Essent Group Ltd. - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the period ended March 31, 2014
o 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 005-87689
ESSENT GROUP LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Bermuda |
|
Not Applicable |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
|
(I.R.S. Employer |
Clarendon House
2 Church Street
Hamilton HM11, Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(441) 297-9901
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232-405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.) Yes x No o
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.
Large accelerated filer o |
|
Accelerated filer o |
|
Non-accelerated filer x |
|
Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The number of the registrants common shares outstanding as of May 9, 2014 was 86,528,525.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Form 10-Q
Unless the context otherwise indicates or requires, the terms we, our, us, Essent, and the Company, as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, refer to Essent Group Ltd. and its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries, including our primary operating subsidiary, Essent Guaranty, Inc., as a combined entity, except where otherwise stated or where it is clear that the terms mean only Essent Group Ltd. exclusive of its subsidiaries.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or Quarterly Report, includes forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts or present facts or conditions, such as statements regarding our future financial condition or results of operations, our prospects and strategies for future growth, the introduction of new merchandise, and the implementation of our marketing and branding strategies. In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as may, will, should, expects, plans, anticipates, believes, estimates, predicts, potential or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.
The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report reflect our views as of the date of this Quarterly Report about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause events or our actual activities or results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future events, results, actions, levels of activity, performance or achievements. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those factors described below, factors described in Part I, Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Quarterly Report, and factors described in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors include, without limitation, the following:
· changes in or to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which we refer to collectively as the GSEs, whether through Federal legislation, restructurings or a shift in business practices;
· failure to continue to meet the mortgage insurer eligibility requirements of the GSEs;
· competition for our customers;
· lenders or investors seeking alternatives to private mortgage insurance;
· increase in the number of loans insured through Federal government mortgage insurance programs, including those offered by the Federal Housing Administration;
· decline in new insurance written, or NIW, and franchise value due to loss of a significant customer;
· decline in the volume of low down payment mortgage originations;
· the definition of Qualified Mortgage reducing the size of the mortgage origination market or creating incentives to use government mortgage insurance programs;
· the definition of Qualified Residential Mortgage reducing the number of low down payment loans or lenders and investors seeking alternatives to private mortgage insurance;
· the implementation of the Basel III Capital Accord, which may discourage the use of private mortgage insurance;
· decrease in the length of time our insurance policies are in force;
· uncertainty of loss reserve estimates;
· deteriorating economic conditions;
· management of risk in our investment portfolio;
· fluctuations in interest rates;
· inadequacy of the premiums we charge to compensate for our losses incurred;
· dependence on management team and qualified personnel;
· disturbance to our information technology systems;
· change in our customers capital requirements discouraging the use of mortgage insurance;
· declines in the value of borrowers homes;
· limited availability of capital;
· unanticipated claims arise under and risks associated with our contract underwriting program;
· industry practice that loss reserves are established only upon a loan default;
· disruption in mortgage loan servicing;
· risk of future legal proceedings;
· customers technological demands;
· our non-U.S. operations becoming subject to U.S. Federal income taxation;
· becoming considered a passive foreign investment company for U.S. Federal income tax purposes;
· scope of recently enacted legislation is uncertain; and
· potential inability of our insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends.
Readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements we have included in this Quarterly Report are based on information available to us on the date of this Quarterly Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
| ||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Investments available for sale, at fair value |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Fixed maturities |
|
$ |
585,743 |
|
$ |
318,476 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
261,525 |
|
14,079 |
| ||
Total investments |
|
847,268 |
|
332,555 |
| ||
Cash |
|
8,838 |
|
477,655 |
| ||
Accrued investment income |
|
3,673 |
|
1,978 |
| ||
Accounts receivable |
|
10,349 |
|
10,006 |
| ||
Deferred policy acquisition costs |
|
6,628 |
|
6,173 |
| ||
Property and equipment (at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $37,342 in 2014 and $36,796 in 2013) |
|
4,372 |
|
4,411 |
| ||
Prepaid federal income tax |
|
18,000 |
|
8,000 |
| ||
Net deferred tax asset |
|
2,869 |
|
10,346 |
| ||
Other assets |
|
3,049 |
|
2,846 |
| ||
Total assets |
|
$ |
905,046 |
|
$ |
853,970 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Reserve for losses and LAE |
|
$ |
3,804 |
|
$ |
3,070 |
|
Unearned premium reserve |
|
110,841 |
|
103,399 |
| ||
Amounts due under Asset Purchase Agreement |
|
4,967 |
|
4,949 |
| ||
Accrued payroll and bonuses |
|
4,989 |
|
13,076 |
| ||
Payable for securities |
|
35,192 |
|
|
| ||
Other accrued liabilities |
|
5,124 |
|
7,335 |
| ||
Total liabilities |
|
164,917 |
|
131,829 |
| ||
Commitments and contingencies |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Stockholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares, $0.015 par value: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Authorized - 233,333; issued - 86,494 shares in 2014 and 86,491 shares in 2013 |
|
1,297 |
|
1,297 |
| ||
Additional paid-in capital |
|
756,893 |
|
754,390 |
| ||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
(968 |
) |
(1,447 |
) | ||
Accumulated deficit |
|
(17,093 |
) |
(32,099 |
) | ||
Total stockholders equity |
|
740,129 |
|
722,141 |
| ||
Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
|
$ |
905,046 |
|
$ |
853,970 |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
(In thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net premiums written |
|
$ |
52,192 |
|
$ |
33,373 |
|
Increase in unearned premiums |
|
(7,442 |
) |
(12,109 |
) | ||
Net premiums earned |
|
44,750 |
|
21,264 |
| ||
Net investment income |
|
1,898 |
|
730 |
| ||
Realized investment gains, net |
|
400 |
|
10 |
| ||
Other income |
|
773 |
|
1,027 |
| ||
Total revenues |
|
47,821 |
|
23,031 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Losses and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Provision for losses and LAE |
|
902 |
|
730 |
| ||
Other underwriting and operating expenses |
|
23,459 |
|
14,962 |
| ||
Total losses and expenses |
|
24,361 |
|
15,692 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Income before income taxes |
|
23,460 |
|
7,339 |
| ||
Income tax expense |
|
8,454 |
|
139 |
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
15,006 |
|
$ |
7,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Basic: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
N/A |
| |
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
0.23 |
| |
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
|
| ||
Diluted: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
N/A |
| |
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
0.23 |
| |
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Basic: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
82,864 |
|
N/A |
| ||
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
31,805 |
| ||
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
853 |
| ||
Diluted: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
84,696 |
|
N/A |
| ||
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
31,864 |
| ||
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
6,009 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
15,006 |
|
$ |
7,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $370 in 2014 and $(139) in 2013 |
|
479 |
|
(258 |
) | ||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
479 |
|
(258 |
) | ||
Comprehensive income |
|
$ |
15,485 |
|
$ |
6,942 |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
|
|
|
|
Class A |
|
Class B-2 |
|
Additional |
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| ||||||||
|
|
Common |
|
Common |
|
Common |
|
Paid-In |
|
Comprehensive |
|
Accumulated |
|
Treasury |
|
Stockholders |
| ||||||||
(In thousands) |
|
Shares |
|
Shares |
|
Shares |
|
Capital |
|
Income (Loss) |
|
Deficit |
|
Stock |
|
Equity |
| ||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2013 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
348 |
|
$ |
91 |
|
$ |
347,924 |
|
$ |
2,414 |
|
$ |
(97,512 |
) |
$ |
(34,142 |
) |
$ |
219,123 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
65,413 |
|
|
|
65,413 |
| ||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,861 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(3,861 |
) | ||||||||
Issuance of Class A and Class B-2 common shares net of issuance cost of $1,143 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
|
123,729 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123,852 |
| ||||||||
Conversion of Class A and Class B-2 common shares into Common Shares |
|
1,004 |
|
(474 |
) |
(54 |
) |
(476 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Issuance of Common Shares net of issuance cost of $25,546 |
|
299 |
|
|
|
|
|
313,414 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
313,713 |
| ||||||||
Issuance of management incentive shares |
|
28 |
|
3 |
|
2 |
|
582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
615 |
| ||||||||
Forfeiture of management incentive shares |
|
|
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,597 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,597 |
| ||||||||
Treasury stock acquired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(311 |
) |
(311 |
) | ||||||||
Cancellation of treasury stock |
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(34,419 |
) |
|
|
|
|
34,453 |
|
|
| ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2013 |
|
$ |
1,297 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
754,390 |
|
$ |
(1,447 |
) |
$ |
(32,099 |
) |
$ |
|
|
$ |
722,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,006 |
|
|
|
15,006 |
| ||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
479 |
|
|
|
|
|
479 |
| ||||||||
Issuance of management incentive shares |
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
416 |
| ||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,783 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,783 |
| ||||||||
Treasury stock acquired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,327 |
) |
(2,327 |
) | ||||||||
Cancellation of treasury stock |
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(2,326 |
) |
|
|
|
|
2,327 |
|
|
| ||||||||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,631 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,631 |
| ||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2014 |
|
$ |
1,297 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
756,893 |
|
$ |
(968 |
) |
$ |
(17,093 |
) |
$ |
|
|
$ |
740,129 |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
(In thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
15,006 |
|
$ |
7,200 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Gain on the sale of investments, net |
|
(400 |
) |
(10 |
) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
|
546 |
|
583 |
| ||
Amortization of discount on payments due under Asset Purchase Agreement |
|
18 |
|
30 |
| ||
Stock-based compensation expense |
|
2,783 |
|
559 |
| ||
Amortization of premium on investment securities |
|
1,153 |
|
687 |
| ||
Deferred income tax benefit |
|
7,107 |
|
139 |
| ||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation |
|
(1,631 |
) |
|
| ||
Change in: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Accrued investment income |
|
(1,695 |
) |
(146 |
) | ||
Accounts receivable |
|
(345 |
) |
(1,053 |
) | ||
Deferred policy acquisition costs |
|
(455 |
) |
(755 |
) | ||
Prepaid federal income tax |
|
(10,000 |
) |
|
| ||
Other assets |
|
(203 |
) |
(199 |
) | ||
Reserve for losses and LAE |
|
734 |
|
665 |
| ||
Unearned premium reserve |
|
7,442 |
|
12,109 |
| ||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
(7,532 |
) |
(5,036 |
) | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
12,528 |
|
14,773 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Investing Activities |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net change in short-term investments |
|
(247,446 |
) |
4,999 |
| ||
Purchase of investments available for sale |
|
(291,424 |
) |
(25,564 |
) | ||
Proceeds from maturity of investments available for sale |
|
7,232 |
|
3,500 |
| ||
Proceeds from sales of investments available for sale |
|
52,215 |
|
3,287 |
| ||
Purchase of property and equipment, net |
|
(507 |
) |
(388 |
) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(479,930 |
) |
(14,166 |
) | ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Financing Activities |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Issuance of common shares net of costs |
|
|
|
49,543 |
| ||
Payment of offering costs |
|
(719 |
) |
|
| ||
Treasury stock acquired |
|
(2,327 |
) |
(193 |
) | ||
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation |
|
1,631 |
|
|
| ||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
|
(1,415 |
) |
49,350 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net (decrease) increase in cash |
|
(468,817 |
) |
49,957 |
| ||
Cash at beginning of year |
|
477,655 |
|
22,315 |
| ||
Cash at end of period |
|
$ |
8,838 |
|
$ |
72,272 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Noncash Transactions |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Issuance of management incentive shares (see Note 6) |
|
$ |
416 |
|
$ |
615 |
|
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
In these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, Essent Group, Company, we, us, and our refer to Essent Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
Note 1. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
Essent Group Ltd. is a Bermuda-based holding company, which, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, offers private mortgage insurance and reinsurance for mortgages secured by residential properties located in the United States. Mortgage insurance facilitates the sale of low-down payment (generally less than 20%) mortgage loans into the secondary mortgage market, primarily to the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Essent Group was incorporated in Bermuda in July 2008. Essent US Holdings, Inc. (Essent Holdings) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Essent Group and is incorporated in Delaware. The primary mortgage insurance operations are conducted through Essent Holdings regulated and licensed wholly-owned subsidiaries, Essent Guaranty, Inc. (Essent Guaranty) and Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc. (Essent PA). Essent also has a wholly-owned Bermuda domiciled reinsurer, Essent Reinsurance, Ltd. (Essent Re). Essent Guaranty is approved as a qualified mortgage insurer by the GSEs and is licensed to write mortgage insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In March 2014, Essent Group formed Essent Irish Intermediate Holdings Limited (Essent Irish Intermediate) as a wholly-owned subsidiary. In April 2014, Essent Group contributed the stock of Essent Holdings to Essent Irish Intermediate.
