the Company’s U.S. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries, with the exception of one subsidiary which has a permitted accounting practice to treat an adverse development cover reinsurance agreement as prospective reinsurance, there are no prescribed or

 

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permitted statutory accounting practices that differ significantly from the statutory accounting principles established by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”). The U.S. insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries are also required to maintain minimum levels of solvency and liquidity as determined by law, and to comply with risk-based capital requirements and licensing rules.

As of December 31, 2014, all of the Company’s U.S. non-life insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries exceeded their required levels of risk-based capital, with the exception of one subsidiary that was acquired while under supervision. On an aggregate basis, the Company’s U.S. non-life insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries (excluding the subsidiary under supervision) exceeded their minimum levels of risk-based capital as of December 31, 2014 by $549.1 million (December 31, 2013: $642.7 million). The subsidiary under regulatory supervision was below its minimum required risk-based capital level by approximately $5.6 million as of December 31, 2013 but, as of December 31, 2014, exceeds its minimum level by approximately $10.8 million.

Europe

The Company’s Swiss insurance subsidiary, Harper Insurance Limited, is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) pursuant to the Insurance Supervisory Act 2004. This subsidiary is obligated to maintain a minimum solvency margin based on the Solvency I and Swiss Solvency Test regulations (“SST”) as stipulated by the Insurance Supervisory Act. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, this subsidiary exceeded the Solvency I requirements by $119.2 million (2013: $118.1 million) and exceeded the SST requirements by $85.3 million (2013: $67.4 million). The amount of dividends that this subsidiary is permitted to distribute is restricted to freely distributable reserves, which consist of retained earnings, the current year profit and legal reserves. Any dividend exceeding the current year profit requires FINMA’s approval. The solvency and capital requirements must continue to be met following any distribution.

The Company’s Liechtenstein insurance subsidiary (Torus Insurance (Europe) AG) is regulated by the Liechtenstein Financial Market Authority (“FMA”) pursuant to the Insurance Supervisory Act 1999. This subsidiary is obligated to maintain a minimum solvency margin based on the Solvency I regulations, as stipulated by the Insurance Supervisory Act. As of December 31, 2014, this subsidiary exceeded the Solvency I requirements by $20.0 million. The amount of dividends that this subsidiary is permitted to distribute is restricted to freely distributable reserves, which consist of retained earnings, the current year profit and legal reserves. Any dividend exceeding the current year profit requires the FMA’s approval. The solvency and capital requirements must continue to be met following any distribution.

Life and Annuities — United States/Canada

The Company’s life and annuities subsidiaries file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities and the NAIC in the United States and the Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions (“OSFI”) in Canada (as a result of one of the Company’s subsidiaries having a Canadian branch operation). Such statements are prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles (“SAP”) prescribed or permitted by such authorities which may vary materially from U.S. GAAP. SAP includes the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the NAIC as well as other laws, regulations and administrative rules promulgated by the state insurance departments. SAP encompasses all accounting practices not so prescribed. The principal differences between statutory financial statements and financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP are that

 

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statutory financial statements do not reflect deferred acquisition costs, some bond portfolios may be carried at amortized cost, assets and liabilities are presented net of reinsurance, contract holder liabilities are generally valued using more conservative assumptions and certain assets are non-admitted. Accordingly, statutory operating results and statutory capital and surplus may differ substantially from amounts reported in the U.S. GAAP basis financial statements for comparable items.

The Company’s life and annuity companies are subject to certain Risk-Based Capital (“RBC”) requirements as specified by the NAIC and OSFI. RBC is used to evaluate the adequacy of capital and surplus maintained by the Company’s life and annuities companies in relation to risks associated with: (i) asset risk; (ii) insurance risk; (iii) interest rate risk and (iv) business risk.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s life and annuities subsidiaries exceeded their minimum RBC requirements by $107.6 million (2013: $104.5 million). These subsidiaries are restricted by state laws and regulations as to the amount of dividends they may pay to their parent without regulatory approval in any year, the purpose of which is to protect affected insurance policyholders, depositors or investors. Any dividends in excess of limits are deemed “extraordinary” and require approval. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the maximum dividend payout which may be made without prior approval is $11.9 million (2013: $nil).

Life and Annuities — Europe

One of the Company’s life insurance subsidiaries files its audited financial statements with the Companies Registration Office in Ireland. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 1963 to 2013, and the European Communities (Insurance Undertakings: Accounts) Regulations, 1996.