We have prepared the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, the statements include all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) required for a fair statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, including Note 1 and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which discloses the principles of consolidation and a summary of significant accounting policies. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. We evaluated the need to recognize or disclose events that occurred subsequent to March 31, 2014 prior to the issuance of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
As described more fully in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, Class B-2 common share and per share data in all periods presented has been restated for the 2 for 3 share split and the 1 for 1 conversion rate to Common Shares that was effective immediately prior to the closing of the initial public offering. Class A common share and per share data has not been restated because the conversion to Common Shares in connection with the initial public offering was considered a value-for-value exchange of equity interests at the point of the transaction that resulted in a change in shareholder rights and rank before and after the transaction.
Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Note 2. Investments Available for Sale
Investments available for sale consist of the following:
March 31, 2014 |
|
Amortized |
|
Unrealized |
|
Unrealized |
|
Fair |
| ||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
71,860 |
|
$ |
396 |
|
$ |
(672 |
) |
$ |
71,584 |
|
U.S. agency securities |
|
11,133 |
|
60 |
|
|
|
11,193 |
| ||||
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
48,075 |
|
98 |
|
(705 |
) |
47,468 |
| ||||
Municipal debt securities(1) |
|
146,063 |
|
674 |
|
(583 |
) |
146,154 |
| ||||
Corporate debt securities |
|
230,907 |
|
808 |
|
(892 |
) |
230,823 |
| ||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
40,340 |
|
28 |
|
(680 |
) |
39,688 |
| ||||
Asset-backed securities |
|
61,536 |
|
143 |
|
(53 |
) |
61,626 |
| ||||
Money market funds |
|
238,732 |
|
|
|
|
|
238,732 |
| ||||
Total investments available for sale |
|
$ |
848,646 |
|
$ |
2,207 |
|
$ |
(3,585 |
) |
$ |
847,268 |
|
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
December 31, 2013 |
|
Amortized |
|
Unrealized |
|
Unrealized |
|
Fair |
| ||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
59,100 |
|
$ |
977 |
|
$ |
(890 |
) |
$ |
59,187 |
|
U.S. agency securities |
|
14,763 |
|
76 |
|
|
|
14,839 |
| ||||
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
23,023 |
|
53 |
|
(835 |
) |
22,241 |
| ||||
Municipal debt securities(1) |
|
57,947 |
|
155 |
|
(452 |
) |
57,650 |
| ||||
Corporate debt securities |
|
126,311 |
|
378 |
|
(1,096 |
) |
125,593 |
| ||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
19,219 |
|
|
|
(638 |
) |
18,581 |
| ||||
Asset-backed securities |
|
20,340 |
|
81 |
|
(36 |
) |
20,385 |
| ||||
Money market funds |
|
14,079 |
|
|
|
|
|
14,079 |
| ||||
Total investments available for sale |
|
$ |
334,782 |
|
$ |
1,720 |
|
$ |
(3,947 |
) |
$ |
332,555 |
|
(1) At March 31, 2014, approximately 54% of municipal debt securities were special revenue bonds, 45% were general obligation bonds and 1% were tax allocation bonds. At December 31, 2013, all municipal debt securities were general obligation bonds.
The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale securities at March 31, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Because most mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities provide for periodic payments throughout their lives, they are listed below in separate categories.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
|
|
Amortized |
|
Fair |
| ||
U.S. Treasury securities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Due in 1 year |
|
$ |
34,059 |
|
$ |
34,147 |
|
Due after 1 but within 5 years |
|
7,824 |
|
7,877 |
| ||
Due after 5 but within 10 years |
|
29,977 |
|
29,560 |
| ||
Subtotal |
|
71,860 |
|
71,584 |
| ||
U.S. agency securities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Due in 1 year |
|
7,929 |
|
7,947 |
| ||
Due after 1 but within 5 years |
|
3,204 |
|
3,246 |
| ||
Subtotal |
|
11,133 |
|
11,193 |
| ||
Municipal debt securities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Due after 1 but within 5 years |
|
56,588 |
|
56,251 |
| ||
Due after 5 but within 10 years |
|
53,515 |
|
53,770 |
| ||
Due after 10 years |
|
35,960 |
|
36,133 |
| ||
Subtotal |
|
146,063 |
|
146,154 |
| ||
Corporate debt securities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Due in 1 year |
|
3,830 |
|
3,841 |
| ||
Due after 1 but within 5 years |
|
152,413 |
|
152,321 |
| ||
Due after 5 but within 10 years |
|
71,138 |
|
71,136 |
| ||
Due after 10 years |
|
3,526 |
|
3,525 |
| ||
Subtotal |
|
230,907 |
|
230,823 |
| ||
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
48,075 |
|
47,468 |
| ||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
40,340 |
|
39,688 |
| ||
Asset-backed securities |
|
61,536 |
|
61,626 |
| ||
Money market funds |
|
238,732 |
|
238,732 |
| ||
Total investments available for sale |
|
$ |
848,646 |
|
$ |
847,268 |
|
Essent Group realized gross gains and losses on the sale of investments available for sale as follows:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Realized gross gains |
|
$ |
665 |
|
$ |
10 |
|
Realized gross losses |
|
265 |
|
|
| ||
The fair value of investments in an unrealized loss position and the related unrealized losses were as follows:
|
|
Less than |
|
12 months or more |
|
Total |
| ||||||||||||
|
|
Fair |
|
Gross |
|
Fair |
|
Gross |
|
Fair |
|
Gross |
| ||||||
At March 31, 2014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
26,240 |
|
$ |
(672 |
) |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
26,240 |
|
$ |
(672 |
) |
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
27,844 |
|
(408 |
) |
3,743 |
|
(297 |
) |
31,587 |
|
(705 |
) | ||||||
Municipal debt securities |
|
68,185 |
|
(483 |
) |
5,063 |
|
(100 |
) |
73,248 |
|
(583 |
) | ||||||
Corporate debt securities |
|
126,568 |
|
(849 |
) |
3,937 |
|
(43 |
) |
130,505 |
|
(892 |
) | ||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
27,662 |
|
(390 |
) |
5,178 |
|
(290 |
) |
32,840 |
|
(680 |
) | ||||||
Asset-backed securities |
|
35,046 |
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
|
|
35,046 |
|
(53 |
) | ||||||
Total |
|
$ |
311,545 |
|
$ |
(2,855 |
) |
$ |
17,921 |
|
$ |
(730 |
) |
$ |
329,466 |
|
$ |
(3,585 |
) |
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
|
|
Less than |
|
12 months or more |
|
Total |
| ||||||||||||
|
|
Fair |
|
Gross |
|
Fair |
|
Gross |
|
Fair |
|
Gross |
| ||||||
At December 31, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
16,474 |
|
$ |
(890 |
) |
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
16,474 |
|
$ |
(890 |
) |
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
13,484 |
|
(452 |
) |
3,685 |
|
(383 |
) |
17,169 |
|
(835 |
) | ||||||
Municipal debt securities |
|
21,573 |
|
(267 |
) |
13,074 |
|
(185 |
) |
34,647 |
|
(452 |
) | ||||||
Corporate debt securities |
|
75,364 |
|
(1,038 |
) |
3,148 |
|
(58 |
) |
78,512 |
|
(1,096 |
) | ||||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
13,249 |
|
(347 |
) |
5,333 |
|
(291 |
) |
18,582 |
|
(638 |
) | ||||||
Asset-backed securities |
|
6,024 |
|
(36 |
) |
|
|
|
|
6,024 |
|
(36 |
) | ||||||
Total |
|
$ |
146,168 |
|
$ |
(3,030 |
) |
$ |
25,240 |
|
$ |
(917 |
) |
$ |
171,408 |
|
$ |
(3,947 |
) |
The gross unrealized losses on these investment securities are principally associated with the changes in the interest rate environment subsequent to their purchase. Each issuer is current on its scheduled interest and principal payments. We assess our intent to sell these securities and whether we will be required to sell these securities before the recovery of their amortized cost basis when determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary. There were no other-than-temporary impairments of investments in the three months ended March 31, 2014 or year ended December 31, 2013.
The fair value of investments deposited with insurance regulatory authorities to meet statutory requirements was $8,560 at March 31, 2014 and $8,573 at December 31, 2013.
Net investment income consists of:
|
|
Three Months Ended |
| ||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Fixed maturities |
|
$ |
2,056 |
|
$ |
880 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
12 |
|
2 |
| ||
Gross investment income |
|
2,068 |
|
882 |
| ||
Investment expenses |
|
(170 |
) |
(152 |
) | ||
Net investment income |
|
$ |
1,898 |
|
$ |
730 |
|
Note 3. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consist of the following:
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
| ||
Premiums receivable |
|
$ |
10,027 |
|
$ |
9,488 |
|
Other receivables |
|
322 |
|
518 |
| ||
Total accounts receivable |
|
10,349 |
|
10,006 |
| ||
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Accounts receivable, net |
|
$ |
10,349 |
|
$ |
10,006 |
|
Premiums receivable consist of premiums due on our mortgage insurance policies. If mortgage insurance premiums are unpaid for more than 90 days, the receivable is written off against earned premium and the related insurance policy is cancelled. For all periods presented, Essent Group did not record a provision or an allowance for doubtful accounts.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
Note 4. Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) for the three months ended March 31:
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of period |
|
$ |
3,070 |
|
$ |
1,499 |
|
Less: Reinsurance recoverables |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of period |
|
3,070 |
|
1,499 |
| ||
Add provision for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance, occurring in: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Current period |
|
1,286 |
|
924 |
| ||
Prior years |
|
(384 |
) |
(194 |
) | ||
Net incurred losses during the current period |
|
902 |
|
730 |
| ||
Deduct payments for losses and LAE, net of reinsurance, occurring in: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Current period |
|
|
|
1 |
| ||
Prior years |
|
168 |
|
64 |
| ||
Net loss and LAE payments during the current period |
|
168 |
|
65 |
| ||
Net reserve for losses and LAE at end of period |
|
3,804 |
|
2,164 |
| ||
Plus: Reinsurance recoverables |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Reserve for losses and LAE at end of period |
|
$ |
3,804 |
|
$ |
2,164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Loans in default at end of period |
|
192 |
|
75 |
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, $168 was paid for incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years. There has been a $384 favorable prior-year development during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Reserves remaining as of March 31, 2014 for prior years are $2.5 million as a result of re-estimation of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, $64 was paid for incurred claims and claim adjustment expenses attributable to insured events of prior years. There has been a $194 favorable prior-year development during the three months ended March 31, 2013. Reserves remaining as of March 31, 2013 for prior years were $1.2 million as a result of re-estimation of unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses. The decreases in both periods are generally the result of ongoing analysis of recent loss development trends. Original estimates are increased or decreased as additional information becomes known regarding individual claims.
Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies
Obligations under Guarantees
Under the terms of CUW Solutions LLCs contract underwriting agreements with lenders and subject to contractual limitations on liability, we agreed to indemnify the lender against losses incurred in the event that we make an error in determining whether loans processed meet specified underwriting criteria, to the extent that such error materially restricts or impairs the salability of such loan, results in a material reduction in the value of such loan or results in the lender repurchasing the loan. The indemnification may be in the form of monetary or other remedies. We have not paid any amounts related to remedies for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013. As of March 31, 2014, management believes any potential claims for indemnification related to contract underwriting services through March 31, 2014 are not material to our condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In addition to the indemnifications discussed above, in the normal course of business, we enter into agreements or other relationships with third parties pursuant to which we may be obligated under specified circumstances to indemnify the counterparties with respect to certain matters. Our contractual indemnification obligations typically arise in the context of agreements entered into by us to, among other things, purchase or sell services, finance our business and business transactions, lease real property and license intellectual property. The agreements we enter into in the normal course of business generally require us to pay certain amounts to the other party associated with claims or losses if they result from our breach of the agreement, including the inaccuracy of representations or warranties. The agreements we enter into may also contain other indemnification provisions that obligate us to pay amounts upon the occurrence of certain events, such as the negligence or willful misconduct of our employees, infringement of third party intellectual property rights or claims that performance of the agreement constitutes a violation of law. Generally, payment by us under an indemnification provision is conditioned upon the other party making a claim, and typically we can challenge the other partys claims. Further, our
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
indemnification obligations may be limited in time and/or amount, and in some instances, we may have recourse against third parties for certain payments made by us under an indemnification agreement or obligation. As of March 31, 2014, contingencies triggering material indemnification obligations or payments have not occurred historically and are not expected to occur. The nature of the indemnification provisions in the various types of agreements and relationships described above are believed to be low risk and pervasive, and we consider them to have a remote risk of loss or payment. We have not recorded any provisions on the consolidated balance sheets related to indemnifications.
Note 6. Stock-Based Compensation
On February 6, 2009, Essent Group adopted the 2009 Restricted Share Plan. In connection with the initial public offering that was completed in November 2013, Essent Groups Board of Directors amended and restated the 2009 Restricted Share Plan, effective immediately prior to the initial public offering. In addition, Essent Groups Board of Directors adopted, and Essent Groups shareholders approved, the Essent Group Ltd. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2013 Plan), which was effective upon completion of the initial public offering. The types of awards available under the 2013 Plan include nonvested shares, nonvested share units, non-qualified share options, incentive stock options, share appreciation rights, and other share-based or cash-based awards. As of March 31, 2014, there were 13,654 Common Shares available for future grant under the 2013 Plan.
In September 2013 and February 2014, certain members of senior management were granted nonvested Common Shares under the 2013 Plan that were subject to time-based and performance-based vesting, with any nonvested Common Shares becoming earned based upon our compounded annual book value per share growth percentage during a three-year performance period commencing January 1, 2014. The September 2013 grants vest on the one-year anniversary of the completion of the performance period, and the 2014 grants vest on March 1, 2017. The portion of the nonvested Common Shares that will be earned based upon the achievement of compounded annual book value per share growth is as follows:
Performance level |
|
Compounded Annual Book Value |
|
Nonvested Common |
|
|
|
< 11 |
% |
0 |
% |
Threshold |
|
11 |
% |
10 |
% |
|
|
12 |
% |
36 |
% |
|
|
13 |
% |
61 |
% |
|
|
14 |
% |
87 |
% |
Maximum |
|
> 15 |
% |
100 |
% |
In the event that the compounded annual book value per share growth falls between the performance levels shown above, the nonvested Common Shares earned will be determined on a straight line basis between the respective levels shown.
In connection with our incentive program covering bonus awards for performance year 2013, in February 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the issuance of time-based share awards and share units to employees that will vest in equal annual installments during the three-year period commencing January 1, 2014.
The following table summarizes nonvested Common Share and nonvested Common Share unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
|
|
Time and Performance- |
|
Time-Based Share |
|
Share Units |
| |||||||||
|
|
Number of |
|
Weighted |
|
Number of |
|
Weighted |
|
Number |
|
Weighted |
| |||
Outstanding at beginning of year |
|
1,238 |
|
$ |
14.50 |
|
2,839 |
|
$ |
4.82 |
|
528 |
|
$ |
17.03 |
|
Granted |
|
27 |
|
24.85 |
|
57 |
|
24.85 |
|
71 |
|
24.84 |
| |||
Vested |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
(727 |
) |
2.96 |
|
|
|
N/A |
| |||
Forfeited |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
(3 |
) |
17.00 |
| |||
Outstanding at March 31, 2014 |
|
1,265 |
|
14.72 |
|
2,169 |
|
5.97 |
|
596 |
|
17.96 |
| |||
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
The total fair value of nonvested shares that vested was $17,472 and $803 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of March 31, 2014, there was $35,425 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested shares outstanding at March 31, 2014 and we expect to recognize the expense over a weighted average period of 3.3 years.
In addition to the nonvested share activity listed above, in February 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the issuance to employees of 17 Common Shares which vested upon issuance.
Employees have the option to tender shares to Essent Group to pay the minimum employee statutory withholding taxes associated with shares upon vesting. Common Shares tendered by employees to pay employee withholding taxes totaled 98 in the three months ended March 31, 2014. The tendered shares were recorded at cost, included in treasury stock and have been cancelled as of March 31, 2014.
Compensation expense, net of forfeitures, and related tax effects recognized in connection with nonvested shares were as follows for the three months ended March 31:
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Compensation expense |
|
$ |
2,783 |
|
$ |
559 |
|
Income tax benefit |
|
974 |
|
196 |
| ||
Note 7. Income Taxes
As of March 31, 2014, the statutory income tax rates of the countries where the Company does business are 35.0% in the United States and 0.0% in Bermuda. The statutory income tax rate of each country is applied against the taxable income from each country to calculate the income tax expense.
Income tax expense consists of the following components for the three months ended March 31:
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Current |
|
$ |
1,347 |
|
$ |
|
|
Deferred |
|
7,107 |
|
139 |
| ||
Total income tax expense |
|
$ |
8,454 |
|
$ |
139 |
|
Income tax expense is different from that which would be obtained by applying the applicable statutory income tax rates to income before taxes by jurisdiction (i.e. U.S. 35.0%; Bermuda 0.0%). The reconciliation of the difference between income tax expense and the expected tax provision at the weighted average tax rate is as follows for the three months ended March 31:
|
|
2014 |
|
% of pretax |
|
2013 |
|
% of pretax |
| ||
Tax provision at weighted average statutory rates |
|
$ |
8,752 |
|
37.3 |
% |
$ |
2,698 |
|
36.8 |
% |
Non-deductible expenses |
|
105 |
|
0.4 |
|
47 |
|
0.6 |
| ||
Tax exempt interest |
|
(135 |
) |
(0.6 |
) |
|
|
|
| ||
Change in valuation allowance |
|
|
|
|
|
(2,606 |
) |
(35.5 |
) | ||
Difference in estimated full-year rate and year-to-date actual rate |
|
(268 |
) |
(1.1 |
) |
|
|
|
| ||
Total income tax expense |
|
$ |
8,454 |
|
36.0 |
% |
$ |
139 |
|
1.9 |
% |
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
We provide deferred taxes to reflect the estimated future tax effects of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax laws. The net deferred tax asset is comprised of the following:
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
| ||
Deferred tax assets |
|
$ |
26,685 |
|
$ |
27,043 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
(23,816 |
) |
(16,697 |
) | ||
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance |
|
2,869 |
|
10,346 |
| ||
Valuation allowance |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net deferred tax asset |
|
$ |
2,869 |
|
$ |
10,346 |
|
The components of the net deferred tax asset were as follows:
|
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
| ||
Contingency reserves |
|
$ |
(21,355 |
) |
$ |
(14,420 |
) |
Unearned premium reserve |
|
11,859 |
|
11,637 |
| ||
Fixed assets |
|
7,431 |
|
7,646 |
| ||
Start-up expenditures, net |
|
4,951 |
|
5,064 |
| ||
Deferred policy acquisition costs |
|
(2,320 |
) |
(2,160 |
) | ||
Nonvested shares |
|
1,065 |
|
965 |
| ||
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward |
|
884 |
|
877 |
| ||
Unrealized loss on investments |
|
409 |
|
779 |
| ||
Accrued expenses |
|
(87 |
) |
(64 |
) | ||
Loss reserves |
|
54 |
|
43 |
| ||
Prepaid expenses |
|
(53 |
) |
(53 |
) | ||
Organizational expenditures |
|
31 |
|
32 |
| ||
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance |
|
2,869 |
|
10,346 |
| ||
Valuation allowance |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net deferred tax asset |
|
$ |
2,869 |
|
$ |
10,346 |
|
As a mortgage guaranty insurer, we are eligible for a tax deduction, subject to certain limitations, under Section 832(e) of the IRC for amounts required by state law or regulation to be set aside in statutory contingency reserves. The deduction is allowed only to the extent that we purchase non-interest-bearing United States Mortgage Guaranty Tax and Loss Bonds (T&L Bonds) issued by the Treasury Department in an amount equal to the tax benefit derived from deducting any portion of our statutory contingency reserves. During the three months and year ended March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we purchased T&L Bonds for $10 million and $8.0 million, respectively, which is reflected on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as prepaid federal income tax. Alternative minimum tax carryforwards do not expire.
In evaluating our ability to realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets, we consider the relevant impact of all available positive and negative evidence including our past operating results and our forecasts of future taxable income. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, after weighing all the evidence, management concluded that it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets would be realized.
Under current Bermuda law, the parent company, Essent Group Ltd., and its Bermuda subsidiary are not required to pay any taxes on income and capital gains. In the event that there is a change such that these taxes are imposed, these companies would be exempted from any such tax until March of 2035 pursuant to the Bermuda Exempt Undertakings Tax Protection Act of 1966, and the Exempt Undertakings Tax Protection Amendment Act of 2011.
Essent Holdings and its subsidiaries are subject to income taxes imposed by U.S. authorities and file a U.S. Consolidated Income Tax Return. Each subsidiary has executed a tax sharing agreement with its parent company, which
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
provides that taxes are settled in cash between parent and subsidiary on a quarterly basis based on separate company pro-forma calculations.