The financial statements of this subsidiary are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investments, and comply with financial reporting standards of the Accounting Standards Board, as promulgated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

In addition, this subsidiary files audited regulatory returns with the Central Bank of Ireland. The returns are prepared in accordance with the European Communities (Life Assurance) Framework Regulations, 1994. The Company has exceeded the minimum required solvency margin as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by $13.3 million and $11.0 million, respectively. The subsidiary cannot make any distributions without the prior approval of the Central Bank of Ireland, and any such payments must be paid within six months of the most recent actuarial investigation, the purpose of which is to ensure that the subsidiary’s insurance policyholders are not negatively affected.

Restricted net assets of consolidated subsidiaries

As at December 31, 2014, the total amount of net assets of the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries that were restricted was $1.23 billion (2013: $732.5 million).

 

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20. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s portfolio of cash and fixed maturities is managed pursuant to guidelines that follow what it believes are prudent standards of diversification. The guidelines limit the allowable holdings of a single issue and issuers, and as a result the Company does not believe that there are any significant concentrations of credit risk associated with its portfolio of cash and fixed maturities.

The Company’s portfolio of other investments is managed pursuant to guidelines that emphasize diversification and liquidity. Pursuant to these guidelines, the Company manages and monitors risk across a variety of investment funds and vehicles, markets and counterparties. The Company believes that there are no significant concentrations of credit risk associated with its other investments.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s investments were held by 31 different custodians. These custodians are all large financial institutions that are highly regulated. These institutions have controls over their investment processes that are certified annually. The largest concentration of fixed maturities investments, by fair value, at a single custodian was $3.6 billion and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Leases

The Company leases office space under operating leases expiring in various years through 2019. The leases are renewable at the option of the lessee under certain circumstances. The following is a schedule of future minimum rental payments on non-cancellable leases as of December 31, 2014:

 

2015

   $ 11,124   

2016

     9,697   

2017

     6,930   

2018

     6,217   

2019

     3,711   

2020 and beyond

     5,723   
  

 

 

 
   $ 43,402   
  

 

 

 

Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $10.2 million, $5.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

Investments

The following table provides a summary of the Company’s outstanding unfunded investment commitments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

December 31, 2014

   December 31, 2013

Original

Commitments

   Commitments    Original
Commitments
   Commitments
   Funded    Unfunded       Funded    Unfunded

$311,000

   $211,115    $99,885    $291,000    $176,760    $114,240

Guarantees

As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had, in total, parental guarantees supporting a subsidiary’s insurance obligations in the amount of $238.6 million and $228.5 million, respectively.

 

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Acquisitions and Significant New Business

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had entered into definitive agreements with respect to the purchase of Companion, which closed on January 27, 2015, and the Reciprocal of America loss portfolio transfer, which closed on January 15, 2015. On February 5, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the purchase of NSA, which is expected to close during the second quarter of 2015. The Companion and NSA acquisition agreements are described in Note 3 —“Acquisitions,” and the Reciprocal of America agreement is described in Note 4 — “Significant New Business.”

Legal Proceedings

The Company is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation and arbitration regarding claims. In addition to claims litigation, the Company may be subject to other lawsuits and regulatory actions in the normal course of business, which may involve, among other things, allegations of underwriting errors or omissions, employment claims or regulatory activity. The Company does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending legal proceedings, either individually or taken as a whole, will have a material effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition. The Company anticipates that, similar to the rest of the insurance and reinsurance industry, it will continue to be subject to litigation and arbitration proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including litigation generally related to the scope of coverage with respect to asbestos and environmental and other claims.

21. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company monitors and reports its results of operations in four segments: non-life run-off, Atrium, Torus and life and annuities. These segments are described in Note 1 — “Description of Business.”

Atrium and Torus are reported as separate segments because they are managed and operated in separate and distinct manners. Atrium’s senior management runs its day-to-day operations with limited involvement of the Company’s senior management, whereas the Company’s senior management and employees are involved in Torus’ day-to-day operations. Atrium employees are not involved in the management or strategy of Torus, nor are Torus employees involved in the management or strategy of Atrium. Atrium and Torus are monitored and reported upon separately and distinctly and their strategies and business plans are determined independently of each other.

Invested assets are managed on a subsidiary by subsidiary basis, and investment income and realized and unrealized gains on investments are recognized in each segment as earned.