At March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had no unrecognized tax benefits. As of March 31, 2014, our U.S. federal income tax returns for the tax years 2009 through 2012 remain subject to examination. The Company has not recorded any uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
Note 8. Earnings per Share (EPS)
The following table reconciles the net income and the weighted average common shares outstanding used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31:
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
15,006 |
|
$ |
7,200 |
|
Less: Class A common shares dividends declared |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Less: Class B-2 common shares dividends declared |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Undistributed net income |
|
$ |
15,006 |
|
$ |
7,200 |
|
Net income allocable to Common Shares |
|
$ |
15,006 |
|
N/A |
| |
Net income allocable to Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
7,200 |
| |
Net income allocable to Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
|
| ||
Basic earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
N/A |
| |
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
0.23 |
| |
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
|
| ||
Diluted earnings per share: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
$ |
0.18 |
|
N/A |
| |
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
$ |
0.23 |
| |
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
|
| ||
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
82,864 |
|
N/A |
| ||
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
31,805 |
| ||
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
853 |
| ||
Dilutive effect of nonvested shares: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
1,832 |
|
N/A |
| ||
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
59 |
| ||
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
5,156 |
| ||
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Common Shares |
|
84,696 |
|
N/A |
| ||
Class A common shares |
|
N/A |
|
31,864 |
| ||
Class B-2 common shares |
|
N/A |
|
6,009 |
|
There were 64 and 0 antidilutive shares for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The nonvested performance-based share awards are considered contingently issuable for purposes of the EPS calculation. There were no performance-based share awards that would be issuable under the terms of the arrangements if March 31, 2014 was the end of the contingency period. Therefore, no nonvested performance-based share awards were included in diluted shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2014. There were 1,251 weighted average nonvested performance-based share awards outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
Class A common shares were entitled to receive cumulative compounding dividends prior and in preference to any declaration or payment of any dividend on the Class B-2 common shares. In periods of income, the undistributed net income was allocated to the Class A common shares to satisfy this requirement.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
Note 9. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table presents the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2014 |
| |||||||
|
|
Before Tax |
|
Tax Effect |
|
Net of Tax |
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
$ |
(2,227 |
) |
$ |
780 |
|
$ |
(1,447 |
) |
Other comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period |
|
1,249 |
|
(509 |
) |
740 |
| |||
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (1) |
|
(400 |
) |
139 |
|
(261 |
) | |||
Net unrealized gains on investments |
|
849 |
|
(370 |
) |
479 |
| |||
Other comprehensive income |
|
849 |
|
(370 |
) |
479 |
| |||
Balance at end of period |
|
$ |
(1,378 |
) |
$ |
410 |
|
$ |
(968 |
) |
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2013 |
| |||||||
|
|
Before Tax |
|
Tax Effect |
|
Net of Tax |
| |||
Balance at beginning of period |
|
$ |
3,714 |
|
$ |
(1,300 |
) |
$ |
2,414 |
|
Other comprehensive loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Unrealized holding losses arising during the period |
|
(387 |
) |
135 |
|
(252 |
) | |||
Less: Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income (1) |
|
(10 |
) |
4 |
|
(6 |
) | |||
Net unrealized losses on investments |
|
(397 |
) |
139 |
|
(258 |
) | |||
Other comprehensive loss |
|
(397 |
) |
139 |
|
(258 |
) | |||
Balance at end of period |
|
$ |
3,317 |
|
$ |
(1,161 |
) |
$ |
2,156 |
|
(1) Included in net realized investment gains on our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Note 10. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair values and related carrying amounts of our financial instruments were as follows:
March 31, 2014 |
|
Carrying |
|
Fair Value |
| ||
Financial Assets: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
71,584 |
|
$ |
71,584 |
|
U.S. agency securities |
|
11,193 |
|
11,193 |
| ||
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
47,468 |
|
47,468 |
| ||
Municipal debt securities |
|
146,154 |
|
146,154 |
| ||
Corporate debt securities |
|
230,823 |
|
230,823 |
| ||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
39,688 |
|
39,688 |
| ||
Asset-backed securities |
|
61,626 |
|
61,626 |
| ||
Money market funds |
|
238,732 |
|
238,732 |
| ||
Total investments |
|
$ |
847,268 |
|
$ |
847,268 |
|
Financial Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Amounts due under Asset Purchase Agreement |
|
$ |
4,967 |
|
$ |
4,999 |
|
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
December 31, 2013 |
|
Carrying |
|
Fair Value |
| ||
Financial Assets: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
59,187 |
|
$ |
59,187 |
|
U.S. agency securities |
|
14,839 |
|
14,839 |
| ||
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
22,241 |
|
22,241 |
| ||
Municipal debt securities |
|
57,650 |
|
57,650 |
| ||
Corporate debt securities |
|
125,593 |
|
125,593 |
| ||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
18,581 |
|
18,581 |
| ||
Asset-backed securities |
|
20,385 |
|
20,385 |
| ||
Money market funds |
|
14,079 |
|
14,079 |
| ||
Total investments |
|
$ |
332,555 |
|
$ |
332,555 |
|
Financial Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Amounts due under Asset Purchase Agreement |
|
$ |
4,949 |
|
$ |
4,997 |
|
Fair Value Hierarchy
ASC No. 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. The level within the fair value hierarchy to measure the financial instrument shall be determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the fair-value hierarchy are as follows:
· Level 1 Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets accessible at the measurement date.
· Level 2 Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets. Inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
· Level 3 Valuations derived from one or more significant inputs that are unobservable.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
Determination of Fair Value
When available, we generally use quoted market prices to determine fair value and classify the financial instrument in Level 1. In cases where quoted market prices for similar financial instruments are available, we utilize these inputs for valuation techniques and classify the financial instrument in Level 2. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using discounted cash flows, present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rates and estimates of future cash flows and we classify the financial instrument in Level 3. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. No financial instruments were classified as Level 3 at March 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
We used the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair values of financial instruments:
· Investments available for sale Investments available for sale are valued using quoted market prices in active markets, when available, and those investments are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 investments available for sale include investments such as U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. agency securities, U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, certain mortgage-backed securities and money market funds. Investments available for sale are classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy if quoted market prices are not available and fair values are estimated using quoted prices of similar securities or recently executed transactions for the securities. Municipal debt securities, corporate debt securities, certain mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities are classified as Level 2 investments.
We use independent pricing sources to determine the fair value of securities available for sale in Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We use one primary pricing service to provide individual security pricing based on observable market data and receive one quote per security. To ensure securities are appropriately classified in the fair value hierarchy, we review the pricing techniques and methodologies of the independent pricing service and believe that their policies adequately consider market activity, either based on specific transactions for the issue valued or based on modeling of securities with similar credit quality, duration, yield and structure that were recently traded. We review the reasonableness of prices received from our primary pricing service by comparison to prices obtained from additional pricing sources. We have not made any adjustments to the prices obtained from our primary pricing service.
· Amounts due under Asset Purchase Agreement The fair value of amounts due under Asset Purchase Agreement is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on current risk-free interest rates of securities with similar maturities. The fair value estimates of amounts due under Asset Purchase Agreement are classified as Level 2 since quoted market prices are not available, but observable inputs are used in the valuation.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
All assets measured at fair value at March 31, 2014 are categorized in the table below based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations. All fair value measurements at the reporting date were on a recurring basis. We had no liabilities measured at fair value at March 31, 2014.
Essent Group Ltd. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
(In thousands except per share amounts, unless otherwise noted)
|
|
Quoted Prices in |
|
Significant |
|
Significant |
|
Total |
| ||||
Recurring fair value measurements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
71,584 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
71,584 |
|
U.S. agency securities |
|
11,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
11,193 |
| ||||
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
47,468 |
|
|
|
|
|
47,468 |
| ||||
Municipal debt securities |
|
|
|
146,154 |
|
|
|
146,154 |
| ||||
Corporate debt securities |
|
|
|
230,823 |
|
|
|
230,823 |
| ||||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
5,178 |
|
34,510 |
|
|
|
39,688 |
| ||||
Asset-backed securities |
|
|
|
61,626 |
|
|
|
61,626 |
| ||||
Money market funds |
|
238,732 |
|
|
|
|
|
238,732 |
| ||||
Total recurring fair value measurements |
|
$ |
374,155 |
|
$ |
473,113 |
|
$ |
|
|
$ |
847,268 |
|
Note 11. Statutory Accounting
Our domestic insurance subsidiaries prepare statutory-basis financial statements in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by their respective states department of insurance, which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than GAAP. We did not use any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices (individually or in the aggregate) that resulted in reported statutory surplus or capital that was significantly different from the statutory surplus or capital that would have been reported had National Association of Insurance Commissioners statutory accounting practices been followed. The following table presents Essent Guarantys and Essent PAs statutory net income, statutory surplus and contingency reserve liability as of and for the three months ended March 31:
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Essent Guaranty |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Statutory net income |
|
$ |
20,847 |
|
$ |
5,927 |
|
Statutory surplus |
|
377,190 |
|
204,979 |
| ||
Contingency reserve liability |
|
100,277 |
|
33,134 |
| ||
Essent PA |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Statutory net income |
|
$ |
2,656 |
|
$ |
554 |
|
Statutory surplus |
|
40,032 |
|
18,990 |
| ||
Contingency reserve liability |
|
8,877 |
|
2,591 |
|
At March 31, 2014 and 2013, the statutory capital of our insurance subsidiaries, which is defined as the total of statutory surplus and contingency reserves, was well in excess of the statutory capital necessary to satisfy the insurance subsidiaries regulatory requirements.
Statement of Statutory Accounting Principles No. 58, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance, requires mortgage insurers to establish a special contingency reserve for statutory accounting purposes included in total liabilities equal to 50% of earned premium for that year. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, Essent Guaranty increased its contingency reserve by $20,356 and Essent PA increased its contingency reserve by $2,020. This reserve is required to be maintained for a period of 120 months to protect against the effects of adverse economic cycles. After 120 months, the reserve is released to unassigned funds. In the event an insurers loss ratio in any calendar year exceeds 35%, however, the insurer may, after regulatory approval, release from its contingency reserves an amount equal to the excess portion of such losses. Essent Guaranty and Essent PA did not release any amounts from their contingency reserves in the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read together with the Selected Financial Data and our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and referred to herein as the Annual Report, and our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which we refer to as the Quarterly Report. In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from managements expectations. Factors that could cause such differences are discussed in the sections entitled Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this Quarterly Report and Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors in our Annual Report. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or other statements we may make in the following discussion or elsewhere in this document even though these statements may be affected by events or circumstances occurring after the forward-looking statements or other statements were made.
Overview
We are an established and growing private mortgage insurance company. We were formed to serve the U.S. housing finance industry at a time when the demands of the financial crisis and a rapidly changing business environment created the need for a new, privately funded mortgage insurance company. Since writing our first policy in May 2010, we have grown to an estimated 12.9% market share based on new insurance written, or NIW, excluding NIW under the Home Affordable Refinance Program, for the three months ended March 31, 2014, up from 12.1%, 8.6% and 4.5% for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. We believe that our growth has been driven largely by the unique opportunity we offer lenders to partner with a well-capitalized mortgage insurer, unencumbered by legacy business, that provides fair and transparent claims payment practices, and consistency and speed of service.
In 2010, Essent became the first private mortgage insurer to be approved by the GSEs since 1995, and is licensed to write coverage in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We completed our initial public offering in November 2013. The financial strength of Essent Guaranty, Inc., our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, is rated Baa2 with a stable outlook by Moodys Investors Service and BBB+ with a stable outlook by Standard & Poors Rating Services.
We had master policy relationships with approximately 985 customers as of March 31, 2014. We have a fully functioning, scalable and flexible mortgage insurance platform, which we acquired from Triad Guaranty Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Triad Guaranty Insurance Corporation, which we refer to collectively as Triad, in exchange for up to $30 million in cash and the assumption of certain contractual obligations. Our holding company is domiciled in Bermuda and our U.S. insurance business is headquartered in Radnor, Pennsylvania. We operate additional underwriting and service centers in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Irvine, California. We have a highly experienced, talented team with 302 employees as of March 31, 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we generated new insurance written of approximately $3.6 billion and $4.3 billion, respectively, and as of March 31, 2014, we had approximately $34.8 billion of insurance in force.
Legislative and Regulatory Developments
Our results are significantly impacted by, and our future success may be affected by, legislative and regulatory developments affecting the housing finance industry. See Part I, Item 1 BusinessRegulation and Part II, Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsLegislative and Regulatory Developments in our Annual Report for a discussion of the laws and regulations to which we are subject as well as legislative and regulatory developments affecting the housing finance industry.
Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations
Net Premiums Written and Earned
Premiums are based on insurance in force, or IIF, during all or a portion of a period. A change in the average IIF during a period causes premiums to increase or decrease as compared to prior periods. Average premiums rates in effect during a given period will also cause premiums to differ when compared to earlier periods. IIF at the end of a reporting
period is a function of the IIF at the beginning of such reporting period plus new insurance written, or NIW, less policy cancellations (including claims paid) during the period. As a result, premiums are generally influenced by:
· NIW, which is the aggregate principal amount of the new mortgages that are insured during a period. Many factors affect NIW, including, among others, the volume of low down payment home mortgage originations and the competition to provide credit enhancement on those mortgages;
· Cancellations of our insurance policies, which are impacted by payments on mortgages, home price appreciation, or refinancings, which in turn are affected by mortgage interest rates. Cancellations are also impacted by the levels of rescissions and claim payments;
· Premium rates, which represent the amount of the premium due as a percentage of IIF. Premium rates are based on the risk characteristics of the loans insured, the percentage of coverage on the loans, competition from other mortgage insurers and general industry conditions; and
· Premiums ceded or assumed under reinsurance arrangements. To date, we have not entered into any reinsurance contracts.
Premiums are paid either on a monthly installment basis (monthly premiums), in a single payment at origination (single premiums), or in some cases as an annual premium. For monthly premiums, we receive a monthly premium payment which is recorded as net premiums earned in the month the coverage is provided. Net premiums written may be in excess of net premiums earned due to single premium policies. For single premiums, we receive a single premium payment at origination, which is recorded as unearned premium and earned over the estimated life of the policy, which ranges from 36 to 156 months depending on the term of the underlying mortgage and loan-to-value ratio at date of origination. If single premium policies are cancelled due to repayment of the underlying loan and the premium is non-refundable, the remaining unearned premium balance is immediately recognized as earned premium revenue. Substantially all of our single premium policies in force as of March 31, 2014 were non-refundable. Premiums collected on annual policies are recognized as net premiums earned on a straight line basis over the year of coverage. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, monthly and single premium policies comprised 81.8% and 18.2% of our NIW, respectively.
Persistency and Business Mix
The percentage of IIF that remains on our books after any 12-month period is defined as our persistency rate. Because our insurance premiums are earned over the life of a policy, higher persistency rates can have a significant impact on our profitability. The persistency rate on our portfolio was 87.9% at March 31, 2014. Generally, higher prepayment speeds lead to lower persistency.
Prepayment speeds and the relative mix of business between single premium policies and monthly premium policies also impact our profitability. Our premium rates include certain assumptions regarding repayment or prepayment speeds of the mortgages. Because premiums are paid at origination on single premium policies, assuming all other factors remain constant, if loans are prepaid earlier than expected, our profitability on these loans is likely to increase and, if loans are repaid slower than expected, our profitability on these loans is likely to decrease. By contrast, if monthly premium loans are repaid earlier than anticipated, our premium earned with respect to those loans and therefore our profitability declines. Currently, the expected return on single premium policies is less than the expected return on monthly policies.
Net Investment Income
Our investment portfolio was comprised entirely of investment grade fixed income securities and money market investments as of March 31, 2014. The principal factors that influence investment income are the size of the investment portfolio and the yield. As measured by amortized cost (which excludes changes in fair market value, such as from changes in interest rates), the size of our investment portfolio is mainly a function of increases in capital and cash generated from or used in operations which is impacted by net premiums received, investment earnings, net claim payments and expenses. Realized gains and losses are a function of the difference between the amount received on the sale of a security and the securitys amortized cost, as well as any other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings. The amount received on the sale of fixed income securities is affected by the coupon rate of the security compared to the yield of comparable securities at the time of sale.
Other Income
In connection with the acquisition of our mortgage insurance platform, we entered into a services agreement with Triad to provide certain information technology maintenance and development and customer support-related services. In return for these services, we receive a fee which is recorded in other income. From the period from December 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010, this fee was based on a fixed amount. Effective December 1, 2010, the fee is adjusted monthly based on the number of Triads mortgage insurance policies in force and, accordingly, will decrease over time as Triads existing policies are cancelled. The services agreement provides for a minimum monthly fee of $150,000 for the duration of the services agreement. The services agreement expires on November 30, 2014 and provides for two subsequent five-year renewals at Triads option.
Other income also includes revenues associated with contract underwriting services. The level of contract underwriting revenue is dependent upon the number of customers who have engaged us for this service and the number of loans underwritten for these customers.
Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses reflect the current expense that is recorded within a particular period to reflect actual and estimated loss payments that we believe will ultimately be made as a result of insured loans that are in default.
Losses incurred are generally affected by:
· the overall state of the economy, which broadly affects the likelihood that borrowers may default on their loans and have the ability to cure such defaults;
· changes in housing values, which affect our ability to mitigate our losses through the sale of properties with loans in default as well as borrower willingness to continue to make mortgage payments when the value of the home is below or perceived to be below the mortgage balance;
· the product mix of IIF, with loans having higher risk characteristics generally resulting in higher defaults and claims;
· the size of loans insured, with higher average loan amounts tending to increase losses incurred;
· the loan-to-value ratio, with higher average loan-to-value ratios tending to increase losses incurred;
· the percentage of coverage on insured loans, with deeper average coverage tending to increase losses incurred;
· credit quality of borrowers, including higher debt-to-income ratios and lower FICO scores, which tend to increase incurred losses;
· the rate at which we rescind policies. Because of tighter underwriting standards generally in the mortgage lending industry and terms set forth in our Clarity of Coverage® master policy endorsement, we expect that our level of rescission activity will be lower than recent rescission activity seen in the mortgage insurance industry; and
· the distribution of claims over the life of a book. The average age of our insurance portfolio is young with 95% of our IIF as of March 31, 2014 having been originated since January 1, 2012. As a result, based on historical industry performance, we expect the number of defaults and claims we experience, as well as our provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses, to increase as our portfolio seasons. See Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle below.
We establish loss reserves for delinquent loans when we are notified that a borrower has missed at least two consecutive monthly payments (Case Reserves), as well as estimated reserves for defaults that may have occurred but not yet been reported to us (IBNR Reserves). We also establish reserves for the associated loss adjustment expenses (LAE), consisting of the estimated cost of the claims administration process, including legal and other fees. Using both internal and
external information, we establish our reserves based on the likelihood that a default will reach claim status and estimated claim severity. See Part II, Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Critical Accounting Policies included in our Annual Report for further information.
We believe, based upon our experience and industry data, that claims incidence for mortgage insurance is generally highest in the third through sixth years after loan origination. As of March 31, 2014, 95% of our IIF relates to business written since January 1, 2012 and substantially all of our policies in force are less than three years old. Although the claims experience on new insurance written by us to date has been favorable, we expect incurred losses and claims to increase as a greater amount of this book of insurance reaches its anticipated period of highest claim frequency. The actual default rate and the average reserve per default that we experience as our portfolio matures is difficult to predict and is dependent on the specific characteristics of our current in-force book (including the credit score of the borrower, the loan-to-value ratio of the mortgage, geographic concentrations, etc.), as well as the profile of new business we write in the future. In addition, the default rate and the average reserve per default will be affected by future macroeconomic factors such as housing prices, interest rates and employment.
Other Underwriting and Operating Expenses
Our other underwriting and operating expenses include components that are substantially fixed, as well as expenses that generally increase or decrease in line with the level of NIW.
Our most significant expense is compensation and benefits for our employees, which represented 67% and 64%, of other underwriting and operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Compensation and benefits expense includes base and incentive cash compensation, stock compensation expense, benefits and payroll taxes. Compensation and benefits expense has increased as we have increased our staffing from 209 employees at January 1, 2013 to 302 at March 31, 2014, primarily in our business development and operations functions to support the growth of our business. The growth in our sales organization contributed to the growth of our active customers and NIW. We also expanded our underwriting and customer service teams to support this new business.
Underwriting and other expenses also include legal, consulting, other professional fees, premium taxes, depreciation and amortization, travel, entertainment, marketing, licensing, supplies, hardware, software, rent, utilities and other expenses.
We anticipate that as we continue to add customers and increase our IIF, our expenses will also continue to increase. In addition, as a result of the increase in our IIF, we expect that our net premiums earned will grow faster than our underwriting and other expenses, resulting in a decline in our expense ratio. Further, we expect to incur incremental costs related to being a public company, including certain operating and compensation expenses.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are incurred based on the amount of earnings or losses generated in the jurisdictions in which we operate and the applicable tax rates and regulations in those jurisdictions. To date, substantially all of our business activity has been conducted in the United States where we are subject to corporate level Federal income taxes. Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are generally not subject to income taxes in the states in which we operate; however, our non-insurance subsidiaries are subject to state income taxes. In lieu of state income taxes, our insurance subsidiaries pay premium taxes that are recorded in other underwriting and operating expenses. The amount of income tax expense or benefit recorded in future periods will be dependent on the jurisdictions in which we operate and the tax laws and regulations in effect.
Essent Group Ltd. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Essent Reinsurance, Ltd., are domiciled in Bermuda, which does not have a corporate income tax. To date, these entities have incurred expenses and generated limited amounts of investment income.
Since inception and prior to June 30, 2013, we recorded a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets, and, as such, we generally did not record a benefit associated with the losses incurred in prior periods or other income tax benefits. The income tax provision or benefit recognized in prior periods related to changes in our valuation allowance associated with changes in deferred tax liabilities resulting from the increase or decrease in the unrealized gain on our investment portfolio. In 2014, we expect that our effective tax rate will approach the statutory tax rate.
Mortgage Insurance Earnings and Cash Flow Cycle
In general, the majority of any underwriting profit (premium revenue minus losses) that a book generates occurs in the early years of the book, with the largest portion of any underwriting profit realized in the first year. Subsequent years of a book generally result in modest underwriting profit or underwriting losses. This pattern generally occurs because relatively few of the claims that a book will ultimately experience typically occur in the first few years of the book, when premium revenue is highest, while subsequent years are affected by declining premium revenues, as the number of insured loans decreases (primarily due to loan prepayments), and increasing losses.
Key Performance Indicators
Insurance In Force
As discussed above, premiums we collect and earn are generated based on our IIF, which is a function of our NIW and cancellations. The following table includes a summary of the change in our IIF for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. In addition, this table includes our risk in force, or RIF, at the end of each period and the number of customers that purchased mortgage insurance during each respective period.