The Company’s total assets by segment were as follows (the elimination items include the elimination of intersegment assets, revenues and expenses):

 

     December 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Total assets:

     

Non-life run-off

   $ 5,936,187       $ 6,619,992   

Atrium

     598,037         585,176   

Torus

     2,876,734           

Life and annuities

     1,344,593         1,414,987   

Less:

     

Eliminations

     (818,666        
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 9,936,885       $ 8,620,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following tables set forth selected and consolidated statement of earnings results by segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012:

 

    December 31, 2014  
    Non-life
run-off
    Atrium     Torus     Life and
annuities
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

INCOME

           

Net premiums earned

  $ 31,168      $ 135,945      $ 373,633      $ 105,704      $      $ 646,450   

Fees and commission income

    19,342        26,176               32        (12,471     33,079   

Net investment income

    71,209        1,971        5,937        39,470        (1,218     117,369   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    48,030        41        2,136        12,412               62,619   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    169,749        164,133        381,706        157,618        (13,689     859,517   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

           

Net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

    (264,711     55,428        218,429                      9,146   

Life and annuity policy benefits

                         108,046               108,046   

Acquisition costs

    8,393        43,417        65,734        15,029               132,573   

Salaries and benefits

    127,776        20,142        55,846        7,458               211,222   

General and administrative expenses

    70,287        14,779        57,498        11,177        (12,471     141,270   

Interest expense

    7,493        5,429               1,218        (1,218     12,922   

Net foreign exchange losses (gains)

    8,015        (1,559     945        (1,441            5,960   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (42,747     137,636        398,452        141,487        (13,689     621,139   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    212,496        26,497        (16,746     16,131               238,378   

INCOME TAXES

    622        (5,092     (1,130     (5,542            (11,142
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

    213,118        21,405        (17,876     10,589               227,236   

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (9,836     (10,974     7,323                      (13,487
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

  $ 203,282      $ 10,431      $ (10,553   $ 10,589      $      $ 213,749   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

    December 31, 2013  
    Non-life
run-off
    Atrium     Torus     Life and
annuities
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

INCOME

           

Net premiums earned

  $ 112,611      $ 32,212      $      $ 94,984      $      $ 239,807   

Fees and commission income

    12,785        2,708                      (2,676     12,817   

Net investment income

    64,048        521               30,182        (1,456     93,295   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    79,368        542               (9,259            70,651   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    268,812        35,983               115,907        (4,132     416,570   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

           

Net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

    (182,975     19,303                             (163,672

Life and annuity policy benefits

                         78,354               78,354   

Acquisition costs

    14,379                      8,820               23,199   

Salaries and benefits

    117,141        2,676               4,799               124,616   

General and administrative expenses

    67,979        2,716        2,554        16,039        (2,676     86,612   

Interest expense

    12,057        332               1,456        (1,456     12,389   

Net foreign exchange (gains) losses

    (5,909     1,364        18        158               (4,369
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    22,672        26,391        2,572        109,626        (4,132     157,129   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    246,140        9,592        (2,572     6,281               259,441   

INCOME TAXES

    (34,191     (185            (1,243            (35,619
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

    211,949        9,407        (2,572     5,038               223,822   

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (12,076     (4,170     1,028                      (15,218
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

  $ 199,873      $ 5,237      $ (1,544   $ 5,038      $      $ 208,604   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

    December 31, 2012  
    Non-life
run-off
    Life and
annuities
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

INCOME

       

Net premiums earned

  $      $ 3,511      $      $ 3,511   

Fees and commission income

    9,283               (713     8,570   

Net investment income

    76,813        947               77,760   

Net realized and unrealized gains

    71,730        1,882               73,612   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    157,826        6,340        (713     163,453   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Net reduction in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

    (237,953                   (237,953

Life and annuity policy benefits

           (300            (300

Salaries and benefits

    99,342        1,131               100,473   

General and administrative expenses

    55,731        1,574        (713     56,592   

Interest expense

    8,426                      8,426   

Net foreign exchange losses (gains)

    644        (238            406   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (73,810     2,167        (713     (72,356
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    231,636        4,173               235,809   

INCOME TAXES

    (44,266     (24            (44,290
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

    187,370        4,149               191,519   

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (23,502                   (23,502
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

  $ 163,868      $ 4,149      $      $ 168,017   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

22. UNAUDITED CONDENSED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

 

    December 31,     September 30,     June 30,     March 31,  
    2014     2013     2014     2013     2014     2013     2014     2013  

INCOME

               

Net premiums earned

  $ 171,889      $ 73,876      $ 195,987      $ 58,674      $ 216,916      $ 75,596      $ 61,658      $ 31,661   

Fees and commission income

    11,771        5,012        6,801        2,398        7,509        2,960        6,998        2,447   

Net investment income

    31,388        23,071        27,984        25,009        33,649        27,252        24,348        17,963   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    7,971        31,440        (18,336     37,010        38,411        (27,919     34,573        30,120   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    223,019        133,399        212,436        123,091        296,485        77,889        127,577        82,191   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

               

Net (reduction) increase in ultimate losses and loss adjustment expense liabilities

    (56,085     (125,056     17,533        (20,388     59,749        (27,422     (12,051     9,161   

Life and annuity policy benefits

    4,309        20,970        26,549        31,095        50,379        25,562        26,809        741   

Acquisition costs

    55,419        5,050        36,261        6,149        27,732        9,632        13,161        2,387   

Salaries and benefits

    69,624        45,603        54,525        29,716        55,683        25,687        31,390        23,610   

General and administrative expenses

    40,804        19,538        41,039        29,126        37,177        20,002        22,250        17,946   

Interest expense

    2,352        3,593        3,307        3,270        3,529        3,091        3,734        2,435   

Net foreign exchange (gains) losses

    (1,476     (375     6,365        (673     (525     (8,403     1,596        5,082   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    114,947        (30,677     185,579        78,295        233,724        48,149        86,889        61,362   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

    108,072        164,076        26,857        44,796        62,761        29,740        40,688        20,829   

INCOME TAXES

    10,246        (21,893     (5,660     (1,340     (8,452     (4,542     (7,276     (7,844
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

    118,318        142,183        21,197        43,456        54,309        25,198        33,412        12,985   

Less: Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (12,378     (4,722     5,232        (3,469     (2,516     (6,001     (3,825     (1,026
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

  $ 105,940      $ 137,461      $ 26,429      $ 39,987      $ 51,793      $ 19,197      $ 29,587      $ 11,959   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE —BASIC:

               

Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar

               

Group Limited shareholders

  $ 5.66      $ 8.32      $ 1.38      $ 2.42      $ 2.78      $ 1.16      $ 1.79      $ 0.72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS PER SHARE — DILUTED:

               

Net earnings per ordinary share attributable to Enstar

               

Group Limited shareholders

  $ 5.62      $ 8.23      $ 1.37      $ 2.39      $ 2.68      $ 1.15      $ 1.77      $ 0.72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE I

ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES

AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2014

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

Type of investment

  Amortized
Cost
    Fair Value     Amount at
which
shown in the
balance
sheet
 

Fixed maturity securities and short-term investments — Trading:

     

U.S. government and agency

  $ 742,800      $ 744,660      $ 744,660   

Non-U.S. government

    375,748        368,945        368,945   

Corporate

    1,999,227        1,986,873        1,986,873   

Municipal

    25,452        25,607        25,607   

Residential mortgage-backed

    307,847        308,621        308,621   

Commercial mortgage-backed

    139,984        139,907        139,907   

Asset-backed

    389,529        388,194        388,194   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    3,980,587        3,962,807        3,962,807   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities — Held-to-maturity:

     

U.S. government and agency

    20,257        20,559        20,257   

Non-U.S. government

    38,613        38,689        38,613   

Corporate

    754,363        767,124        754,363   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    813,233        826,372        813,233   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed maturity securities and short-term investments — Available-for-sale

     

U.S. government and agency

    24,167        24,342        24,342   

Non-U.S. government

    72,913        70,494        70,494   

Corporate

    101,745        101,056        101,056   

Residential mortgage-backed

    3,305        3,243        3,243   

Asset-backed

    41,980        41,976        41,976   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    244,110        241,111        241,111   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equities(1)

           124,497        150,130   

Other investments(2)

      532,994        836,868   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $ 5,687,781      $ 6,004,149   
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The difference in the amount of equities shown at fair value and the equities shown in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet relates to the fair value of $25.6 million as of December 31, 2014 for its investment in a registered investment company affiliated with entities owned by Trident. Refer to Note 18 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

(2)

The difference in the amount of other investments shown at fair value and the other investments shown in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet relates to the fair value of $303.9 million as of December 31, 2014 for its other investments in funds or companies owned by or affiliated with certain related parties. Refer to Note 18 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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SCHEDULE II

ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant

Balance Sheets — Parent Company Only

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

    2014     2013  
    (in thousands of U.S.
dollars, except share data)
 

ASSETS

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 21,671      $ 27,989   

Balances due from subsidiaries

    432,312        363,113   

Investments in subsidiaries

    2,216,078        1,654,508   

Accounts receivable and other assets

    320        306   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

  $ 2,670,381      $ 2,045,916   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 5,797      $ 1,761   