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
($ in thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
IIF, beginning of period |
|
$ |
32,028,196 |
|
$ |
13,628,980 |
|
NIW |
|
3,630,573 |
|
4,321,556 |
| ||
Cancellations |
|
(880,712 |
) |
(519,726 |
) | ||
IIF, end of period |
|
$ |
34,778,057 |
|
$ |
17,430,810 |
|
Average IIF during the period |
|
$ |
33,349,576 |
|
$ |
15,503,623 |
|
RIF, end of period |
|
$ |
8,493,862 |
|
$ |
4,100,835 |
|
Number of customers generating NIW during the period |
|
787 |
|
540 |
|
Our cancellation activity is relatively low because the average age of our insurance portfolio is young. Following is a summary of our IIF at March 31, 2014 by vintage:
($ in thousands) |
|
$ |
|
% |
| |
2014 (through March 31) |
|
$ |
3,593,982 |
|
10.3 |
% |
2013 |
|
20,140,578 |
|
57.9 |
| |
2012 |
|
9,286,188 |
|
26.7 |
| |
2011 |
|
1,656,252 |
|
4.8 |
| |
2010 |
|
101,057 |
|
0.3 |
| |
|
|
$ |
34,778,057 |
|
100.0 |
% |
Average Premium Rate
Our average premium rate is dependent on a number of factors, including: (1) the risk characteristics and average coverage on the mortgages we insure; (2) the mix of monthly premiums compared to single premiums in our portfolio; (3) cancellations of non-refundable single premiums during the period; and (4) changes to our pricing.
The following table outlines our average premium rate, which reflects net premiums earned as a percentage of average IIF, for the periods presented:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
($ in thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Net premiums earned |
|
$ |
44,750 |
|
$ |
21,264 |
|
Average IIF during the period |
|
$ |
33,349,576 |
|
$ |
15,503,623 |
|
Average premium rate (annualized) |
|
0.54 |
% |
0.55 |
% |
Persistency Rate
The measure for assessing the impact of policy cancellations on IIF is our persistency rate, defined as the percentage of IIF that remains on our books after any twelve-month period. See additional discussion regarding the impact of the persistency rate on our performance in Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations Persistency and Business Mix.
Risk to Capital
The risk to capital ratio is frequently used as a measure of capital adequacy in the mortgage insurance industry and is calculated as a ratio of net risk in force to statutory capital. Net risk in force represents total risk in force net of reinsurance ceded and net of exposures on policies for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital is computed based on accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. See additional discussion in Liquidity and Capital Resources Risk to Capital.
As of March 31, 2014, our combined net risk in force was $8.5 billion and our combined statutory capital was $528.2 million resulting in a risk to capital ratio of 16.1 to 1. The amount of capital required varies in each jurisdiction in which we operate; however, generally, the maximum permitted risk to capital ratio is 25.0 to 1. State insurance regulators and the GSEs are currently examining their respective capital rules to determine whether, in light of the recent financial crisis, changes are needed to more accurately assess mortgage insurers ability to withstand stressful economic conditions. As a result, the capital metrics under which they assess and measure capital adequacy may change in the future. Independent of the state regulator and GSE capital requirements, management continually assesses the risk of our insurance portfolio and current market and economic conditions to determine the appropriate levels of capital to support our business.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods indicated:
Summary of Operations |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
($ in thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Revenues: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net premiums written |
|
$ |
52,192 |
|
$ |
33,373 |
|
Increase in unearned premiums |
|
(7,442 |
) |
(12,109 |
) | ||
Net premiums earned |
|
44,750 |
|
21,264 |
| ||
Net investment income |
|
1,898 |
|
730 |
| ||
Realized investment gains, net |
|
400 |
|
10 |
| ||
Other income |
|
773 |
|
1,027 |
| ||
Total revenues |
|
47,821 |
|
23,031 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Losses and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Provision for losses and LAE |
|
902 |
|
730 |
| ||
Other underwriting and operating expenses |
|
23,459 |
|
14,962 |
| ||
Total losses and expenses |
|
24,361 |
|
15,692 |
| ||
Income before income taxes |
|
23,460 |
|
7,339 |
| ||
Income tax expense |
|
8,454 |
|
139 |
| ||
Net income |
|
$ |
15,006 |
|
$ |
7,200 |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
For the three months ended March 31, 2014, we reported net income of $15.0 million, compared to net income of $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in our operating results in 2014 over 2013 was primarily due to an increase in net premiums earned associated with the growth of our IIF and an increase in net investment income, partially offset by increases in other underwriting and operating expenses, the provision for losses and loss adjustment expenses and income tax expense.
Net Premiums Written and Earned
Net premiums earned increased in the three months ended March 31, 2014 by 110% compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily due to the increase in our average IIF from $15.5 billion at March 31, 2013 to $33.3 billion at March 31, 2014. Net premiums written increased in the three months ended March 31, 2014 by 56% over the three months ended March 31, 2013.
In the three months ended March 31, 2014, unearned premiums increased by $7.4 million as a result of net premiums written on single premium policies of $12.5 million which was partially offset by $5.1 million of unearned premium that was recognized in earnings during the period. In the three months ended March 31, 2013, unearned premiums increased by $12.1 million as a result of net premiums written on single premium policies of $14.9 million which was partially offset by $2.8 million of unearned premium that was recognized in earnings during the period.
Net Investment Income
Our net investment income was derived from the following sources for the period indicated:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
($ in thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Fixed maturities |
|
$ |
2,056 |
|
$ |
880 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
12 |
|
2 |
| ||
Gross investment income |
|
2,068 |
|
882 |
| ||
Investment expenses |
|
(170 |
) |
(152 |
) | ||
Net investment income |
|
$ |
1,898 |
|
$ |
730 |
|
The increase in net investment income to $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average balance of our investment portfolio as a result of our initial public offering, capital contributions from our initial investors in June and March 2013, and cash flows generated from operations. The average cash and investment portfolio balance was $818.3 million and $289.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The pre-tax investment income yield was 1.0% and 1.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The pre-tax investment income yields are calculated based on amortized cost. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for further details of our investment portfolio.
Other Income
Other income includes fees earned for information technology and customer support services provided to Triad and contract underwriting revenues. The decrease in other income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily due to a reduction in the number of Triads mortgage insurance policies in force. The fees earned from Triad will continue to decrease over time as Triads existing policies are cancelled.
Provision for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
The increase in the provision for losses and LAE in the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013 was primarily due to an increase in the number of insured loans in default partially offset by previously identified defaults that cured.
The following table presents a rollforward of insured loans in default for the periods indicated:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
|
Beginning default inventory |
|
159 |
|
56 |
|
Plus: new defaults |
|
167 |
|
70 |
|
Less: cures |
|
(128 |
) |
(49 |
) |
Less: claims paid |
|
(6 |
) |
(2 |
) |
Ending default inventory |
|
192 |
|
75 |
|
The increase in the number of defaults at March 31, 2014 compared to March 31, 2013 was primarily due to an increase in our IIF and policies in force, as well as further seasoning of our insurance portfolio.
The following table includes additional information about our loans in default as of the dates indicated:
|
|
As of March 31, |
| ||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Case reserves (in thousands) |
|
$ |
3,481 |
|
$ |
2,014 |
|
Ending default inventory |
|
192 |
|
75 |
| ||
Average reserve per default |
|
$ |
19,813 |
|
$ |
28,851 |
|
Default rate |
|
0.12 |
% |
0.10 |
% | ||
Claims received included in ending default inventory |
|
6 |
|
4 |
|
The decrease in the average reserve per default was primarily due to changes in the composition (such as mark-to-market loan-to-value ratios, risk in force, and number of months past due) of the underlying loans in default. In addition, historical cure ratios showed continued improvement in 2014.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and LAE and a detail of reserves and defaulted RIF by the number of missed payments and pending claims.
|
|
As of March 31, |
| ||||
($ in thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
Reserve for losses and LAE at beginning of period |
|
$ |
3,070 |
|
$ |
1,499 |
|
Add provision for losses and LAE occurring in: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Current period |
|
1,286 |
|
924 |
| ||
Prior years |
|
(384 |
) |
(194 |
) | ||
Incurred losses during the current period |
|
902 |
|
730 |
| ||
Deduct payments for losses and LAE occurring in: |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Current period |
|
|
|
1 |
| ||
Prior years |
|
168 |
|
64 |
| ||
Loss and LAE payments during the current period |
|
168 |
|
65 |
| ||
Reserve for losses and LAE at end of period |
|
$ |
3,804 |
|
$ |
2,164 |
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2014 |
| ||||||||||||
($ in thousands) |
|
Number of |
|
Percentage of |
|
Amount of |
|
Percentage of |
|
Defaulted |
|
Reserves as a |
| ||
Missed payments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Three payments or less |
|
95 |
|
49 |
% |
$ |
936 |
|
27 |
% |
$ |
4,309 |
|
22 |
% |
Four to eleven payments |
|
76 |
|
40 |
|
1,636 |
|
47 |
|
3,406 |
|
48 |
| ||
Twelve or more payments |
|
15 |
|
8 |
|
561 |
|
16 |
|
867 |
|
65 |
| ||
Pending claims |
|
6 |
|
3 |
|
348 |
|
10 |
|
360 |
|
97 |
| ||
Total |
|
192 |
|
100 |
% |
3,481 |
|
100 |
% |
$ |
8,942 |
|
39 |
| |
IBNR |
|
|
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
LAE and other |
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Total reserves |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2013 |
| ||||||||||||
($ in thousands) |
|
Number of |
|
Percentage of |
|
Amount of |
|
Percentage of |
|
Defaulted |
|
Reserves as a |
| ||
Missed payments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Three payments or less |
|
45 |
|
61 |
% |
$ |
862 |
|
43 |
% |
$ |
2,659 |
|
32 |
% |
Four to eleven payments |
|
22 |
|
29 |
|
711 |
|
35 |
|
996 |
|
71 |
| ||
Twelve or more payments |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
183 |
|
9 |
|
246 |
|
74 |
| ||
Pending claims |
|
4 |
|
5 |
|
258 |
|
13 |
|
256 |
|
101 |
| ||
Total |
|
75 |
|
100 |
% |
2,014 |
|
100 |
% |
$ |
4,157 |
|
48 |
| |
IBNR |
|
|
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
LAE and other |
|
|
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Total reserves |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the provision for losses and LAE was $0.9 million, comprised of $1.3 million of current year losses partially offset by $0.4 million of favorable prior years loss development. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the provision for losses and LAE was $0.7 million, comprised of $0.9 million of current year losses partially offset by $0.2 million of favorable prior years loss development. In both periods, the favorable prior years loss development is the result of a re-estimation of amounts ultimately to be paid on prior year defaults in the default inventory.
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we paid six claims for a total amount of $0.2 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we paid two claims for a total amount of $0.1 million. Claim severity, representing the total amount of claims paid divided by the related RIF of the defaulted mortgage loans, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was 84% and 106%, respectively.
Other Underwriting and Operating Expenses
Following are the components of our other underwriting and operating expenses for the periods indicated:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||||||
|
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||||||
($ in thousands) |
|
$ |
|
% |
|
$ |
|
% |
| ||
Compensation and benefits |
|
$ |
15,668 |
|
67 |
% |
$ |
9,525 |
|
64 |
% |
Other |
|
7,791 |
|
33 |
|
5,437 |
|
36 |
| ||
|
|
$ |
23,459 |
|
100 |
% |
$ |
14,962 |
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Number of employees at end of period |
|
|
|
302 |
|
|
|
223 |
|
Other underwriting and operating expenses increased to $23.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to $15.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013. The significant factors contributing to the change in other underwriting and operating expenses are:
· Compensation and benefits increased primarily due to the increase in our work force to 302 at March 31, 2014 from 209 at January 1, 2013. Additional employees were hired to support the growth in our business, particularly in our sales organization, as well as our underwriting and customer service teams. Compensation and benefits also increased as a result of an increase in stock-based compensation, which is primarily due to the nonvested shares and nonvested stock units issued to all of employees in connection with our initial public offering completed in November 2013 for which expenses are being recognized over the applicable vesting periods. Compensation and benefits includes salaries, wages and bonus, stock compensation expense, benefits and payroll taxes.