Loans payable

    203,627        143,258   

Balances due to subsidiaries

    156,107        145,374   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

    365,531        290,393   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

   

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   

Share capital

   

Authorized issued and fully paid, par value $1 each (Authorized 2014: 156,000,000; 2013: 156,000,000)

   

Ordinary shares (Issued 2014: 15,761,365; 2013: 13,802,706)

    15,761        13,803   

Non-voting convertible ordinary shares:

   

Series A (issued 2014: 2,972,892; 2013: 2,972,892)

    2,973        2,973   

Series C (issued and outstanding 2014: 2,725,637 ; 2013: 2,725,637)

    2,726        2,726   

Series E (issued and outstanding 2014: 714,015; 2013: nil)

    714          

Treasury stock at cost (Series A non-voting convertible ordinary shares 2014: 2,972,892; 2013: 2,972,892)

    (421,559     (421,559

Additional paid-in capital

    1,321,715        962,145   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    (12,686     13,978   

Retained earnings

    1,395,206        1,181,457   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    2,304,850        1,755,523   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

  $ 2,670,381      $ 2,045,916   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Statement of Earnings — Parent Company Only

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

     2014     2013     2012  
     (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

INCOME

      

Net investment income

   $ 11,865      $ 8,561      $ 8,365   

Dividend income from subsidiaries

     21,952        27,118        92,450   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     33,817        35,679        100,815   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

      

Salaries and benefits

     128        117        1,179   

General and administrative expenses

     43,113        15,747        3,816   

Interest expense

     8,201        10,475        11,505   

Net foreign exchange losses (gains)

     379        (1,696     942   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     51,821        24,643        17,442   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(LOSS) EARNINGS BEFORE EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES

     (18,004     11,036        83,373   

EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES

     231,753        197,568        84,644   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET EARNINGS

   $ 213,749      $ 208,604      $ 168,017   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

Statements of Cash Flows — Parent Company Only

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

 

    2014     2013     2012  
    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     

Net cash flows used in operating activities

  $ (88,970   $ (174,868   $ (26,926
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     

Return of capital, net

    21,902        (72,953     100,516   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     

Repayment of loans

    (9,250            (64,102

Receipt of loans

    70,000        95,000          
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

    60,750        95,000        (64,102
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

    (6,318     (152,821     9,488   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

    27,989        180,810        171,322   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR

  $ 21,671      $ 27,989      $ 180,810   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE III

ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

    Deferred
Acquisition
Costs
    Reserves
for Losses
and Loss
Adjustment
Expenses
    Unearned
Premiums
    Other
Benefits
Payable
    Net
Premiums
Earned
    Net
Investment
Income
    Losses
and Loss
Expenses
and
Policy
Benefits
    Amortization
of Deferred
Acquisition
Costs
    Other
Operating
Expenses
    Net
Premiums
Written
 

2014

                   

Non-life run-off

  $      $ 3,435,010      $ 197      $      $ 31,168      $ 67,432      $ (264,711   $ 8,393      $ 213,571      $ 10,272   

Atrium

    16,520        212,611        61,030               135,945        1,971        55,428        43,417        38,791        136,275   

Torus

    45,186        861,800        406,706               373,633        9,714        218,429        65,734        114,289        399,174   

Life and annuities

                  693        1,220,864        105,704        39,470        108,046        15,029        18,412        104,233   

Eliminations

                                       (1,218                   (13,689       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 61,706      $ 4,509,421      $ 468,626      $ 1,220,864      $ 646,450      $ 117,369      $ 117,192      $ 132,573      $ 371,374      $ 649,954   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2013

                   

Non-life run-off

  $      $ 4,004,513      $ 1,199      $      $ 112,611      $ 64,048      $ (182,975   $ 14,379      $ 191,268      $ 9,233   

Atrium

    16,744        215,392        65,804               32,212        521        19,303               9,660        30,104   

Life and annuities

                  3,694        1,273,100        94,984        30,182        78,354        8,820        22,452        63,856   

Eliminations

                                       (1,456                   (4,132       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 16,744      $ 4,219,905      $ 70,697      $ 1,273,100      $ 239,807      $ 93,295      $ (85,318   $ 23,199      $ 219,248      $ 103,193   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

2012

                   

Non-life run-off

  $      $ 3,650,127      $      $      $      $ 76,813      $ (237,953   $      $ 164,143      $   

Life and annuities

                         11,027        3,511        947        (300            2,467        3,511   

Eliminations

                                                            (713       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $      $ 3,650,127      $      $ 11,027      $ 3,511      $ 77,760      $ (238,253   $      $ 165,897      $ 3,511   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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SCHEDULE IV

ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

REINSURANCE

For the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

     Gross      Ceded to
Other
Companies
    Assumed
from

Other
Companies
     Net Amount      Percentage
of Amount
Assumed
to Net
 

2014

             

Life reinsurance in force

   $ 13,880,064       $ 3,348,634      $ 5,392,314       $ 15,923,744         33.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

Premiums earned:

             

Property and casualty

     703,281         (217,383     54,848         540,746         10.1

Life and annuities

     89,880         (8,921     24,745         105,704         23.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total premiums earned

   $ 793,161       $ (226,304   $ 79,593       $ 646,450      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

2013

             

Life reinsurance in force

   $ 15,670,436       $ 3,824,429      $ 5,837,708       $ 17,683,715         33.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

Premiums earned:

             

Property and casualty

     134,402         (11,651     22,072         144,823         15.2

Life and annuities

     87,531         (8,131     15,584         94,984         16.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total premiums earned

   $ 221,933       $ (19,782   $ 37,656       $ 239,807      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

2012

             

Life reinsurance in force

   $ 1,330,219       $ 1,191,886      $       $ 138,333         0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

Premiums earned:

             

Property and casualty

                                    0.0

Life and annuities

     5,421         (1,910             3,511         0.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total premiums earned

   $ 5,421       $ (1,910   $       $ 3,511      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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SCHEDULE VI

ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS

As at and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. Dollars)

 

    Deferred
Acquisition
Costs
    Reserves
for Unpaid
Losses
and Loss
Adjustment
Expenses
    Unearned
Premiums
    Net
Premiums
Earned
    Net
Investment
Income
    Net Losses and
Loss Expenses
Incurred
    Net Paid
Losses
and Loss
Expenses
    Amortization
of Deferred
Acquisition
Costs
    Other
Operating
Expenses
    Net
Premiums
Written
 

Affiliation with Registrant

            Current
Year
    Prior Year          

Consolidated Subsidiaries

                     

2014

  $ 61,706      $ 4,509,421      $ 467,933      $ 540,746      $ 77,900      $ 327,817      $ (318,671   $ 598,717      $ 117,544      $ 355,892      $ 545,721   

2013

    16,744        4,219,905        67,003        144,823        63,113        93,442        (257,114     401,496        23,199        200,928        39,337   

2012

           3,650,127                      76,813               (237,953     314,528               164,143          

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable

 

ITEM 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has performed an evaluation, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act), as of December 31, 2014. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Our management has performed an assessment, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992). Based upon that assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.

In accordance with applicable SEC guidance, our management’s evaluation for internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Torus Insurance Holdings Limited which represented 24.6% of our total assets and 25.0% of our total liabilities as of December 31, 2014. We are in the process of incorporating our controls and procedures into this business.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by our independent registered public accounting firm as stated in its report. This report appears on page 242.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. As a result, even those internal control systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements. No evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our Company have been detected.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management has performed an evaluation, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2014. Based upon that evaluation, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

 

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Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

Enstar Group Limited

We have audited Enstar Group Limited’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Enstar Group Limited’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Form 10-K under Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Enstar Group Limited maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 Torus Insurance Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries, which were acquired on April 1, 2014. We have also excluded these acquired companies from our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Enstar Group Limited which represented 24.6% of the Company’s total assets and 25.0% of the Company’s total liabilities as of December 31, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Enstar Group Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we have also audited financial statement Schedules I, II, III, IV and VI as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014. Our report dated March 2, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG Audit Limited

Hamilton, Bermuda

March 2, 2015

 

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Table of Contents

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement for our 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement for our 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement for our 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement for our 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy statement for our 2015 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders that will be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 pursuant to Regulation 14A.

 

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Table of Contents

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

  (a) Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedules and Exhibits.

1. Financial Statements

Included in Part II — See Item 8 of this report.

2. Financial Statement Schedules

Included in Part II — See Item 8 of this report.

3. Exhibits

The information required by this Item is set forth on the exhibit index that follows the signature page of this report.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 2, 2015.

 

ENSTAR GROUP LIMITED
By:   /S/ DOMINIC F. SILVESTER
 

Dominic F. Silvester

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 2, 2015.