· Other expenses, including premium taxes, travel, marketing, depreciation and amortization, hardware, software, rent and other facilities expenses, increased as a result of the expansion of our business. In addition, effective with the completion of our initial public offering, we began to incur certain incremental public company expenses, including insurance and board of director costs.
Income Taxes
Our subsidiaries in the United States file a consolidated U.S. Federal income tax return. Our income tax expense was $8.5 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 36.0% and 1.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In the three months ended March 31, 2014, our effective tax rate exceeded the U.S. statutory income tax rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses. Since inception and prior to June 30, 2013, we had evaluated the realizability of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis and concluded that it was more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset would not be realized and provided a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, we did not record a benefit associated with the losses incurred in prior periods or for other income tax benefits. The income tax provision or benefit recognized in prior periods related to changes in our valuation allowance associated with changes in deferred tax liabilities relating to the change in the unrealized gain on our investment portfolio. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we concluded that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets would be realized.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our sources of funds consist primarily of:
· our investment portfolio and interest income on the portfolio;
· net premiums that we will receive from our existing IIF as well as policies that we write in the future; and
· issuance of capital shares.
Our obligations consist primarily of:
· claim payments under our policies; and
· the other costs and operating expenses of our business.
As of March 31, 2014, we had substantial liquidity in addition to our investment portfolio, with $235.2 million of net cash and short-term investments, which includes $135.3 million at the holding company. Our net cash and short-term investments position increased during the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily as a result of net proceeds of $313.7 million from our initial public offering of Common Shares which was completed in November 2013, $123.9 million in net capital contributions received from our initial investors plus cash flows from operations, net of amounts invested in our fixed income portfolio. Our net cash and short-term investment position decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily as a result of the purchase of fixed maturity available for sale investments. As of March 31, 2014, we have $856.1 million in cash and investments and no debt.
Management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity available both at the holding company and in its insurance and other operating subsidiaries to meet its operating cash needs and obligations and committed capital expenditures for the next 12 months.
While the Company and all of its subsidiaries are expected to have sufficient liquidity to meet all their expected obligations, additional capital may be required to meet any new capital requirements that are adopted by regulatory authorities or the GSEs, or to provide additional capital related to the growth of our risk in force in our insurance portfolio, or to fund new business initiatives.
At the operating subsidiary level, liquidity could be impacted by any one of the following factors:
· significant decline in the value of our investments;
· inability to sell investment assets to provide cash to fund operating needs;
· decline in expected revenues generated from operations;
· increase in expected claim payments related to our IIF; or
· increase in operating expenses.
The ability of our insurance subsidiaries to declare dividends is restricted by certain provisions of the insurance laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, their state of domicile. The insurance laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania establish a test limiting the maximum amount of dividends that may be paid out of unassigned surplus by an insurer without prior approval by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner. Under such a test, we may pay dividends during any 12-month period in an amount equal to the greater of (i) 10 percent of the preceding year-end statutory policyholders surplus or (ii) the preceding years statutory net income. Pennsylvania statute also requires that dividends and other distributions be paid out of positive unassigned surplus without prior approval. At March 31, 2014, Essent Guaranty, Inc. had negative unassigned surplus and therefore would require prior approval by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner to make any dividend payment or other distributions in 2014. At March 31, 2014, Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc. had unassigned surplus of $1.0 million. In March 2014, Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc. paid a $200,000 dividend to Essent US Holdings, Inc. and in December 2013, Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc. paid a $5,000 dividend to Essent US Holdings, Inc. Essent Guaranty, Inc. has paid no dividends since its inception. At March 31, 2014, our insurance subsidiaries were in compliance with these rules and regulations.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities:
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
| ||||
($ in thousands) |
|
2014 |
|
2013 |
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
12,528 |
|
$ |
14,773 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(479,930 |
) |
(14,166 |
) | ||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
|
(1,415 |
) |
49,350 |
| ||
Net (decrease) increase in cash |
|
$ |
(468,817 |
) |
$ |
49,957 |
|
Operating Activities
Cash flow provided by operations totaled $12.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to cash provided by operating activities of $14.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The decrease in cash flow from operations of $2.3 million in 2014 was a result of increases in expenses paid and prepaid taxes, partially offset by increases in premium collected, net investment income and net realized investments gains.
Investing Activities
Cash flow used in investing activities totaled $480.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to cash used in investing activities of $14.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The increase in cash flow used in investing activities was primarily related to investing capital contributions from our initial investors received in 2013, proceeds from our initial public offering that was completed in November 2013, and cash flows from the business.
Financing Activities
Cash flow used in financing activities totaled $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as compared to cash provided by financing activities of $49.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was primary related to the acquisition of treasury stock from employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations and payment of accrued offering costs, partially offset by excess tax benefits recognized as a result of stock-based compensation. Cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2013 was principally due to proceeds received from Class A common shares issued to our initial investors.
Risk to Capital
We compute our risk to capital ratio on a separate company statutory basis, as well as for our combined insurance operations. The risk to capital ratio is our net risk in force divided by our statutory capital. Our net risk in force represents risk in force net of reinsurance ceded, if any, and net of exposures on policies for which loss reserves have been established. Statutory capital consists primarily of statutory policyholders surplus (which increases as a result of statutory net income and decreases as a result of statutory net loss and dividends paid), plus the statutory contingency reserve. The statutory contingency reserve is reported as a liability on the statutory balance sheet. A mortgage insurance company is required to make annual contributions to the contingency reserve of 50% of net premiums earned. These contributions must generally be maintained for a period of ten years. However, with regulatory approval a mortgage insurance company may make early withdrawals from the contingency reserve when incurred losses exceed 35% of net premiums earned in a calendar year.
Our combined risk to capital calculation as of March 31, 2014 is as follows:
Combined statutory capital: |
|
|
| |
Policyholders surplus |
|
$ |
419,080 |
|
Contingency reserves |
|
109,154 |
| |
Combined statutory capital |
|
$ |
528,234 |
|
Combined net risk in force |
|
$ |
8,490,120 |
|
Combined risk to capital ratio |
|
16.1:1 |
|
For additional information regarding regulatory capital see Note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Our combined statutory capital equals the sum of statutory capital of Essent Guaranty, Inc. plus Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc., after eliminating the impact of intercompany transactions. The combined risk to capital ratio equals the sum of the net risk in force of Essent Guaranty, Inc. and Essent Guaranty of PA, Inc. divided by combined statutory capital. The information above has been derived from the annual and quarterly statements of our insurance subsidiaries, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Such practices vary from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Financial Strength Ratings
The financial strength of Essent Guaranty, Inc., our principal mortgage insurance subsidiary, is rated Baa2 by Moodys Investors Service (Moodys) with a stable outlook. Standard & Poors Rating Services (S&P) insurer financial strength rating of Essent Guaranty, Inc. is BBB+ with a stable outlook.
Financial Condition
Stockholders Equity
As of March 31, 2014, stockholders equity was $740.1 million compared to $722.1 million as of December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily due to net income generated in 2014.
Investments
As of March 31, 2014, the total fair value of our investment portfolio was $847.3 million, compared to $332.6 million as of December 31, 2013. This increase was primarily due to the investment of proceeds from our initial public offering and capital contributions in the form of cash that were received in 2013 which had not been fully invested as of December 31, 2013.
Investment Portfolio by Asset Class
Asset Class |
|
March 31, 2014 |
|
December 31, 2013 |
| ||||||
($ in thousands) |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
| ||
U.S. Treasury securities |
|
$ |
71,584 |
|
8.4 |
% |
$ |
59,187 |
|
17.8 |
% |
U.S. agency securities |
|
11,193 |
|
1.3 |
|
14,839 |
|
4.5 |
| ||
U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities |
|
47,468 |
|
5.6 |
|
22,241 |
|
6.7 |
| ||
Municipal debt securities(1) |
|
146,154 |
|
17.3 |
|
57,650 |
|
17.3 |
| ||
Corporate debt securities |
|
230,823 |
|
27.2 |
|
125,593 |
|
37.8 |
| ||
Mortgage-backed securities |
|
39,688 |
|
4.7 |
|
18,581 |
|
5.6 |
| ||
Asset-backed securities |
|
61,626 |
|
7.3 |
|
20,385 |
|
6.1 |
| ||
Money market funds |
|
238,732 |
|
28.2 |
|
14,079 |
|
4.2 |
| ||
Total Investments |
|
$ |
847,268 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
332,555 |
|
100.0 |
% |
(1) At March 31, 2014, approximately 54% of municipal debt securities were special revenue bonds, 45% were general obligation bonds and 1% were tax allocation bonds. At December 31, 2013, all municipal debt securities were general obligation bonds. For information regarding the amortized cost and fair value of the municipal debt securities, see Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Investment Portfolio by Rating
Rating(1) |
|
March 31, 2014 |
|
December 31, 2013 |
| ||||||
($ in thousands) |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
| ||
Aaa |
|
$ |
471,707 |
|
55.6 |
% |
$ |
147,862 |
|
44.5 |
% |
Aa1 |
|
32,267 |
|
3.8 |
|
21,570 |
|
6.5 |
| ||
Aa2 |
|
35,474 |
|
4.2 |
|
15,464 |
|
4.6 |
| ||
Aa3 |
|
26,106 |
|
3.1 |
|
11,902 |
|
3.6 |
| ||
A1 |
|
62,950 |
|
7.4 |
|
26,541 |
|
8.0 |
| ||
A2 |
|
42,179 |
|
5.0 |
|
17,045 |
|
5.1 |
| ||
A3 |
|
49,607 |
|
5.9 |
|
29,886 |
|
9.0 |
| ||
Baa1 |
|
52,395 |
|
6.2 |
|
24,441 |
|
7.3 |
| ||
Baa2 |
|
64,753 |
|
7.6 |
|
30,782 |
|
9.3 |
| ||
Baa3 |
|
9,830 |
|
1.2 |
|
7,062 |
|
2.1 |
| ||
Below Baa3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Total Investments |
|
$ |
847,268 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
332,555 |
|
100.0 |
% |
(1) Based on ratings issued by Moodys, if available. S&P rating utilized if Moodys not available.