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/    ROBERT J. CAMPBELL

Robert J. Campbell

  

Chairman and Director

/s/    DOMINIC F. SILVESTER

Dominic F. Silvester

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/    RICHARD J. HARRIS

Richard J. Harris

  

Chief Financial Officer (signing in his capacity as both principal financial officer and principal accounting officer)

/s/    PAUL J. O’SHEA

Paul J. O’Shea

  

Executive Vice President and Director

/s/    JAMES D. CAREY

James D. Carey

  

Director

/s/    KENNETH W. MOORE

Kenneth W. Moore

  

Director

/s/    SUMIT RAJPAL

Sumit Rajpal

  

Director

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

   2.1¿   

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 23, 2006, as amended on November 21, 2006, by and among Castlewood Holdings Limited, CWMS Subsidiary Corp. and The Enstar Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Annex A to the proxy statement/prospectus that forms a part of the Company’s Form S-4 declared effective December 15, 2006).

   2.2¿   

Recapitalization Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2006, among Castlewood Holdings Limited, The Enstar Group, Inc. and the other parties signatory thereto (incorporated by reference to Annex C to the proxy statement/prospectus that forms a part of the Company’s Form S-4 declared effective December 15, 2006).

   2.3¿   

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 27, 2012, among Enstar Group Limited, AML Acquisition, Corp. and SeaBright Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 28, 2012).

   2.4¿   

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated September 6, 2012, among Household Insurance Group Holding Company, Pavonia Holdings (US), Inc. and Enstar Group Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2012).

   2.5¿   

Share Purchase Agreement, dated June 5, 2013, by and among Arden Holdings Limited, Alopuc Limited and Kenmare Holdings Ltd. for the sale and purchase of the entire issued share capital of Atrium Underwriting Group Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013), as amended by the Deed of Variation, dated October 3, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 7, 2013).

  2.6   

Deed of Variation, dated November 21, 2013, to the Share Purchase Agreement, dated June 5, 2013, by and among Arden Holdings Limited, Alopuc Limited and Kenmare Holdings Ltd. for the sale and purchase of the entire issued share capital of Atrium Underwriting Group Limited.

   2.7¿   

Share Purchase Agreement, dated June 5, 2013, by and among Arden Holdings Limited, Northshore Holdings Limited and Kenmare Holdings Ltd. for the sale and purchase of the entire issued share capital of Arden Reinsurance Company Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013).

   2.8¿   

Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Amalgamation, dated March 11, 2014, by and among Enstar Group Limited, Veranda Holdings Ltd., Hudson Securityholders Representative LLC, and Torus Insurance Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form S-3ASR filed on April 29, 2014).

   2.9¿   

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated August 26, 2014, by and among Enstar Group Limited, Sussex Holdings, Inc. and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2014).

  3.1   

Memorandum of Association of Enstar Group Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K/A filed on May 2, 2011).

  3.2   

Fourth Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of Enstar Group Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(b) of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2014).

  3.3   

Certificate of Designations for the Series A Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2011).

  3.4   

Certificate of Designations for the Series B Convertible Participating Non-Voting Perpetual Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 9, 2013).

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.1   

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2007, by and among Castlewood Holdings Limited, Trident II, L.P., Marsh & McLennan Capital Professionals Fund, L.P., Marsh & McLennan Employees’ Securities Company, L.P., Dominic F. Silvester, J. Christopher Flowers (rights subsequently assigned to Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P. in May 2012), and other parties thereto set forth on the Schedule of Shareholders attached thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K12B filed on January 31, 2007) (file no. 001-33289).

10.2+   

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form S-3 (No. 333-151461) initially filed on June 5, 2008) (file no. 333-151461).

10.3+   

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2007 and amended and restated June 4, 2007, by and between Enstar Group Limited and Dominic F. Silvester, as amended by Letter Agreement (effective January 1, 2011), Letter Agreement (dated April 19, 2012), and Letter Agreement (dated August 11, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2014).

10.4+   

Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2007, by and between the Company and Paul J. O’Shea, as amended by Letter Agreement (effective January 1, 2011), Letter Agreement (dated April 25, 2012), and Letter Agreement (dated August 12, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2014).

10.5+   

Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2007, by and between Enstar Group Limited and Nicholas A. Packer, as amended by Letter Agreement (effective January 1, 2011), Letter Agreement (dated April 25, 2012), and Letter Agreement (dated August 11, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2014).

10.6+   

Employment Agreement, effective May 1, 2007, by and between Enstar Group Limited and Richard J. Harris, as amended by Letter Agreement (effective January 1, 2011), Letter Agreement (dated April 19, 2012), and Letter Agreement (dated August 11, 2014) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2014).

10.7+   

Castlewood Holdings Limited 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the proxy statement/prospectus that forms a part of the Company’s Form S-4 declared effective December 15, 2006) (file no. 333-135699), as amended by the First Amendment to Castlewood Holdings Limited 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2007) (file no. 001-33289).

10.8+   

Form of Award Agreement under the Castlewood Holdings Limited 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2007) (file no. 001-33289).

10.9+   

Form of Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreement pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2014).

10.10+   

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2014).

10.11+   

Enstar Group Limited Amended and Restated Employee Share Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2014).

 

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Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.12+   

Enstar Group Limited Deferred Compensation and Ordinary Share Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective as of June 5, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2007) (file no. 001-33289).

10.13*+   

Amended and Restated Enstar Group Limited Deferred Compensation and Ordinary Share Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective as of January 1, 2015.

10.14+   

Enstar Group Limited 2011-2015 Annual Incentive Compensation Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed on March 7, 2011).

10.15   

Investment Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2011, by and among Enstar Group Limited, GSCP VI AIV Navi, Ltd., GSCP VI Offshore Navi, Ltd., GSCP VI Parallel AIV Navi, Ltd., GSCP VI Employee Navi, Ltd., and GSCP VI GmbH Navi, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2011).

10.16   

Form of Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2011).

10.17   

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2011, by and among Enstar Group Limited, GSCP VI AIV Navi, Ltd., GSCP VI Offshore Navi, Ltd., GSCP VI Parallel AIV Navi, Ltd., GSCP VI Employee Navi, Ltd., and GSCP VI GmbH Navi, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2011).

10.18   

Northshore Investors Agreement, dated July 3, 2013, by and among Kenmare Holdings Ltd. and Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013).

10.19   

Subscription Letter Agreement, dated July 3, 2013, from Kenmare Holdings Ltd. to Northshore Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013).

10.20   

Subscription Letter Agreement, dated July 3, 2013, from Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P. to Northshore Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013).

10.21   

Northshore Shareholders’ Agreement, dated September 6, 2013, among Northshore Holdings Limited, Kenmare Holdings Ltd., Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2013).

10.22   

Amended and Restated Northshore Shareholders’ Agreement, dated May 8, 2014, among Northshore Holdings Limited, Kenmare Holdings Ltd., Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P., Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P., and Dowling Capital Partners I, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2014).

10.23   

Bayshore Investors Agreement, dated July 8, 2013, by and among Enstar Group Limited, Kenmare Holdings Ltd., and Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013).

10.24   

Subscription Letter Agreement, dated July 8, 2013, from Kenmare Holdings Ltd. to Bayshore Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013).

10.25   

Subscription Letter Agreement, dated July 8, 2013, from Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P. to Bayshore Holdings Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2013).

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

10.26   

Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement, dated April 1, 2014, among Bayshore Holdings Limited, Kenmare Holdings Ltd., Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P. and Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2014).

10.27   

Amended and Restated Bayshore Shareholders’ Agreement, dated May 8, 2014, among Bayshore Holdings Limited, Kenmare Holdings Ltd., Trident V, L.P., Trident V Parallel Fund, L.P., Trident V Professionals Fund, L.P., and Dowling Capital Partners I, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2014).

10.28   

Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 1, 2014, among Enstar Group Limited, FR XI Offshore AIV, L.P., First Reserve Fund XII, L.P., FR XII A Parallel Vehicle L.P., FR Torus Co-Investment, L.P. and Corsair Specialty Investors, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2014).

10.29   

Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated April 1, 2014, among Enstar Group Limited, FR XI Offshore AIV, L.P., First Reserve Fund XII, L.P., FR XII A Parallel Vehicle L.P., FR Torus Co-Investment, L.P. and Corsair Specialty Investors, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2014).

10.30   

Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated September 16, 2014, among Enstar Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries, National Australia Bank Limited, Barclays Bank PLC and Royal Bank of Canada as Mandated Lead Arrangers, and National Australia Bank Limited as Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 16, 2014).

10.31*   

Term Facility Agreement, dated December 24, 2014, among Sussex Holdings, Inc., National Australia Bank Limited and Barclays Bank PLC as Mandated Lead Arrangers, and National Australia Bank Limited as Agent.

10.32*+    Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
21.1*   

List of Subsidiaries.

23.1*   

Consent of KPMG Audit Limited.

31.1*   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**   

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**   

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101*   

Interactive Data Files.

  

 

*

filed herewith

**

furnished herewith

+

denotes management contract or compensatory arrangement

¿

certain of the schedules and similar attachments are not filed but Enstar Group Limited undertakes to furnish a copy of the schedules or similar attachments to the SEC upon request

 

250