Investment Portfolio by Effective Duration
Effective Duration |
|
March 31, 2014 |
|
December 31, 2013 |
| ||||||
($ in thousands) |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
|
Fair Value |
|
Percent |
| ||
< 1 Year |
|
$ |
322,695 |
|
38.0 |
% |
$ |
65,092 |
|
19.6 |
% |
1 to < 2 Years |
|
48,987 |
|
5.8 |
|
19,093 |
|
5.7 |
| ||
2 to < 3 Years |
|
76,868 |
|
9.1 |
|
74,335 |
|
22.4 |
| ||
3 to < 4 Years |
|
99,948 |
|
11.8 |
|
63,214 |
|
19.0 |
| ||
4 to < 5 Years |
|
81,779 |
|
9.7 |
|
66,230 |
|
19.9 |
| ||
5 or more Years |
|
216,991 |
|
25.6 |
|
44,591 |
|
13.4 |
| ||
Total Investments |
|
$ |
847,268 |
|
100.0 |
% |
$ |
332,555 |
|
100.0 |
% |
Top Ten Portfolio Holdings
|
|
March 31, 2014 |
| |||||||||||
Rank |
|
Security |
|
Fair Value |
|
Amortized |
|
Unrealized |
|
Credit |
| |||
1 |
|
U.S. T-Note 2.125% 1/31/21 |
|
$ |
14,358 |
|
$ |
14,531 |
|
$ |
(173 |
) |
Aaa |
|
2 |
|
U.S. Treasury Bill 9/18/14 |
|
12,797 |
|
12,796 |
|
1 |
|
Aaa |
| |||
3 |
|
U.S. Treasury Bill 9/11/14 |
|
9,997 |
|
9,997 |
|
0 |
|
Aaa |
| |||
4 |
|
Freddie Mac 4.0% 30 Yr MBS |
|
5,833 |
|
5,846 |
|
(13 |
) |
Baa1 |
| |||
5 |
|
U.S. T-Note 2.625% 12/31/14 |
|
5,400 |
|
5,341 |
|
59 |
|
Aaa |
| |||
6 |
|
Freddie Mac 3.0% 30 Yr MBS |
|
4,344 |
|
4,343 |
|
1 |
|
Baa1 |
| |||
7 |
|
Goldman Sachs CMBS 2007-GG10 |
|
4,042 |
|
4,187 |
|
(145 |
) |
Aaa |
| |||
8 |
|
Freddie Mac 3.5% 30 Yr MBS |
|
3,925 |
|
3,929 |
|
(4 |
) |
Baa1 |
| |||
9 |
|
U.S. T-Note 3.625% 2/15/21 |
|
3,916 |
|
3,668 |
|
248 |
|
Aaa |
| |||
10 |
|
Freddie Mac 3.0% 30 Yr MBS |
|
3,827 |
|
4,112 |
|
(285 |
) |
Baa1 |
| |||
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
68,439 |
|
$ |
68,750 |
|
$ |
(311 |
) |
|
|
Percent of Investment Portfolio |
|
8.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) As of March 31, 2014, for securities in unrealized loss positions, management believes decline in fair values is principally associated with the changes in the interest rate environment subsequent to their purchase and there are no other-than-temporary impairments. Also, see Note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, which summarizes the aggregate amount of gross unrealized losses by asset class in which the fair value of investments has been less than cost for more than 12 months and less than 12 months.
(2) Based on ratings issued by Moodys, if available. S&P rating utilized if Moodys not available.
Rank |
|
December 31, 2013 |
| |||
($ in thousands) |
|
Security |
|
Fair Value |
| |
1 |
|
U.S. T-Note 2% 4/30/2016 |
|
$ |
6,621 |
|
2 |
|
U.S. T-Note 2.125% 2/29/2016 |
|
6,442 |
| |
3 |
|
U.S. T-Note 2.625% 12/31/2014 |
|
5,429 |
| |
4 |
|
U.S. T-Note 2.375% 6/30/2018 |
|
4,874 |
| |
5 |
|
U.S. T-Note 1.625% 8/15/2022 |
|
4,724 |
| |
6 |
|
Goldman Sachs CMBS 2007-1 |
|
4,392 |
| |
7 |
|
U.S. T-Note 1.375% 9/30/2018 |
|
3,951 |
| |
8 |
|
U.S. T-Note 3.625% 2/15/2021 |
|
3,885 |
| |
9 |
|
Freddie Mac 3.0% 30 Yr MBS |
|
3,813 |
| |
10 |
|
Scholar Funding ABS 2013-A |
|
3,331 |
| |
Total |
|
|
|
$ |
47,462 |
|
Percent of Investment Portfolio |
|
14.3 |
% |
The following table includes municipal debt securities for states that represent more than 10% of the total municipal bond position as of March 31, 2014:
($ in thousands) |
|
Fair Value |
|
Amortized |
|
Credit |
| ||
Texas |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
City of Houston, Texas |
|
$ |
4,106 |
|
$ |
4,061 |
|
Aaa |
|
The University of Texas |
|
2,425 |
|
2,417 |
|
A1 |
| ||
Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District |
|
2,220 |
|
2,237 |
|
A3 |
| ||
Alamo Community College District |
|
1,784 |
|
1,800 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport |
|
1,621 |
|
1,599 |
|
A3 |
| ||
Alvin Independent School District |
|
1,293 |
|
1,292 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
Texas Transportation Commission |
|
1,207 |
|
1,200 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
County of Dallas, Texas |
|
1,144 |
|
1,151 |
|
A3 |
| ||
Pasadena Independent School District |
|
1,110 |
|
1,107 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
Tarrant County Cultural Education |
|
1,097 |
|
1,102 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
County of Rockwall, Texas |
|
825 |
|
827 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
City of El Paso, Texas |
|
594 |
|
580 |
|
Baa1 |
| ||
|
|
$ |
19,426 |
|
$ |
19,373 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
New York |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
City of New York, New York |
|
$ |
3,984 |
|
$ |
3,985 |
|
Aaa |
|
New York City Transitional Finance Authority |
|
3,805 |
|
3,811 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
New York State Urban Development |
|
2,759 |
|
2,767 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
Metropolitan Transportation Authority |
|
2,314 |
|
2,326 |
|
Baa1 |
| ||
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
|
1,979 |
|
1,955 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
County of Albany, New York |
|
1,905 |
|
1,893 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
New York State Dormitory Authority |
|
1,160 |
|
1,151 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority |
|
764 |
|
771 |
|
Aaa |
| ||
|
|
$ |
18,670 |
|
$ |
18,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||
Total |
|
$ |
38,096 |
|
$ |
38,032 |
|
|
|
(1) None of the above securities include financial guaranty insurance. Certain securities include state enhancements. The above ratings exclude the effect of such state enhancements.
(2) Based on ratings issued by Moodys if available. S&P utilized if Moodys is not available.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements or financing activities with special-purpose entities.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We own and manage a large investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. Investment income is one of our primary sources of cash flow supporting operations and claim payments. The assets within the investment portfolio are exposed to the same factors that affect overall financial market performance. While our investment portfolio is exposed to factors affecting markets worldwide, it is most sensitive to fluctuations in the drivers of U.S. markets.
We manage market risk via a defined investment policy implemented by our treasury function with oversight from our board of directors and our senior management. Important drivers of our market risk exposure monitored and managed by us include but are not limited to:
· Changes to the level of interest rates. Increasing interest rates may reduce the value of certain fixed-rate bonds held in the investment portfolio. Higher rates may cause variable rate assets to generate additional income. Decreasing rates will have the reverse impact. Significant changes in interest rates can also affect persistency
and claim rates which may in turn require that the investment portfolio be restructured to better align it with future liabilities and claim payments. Such restructuring may cause investments to be liquidated when market conditions are adverse.
· Changes to the term structure of interest rates. Rising or falling rates typically change by different amounts along the yield curve. These changes may have unforeseen impacts on the value of certain assets.
· Market volatility/changes in the real or perceived credit quality of investments. Deterioration in the quality of investments, identified through changes to our own or third party (e.g., rating agency) assessments, will reduce the value and potentially the liquidity of investments.
· Concentration Risk. If the investment portfolio is highly concentrated in one asset, or in multiple assets whose values are highly correlated, the value of the total portfolio may be greatly affected by the change in value of just one asset or a group of highly correlated assets.
· Prepayment Risk. Bonds may have call provisions that permit debtors to repay prior to maturity when it is to their advantage. This typically occurs when rates fall below the interest rate of the debt.
Market risk is measured for all investment assets at the individual security level. Market risks that are not fully captured by the quantitative analysis are highlighted. In addition, material market risk changes that occur from the last reporting period to the current are discussed. Changes to how risks are managed will also be identified and described.
At March 31, 2014, the effective duration of our investment portfolio, including cash, was 3.0 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift (movement up or down) in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 3.0% in fair value of our investment portfolio. Excluding cash, our investment portfolio effective duration was 4.3 years, which means that an instantaneous parallel shift (movement up or down) in the yield curve of 100 basis points would result in a change of 4.3% in fair value of our investment portfolio.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls
Our management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.
Changes in Internal Controls
During our most recent fiscal quarter, there has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.
Risk factors that affect our business and financial results are discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in our Annual Report. You should carefully consider the risks described in our Annual Report, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results. If any of the risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be negatively affected.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Repurchases of Securities
The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common shares during the first quarter of 2014. All of the shares represent common shares that were tendered to the Company by employees in connection with the vesting of restricted shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations. We do not consider these transactions to be a share buyback program.
Period |
|
Total |
|
Average Price |
|
Total Number of |
|
Maximum Number |
| |
January 1 - January 31, 2014 |
|
91,565 |
|
$ |
23.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
February 1 - February 28, 2014 |
|
5,297 |
|
24.85 |
|
|
|
|
| |
March 1 - March 31, 2014 |
|
665 |
|
23.20 |
|
|
|
|
| |
Total |
|
97,527 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Use of Proceeds from Initial Public Offering
On November 5, 2013, we completed an initial public offering of an aggregate of 22,666,635 Common Shares at a price of $17.00 per share for an aggregate offering price of $385,332,795. On that date, we issued and sold 19,956,517 shares, including 2,956,517 shares pursuant to the underwriters exercise of their option to purchase additional shares, and certain of our shareholders sold an additional 2,710,118 shares, and the offering terminated. Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and Barclays Capital Inc. served as joint representatives of the several underwriters for the offering. As a result of the initial public offering, we raised approximately $313.7 million in net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $21.5 million and estimated expenses in connection with the offering of approximately $4 million. We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders. No payments were made by us to our directors, officers or any of their associates, persons owning 10% or more of our Common Shares, or their associates, or our affiliates, except for approximately $11.7 million that was paid in the aggregate in underwriting discounts and commissions to Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, affiliates of which owned more than 11% and 8%, respectively, of our outstanding capital immediately prior to our initial public offering. We believe that the services performed by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC in connection with the above offering were provided on terms no more or less favorable than those with unrelated parties.
As of March 31, 2014, we have contributed in the aggregate approximately $110 million (including approximately $35 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2014) of our net proceeds from the offering to our U.S. insurance subsidiaries as capital investments. The remaining portion of the net proceeds has been utilized as temporary investments in cash and cash equivalents. There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our initial public offering as described in our final prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b).
(a) Exhibits:
Exhibit |
|
Description |
31.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
101 |
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The following financial information from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited); (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited); (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (Unaudited); (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited); and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), tagged as blocks of text. |
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Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under those sections. |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, on the date indicated.
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ESSENT GROUP LTD. |
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Date: May 15, 2014 |
/s/ MARK A. CASALE |
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Mark A. Casale |
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President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
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Date: May 15, 2014 |
/s/ LAWRENCE E. MCALEE |
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Lawrence E. McAlee |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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Date: May 15, 2014 |
/s/ DAVID B. WEINSTOCK |
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David B. Weinstock |
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Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer |
Exhibit |
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Description |
31.1 |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2 |
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Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1 |
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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
101 |
|
The following financial information from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited); (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited); (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders Equity (Unaudited); (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited); and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited), tagged as blocks of text. |
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Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under those sections. |